California Real Estate SalespersonProperty Valuation and Financial AnalysisHard

An appraiser is determining the value of a vacant commercial lot. The appraiser estimates that if a new building were constructed on the lot, it would generate a Net Operating Income (NOI) of $100,000 per year. The building's value, if newly constructed, is estimated at $800,000. The market capitalization rate for similar properties is 8%. Using the land residual technique, what is the estimated value of the vacant lot?

  1. A$500,000
  2. B$450,000
  3. C$1,250,000
  4. D$200,000
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. $450,000

First, calculate the income attributable to the building: $800,000 (building value) * 0.08 (cap rate) = $64,000. Next, find the income attributable to the land: $100,000 (total NOI) - $64,000 (building income) = $36,000. Finally, capitalize the land's income to find its value: $36,000 / 0.08 (cap rate) = $450,000.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This is an incorrect calculation, possibly using a different cap rate for the land or making a math error.
  • C. This would be the total property value if the entire NOI was capitalized without deducting building value.
  • D. This is an incorrect calculation, possibly subtracting building value from NOI directly or making a math error.

Land Residual Technique

An income capitalization method used to estimate the value of land, assuming a new building is constructed, by deducting the income attributable to the building from the total NOI and then capitalizing the residual income to the land.

  • Used when land value is unknown but building value and total NOI are estimable
  • Income attributable to building = Building Value × Capitalization Rate
  • Land Value = (Total NOI - Income Attributable to Building) / Capitalization Rate

Memory trick: Total Income minus Building's Share, Leaves Land's Income to Bear.

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