In this episode of the Ironclad Underwriting Podcast, Jason Williams and Frank Patalano take a deep dive into expense ratios and explain why understanding operating expenses is essential when evaluating a commercial real estate investment. They discuss how property age, class, location, and management can impact expenses and why investors should avoid relying on blanket assumptions when underwriting a deal. The conversation also explores payroll, reserves, utilities, property management, controllable and uncontrollable expenses, and the importance of carefully reviewing a property’s financials.

Topics Covered

• Understanding what an expense ratio is and how it is calculated
• Why mortgage payments are not considered operating expenses
• How property age and vintage affect operating expenses
• The relationship between property class and expense ratios
• How location can impact both expenses and rental income
• The impact of property management on operating costs
• Identifying hidden management fees and unnecessary expenses
• Payroll expenses and the importance of property size
• Why larger multifamily properties can have better operating efficiencies
• Capital reserves and lender requirements
• Using realistic expense ratios when underwriting a property
• The importance of reviewing expenses on an annual basis
• Accrual accounting for taxes and insurance
• Understanding controllable and uncontrollable expenses
• Strategies for managing utilities and utility bill backs
• Evaluating repairs, maintenance, and deferred maintenance
• The importance of reviewing a property’s profit and loss statement carefully
• How owner performed maintenance can distort reported expenses
• Why investors should understand the true operating costs before buying

Quotes

• “It's all your operating expenses divided by all of your income.”
• “Management can make or break a deal.”

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