Development Appraisals Flashcards
What is the purpose of a development appraisal and a residual valuation?
A development appraisal is a tool to financially assess a development scheme
One can be used to assess a residual site value
Can also be used to assess the profitability of a proposed scheme and it’s sensitivity to changing inputs, or assessing the viability of different uses, rents, yields or financial contributions, such as s.106/CiL
What is a residual valuation, and the methodology used?
Definition
* A specific valuation of a property holding to find the market value of the site based on market inputs
Methodology
* SITE VALUE = GROSS DEVELOPMENT VALUE – TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COST – PROFIT
What is a development appraisal, and the methodology used?
- Provides guidance as to the viability / profitability of the proposed development
- Based on a clients inputs.
- It can assume a site value or calculate a site value
- PROFIT = GROSS DEVELOPMENT VALUE – TOTAL DEVELOPMENT COST – SITE VALUE
Are residual valuations and development appraisals Red Book compliant valuations?
Both forms CAN be used as a Red Book valuation – Red Book exemptions relate to the purpose NOT the methodology
All inputs are taken at the date of valuation
It is a growth IMPLICIT form of valuation
What is Gross Development Value, and how would you calculate it?
- Market Value of completed proposed development at today’s date/valuation date
- Use plans if needed and measure on CAD (take measurements if you can)
- Valued at current date assuming present values and market conditions
- Comparable method of valuation used to determine rents and yields
- All Risk Yield used
- A rent free/incentive period and marketing void can be assumed if appropriate
- Purchaser’s costs are usually deducted for commercial property valuations
What are the Total Development Costs?
- Site Preparation
– demolition, remediation works, landfill tax, provision of services, site clearance, levelling, fencing and provision of services
- Obtain contractor’s estimates for these works - Planning Costs
– Town and Country Planning Act 1990 s.106 payments, CIL, s.278 payments, planning application and building regulation fees, planning consultant cost, environmental impact assessment cost, other specialists report costs - Building Costs
– Estimate total cost of building works - Professional Fees
– 10-15% plus VAT of total construction costs for the professional fees of architects, M&E consultants, structural engineers, etc
– lower percentage appropriate for a large projects
- Does depend on size of building contract with a reduced level of fee agreed for large contracts
- Architects are usually the largest proportion of total fees
- Remember CDM Coordinator costs - Contingency
– 5-10% of total construction costs depending upon level of risk and market conditions - Marketing Costs & Fees
– assume a realistic marketing budget (use evidence/quotes)
- Cost of an EPC and NHBC warranty (for residential scheme)
- Normal sale fee circa 1-2% of GDV and normal letting fee around 10% of initial annual rent - Developer’s Profit
– percentage of GDV OR total construction cost – circa 15-25% dependent upon risk
- GDV more frequently used as a base for residential use
- If scheme low risk (pre-let/sold) a lower return may be required
- % of profit required has recently risen given current risky market conditions - Finance
What is a section 106 payment?
Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Legal agreement for planning obligations to gain planning consent.
Enforceable by LPA
Goes towards
1. Affordable housing
2. Infrastructure costs
3. New schools
4. Open spaces
4. etc
What is a section 278 payment?
A payment made for highway works – Town and Country Planning Act 1990
What is Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)?
Used by LPA’s for off-site payments from developers to raise funds for infrastructure necessary to support development in the area
What do you understand about Affordable Housing?
Housing for those whose incomes are insufficient to allow them to buy or rent a home on the open market
Local planning policy will set out the required percentage of affordable housing required for new residential development
It can be in the form of social or intermediate housing
Social – housing rented by a Registered Social Landlord (RSL)
Intermediate – shared ownership housing (‘staircasing’ housing)
There is a form of allocation for occupiers within the public sector for social or intermediate housing= key worker housing
What are the sources of information on build costs?
- Client information
- RICS Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) usually based on GIA basis – monthly updates from QS/BS sources and recent contract prices/tenders agreed – Light blue website!
- Building Surveyor estimate
- Quantity Surveyor estimate/bill of quantities/cost estimate
- Spons Building Costs book
How are interest rates determined in development finance?
Choice of interest rate can include:
SONIA rate - Sterling Overnight Index Average
Bank of England Base Rate: plus premium
Rate at which the client can borrow money
A swap rate agreed with the developer’s bank
*Take into account any arrangement fee
What three stages of development could the developer require finance?
