A.CRE

Breakeven Occupancy

The occupancy at which the effective gross income is equal to the sum of the operating expenses plus debt service. Breakeven occupancy is an important metric for lenders, developers, and operators as it is the point at which the property shifts from an operating deficit to an operating surplus. Real estate owners will often use rent concessions to speed the investment to breakeven.

Point at which EGI = OpEx + DS; also the point at which DSCR = 1.00X

Example: A property has a potential gross income of $1,000 with $500 in operating expenses and $250 in debt service. Breakeven occupancy in this case would be calculated as (500 + 250) ÷ 1,000 = 75%.

Putting ‘Breakeven Occupancy’ in Context

Scenario Overview:

  • Company: Mile High Development Group
  • Property: Rocky Mountain Flex Space
  • Location: Denver, Colorado
  • Risk Type: Opportunistic
  • Investment Strategy: Development
  • Property Type: Industrial – Flex

Context:

Mile High Development Group, a real estate developer specializing in industrial properties, is embarking on a new project in Denver, Colorado. They are developing Rocky Mountain Flex Space, a state-of-the-art industrial flex property catering to small and medium-sized enterprises looking for versatile space to accommodate both office and light manufacturing needs.

Project Details:

  • Total Development Cost: $20,000,000
  • Projected Effective Gross Income (EGI): $2,500,000 per year
  • Operating Expenses (OpEx): $800,000 per year
  • Annual Debt Service (DS): $1,000,000

Calculation of Breakeven Occupancy:

Breakeven occupancy is the occupancy level at which the effective gross income (EGI) is equal to the sum of operating expenses and debt service. The formula for breakeven occupancy is:

Breakeven Occupancy = (Operating Expenses + Debt Service) / Potential Gross Income

Plugging in the values for Rocky Mountain Flex Space:

Breakeven Occupancy = ($800,000 + $1,000,000) / $2,500,000

Breakeven Occupancy = $1,800,000 / $2,500,000

Breakeven Occupancy = 0.72 or 72%

Interpretation:

For Rocky Mountain Flex Space to cover its operating expenses and debt service, it needs to achieve an occupancy rate of 72%. This means that at least 72% of the leasable space must be occupied and generating income to avoid an operating deficit. Any occupancy above this threshold will contribute to an operating surplus, enhancing the project’s profitability.

Implications:

Understanding the breakeven occupancy is crucial for Mile High Development Group, especially in an opportunistic development scenario. This metric helps the developer gauge the project’s risk and set realistic leasing targets. In the initial lease-up phase, Mile High Development Group might offer rent concessions to attract tenants and quickly reach the breakeven occupancy. Additionally, they can use this information to secure favorable financing terms by demonstrating the project’s viability to lenders.

This hypothetical scenario underscores the importance of breakeven occupancy in assessing and managing the financial health of real estate developments.

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