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Methodology

How the IMF Deal Score works

The IMF Deal Score is a transparent 0–100 framework. It is a lens for comparing opportunities on consistent terms — not investment advice, and never a “buy” or “sell” signal. Every subscore is shown in full so you can see exactly how a number was produced.

Financial Return

35 pts

Going-in cap rate and levered cash-on-cash return.

Cap rate is scored from 4% (0 pts) to 9% (full). Cash-on-cash from 0% (0 pts) to 12% (full). Each contributes half of the component.

Debt Resilience

25 pts

Cushion against the debt: DSCR, debt yield, and break-even occupancy.

DSCR 1.00→1.60, debt yield 7%→12%, and break-even occupancy 90%→65% (lower is better) are weighted 45/30/25 within the component.

Market Fundamentals

20 pts

The strength of the underlying metro.

Rent growth, vacancy, and job growth are weighted 40/30/30. When market data is unavailable the component scores at a neutral baseline.

Acquisition Basis

10 pts

How favorable the entry price is versus the market.

Price per unit is compared to the market median. A ~20% discount earns full points; a ~15% premium earns zero.

Data Confidence

10 pts

How much to trust the inputs — shown separately, never folded into the headline rating.

Blends the data source's reliability, the share of key fields present, and whether financials are verified.

Rating language

Totals map to descriptive ratings, in order from strongest to those needing the most scrutiny:

  • 80–100 · Strong Fundamentals
  • 65–79 · Attractive Under Current Assumptions
  • 50–64 · Mixed Fundamentals
  • 35–49 · Elevated Risk
  • 0–34 · Requires Additional Review

Demonstration data

The properties shown are fictional and included to exercise a range of scenarios. They are not copied from any active commercial listing.

  • Beacon Flats — Balanced fundamentals — strong DSCR at market basis
  • Maple Court Apartments — High cap rate / higher risk, older asset at a basis discount
  • Sunbelt Trails — High leverage (15% down) — thin debt coverage
  • Gateway Park — Large multifamily (264 units), institutional scale
  • Elm & Third — Small multifamily (4 units)