For the purpose of valuing properties, how is net operating income used?

Net operating income (NOI) plays a crucial role in real estate valuation by serving as a basis for calculating capitalization rates (cap rates). Cap rates are used to determine the expected rate of return on an investment property. By dividing the NOI by the property’s market value (or purchase price), investors can derive the cap rate, which reflects the risk and potential return of the investment. A higher NOI typically indicates a more profitable property, which may result in a lower cap rate and vice versa.

In contrast, while lease payments, property taxes, and income tax obligations are all important aspects of real estate investment, they do not directly connect with how properties are valued in the context of NOI and cap rate analysis. Lease payments involve tenant agreements, property taxes are obligations to governmental entities, and income taxes pertain to the financial liabilities of the property owner, none of which are central to the valuation process based on prospective or current income generation from a property.