REIPRIME Logo
Intermediate terms

Essential Investing Principles Terms

This curated collection includes key terms that might be helpful when exploring the foundational principles of investing. It covers how money grows and concepts universal to both real estate and stock markets. These terms were selected based on common questions and areas where investors often need clarity.

Learning Path

1

Return on Investment

Return on Investment (ROI) is a financial metric that measures the profitability of an investment by comparing the net profit to the initial cost, expressed as a percentage.

Beginner13-14 min
2

Refinancing

Refinancing is the process of replacing an existing mortgage or loan with a new one, often to secure better terms, lower interest rates, or access built-up property equity.

Intermediate15-18 min
3

Depreciation

Depreciation in real estate is an income tax deduction allowing investors to recover the cost of an income-producing property over its useful life, excluding land value, thereby reducing taxable income.

Intermediate13-14 min
4

Internal Rate of Return

The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is a sophisticated financial metric used in capital budgeting to estimate the profitability of potential investments, representing the discount rate at which the net present value (NPV) of all cash flows from a particular project equals zero.

Advanced15-18 min
5

Cash-on-Cash Return

Cash-on-Cash Return (CoC) is a real estate investment metric that calculates the annual pre-tax cash flow generated by a property as a percentage of the total cash an investor has invested.

Intermediate15-18 min
6

BRRRR Method

The BRRRR Method is an advanced real estate investment strategy (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) designed to build a scalable rental property portfolio by leveraging forced appreciation to recycle initial capital for subsequent investments.

Advanced14-15 min
7

Loan-to-Value Ratio

The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio is a financial metric used by lenders to assess the risk of a mortgage loan, calculated by dividing the loan amount by the property's appraised value, expressed as a percentage.

Intermediate14-15 min
8

Net Operating Income

Net Operating Income (NOI) is a key real estate metric representing a property's annual income after deducting all operating expenses, but before accounting for debt service, income taxes, and capital expenditures.

Intermediate11-12 min
9

Property Appreciation

Property appreciation is the increase in a real estate asset's value over time, driven by market forces and investor improvements, leading to potential profit upon sale.

Beginner11-12 min
10

Capitalization Rate

The Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) is a real estate valuation metric used to estimate the potential rate of return on an investment property, calculated by dividing its Net Operating Income (NOI) by its current market value.

Intermediate14-15 min
11

Illiquidity Premium

The illiquidity premium is the additional return investors require for holding assets that cannot be easily converted to cash without significant loss in value, common in real estate due to its slow transaction process and high costs.

Intermediate3 min
12

Debt Service Coverage Ratio

The Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) is a financial metric used in commercial real estate lending to assess a property's ability to generate sufficient Net Operating Income (NOI) to cover its annual mortgage debt payments.

Advanced15-18 min
13

Leverage

Leverage in real estate is the use of borrowed capital, typically through mortgages, to finance property purchases and amplify potential investment returns.

Intermediate15-18 min
14

Due Diligence

Due diligence is the critical process of investigating and verifying all material facts about a property and its financials before a real estate acquisition, aiming to identify risks and ensure an informed investment decision.

Intermediate14-15 min
15

Risk Management

Risk management in real estate is the systematic process of identifying, assessing, and controlling potential threats to an investor's capital and returns, ensuring long-term asset protection and profitability.

Intermediate12-13 min
16

Real Estate Exit Strategy

A real estate exit strategy is a predefined plan for how an investor will liquidate or conclude their involvement with a property, aiming to realize profits, recover capital, or mitigate losses.

Intermediate13-14 min
17

Diversification

Diversification in real estate is the strategy of spreading investment capital across various assets, markets, or property types to reduce risk and enhance portfolio stability against market fluctuations.

Intermediate12-13 min
18

1031 Exchange

A 1031 Exchange allows real estate investors to defer capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes when selling an investment property by reinvesting the proceeds into a new "like-kind" investment property within strict IRS timelines.

Advanced15-18 min
19

Real Estate Investment Trust

A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-producing real estate, allowing individuals to invest in large-scale property portfolios through publicly traded shares.

Intermediate15-18 min
20

Real Estate Syndication

Real estate syndication is a private equity strategy where multiple investors pool capital to acquire and manage large-scale real estate assets, typically led by a sponsor (General Partner) for passive Limited Partners.

Advanced14-15 min
21

Underwriting

Underwriting is the process by which lenders assess the risk of lending money for a real estate transaction, evaluating the borrower's creditworthiness and capacity to repay, as well as the property's value and marketability.

Intermediate15-18 min