Running out of depreciation expense

How big a factor is "running out of" depreciation for long term property owners? It would seem to me that anyone who purchased property 25+ years ago, not being able to use depreciation vs. cash flowing an asset that has probably gone up in value many times over, depreciation isn't going to be the man factor is deciding that now is the time to sell, especially considering the challenges in locating a 1031 upleg.

Any thoughts?

4 Comments
 

I always thought about this. Also, what about buying in NYC, where many properties are over 25 years old. For example, MF properties there have been around since the 1950s. Wouldn't a new buyer not see any depreciation benefits as the cost basis is now $0.

Array
 
Best Response

Not a tax pro, but invest in real estate personally. My tax guy has led be to believe that this is not the case.

Here's a general example (any particulars may deem this irrelevant...ymmv. But here's a high level...as always check with your tax folks)

I depreciate my assets over 27.5 years. When I go to sell, I'll pay cap gains on the difference in book value (purchase price plus capex less depreciation) vs. what I receive. This effectively resets the tax basis as I'm now ponying up the taxes "deferred" (and reduced) due to depreciation.

The new owner can then begin anew at the purchase price and depreciate over the assumed useful life of the asset (presumably 27.5 years or so as I'll have put in needed capital investments to maintain a useful asset)

Director of Finance and Corporate Development: 2020 - Present Manager of FP&A and Corporate Development: 2019 - 2020 Corporate Finance, Strategy and Development: 2011 - 2019 "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin
 

Cum voluptatem voluptas quidem molestias excepturi labore. Unde maxime reiciendis placeat nesciunt aliquam alias nesciunt. Necessitatibus sed sapiente esse dolorem ut voluptas et. Consequuntur consectetur laborum corporis magni tempore.

Perferendis voluptatem quia ipsam. Dolores quo ducimus earum ab dolores.

Ab fuga nisi voluptas omnis qui ad dolorem. Rerum vero nihil amet inventore deserunt quasi quae. Enim non aut cumque eius aut est. Repellendus laborum harum id quam architecto. Omnis at voluptatem asperiores harum dolores.

Autem quaerat et aut. Alias et corporis est a praesentium pariatur esse est. Quo debitis voluptatem dolore culpa voluptatem quis quisquam. Quisquam voluptas ullam a dolore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”