Analysis Capabilities Close

Is there a manual? Yes Download PDF Manual

Are there training videos? Yes Practical Example Walk Throughs - How to Start Videos - Detailed Video Library - Support Center

What property types is planEASe^® useful for?

• Apartment Investment / Development
• Self Storage Investment / Development
• Mobile Home Parks Investment / Development
• Marina Slips Investment / Development
• Retail Investment / Development
• Shopping Centers Investment / Development
• Single Tenant Investment / Development
• Office Investment / Development
• Medical Office Investment / Development
• Industrial Investment / Development
• Land Development
• Condo Development
• Condo Conversion
• Subdivision Development
• Tenant Representation
• Lease vs. Buy
• Cost Comparison
• Sale/Leaseback
• Partnerships/LLC/Group Investment
• 1031 Exchanges
• Participating Loans
• Installment Sales
• Compare Investments / Developments
• Combine Investments / Developments

How many income streams can be entered? No Limit

How many leases can be entered? No Limit

How many loans can be entered? No Limit

How many expenses can be entered? No Limit

How many capital spending items or assets can be entered? No Limit

How many development items can be entered? No Limit

How many properties can be added to a portfolio? No Limit

What is the maximum holding period? 99 years

What is the minimum holding period? 1 year

Are expense reimbursements accounted for? Yes Video (0:28)

Is a construction draw loan automatic? Yes (optional) Video (3:31)

Is planEASe^® a spreadsheet template? No

What are the methods for the sale price at disposition?

• Capitalize Current NOI Video (6:17)
• Capitalize Last Year’s NOI
• Capitalize Next Year’s NOI
• Continuous Growth (@ Growth Rate) Video (1:41)
• Continuous Growth (@ %>Inflation)
• Specified $ Price
• Gross Income Multiplier
• Gross Capitalization Rate
• No Sale Price Computed

What kind of loans can be handled?

Loan Types

• Amortizing Video (5:22)
• Interest-Only to Amortizing Video (2:06)
• Accruing (No Payment to Amortizing) Video (2:34)
• Adjustable / Variable Rate Video (2:19)
• 360/365 Conduit Video (3:04)
• Refinance Video (2:42)

All loan types may use these payment frequencies:

• Monthly
• Quarterly
• Semi-Annual
• Annual

With continuation pages, loan types can be changed during the loan — View “Interest Only to Amortizing” video (2:06)

In the Development Spending Dialog a Construction Draw linked to development spending items, and permanent loan linked to the construction draw are available — Video (3:31)

In the Unit Sales Dialog a Construction Draw is linked to development spending items and paid back from unit sales — Video (2:44)

Can I import data from a spreadsheet? (yes)

The Assumption EzEntry Dialog provides a fast and convenient method of entering starting Assumption Values for an Assumption Set by allowing pasting of entire columns of information supplied from an external spreadsheet. The two grids (Revenue and Expense) accept information like: title, units, sf/unit, rate, start date, and period. For a retail/office type property information changes to: title, suite, rsf, usf, rate, start, and period. The development spending item process is similar.

• EzEntry Overview (video)
• Pasting Revenues (video)
• Pasting Expenses (video)
• Import development spending items (video)
• Import unit sale development items (video)

Can I enter my unusual lease? (yes)

Lease Forecasting — Combining the revenue growth methods with continuation pages ANY lease can be entered. In addition, the Reimbursements and Market Profiles dialogs allow for sophisticated techniques.

• Simple Annual Growth (video 3:08)
• Lease With One Bump (video 2:54)
• Lease with Vacant Period (video 2:29)
• Taking a Lease to Market (video 1:22)
• Accrue by Period (video 2:45)
• Accrue by Year (video 2:59)

What kind of lease up capabilities are there?

