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Investors usually have a basic premise for making a particular investment. O’Connor and Associates terms this concept the “investment hypothesis”. Evaluating the accuracy of the investment hypothesis early in the acquisition process allows the investor to increase their returns and reduce due diligence expenses.

Many restaurant owners have been shocked to learn that they are unable to sell or lease their restaurant property for an amount equal to its tax assessment value. The market value of a recently built restaurant is usually less than its construction cost. When an owner attempts to set a sales price or lease rate, he is unable to recoup his costs. Excess property taxes result from improper use of the cost approach to market value.

Due diligence is an essential step in real estate investment. After selecting the property type and geographic location, the investor needs to ascertain he has accurate information regarding the physical asset, financial performance, tenant base and future prospects for the subject property.

The cost approach was historically prepared as a part of most commercial real estate appraisals. However, the compunction to include the cost approach (when it was not relevant) has dissipated over the last 20 years.