Underwriting an existing asset

I have some questions about the differences between underwriting a new acquisition opportunity and an existing asset that you've owned for a few years.

  • To solve for the purchase price, would you just underwrite to a market unlevered IRR, or some other return metric? (I assume unlevered IRR just bc debt can vary significantly among buyers but idk if this is the correct way to approach it)
  • How would you handle existing debt you have on the asset, assuming there's still plenty of term left? Would you u/w a refi at the beginning of the analysis so that you're PP accounts for market rate financing that a buyer would get? Or would you just model the remaining in-place debt schedule and include a refi if/when the debt matures? If it's the latter and you're u/w to a levered return metric, it seems like that could skew valuations (i.e. using an existing 10 yr loan @ 3.25% that you got in 2020 vs. a loan @ 7.0% you'd get in today's market).
  • Are there any other major differences/factors that you think are worthy keeping in mind? I don't know what I don't know. 

Thanks for any help with this!

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

This is a great question and one I feel doesn’t get asked more often or attention to it.

As someone in AM, it honestly depends what the purpose of the UW is for. If it’s an asset that we’re evaluating a hold/sell (which really should be done for all assets), we’ll use an appraised value if there’s one or a BOV. For debt, many cases we’ll keep our in place debt then at maturity assume a market rate refi. But to your point, leverage depends entirely on the buyer. We’ve done pure next buyer analysis too where we will just assume market rate going in.

 

Thanks, that's super helpful!

When you do your own valuations (rather than using appraisal/BOV), what metrics do you usually uw to? Are you using a unlevered metric as your benchmark or is there some other method you prefer? I'm sure you look at various other metrics to make sure it reasonable, but I assume you have one or two metrics that carry more weight.

Also, what kind of hold period are you uw? I know it depends on the asset, but assume it was a value-add deal that you've executed the business plan and the asset is now fully stabilized at market rates. 

 

Odio et unde soluta debitis magni. Voluptas odio facilis dolores reprehenderit adipisci. Earum qui dicta necessitatibus voluptatem quo. Aliquid et doloribus non aut. Ratione quod occaecati rem saepe in iste. Officiis minus nulla et rerum iste voluptatem et tempora. Corporis provident ex ut eaque consequuntur.

In dolor et voluptate eius praesentium quae. Debitis voluptatem eum nihil ratione. Corporis est placeat veritatis reprehenderit. Est nihil sint sed. Possimus autem expedita quisquam voluptate enim accusantium quidem nihil.

Praesentium qui ullam odit et eum sunt deserunt. Iste fuga natus aut omnis. Explicabo quos sed officiis et. Eveniet est odio voluptatem culpa vel aperiam non officia. Sit amet aliquid corrupti deleniti. Enim voluptatem modi aut blanditiis consequatur eligendi.

Vitae tempore vero et esse et. Nobis doloremque vitae vitae eum aut architecto. Quibusdam autem temporibus minus exercitationem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.6%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.0%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.6%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”