Valuation & Appraisal

Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate)

The rate of return on an income property, equal to net operating income divided by value.

Quick flashcard

What does Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) mean on the Texas real estate exam?

Answer: The rate of return on an income property, equal to net operating income divided by value.

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Capitalization Rate (Cap Rate) definition

The capitalization rate measures the return on an income-producing property. It equals net operating income divided by value. Rearranged, value equals net operating income divided by the cap rate, which is the income approach to value.

Net operating income is income minus operating expenses. Mortgage payments (debt service) are never part of net operating income.

Source basis

Definition checked against the official sources below on .

On the exam

Three forms of one relationship: cap rate equals NOI divided by value; value equals NOI divided by cap rate; NOI equals value times cap rate.

Worked example

Worked example

NOI of 72,000 divided by a 9 percent cap rate equals an 800,000 dollar value.

Exam trap

Do not subtract the mortgage payment when finding net operating income. Debt service stays outside the calculation.

Tested in

Value & Appraisal (11 of 80 National)

From definition to recall

See this term inside a real exam question.

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This definition is Texas real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.