Commercial Real Estate Glossary

Common Terms

Absorption Rate (NAIOP): The rate at which available commercial properties are leased or sold in a specific market during a given time period.

Amortization (Investopedia): The process of paying off a loan through scheduled, periodic payments of principal and interest.

Anchor Tenant (Investopedia): A major tenant in a commercial property that attracts additional tenants and customers.

Appraisal (NAR): A professional assessment of a property’s market value.

Broker Opinion of Value (BOV) (NAIOP): An estimate of a property’s value provided by a commercial real estate broker.

Build-to-Suit (Investopedia): A property constructed to meet the specific needs of a tenant.

Capital Expenditures (CapEx) (Investopedia): Funds used by a property owner to acquire, upgrade, or maintain a property.

Cap Rate (Capitalization Rate) (NAIOP Virginia): A measure of the expected return on a property investment, calculated as net operating income divided by purchase price.

Common Area Maintenance (CAM) (NAIOP): Fees paid by tenants for the upkeep of shared spaces in a commercial property.

Concessions (Investopedia): Incentives offered by landlords to attract tenants, such as free rent or tenant improvements.

Core and Shell (HRACRE): The base construction of a building, including its structure, envelope, and common areas, but not interior tenant spaces.

Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) (Investopedia): A ratio used by lenders to determine a property’s ability to cover its debt payments.

Escalation Clause (Investopedia): A lease provision allowing for periodic increases in rent, often tied to inflation or operating costs.

Gross Lease (Investopedia): A lease in which the landlord pays most or all operating expenses, and the tenant pays a fixed rent.

Letter of Intent (LOI) (NAR): A preliminary document outlining the basic terms of a proposed transaction.

Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV) (Investopedia): A ratio that compares the amount of a loan to the value of the property securing the loan.

Net Lease (NAIOP): A lease in which the tenant pays rent plus some or all property expenses.

Net Operating Income (NOI) (Investopedia): Income generated from a property after operating expenses are deducted, but before debt service and taxes.

Occupancy Rate (Investopedia): The percentage of leased space in a commercial property.

Operating Expenses (NAIOP): Costs associated with operating and maintaining a property, such as utilities, maintenance, and property management.

Owner’s Representative (HRACRE): A professional acting on behalf of the property owner during development, leasing, or management.

Pro Forma (Investopedia): A financial projection or estimate of future income and expenses for a property.

Rentable Square Footage (RSF) (NAIOP): The total square footage for which rent is charged, including tenant space and a share of common areas.

Sublease (Investopedia): An arrangement in which the original tenant leases part or all of their leased space to another party.

Tenant Improvements (TI) (NAIOP): Customizations or renovations made to a leased space to meet the tenant’s needs.

Triple Net Lease (NNN) (Investopedia): A lease agreement where the tenant pays base rent plus property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.

Underwriting (Investopedia): The process of evaluating a property’s financial risk and return before investment or lending.

Vacancy Rate (Investopedia): The percentage of all available units or space in a property that is vacant or unoccupied.

Zoning (NAR): Local government regulations that dictate how a property can be used or developed.

Affiliated Organizations (NAR): Groups and associations officially connected with the National Association of Realtors, supporting the commercial real estate industry.