• Vary Vacancy with Continuation Pages (video 2:59)
• Lease Up using Ramp from Beginning to Ending Amount (video 3:45)
• Ramp by Specific Dollar Amount per Month (video 2:26)
• Lease Up Lease by Lease with Market Profiles (video 3:42)
• Lease Up Lease by Lease without Market Profiles (video 2:54)

Hotels?

planEASe^® is a monthly accurate cash flow program and can analyze any investment including hotels and motels if that is the level of detail required. The analysis of running the daily business of hotels, motels, or any business is not the focus of the program, and you will not find daily occupancy rate as an assumption in the software.

'What if' Capabilities Close

What are some of the assumptions that can be used in a 'What if' analysis?

These are most of the assumptions that can be used in Sensitivity, Sensitivity Comparison, and Risk Analysis.

• Price of Property
• Closing Costs / Closing Costs Expensed
• Holding Period
• Inflation Rate
• Sale Price Parameter (cap rate, appreciation, etc.)
• Selling Costs / Selling Costs Expensed
• General Vacancy & Credit Loss
• Tax Rate - First Year / Following Years
• Capital Gain Rate
• Cost Recovery Recapture Rate
• Present Value Discount Rate Before Debt / Before Tax / After Tax
• Depreciable Amount / Depreciable Life
• Investment Tax Credit
• Any development item (Land Price, Hard Cost, etc.)
• Loan Amount(s) / Loan Interest Rate / Original Loan Period
• Prepayment Penalty / Balloon Payment Due / Payment Override / Loan Points
• Annual Revenue(s) / Revenue Period / Revenue Growth Rate
• Single Vacancy Factor / Revenue Max / Revenue Min
• LeaseUp / Months Vacant / Market Rent Growth / Market Rent
• Lease Duration / Tenant Improvements / Renewal Probability
• Annual Expense(s) / Expense Period / Expense Growth Rate / Expense Max / Expense Min
• Expense Amount as Percentage(s)
• Unit Sales: Draw Percent, Rate, Period, Interest Payment, Limit, Points, Discharge Rate
• Unit Sales: Price Multiplier, Cost Multiplier, Sale Cost/Unit
• Unit Sales: Price Growth Rate, Cost Growth Rate, Absorption parameters
• Unit Price / Total Units to be Sold / Unit Sale Growth Rate / Units Sold per Month
• Unit Standard Cost / Unit Sale Cost
• Group Investment: Total Initial Investment, Working Capital, Loan Interest Rate
• Group Investment: Number of Units Issued, Preferred Return, Cash to Members
• Group Investment: Investment Return, Sale Proceeds, Capital Gain, Fee Amounts

What is Sensitivity 'What if' analysis?

Performs 'What if' for any assumption in your analysis versus any measure, such as Rate of Return (IRR or MIRR), Net Present Value (NPV), Net Capitalization Rate, Cash on Cash, Debt Coverage Ratio, or Loan Amount. Sensitivity Analysis shows how these measures vary with a change in any of the assumptions like Price of Property, Holding Period, Cap Rate at Sale, Renewal Probability, Vacancy, TI's, etc. Sensitivity Analysis reports a one page table and graph showing the relationship between the assumption value and the chosen measure.

• 'What if' Sensitivity Overview (video)
• 'What if' Sensitivity — Price of Property (video 3:39)
• 'What if' Sensitivity — Holding Period (video 1:46)
• 'What if' Sensitivity — Vacancy Rate (video 1:41)
• 'What if' Sensitivity — Sale Price (video 4:11)
• 'What if' Sensitivity — Months Vacant (video 5:46)
• 'What if' Sensitivity — Renewal Probability (video 9:11)

What is Sensitivity Compare 'What if' analysis?

planEASe^® assumption sets are saved as simple files. To add more capability to the sensitivity analysis, make changes to the analysis and select File/Save Assumptions As. Then in sensitivity you can vary an assumption that is common to the files (like holding period) and compare the files to each other on a graph. So if two or more files are the same except for the structure of the loan, a sensitivity comparison with holding period vs. IRR will display the IRR for each file as if sold at the end of each year shown.

• 'What if' Sensitivity Compare Overview (video 3:25)
• 'What if' Sensitivity Compare Saving (video 4:00)

What is Monte Carlo Risk Analysis 'What if' analysis?