- Site Purchase (to include purchaser’s costs)
- Total Construction Costs and Associated Costs
- Holding Costs – these cover voids until disposal of scheme (empty rates, s/c, interest charges)
How would you calculate the finance required for the site purchase?
- Calculated on STRAIGHT LINE basis over the length of the development period – rolled up method (compound interest)
- Assumes 100% debt finance
How would you calculate the finance required for the construction period?
Assume total construction costs (including fees) over half of development period using S CURVE calculation
S Curve – Principle is that as the payment of construction costs adopts the profile of ‘s’ shaped curve over length of development project, the usual assumption is to HALVE the interest that is borrowed for all of build period
- Purpose of ‘s’ curve is to reflect more accurately the occurence of costs when monies are drawn down
What are the main methods of development funding?
Debt Finance – lending money from a bank of other funding institution
Equity Finance – selling shares in a company or joint venture partnership or own money used
How would you calculate the finance required for holding costs?
Calculate from completion of construction to disposal on a STRAIGHT LINE basis using compound interest
What is the current Loan to Value ratio (LTV)?
Used to be around 70% but due to current lending restrictions now considerably lower – in region of 60%
What is Senior Debt funding?
The first level of debt borrowing and it takes precedent over any secondary/mezzanine funding
What is Mezzanine funding?
This is additional funding from another source for the additional monies required over the normal LTV lending
What are Swaps and Swap Rates?
Swaps – a form of derivative hedging rate for interest rates
Swap Rate – the market interest rate for fixed rate, fixed term loans
When is VAT payable?
On all professional fees
What is the profit erosion period?
The length of time it will take for the development profit to be eroded by holding charges following the completion of the scheme and cause the profit from the scheme to be completely drawn down = loss making!
I.e. interest charges
What are the disadvantages of the residual valuation methodology?
- Importance of accurate information and inputs
- Does not take into account the timing of cash flows
- Very sensitive to minor adjustments
- Implicit assumptions hidden and not explicit (unlike a DCF)
*Always cross-check with a comparable site valuation if possible
What is a sensitivity analysis?
Required for key variables such as GDV, build costs and finance rate in order to show a range of values
What are the 3 forms of sensitivity analysis?
- Simple Sensitivity Analysis of Key Variables – yield, GDV, build costs and finance rate
- Scenario Analysis – change scenarios for the development content/timing/costs i.e. phasing the scheme, modifying design
- Monte Carlo Simulation – using probability theory using software such as Crystal Ball
What are ‘Rights of Light’?
The right to light of a building arises after 20 years uninterrupted enjoyment of light without 3rd party consent
If right to light is infringed, an injunction can be granted or damages awarded
What are three types of development land?
Green Field – clear site, no past use, difficult to get planning permission
Brown Field – previously used, may need to clear the site, possible contamination, easier to get planning
Combination of above
What is the difference between outline and full planning permission?
Outline – developed to establish if development proposal is acceptable in principle
As a developer, what factors would you be sure to consider when considering a development?
Property Market – supply and demand, economic cycle
Location
Access & Transport
Amenities
Supply Competition – from other developments
What is the typical development programme?
Pre-construction – site assembly, planning, removing covenants and easements, impact reports, investigations
Construction – site preparation and main building period
Post-construction – period of completion until fully let/sale or refinance of completed development
What do you need to consider when undertaking the site preparation?
Environmental issues, removal of hazards, archaeological investigations, H&S regulations, demolition
How do you account for loan to value ratios?
Apply 100% debt and then apply an interest rate (circa 6%)
What is forward sale?
To purchase a development at the end of construction at a fixed price based on today’s yield
What is forward funding?
The investor provides finance at a lower rate than might be achievable in the current market in return for a softer yield when the investor purchases the development
What is an option agreement?
The land owner sells the option to develop on the land to a developer who has X amount of years to act upon the option
How do you measure a development site?
You inspect the perimeter and then use Promap to establish the size (acreage)
Where did you get the finance costs from?
I spoke with the developer to establish whether they could get a specific finance rate
Spoke with a colleague in the CJ in-house development team to ascertain what rate I should apply
Why does the finance cost differ from developer to developer?
Risk factors, the status of developer (independent vs. large developer), available equity, LTBV ratio