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 ptsGoing-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 ptsCushion 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 ptsThe 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 ptsHow 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 ptsHow 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.
- Maple Court Apartments — High cap rate / higher risk, older asset at a basis discount
- Cortland Row — Low cap rate / strong growth market, newer construction
- Sunbelt Trails — High leverage (15% down) — thin coverage
- Prairie Oaks — Low leverage (45% down) — strong coverage, modest cash yield
- Beacon Flats — Strong DSCR at market basis — balanced fundamentals
- Riverside Manor — Poor DSCR — high expenses, elevated price relative to income
- Elm & Third — Small multifamily (4 units)
- Gateway Park — Large multifamily (264 units), institutional scale
- Heritage Square — Value-add at market basis, mid-tier cap rate
- Lakewood Terrace — Stabilized, balanced return and resilience