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Yield on Cost (YOC): A Real Estate Investment Returns Measurement

Yield on Cost (YOC) is a key metric in apartment syndication used to evaluate the profitability of an investment. It is calculated by dividing the Net Operating Income (NOI) by the total cost of the project (including acquisition costs, renovation costs, and other capital expenditures).



The formula is:

Yield on Cost (YOC)=Net Operating Income (NOI)/Total Project Cost


Yield on Cost (YOC)=Total Project Cost/Net Operating Income (NOI)​



Example: If you acquire an apartment complex for $10 million and invest an additional $2 million in renovations, bringing the total project cost to $12 million, and you expect the NOI after renovations to be $1.2 million, then your Yield on Cost would be:


YOC=1.2 million/12 million=0.10 or 10%


This metric helps investors determine if the expected returns justify the investment compared to the market cap rate or other potential investments.


Trending vs. Non-Trending Yield on Cost:

  1. Trending Yield on Cost:

    • Definition: Trending Yield on Cost takes into account the expected increase in rents and income over time due to market growth, inflation, or property improvements. This metric factors in anticipated rent growth and expense adjustments over the holding period.

    • Purpose: Investors use trending YOC to project how the property’s performance will evolve over time, assuming favorable market conditions or successful execution of the business plan.

    • Example: If you project that rents will grow 3% annually over the next five years due to market trends, the trending YOC will reflect this expected income growth.

  2. Non-Trending Yield on Cost (or Stabilized Yield on Cost):

    • Definition: Non-trending yield on Cost, often referred to as stabilized YOC, assumes that the property’s NOI is based on the current market conditions without factoring in future growth or changes. It looks at the return based on today’s numbers without any assumptions about rent increases or market improvements.

    • Purpose: This metric provides a conservative estimate of yield, focusing on the property’s current financial performance rather than speculative future gains.

    • Example: If rents remain constant at today’s levels with no anticipated growth, the non-trending YOC will reflect the yield based purely on current income and costs.

Key Differences:

  • Assumptions: Trending YOC includes assumptions about future growth, while non-trending YOC is based solely on current conditions.

  • Conservatism: Non-trending YOC is a more conservative measure, as it does not rely on future market performance.

  • Use Cases: Trending YOC is used when projecting potential returns and making decisions based on market optimism, whereas non-trending YOC is used for a conservative analysis to evaluate the investment's current performance.


Understanding both metrics is crucial for making informed decisions in apartment syndications, allowing investors to balance between optimistic projections and conservative realities.


If this article piqued your interest in investing in real estate, then congratulations:

Download your Operations Manual Here. In the Operations Manual, you will learn how passive investors leverage Syndication to create Passive Income to grow their wealth for their future generation and create the ability to make an impact!


For more information on getting involved in a value-add multifamily syndication deal, don't hesitate to contact me at Hutch@HSquaredCapital.com or Dr. Heath Jones at Heath@HSquaredCapital.com. You can also visit our website at www.HSquaredCapital.com. We'd be happy to answer any of your questions and help get you started on the path to financial success through multifamily investing!

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