In the world of real estate private equity, the term "risk-adjusted returns" is frequently touted as a measure of investment success. But what exactly does this mean, and how can investors use it to make more informed decisions?

Understanding risk-adjusted returns is essential for evaluating investment opportunities, especially in commercial real estate, where the balance between risk and return can significantly impact portfolio performance. In theory, the higher the risk, the higher the projected return. However, in practice, there are opportunities where an investor is being overpaid for the risk they are taking – this is what we mean when we say a deal presents favorably on a risk-adjusted basis.