2 However we will briefly examine the general concept of tax deferral. If the owner exchanges his property for a qualifying like-kind property and complies with the rules of Section 1031, the entire tax may be deferred.

There are three general methods appraisers use to value commercial real estate:

Cost Approach 2. Sales Comparable Approach 3. Income Capitalization Approach

The Cost Approach arrives at a value by determining what it would cost to replace the property being assessed.

The Sales Comparable Approach analyzes recent sales on comparable properties and makes assumptions based on the sale price per foot and then applies that sale price per foot to the subject property in order to arrive at a current market value. The Income Capitalization Approach analyzes the income and expenses generated and incurred on the property and then capitalizes the Net Operating Income (cash flow before debt service) in order to arrive at a current market value. (This assumes of course the property does in fact generate income. Some borrowers feel that the appraised value should be the value underwritten by the lender.

Cap Rate Net Operating Income / Value (or Purchase Price) A cap rate is merely an expression of the unleveraged annual return on one's investment.

Value Net Operating Income / Cap Rate (input)

Commercial property is often used as a source of profit for investors. If you are interested in buying commercial real estate, it is important to determine how much the property is worth in terms of market value.