Gross Income Multiplier
Candlefocus EditorTo calculate a gross income multiplier, investors divide a property's sale price by its gross annual rental income. For example, if a residential property sells for $2 million and the gross annual rental income is $200,000, the GIM would be 10. This indicates that the investor expects to receive a 10% return on their investment. However, GIM doesn't take other costs related to owning and operating an income-producing property into account, such as maintenance and repair costs, insurance, and taxes. Representatives costs such as real estate agent commissions are also excluded from the GIM calculation.
GIM can also be used to compare properties to one another. For example, if an investor is deciding between two different properties, they could use the ratio to identify which one may give them a greater return. However, investors should not rely solely on the GIM to make their decision as there may be other factors to consider, such as local market conditions or the property's location.
The gross income multiplier can be a good way to gauge the potential return on an investment property, but it shouldn't be used as the sole metric for property valuation. Understanding the various ownership costs associated with properties can help investors make more informed decisions when it comes to managing their investments. It can also provide an easy way to compare different investment Properties. It is important, however, to remember that GIM only considers gross rental income and not other factors that can affect the actual return an investor will earn on a property.