Evaluating development projects

Summary Using a case study, it is shown that the competent assessment of real estate development projects entails the use of a broad range of skills and information input ranging from macro‐economic forecasting, assessment of inflation and interest rates; product design to ensure marketability, a review of competing projects and a command of techniques of financial appraisal. The analyses need to be keyed into a corporate framework which takes cognizance of the cost of capital, project specific risk, the management of working capital and an assessment of the effect a proposed project will have on corporate financial performance.