What is a good IRR in real estate?

What is IRR?

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is a financial metric commonly used in capital budgeting to evaluate and compare the profitability of potential investments or projects. It represents the annualized effective compounded return rate that makes the net present value (NPV) of all cash flows (both positive and negative) from a particular investment equal to zero.

What is a good IRR?

A "good" Internal Rate of Return (IRR) varies significantly based on the context of the investment, the industry, and the specific risk tolerance and objectives of the investor. There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but generally, an IRR of around 5% to 10% might be considered good for very low-risk investments, an IRR in the range of 10% to 15% is common for moderate-risk investments, and in investments with higher risk, such as early-stage startups, investors might look for an IRR higher than 20% or even 30%.

What is a good IRR in Real Estate?

Defining a "good" IRR is subjective because it depends on various factors such as the type of property, location, risk tolerance, and market conditions. Generally, here's how IRR is viewed in real estate:

1. Risk Profile: Higher IRRs are usually associated with higher risk investments. For example, a property in a developing area might offer a higher potential IRR compared to a stable, fully leased property in a prime location.
2. Market and Location: The expected IRR can vary significantly depending on the real estate market and location. Prime locations in major cities might have lower IRR expectations due to their stability and high demand.
3. Investment Horizon: The length of the investment period can also impact the IRR. Short-term projects might aim for a higher IRR to compensate for the brief investment duration.
4. Comparative Benchmarks: Investors often compare the IRR of a potential real estate investment against other investment opportunities, like stocks or bonds, to determine if the real estate investment offers a competitive return.
5. Economic Conditions: The overall economic environment, including interest rates and real estate market trends, can influence what is considered a good IRR.

Real estate investments often target an IRR in the range of 10% to 20%. However, these numbers can vary:

• Conservative Investments: For lower-risk, stable properties, a good IRR might be around 8% to 12%.
• Moderate Risk: Many investors aim for an IRR in the range of 15% to 20% for moderate-risk projects.
• High-Risk Projects: For projects with significant risk, such as significant value-add deals or ground-up developments, investors should expect IRRs above 20%.

IRR is just one tool for evaluating investments. It should be used alongside other metrics like cash-on-cash return, cap rate, and total return to get a comprehensive picture of an investment’s potential. Additionally, the calculation of IRR assumes that all cash flows are reinvested at the same rate, which may not always be realistic. Therefore, it's essential to consider the limitations of IRR and understand the specific context of your investment when determining what constitutes a "good" IRR.