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Our Underwriting Process

Our process is grounded in a rigorous combination of data analysis, operational insight, and market expertise — designed to ensure that every acquisition meets our targeted risk-adjusted returns.

Underwriting for Clarity and Confidence

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Strategic Underwriting Focus

Unlike strategies that rely solely on external market appreciation, Greenlite underwrites each investment based on tangible value creation. We evaluate the potential for physical improvements, operational efficiencies, and rent growth derived from execution, not speculation. This disciplined approach allows us to underwrite with precision, price risk appropriately, and deliver durable returns across market cycles.

Property-Level Assessment and Value Potential

Once a property is identified, Greenlite conducts a comprehensive review of both its physical condition and operational performance. This includes:

  • Capital Needs Assessment: Detailed inspections to identify deferred maintenance, code compliance issues, and infrastructure or system replacements (e.g., HVAC, roofing, plumbing).

  • Operational Review: Analysis of rent rolls, leases, turnover rates, and expense trends to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for Net Operating Income (NOI) improvement.

  • Rent Delta Evaluation: Measuring the spread between in-place rents and achievable post-renovation rents is central to our underwriting model. We do not proceed unless a clear path to revenue growth is supported by market data.

From this review, we formulate a tailored repositioning plan aligned with the property’s specific condition, tenant base, and submarket dynamics.

Financial Modeling and Stress Testing

Greenlite builds detailed financial models for every project to forecast cash flow and performance under multiple scenarios. These models include:

  • Equity-Level Return Metrics: Internal Rate of Return (IRR), equity multiple, and total return—benchmarked against the risk profile of each deal.

  • Debt-Level Metrics: Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) and Debt Yield are stress-tested to ensure compliance with lender thresholds and to avoid capital structure risk.

  • Scenario Analysis: Stress testing under various leasing velocities, rent growth assumptions, and cost structures enables us to plan for contingencies and protect downside exposure.

Operational Feasibility and Execution Risk

Greenlite evaluates more than just financial performance — we evaluate potential execution risk as well, to ensure we have a clear picture of the property in place. This evaluation includes:

  • Permitting and Construction Feasibility: Evaluation of local permitting timelines, contractor availability, and cost structures. We work exclusively with contractors who have experience in efficient multi-family repositioning.

  • Disruption Mitigation: Phased renovation strategies and tenant retention plans to reduce vacancy loss and stabilize income during repositioning.

  • Alignment with Stakeholders: We collaborate with lenders and capital partners to ensure realistic timelines, cost assumptions, and execution strategies are in place prior to acquisition.

Our underwriting strategy is built on a clear understanding of where value can be created and the operational expertise to make it happen.

Every asset is evaluated through a process that reflects both financial discipline and operational insight, ensuring that the investment thesis is sound from every angle. Our models are built around physical improvements, operational corrections, and rent optimization. This approach enables us to price risk appropriately and deliver performance within a tightly controlled framework.

Because we work directly across construction, property operations, and leasing, we’re able to underwrite with a high level of detail. Our expertise in multifamily allows us to identify the subtle indicators of upside potential — underutilized layouts, fragmented expense structures, overlooked deferred maintenance — and model outcomes based on first-hand knowledge.

Our strategy is designed to mitigate downside exposure, enhance asset performance, and maintain transparency from initial underwriting through disposition.

More on Our Investment Approach

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Specializing in Value-Add Investments

Greenlite focuses on heavy value-add investments where strategic improvements drive potential for strong, risk-adjusted returns. Rather than pursuing a buy-and-hold strategy that depends heavily on market cycles, we create value through targeted asset transformation. This operationally focused model enables greater control over key performance drivers and more disciplined investment planning.

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Identifying our Target Markets

Greenlite targets stable secondary markets with strong fundamentals and stable, long-term growth potential. Our selection process is grounded in rigorous analysis at both the metro and submarket levels, ensuring each investment is well-positioned to capitalize on proven demand drivers and withstand market volatility.

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Managing the Investment Cycle

From acquisition to exit, Greenlite takes an active role in every phase of the investment cycle. Our team’s experience enables us to anticipate challenges, adapt quickly, and maintain strategic alignment across construction, operations, and leasing. This integrated approach helps us protect downside risk while driving strong, risk-adjusted returns.

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Working with Capital Partners

Greenlite works with a select group of experienced capital partners who align with our value-focused, execution driven strategy. We prioritize transparency, strong fundamentals, and mutual accountability at every stage of the relationship.

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