In: Finance
5.17. Consider two undeveloped land sites. At site 1, the highest and best use (HBU) is a warehouse that would cost $1 million to build (exclusive of land cost) and would then generate annual net rents of $150,000, which are expected to grow al 3% per year. At site 2, the HBU is an apartment building that can generate net rents of $800,000, projected to grow at 1% per year, with construction cost of $5 million. Suppose investors buying built properties (that is, properties already developed and in operation) require an initial annual return (in the form of current net income) of 12% minus the expected annual growth rate in the net income, as a percent of the investment cost. For example, they would want an initial yield or cap rate of 9% for the warehouse (12% -- 3% = 9%). Suppose the land value for site | is $1 million and the land value for site 2 is $2 million. On which of these sites (1, 2, both, or neither) is it currently profitable to undertake construction? Show your reasoning.
From the question above we can infer the following information:
Particulars |
Site 1 | Site 2 |
Land value for site | $1million | $2million |
Cost of build | $1 million | $5 million |
Rent rents annual | $150000 | $800000 |
Growth rate | 3% | 1% |
Required rate of return | 12-3=9% | 12-1=11% |
Based on the above information we can calculate the cash flows as follows:
Particulars | site1 | Site 2 |
1. Cash flows in yeae 0 =cost of build and land value | $(1+1=2) million | $(5+2)=7million |
2. Annual rent received | $150000/year | $800000/year |
3. Present value of perpetual rent= annual rent/(rate of return-growth rate) | 150000/(9-3)%=2500000$ | 800000/(11-1)%=800000 |
4. Net cash flow (3-1) | 500000$ |
1000000$ |
Site 2 is more profitable by difference between the net cashflows ($1000000-500000) =$500000.
If the sites are evaluated individually, both sites are profitable. If projects are mutually inclusive, site 2 is more profitable.