Hello and welcome back to: Acronyms with Quext. Today, we’re demystifying one of the most essential acronyms in the multifamily industry - NOI. So grab your calculators and put on your thinking caps!
What is NOI?
NOI isn’t just another piece of multifamily jargon. Net Operating Income, or NOI, is a fundamental metric in the real estate world. It's the financial magic that happens when you subtract operating expenses from your property's revenue. In other words, NOI reveals the actual profitability of your apartment property.
The Importance of NOI in Multifamily Housing
Why should anyone care about NOI, you ask? NOI is the cash cow in the world of multifamily real estate. It helps you measure and gauge the health of your investment, make informed decisions, and keep your operation afloat.
The NOI Formula
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty - the NOI formula. It’s really not as complex as it may seem at first glance. To calculate your property’s NOI, you’ve got to subtract all of your operating expenses from your total revenue in a given amount of time. The formula is:
NOI = Total Operating Revenue - Total Operating Expenses
Operating Revenue
Operating Revenue is all of the money that flows into your property. This includes rental income, fees, and any other income sources that come directly from your property. Revenue is one of the most important, if not the most important, components of running a business. This is the basis of the NOI calculation.
Operating Expenses
On the other side of the equation is operating expenses. These are the costs associated with keeping your property running. Think of costs like maintenance or repair costs, service fees, utilities, insurance, etc. Subtracting this from your property’s revenue gives you the income that is being generated from your apartment community.
Why Net Operating Income Matters in Real Estate
NOI allows owners and investors to assess the profitability of their properties accurately. By monitoring changes in NOI over time and the factors that go into it, you can identify trends and take corrective actions when necessary. This helps to make informed financial decisions about rent adjustments, property improvements, and expense management. Taking this data-driven approach can leave a significant impact on your property’s long-term success.
Factors Influencing Net Operating Income
Internal factors are mostly controllable business elements that influence your revenue, expenses, and overall income. For example, efficient property management practices can reduce operating expenses and increase revenue; directly affecting your NOI. Staying on top of maintenance and repairs can impact the property’s appeal and rental income, while saving you from larger costs in the future.
However, there will also be uncontrollable aspects of property ownership. These factors are mostly external and may be more difficult to forecast. Obviously, market conditions play a huge role in the NOI equation. Fluctuations in demand, supply, and rental rates directly impact NOI. Changes in tax rates and regulations are also key players in costs associated with property ownership. While these components may be out of your control, it’s a good idea to stay in-the-know so that none of these factors come as a complete surprise.
Boosting Net Operating Income with Quext IoT
Quext IoT is our game-changing internet of things solution. Designed by operators, the installation of Quext IoT on a property immediately lifts property value and boosts resident attraction. In one of our recent studies, we found that 58% of respondents are more excited about smart home technology than other innovations. This stat reflects the desirability of smart home solutions in the multifamily space. By offering Quext IoT to your community members, you are making your property more attractive.
Another upside for Quext IoT is the recurring revenue per unit on your property. Implementing Quext IoT opens the door for new revenue options that come hand-in-hand with your existing rent revenue. While there are other factors in this equation like unit charges, capital costs, and occupancy rates, the bottom line is:
Implementing Quext IoT = Increased Total Revenue - Existing Operating Expenses = Increased NOI
In conclusion, Net Operating Income (NOI) is more than just another acronym in the multifamily industry. It's a crucial metric that reflects success in your portfolio of properties. Understanding NOI, how to calculate it, and its influencing factors can empower property owners and investors to make informed decisions, optimize operations, and increase profitability. For more information on optimizing property management, check out some of our past blog posts on the Quext website!
