Operating Expense Ratio in Commercial Real Estate
An operating expense ratio, or OER, sometimes simply known as an expense ratio, is a metric comparing a property's operating expenses to the amount of income it generates. To determine a property's operating expense ratio, you can use the formula below: Operating Expenses/Gross Operating Income = Operating Expense Ratio For example, a building with operating expenses of $40,000 a year that brings in $100,000 of gross income would have a 40% OER.
Better Financing Starts with More Options$1.2M offered by a Bank at 6.0%$2M offered by an Agency at 5.6%$1M offered by a Credit Union at 5.1%Click Here to Get QuotesWhat is an Operating Expense Ratio in Commercial Real Estate?
An operating expense ratio, or OER (sometimes simply known as an expense ratio) is a metric comparing a property's operating expenses to the amount of income it generates. To determine a property's operating expense ratio, use the formula below:
Operating Expenses/Gross Operating Income = Operating Expense Ratio
For example, a building with operating expenses of $40,000 a year that brings in $100,000 of gross income would have a 40% OER.
$40,000/$100,000 = 40% Operating Expense Ratio
If a property has not yet been built, investors and developers can substitute gross operating income for gross potential rent (GPR). Then, they can add in any other estimated sources of income, and subtract the expected rate of vacancy to determine a realistic operating expense ratio.
In general, expenses such as utilities, waste removal, repairs and maintenance (R&M), management fees, insurance, and property taxes are included in OER. However, loan payments and capital expenditures (CapEx) designed to make a property more valuable or to replace a major system, are not.
How Commercial Real Estate Developers and Investors Use Operating Expense Ratios
In commercial real estate, operating expense ratios are most commonly used to compare similar properties to determine if a property is being effectively managed. For example, if an investor wants to purchase a industrial property with a 55% OER, and most similar industrial properties in the area have a 40% OER, the investor could probably conclude that the property is not being managed effectively.
In addition to comparing different properties, a year-by-year OER comparison can also be used on the same property to determine if expenses are rising too rapidly in a particular area (i.e. utilities). That, in turn, can be used to determine an action plan to cut costs (i.e. energy efficient building improvements).
Overall, if a property's expenses are rising faster than its rent, the OER will continue to rise, making the project increasingly unprofitable. If a property's operating expenses and rent rise at the same rate, the OER stays the same. However, if the property's rental income increases or stays the same, while operating expenses decrease, than the OER decreases as well.
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Related Questions
What is an operating expense ratio in commercial real estate?
An operating expense ratio, or OER (sometimes simply known as an expense ratio) is a metric comparing a property's operating expenses to the amount of income it generates. To determine a property's operating expense ratio, use the formula below:
Operating Expenses/Gross Operating Income = Operating Expense Ratio
For example, a building with operating expenses of $40,000 a year that brings in $100,000 of gross income would have a 40% OER.
$40,000/$100,000 = 40% Operating Expense Ratio
If a property has not yet been built, investors and developers can substitute gross operating income for gross potential rent (GPR). Then, they can add in any other estimated sources of income, and subtract the expected rate of vacancy to determine a realistic operating expense ratio.
In general, expenses such as utilities, waste removal, repairs and maintenance (R&M), management fees, insurance, and property taxes are included in OER. However, loan payments and capital expenditures (CapEx) designed to make a property more valuable or to replace a major system, are not.
How is operating expense ratio calculated in commercial real estate?
An operating expense ratio, or OER (sometimes simply known as an expense ratio) is a metric comparing a property's operating expenses to the amount of income it generates. To determine a property's operating expense ratio, use the formula below:
Operating Expenses/Gross Operating Income = Operating Expense Ratio
For example, a building with operating expenses of $40,000 a year that brings in $100,000 of gross income would have a 40% OER.
$40,000/$100,000 = 40% Operating Expense Ratio
If a property has not yet been built, investors and developers can substitute gross operating income for gross potential rent (GPR). Then, they can add in any other estimated sources of income, and subtract the expected rate of vacancy to determine a realistic operating expense ratio.
In general, expenses such as utilities, waste removal, repairs and maintenance (R&M), management fees, insurance, and property taxes are included in OER. However, loan payments and capital expenditures (CapEx) designed to make a property more valuable or to replace a major system, are not.
What are the benefits of understanding operating expense ratio in commercial real estate?
Understanding operating expense ratio in commercial real estate can help investors and developers compare similar properties to determine if a property is being effectively managed. It can also be used to compare year-by-year OER to determine if expenses are rising too rapidly in a particular area. This can help investors and developers create an action plan to cut costs, such as energy efficient building improvements. Additionally, understanding operating expense ratio can help investors and developers determine a realistic operating expense ratio for a property that has not yet been built.
What are the risks associated with operating expense ratio in commercial real estate?
The risks associated with operating expense ratio in commercial real estate are that if a property's expenses are rising faster than its rent, the OER will continue to rise, making the project increasingly unprofitable. If a property's operating expenses and rent rise at the same rate, the OER stays the same. However, if the property's rental income increases or stays the same, while operating expenses decrease, than the OER decreases as well.
In addition, if an investor wants to purchase a property with a higher OER than similar properties in the area, the investor could conclude that the property is not being managed effectively. This could lead to higher expenses and lower returns.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when calculating operating expense ratio in commercial real estate?
Common mistakes to avoid when calculating operating expense ratio in commercial real estate include:
- Including loan payments and capital expenditures (CapEx) in the operating expenses.
- Not accounting for vacancy when estimating gross operating income.
- Not accounting for all operating expenses, such as utilities, waste removal, repairs and maintenance (R&M), management fees, insurance, and property taxes.
For more information, please refer to this article.
What are the best practices for understanding operating expense ratio in commercial real estate?
The best practices for understanding operating expense ratio in commercial real estate are to compare similar properties to determine if a property is being effectively managed, compare year-by-year OERs on the same property to determine if expenses are rising too rapidly, and to use the formula Operating Expenses/Gross Operating Income = Operating Expense Ratio to determine a property's OER. Additionally, if a property has not yet been built, investors and developers can substitute gross operating income for gross potential rent (GPR) and add in any other estimated sources of income, and subtract the expected rate of vacancy to determine a realistic operating expense ratio. Expenses such as utilities, waste removal, repairs and maintenance (R&M), management fees, insurance, and property taxes are included in OER, while loan payments and capital expenditures (CapEx) designed to make a property more valuable or to replace a major system, are not.