Perform Monte Carlo Risk Analysis with any assumptions you choose (up to 15) versus any measure, such as Rate of Return (IRR or MIRR), Net Present Value (NPV), etc. Risk Analysis allows you to investigate how these measures vary with a change in assumptions like Holding Period, Cap Rate at Sale, Renewal Probability, Vacancy, TI's, etc. Risk Analysis provides a one page table and graph which shows the probability of achieving any level for the chosen measure.

• 'What if' Risk Overview (video 2:45)
• Risk with Development Items (video 2:48)
• Risk — LeaseUp Detail with Market Profiles (video 4:41)
• Risk — Renewal Probability (video 6:15)
• Risk — Focus on One Profile (video 6:33)

Platforms and Options for use Close

Can I use planEASe^® on more than one machine? (yes)

Yes. You can install the planEASe^® Cloud client software on as many Windows computers as you want. When the planEASe^® Cloud client is started, it prompts you to login and open any of the files stored in your folder on the planEASe^® web site. Only one user is allowed to be logged in at any time.

How much does planEASe^® cost? View pricing

Can I try it for free first? Yes Free Trial

Will my credit card be charged automatically after the free trial? No

If I choose to subscribe after the free trial will I be able to open the files created during the trial? Yes, all files you save will be available.

Is there a difference in analysis function between planEASe^® and planEASe^® Cloud? No Difference

Can I buy planEASe^® without using the Cloud? (yes)

Yes. planEASe^® is also available as a perpetual license with optional support fee. The software is installed on your computer(s) and is protected using a hardware key inserted in a USB port. View pricing options.

Does planEASe^® Cloud work on a Mac? (only with a Windows simulation program)

planEASe^® Cloud is a Windows software product and needs a Windows operating system. Many users of planEASe^® on Macs use Windows simulation programs like VMware Fusion and Parallels with success.

Will planEASe^® work on a tablet or phone? (it depends)

planEASe^® is a Windows software product and needs a Windows operating system. Microsoft Surface tablets that run the full version of Windows will run planEASe^® and planEASe^® Cloud. planEASe^® will not work on Android tablets/phones or Apple iPads/iPhones.

How fast will it take to get started after purchase?

The planEASe^® Cloud software is available for immediate download after subscription signup.

Do I need the Financial Utilities to get an IRR? No

The IRR, MIRR, and NPV are part of the base program. The Financial Utilities — Cash Flow Analysis — enables additional ways of entering and exporting time value of money measures.

How do I access the help methods in the software?

How-To videos are on the Movie / HowToStart menus inside the software, and the PDF manual is on the Help menu. Press the F1 key to receive context-sensitive help about the screen you are currently on. The Support Center on this website also searches all training videos and answers questions.

Does planEASe^® Cloud print? (yes)

Yes, all presentation capabilities are available including printing, creating HTML files, exporting reports to Excel, and web publishing.

Is the ‘Publish to Web’ function included?

Yes, during the subscription period you can create websites with the one-click ‘Publish to Web’ process for as many analyses as you like. If you only have the planEASe^® Base Product, only tenant/owner rep websites will be available. For investment and development websites the Reporting Extension needs to be added. Learn all about Web Publishing.

Where are the files I create stored?

Your files are stored in your folder on the planEASe^® web site. Files can be downloaded and uploaded to/from the web site folder to your computer for additional backup by selecting File / Copy to-from Cloud within the software.

Presentation Options Close

Can I make PDFs?

If you have a PDF printer driver installed, planEASe^® prints to it. planEASe^® does not have a built-in PDF creation feature. Printing to PDF video (2:28)

Can I make a website of my analysis? (yes)

The planEASe^® Web Publication Service is a simple-to-use system that will essentially create a website from your analysis so you can present it over the web.

• Samples of Published Property Websites
• Learn all about Web Publishing
• Save As Web Page for Email (video 1:47)
• Save As Web Page with Graphs (video 2:48)

How many reports can I print?

