Real Estate Metrics

Absorption Rate
The Absorption Rate is an estimate of the expected annual sales or new occupancy of a particular type of land use, providing a measurement of how quickly available real estate inventory is being sold or leased.
Average Rate of Return (ARR)
The Average Rate of Return (ARR) is a metric used to evaluate the profitability of an investment, calculated by dividing the total net earnings by the number of years the investment was held, and then dividing by the initial acquisition cost.
Building Efficiency Ratio
Building Efficiency Ratio signifies the proportion of a building's usable floor area as compared to its total area. It is a crucial metric used to determine the efficiency of a building’s design and its space utilization.
Building/Land Ratio
The building/land ratio is a real estate metric that compares the value of improvements (like buildings) on a piece of land to the value of the land itself. This ratio helps investors and appraisers assess the value and utility of a property.
Capture Rate
Capture rate is a key metric in real estate that measures the sales or leasing rate of a particular development compared to all developments in the market area. This rate helps developers and investors gauge the market performance of a specific project within a competitive landscape.
Cash-on-Cash Return
A measure of annual cash return on the amount of cash invested in a property, often used to evaluate the performance of income-generating real estate.
Economic Occupancy
Economic Occupancy refers to the effective occupancy rate of property units based on units rented for money, rather than the physical occupancy, which simply counts the number of occupied units regardless of whether rent is being paid.
Efficiency Ratio
The efficiency ratio in real estate is the proportion of a building's area that is leasable space, reflecting how efficiently space within the building is utilized for leasing purposes.
Expense Ratio
The Expense Ratio is a financial metric used to compare the operating expenses of a property to its potential gross income, allowing investors and property managers to analyze the relative operating efficiency.
Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM)
The Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) is a simplified ratio used by real estate investors to evaluate the potential profitability of an income-generating property. It is calculated by dividing the property's purchase price by its gross annual rental income.
Homeownership Rate
Homeownership rate represents the percentage of owner-occupied dwellings compared to the total occupied dwellings in a specific area, providing insight into housing stability and economic activity.
Improvement Ratio
The Improvement Ratio measures the relative value of improvements on a property compared to its unimproved value, providing insight into the investment in enhancements versus the land value itself.
Market Capture
Market Capture, also known as Capture Rate, is a vital real estate metric that measures the share of a particular property or set of properties in relation to the overall market demand.
Net Absorption
Net Absorption measures the amount of newly occupied space in a given period minus the space vacated or put back on the market during that same period, providing key insights into market demand and occupancy trends.
Net Leasable Area (NLA)
Net Leasable Area (NLA) represents the precise space within a commercial property that can be rented to tenants. It is a critical metric for landlords and investors when estimating potential rental income.
NPI (National Property Index)
The NPI, or National Property Index, is a property performance index maintained by the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF).
Occupancy Rate
The occupancy rate is a key performance indicator in the real estate industry, representing the percentage of currently rented or occupied units in a building, neighborhood, or complex. A high occupancy rate generally indicates strong demand for the property.
Occupancy Report
An occupancy report provides a comprehensive summary of a building's occupancy status, detailing pertinent information about tenants, vacant spaces, and leasing terms. This report is essential for property managers, owners, and investors to assess the property’s performance and make informed decisions.
Overall Rate of Capitalization (OAR)
The Overall Rate of Capitalization, often referred to as the Overall Rate of Return (ORR), is a key financial metric used in real estate to evaluate the income-generating potential of an investment property relative to its purchase price or market value.
Owners' Equivalent Rent (of Primary Residence)
A data series produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Owners' Equivalent Rent (of Primary Residence) is used in compiling the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to track the rental value that the average owner-occupied home would command in the market.
Parking Ratio
Parking ratio refers to the number of parking spaces provided per 1,000 square feet of gross leasable area (GLA) in a property, ensuring adequate parking for tenants and visitors.
Payback Period
The Payback Period is the amount of time required for cumulative estimated future income from an investment to equal the amount initially invested. It is used to compare alternative investment opportunities.
Ratio
A ratio expresses the quantitative relationship between two numbers, showing the number of times one value contains or is contained within the other.
Vacancy Factor
The vacancy factor, also referred to as the vacancy rate, is a critical metric in real estate that measures the percentage of vacant rental properties compared to the total inventory of units in a specific area or property portfolio. It's essential for property managers, investors, and developers to assess the health of the rental market and forecast income expectations.
Vacancy Rate
Vacancy rate represents the percentage of all available units or space that are vacant or not rented in a particular property, influencing projected income and financial planning.

Real Estate Lexicon

With over 3,000 definitions (and 30,000 Quizes!), our Lexicon of Real Estate Terms equips buyers, sellers, and professionals with the knowledge needed to thrive in the real estate market. Empower your journey today!

Real Estate Real Estate Investment Real Estate Law Property Management Real Estate Transactions Real Estate Financing Real Estate Development Mortgage Property Valuation Commercial Real Estate Real Estate Appraisal Real Estate Valuation Property Rights Land Use Property Ownership Urban Planning Property Value Real Estate Finance Foreclosure Market Value Real Estate Contracts Depreciation Property Law Interest Rates Construction Estate Planning Lease Agreement Appraisal Investment Financing Mortgage Loans Financial Planning Real Estate Terms Legal Terms Zoning Real Estate Market Rental Income Market Analysis Lease Agreements Housing Market Property Sale Interest Rate Taxation Title Insurance Property Taxes Amortization Eminent Domain Investment Analysis Property Investment Property Tax Property Transfer Risk Management Tenant Rights Mortgages Residential Property Architecture Investments Contract Law Land Development Loans Property Development Default Condemnation Finance Income Tax Property Purchase Homeownership Leasing Operating Expenses Inheritance Legal Documents Real Estate Metrics Residential Real Estate Home Loans Real Estate Ownership Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Affordable Housing Cash Flow Closing Costs Collateral Net Operating Income Real Estate Loans Real Property Asset Management Infrastructure Mortgage Loan Property Appraisal Real Estate Investing Urban Development Building Codes Insurance Loan Repayment Mortgage Payments Real Estate Broker Shopping Centers Tax Deductions Creditworthiness Mortgage Insurance Property Assessment Real Estate Transaction