What is a good IRR for commercial real estate?
A strong IRR for commercial real estate typically falls between 12% and 20%, depending on asset class and risk profile. Core assets like Class A office or stabilized multifamily may target 8-12% IRR, while value-add industrial or opportunistic hotel deals often target 15-20%+. Institutional investors generally require a minimum IRR hurdle of 10-12% before considering a deal.
What are current cap rates for commercial real estate in 2026?
As of Q2 2026, cap rates vary significantly by asset class. Class A industrial in major logistics markets trades at 4.50-5.25%, NNN retail with investment-grade tenants is at 5.00-5.75%, select-service hotels average 7.50-8.50%, and CBD office has widened to 7.00-9.00% reflecting ongoing demand challenges. Markets have largely stabilized heading into 2026 after the rate-driven correction of 2023-2024.
What DSCR do lenders require for commercial real estate loans?
Most commercial real estate lenders require a minimum DSCR of 1.20x to 1.25x, meaning the property's net operating income must be at least 20-25% higher than its annual debt service. Life insurance companies and CMBS lenders often require 1.25x-1.35x, while SBA 504 loans may accept as low as 1.15x. A DSCR below 1.0x means the property does not generate enough income to cover its debt payments.
What is a master lease in commercial real estate?
A master lease is a single overarching lease agreement between a property owner and a master tenant, who then subleases individual units or spaces to end occupants. The master tenant typically guarantees a fixed rent to the owner regardless of occupancy, making this structure attractive for repositioning vacant or underperforming properties. Master leases are common in hotels, senior housing, and value-add multifamily deals.
What is equity multiple in commercial real estate investing?
Equity multiple (EM) measures how many times an investor gets their invested equity back over the life of a deal. It is calculated as total distributions received divided by total equity invested. An equity multiple of 2.0x means an investor doubled their money. Unlike IRR, equity multiple does not account for time value of money, so both metrics are typically used together.
What is a NNN lease and how does it work?
A triple-net (NNN) lease is a commercial lease structure in which the tenant pays base rent plus three additional expense categories: property taxes, building insurance, and maintenance costs. This arrangement shifts nearly all operating risk to the tenant, making NNN properties popular with passive investors and 1031 exchange buyers.