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L.4 · INTERMEDIATE · 2 MIN

Leverage in Real Estate

Real estate uses more leverage than almost any other asset class. A typical home purchase uses 80% debt. Commercial properties carry 60–75% LTV. This leverage amplifies returns in both directions.

Quiz · 5 questions ↓
§ 01
Cash-on-Cash Return = Annual Cash Flow / Equity Invested
§ 02
ScenarioAll-Cash Purchase75% LTV Leveraged
Property value$1M$1M
Equity invested$1M$250K
NOI$60K$60K
Debt service$0$35K
Cash flow$60K (6% return)$25K (10% return on equity)
If value rises 10%10% equity gain40% equity gain (4x leverage)
If value falls 10%10% equity loss40% equity loss
§ 03

Leverage is a double-edged sword. At 75% LTV, a 25% property value decline wipes out ALL equity. This is exactly what happened to millions of homeowners in 2008–2009.

§ 04
Calculate the leveraged vs. unleveraged return for a property. Notice how leverage amplifies the return in both directions.
§ 05
You buy a property for $1M with $200K down (80% LTV). The property drops 25% to $750K. What’s your equity position?
§ 06

The key metric for leverage safety is the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): NOI / Debt Service. Below 1.0x means the property can’t cover its mortgage from income. Lenders typically require 1.2–1.5x.

§ 07
You own a $1M rental property with a $700K mortgage, producing $60K annual NOI, $40K annual mortgage payment. Equity cash-on-cash return is ~7% ($20K/$300K equity). Home prices are flat. Total return if property value stays flat?
Five questions · AI feedback

Sit with the ideas.

A REIT acquires a $50M office tower with $35M in debt at 6% and $15M in equity. NOI is $3.5M. What is the unlevered yield, cash-on-cash return, and DSCR?

Why:
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