Most investors don’t lose money because they choose the wrong asset.

They lose money because they trust the wrong metric.

Cash-on-cash, IRR, and equity multiple all matter. But each tells a very different story, and when misunderstood, they create false confidence.

At Cornell Communities, we don’t lead with the biggest number. We lead with the most honest one.

📊 The Three Return Metrics You’ll See Everywhere

Nearly every syndication uses the same three metrics. Knowing what each one does and does not tell you is critical.

💵 Cash-on-Cash Return

“What income do I actually receive?”

Cash-on-cash (CoC) measures the annual cash distributions you receive relative to the cash you invested.

Example:

• You invest $100,000
• You receive $8,000 per year in distributions

👉 Cash-on-Cash = 8%

Why Investors Like It

✓ Simple

✓ Tangible

✓ Tied to real income

What It Doesn’t Show