Equity Capture on Utility Expenses in the United States

Equity Capture of properties

Equity capture refers to increasing a property’s value to generate financial benefits through a sale or refinancing. Equity capture can be done through various methods, such as renovating the property, decreasing operating costs, increasing rental income, or taking advantage of market conditions. By effectively capturing the equity in a property, a property owner can increase their return on investment and generate additional income. Additionally, maximizing utility expenses can significantly increase a property’s net operating income, increasing the property’s value and improving the return on investment.

Benefits of Equity Capture

The main advantages of equity capture is the possibility of increasing the value of a property and achieving high returns on investment. Equity capture can be achieved through various methods, such as renovating units, updating common areas, installing water submeters to recover utility expenses, or adding amenities to the property. These improvements can make the property more appealing to potential buyers or renters and increase its value.

To maximize the potential for equity capture, it is important for property owners to conduct thorough market research and determine the most effective improvements to make based on the needs and preferences of potential buyers or renters in the area.

In addition, property owners should be mindful of their expenses and keep operating costs low to maximize their equity capture potential.

Overall, equity capture can be a useful strategy for property owners looking to increase the value of their property and generate additional income. Careful planning and research can help property owners achieve the desired results from their equity capture efforts.

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Cash Flow measurement of your commercial property

The cash flow of a property refers to the net amount of money it generates after accounting for operating expenses, debt payments, and other costs. To calculate cash flow, you need to subtract these costs from the property’s gross operating income. Cash flow is a crucial factor in determining the return on investment of a commercial property. It represents the revenue from rent minus the expenses associated with utilities, maintenance, taxes, insurance, mortgage payments, and other costs. Understanding and managing cash flow is essential for maximizing the profitability of a commercial property.

Sources of Cash flow

The main source of cash flow is determined by the following:

  • Gross Operating Income (GOI) is the total revenue generated from a property through rent payments and other sources of income, such as maintenance fees or parking fees. 
  • Operating expenses refer to the costs associated with operating and maintaining the property, including property taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance and repair costs.
  • Debt service refers to the amount of money required to pay off any outstanding debt on the property, such as mortgage payments or loans. 

These three factors (GOI, operating expenses, and debt service) play a crucial role in determining a property’s financial performance and profitability.

Rental Income from properties

Rental income is the net amount of money earned from renting a property, calculated by subtracting any expenses related to the property from the total rent collected from tenants in a given period. These expenses may include property taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance and repair costs. 

Rental income is an important source of cash flow for property owners and can significantly impact their overall financial performance. By effectively managing their rental properties and maximizing their rental income, property owners can increase their returns on investment and generate additional income.

Utility Cost of Multifamily Properties

Utility costs for multifamily properties include expenses related to the maintenance and functioning of the building and its units. These can include water and sewage fees, electricity, gas, and other maintenance charges.

Water & Sewage Expenses
  • Utility costs for multifamily properties often include significant water and sewage services expenses. However, accurately attributing these costs to individual units can take time and effort. Some property owners use an average value to charge tenants for water and sewage expenses, which may be lower than the actual costs. 
  • This can be unfair to tenants who use a smaller quantity of water services, as they are charged the same as those who use more.
  • The solution to this problem is to use water sub-meters, which allow property owners to track and manage water consumption at the unit level using remote meter readings. These devices provide hourly usage information for tenants and can help property owners identify potential waste or overuse. By accurately tracking water and sewage expenses, property owners can more fairly allocate costs to tenants and improve their overall management of utility expenses.
Electricity Charges

The cost of electricity for shared spaces, such as elevators and stairwells, will be included in the expenses for the building and distributed equally among all tenants. The cost of electricity for these shared areas is generally stable from month to month. Electricity usage will be accurately measured through submetering and billed to each unit, allowing for the precise allocation of expenses.

Gas Charges

The gas charges cover the cost of natural gas used for heating and cooking purposes. These charges are consistent from unit to unit and can be easily recovered from the tenants.

Maintenance Charges

The expenses for maintaining the property may include services such as housekeeping, security, repairs, and lift maintenance for all residents. Additional funds may be required for items such as election expenses, group festival celebrations, non-agricultural tax, garbage collection charges, pest control charges, and other necessary expenses.

Cash Flow vs. Profit

Cash flow and profit are two key financial indicators often used to evaluate the success of a property. Cash flow means the total amount of money coming in and going out. At the same time, profit represents the amount of money the property owner makes after considering all its expenses. Cash flow is a measure of a property’s ability to generate the cash needed to meet its financial obligations, while profit is a reflection of the overall financial health of the property.

Installing a water submeter can increase the value of a property by accurately measuring the water usage of each unit in a multi-unit building. This can lead to reduced water consumption and lower water bills, making the property more attractive to potential buyers and increasing its value.

Return On Investment

Installing a water submeter can enhance the return on investment for a property in several ways. First, by accurately measuring the water usage of each unit, a water submeter can help detect and repair leaks and inefficiencies, resulting in decreased water consumption and lower water bills. Additionally, having a water submeter can make a property more appealing to potential tenants, as many individuals are interested in reducing their environmental impact and lowering their utility costs. As such, having a water submeter can be a selling point for a property.

What is Property's CAP Rate

The capitalization rate (CAP rate) for a property is the ratio of the net operating income (NOI) to the valuation of the building. For instance, if the CAP rate is 4%, the value of the building would be 25 times (1/.04) the NOI of the property. Several factors influence the CAP rate, with location being a key factor. The average CAP rate in New York may be 3%, while the average in Phoenix may be above 5%. A property with a lower CAP rate is expected to provide returns over a longer period.

By using Dunelabs’ IoT-based water submetering solutions, you can increase the return on investment for your property. From installation to monthly billing, we will manage your portfolio. Our water submeters, which are powered by efficient AI, are able to detect unusual water activity. This advanced submetering system has helped multifamily property owners save approximately 31,000 gallons of water per month. If you want to reduce high water bills due to leaks, consider contacting DuneLabs. Our high-quality, AI-driven submeters may allow you to more effectively monitor water leaks and save significantly on your water bills.

Frequency Asked Question

What are energy management solutions for businesses?

Energy management solutions involve monitoring resource usage and implementing efficiency strategies to save money.

What are equity capture strategies?

Equity capture strategies are investments designed to benefit from energy-related activities, such as renewable energy projects and energy efficiency initiatives.

What are energy efficiency methods?

Energy efficiency methods aim to reduce energy usage without sacrificing the quality of life. Common methods include building management systems, energy monitoring, and efficiency upgrades.

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