This list is for planEASe^® with all extensions:

• Basic Analysis (Monthly, Quarterly, Annually, Partnership, Portfolio)
• Detail Analysis × 13 options (Monthly, Quarterly, Annually, Partnership, Portfolio)
• Lease Analysis (Monthly, Quarterly, Annually, Summary, Individual Lease(s))
• Sensitivity Analysis × many options (Partnership, Portfolio)
• Risk Analysis × many options (Partnership, Portfolio)
• Annual Property Operating Data (APOD) × 72 variations (Portfolio)
• Acquisition Report (Portfolio)
• Sale Report (Portfolio)
• Proforma Income Statements × 1,400 variations (Portfolio)
• Annual Statements (Portfolio)
• Assumptions Report (Partnership, Portfolio)
• Rent Roll
• Development Project Cost Summary, Bill of Materials, Cost Schedule, Draw Loan
• Unit Sales Development Project Cost Summary, Bill of Materials, Cost Schedule, Draw Loan, Sales Summary, Sales Schedule
• Market Profiles
• Reimbursements
• Financial Utilities: Cash Flow Analysis × 4 variations, Interest Rate Comparisons, Loan Planner × 2, Loan Amortization, Asset Depreciation, Exchange Recap (1031) × 3

Can I customize the reports?

All of your expenses, revenues, loans, and development spending items are named by you and are unlimited. In most reports you have the choice of before/after tax and which ratios to include. All colors and fonts are customizable through the Page Setup dialog.

Page Setup video (5:00)

Can I create a customized report package for easy printing?

Yes — Reports / Report Packages lets you do that and is a huge time saver. Create as many packages as you want with different names, then just choose one to print or save as a web page. See the Detailed Video Library for the Reports section videos.

Can I put a watermark on the reports? Yes

The Watermark Dialog allows you to choose a graphics file that will print under the middle of all planEASe^® reports, allowing you to further brand your output. Watermarks may be sized from 100% of the width of the report down to 5%.

Can I export to Excel? Yes — Video (1:22)

Can I export graphs and charts? Yes — Video (2:30)

Ratios and Measures Close

Are the IRR’s and NPV’s in planEASe^® computed monthly? Yes

Why should I care if IRR’s are monthly vs. yearly?

This article and video use the XIRR (and XNPV) process introduced by Microsoft Excel in 1997 to show why monthly calculation is important, and using XIRR/XNPV means the question of beginning or end of period does not matter. Article & Video

Can I verify the IRR’s and NPV’s? (yes)

It is important to have confidence in your analysis, and it can be important to people viewing your analysis to have numbers confirmed. This article and video shows the IRR’s and NPV’s in planEASe^® verified against the XNPV and XIRR in Microsoft Excel and Google Spreadsheets. Article & Video — Direct video link (8:30)

What ratios will planEASe^® show and can I choose which to show?

The following ratios are available in the APOD and Income Statement reports and can be turned on and off:

• Capitalization Rate Article & Video
• Adjusted Capitalization Rate Article & Video
• Cash on Cash Article & Video
• Adjusted Cash on Cash Article & Video
• Current Rate of Return Article & Video
• Accounting Rate of Return Article & Video
• Debt Coverage Ratio (DCR) Article & Video
• Breakeven Occupancy Article & Video
• Loan Balance / Property Value Article & Video
• NOI / Property Value Article & Video
• Gross Income Multiplier Article & Video
• Operating Expense Ratio Article & Video
• Price/SqFt
• Loans to Value
• Loan Constant
• Loans/SqFt

What is the difference between ratios like Cap Rate and measures like IRR?

Ratios like Cap Rate and Cash on Cash look at a single year in isolation. Measures like IRR and NPV use the Time Value of Money to account for every cash flow over the entire holding period including the sale. For any multi-year investment the Time Value of Money measures give a much more complete picture. Full article & video (15:09)

Where can I learn more about specific ratios and measures?

The Ratios & Measures section of this site has a full article and video for every ratio and measure planEASe^® produces. You can also ask the Support Assistant any question about a specific ratio and it will explain it and link the relevant video.