Comparing Unlevered IRR Scenarios

I'm trying to compare different lease-up scenarios (purely from a returns perspective), by using IRR and equity multiple return metrics. Problem is I don't currently have debt inputs that could get me to a levered IRR/EM.

Can I still find value in comparing unlevered return metrics between different scenarios, even though the actual deal will be levered (note: whatever leverage we end up using will be identical across any of the scenarios)? I know the effect of introducing leverage won't affect any two scenarios in a 1:1 manner, but is the effect of debt enough to produce completely different answers to "Which leasing strategy should we go with" when now looking at levered return metrics?

4 Comments
 

Yes, you can gain some insight from comparing the unlevered return metrics between different scenarios. If you are running a tenant re-leasing comparison to compare whether a renewal or new leasing adds more value, you could also calculate the PV of the lease cash flows (renewal vs new lease). The higher PV scenario is going to add more value to the property.

In theory, the effect of debt shouldn't produce completely different answers to your leasing strategy, since the debt will be identical and is really only going to amplify returns (positive returns become more positive and negative returns become more negative).

 

you could also calculate the PV of the lease cash flows (renewal vs new lease). The higher PV scenario is going to add more value to the property.

This is a great idea. I'm using Argus to run the cash flow/returns analysis and one of the metrics it gives is NPV so if I have nothing else, I'll focus on that metric.

In theory, the effect of debt shouldn't produce completely different answers to your leasing strategy, since the debt will be identical and is really only going to amplify returns (positive returns become more positive and negative returns become more negative).

I agree that, in theory, debt simply amplifies returns (positively for positive returns, negative for negative returns). However, the worry is that it doesn't amplify returns linearly. I guess it comes down to understanding how the IRR formula calculates cashflows, which I don't.

Any mathematicians?

 

Sunt odio quis quisquam. Exercitationem consequuntur sed qui. Et praesentium amet vel et quia. Et minima nam porro. Et qui quis alias architecto ut pariatur minima qui.

Eveniet molestiae delectus ipsum tempore animi et ipsa. Quis fugiat est qui.

Omnis explicabo ducimus molestiae laudantium sit. Tenetur occaecati est aperiam iusto eum est. At ut et minima voluptatum. Qui et dolores quibusdam exercitationem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”