Real estate valuation capitalization rate
Using the cap rate to determine the value of real estate is known as the income approach to valuation. It assigns a property value equal to the net operating income divided by the cap rate. For example, a small rental property in San Francisco with a net operating income of $100,000 and a cap rate of 7 percent is valued at $1,428,571. Capitalization rate (or "cap rate") is a real estate valuation measure used to compare different real estate investments. Although there are many variations, a cap rate is often calculated as the ratio between the net operating income produced by an asset and the original capital cost (the price paid to buy the asset) or alternatively its current market value .