Real Capital Analytics - Detailed Review
Real Estate Tools
Real Capital Analytics - Product Overview
Introduction to Real Capital Analytics
Real Capital Analytics (RCA) is a leading provider of data and analytics solutions for the global commercial real estate investment market. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:Primary Function
RCA serves as a universal data and analytics solution, providing comprehensive insights into commercial real estate transactions, market trends, and investment strategies. It bridges the information gap in the commercial real estate sector by offering timely and reliable transaction data, market pricing intelligence, and capital flow analysis.Target Audience
The primary users of RCA include active investors, lenders, brokers, advisors, and other key players in the commercial real estate market. These stakeholders rely on RCA’s unique insights to formulate strategies, source new opportunities, and execute deals.Key Features
Transactions
RCA’s database includes over $42 trillion of commercial property transactions, encompassing sales, refinancings, defaults, and construction activities. Users can search the database using multiple criteria and filters, view results, map them, export data, and aggregate it into trend reports.Investors
The platform provides a detailed database of all investors, including owners, buyers, sellers, developers, and lenders. Users can sort by investment and property type, generate and export lists and rankings, and view detailed profiles of companies involved in various deals.Trends and Market Analysis
RCA offers monthly and quarterly publications, market insights, and webinars. Users can compare market data across countries, regions, and submarkets, and access time series data for volumes, pricing, yields, and capital flows. The platform also includes tools like the RCA CPPI™ (Commercial Property Price Index) and the RCA Hedonic Series for accurate pricing trends.Global Coverage
RCA covers all major property types, including office, industrial, hotels, retail, multi-family, senior housing, and self-storage. It provides a global view, with offices in New York City, San Jose, London, and Singapore.Advanced Analytics
Features such as the Capital Liquidity Scores® help investors, financiers, and advisors understand market liquidity for risk management and portfolio allocation. Additionally, RCA offers a Climate Value-at-Risk Due Diligence report for any property in the database. By providing this comprehensive suite of tools and data, Real Capital Analytics helps its users make informed decisions and stay ahead in the competitive commercial real estate market. Real Capital Analytics - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
The user interface of RCA is described as less intuitive compared to some other data providers. The search function, in particular, is mentioned as being somewhat clunky, which can make it less user-friendly for new users.
Ease of Use
To maximize usability, users may need additional training or support. This suggests that while the platform offers extensive data and analytics capabilities, it may require some time and effort for users to become fully comfortable with its features.
Overall User Experience
RCA provides a comprehensive suite of data, analytics, and insights, but the user experience can be improved. Here are a few key points:
- Desktop Platform: The desktop platform allows clients to access the full suite of data and analytics, and it delivers data in bulk via Excel add-ins or virtual warehouses in real time. However, the interface itself is not highly praised for its intuitiveness.
- Mobile App: The RCAnywhere Mobile App provides access to transactions, investor profiles, and insights, which can be more convenient for on-the-go use.
- Email Alerts: RCA offers email alerts to notify clients of changes on saved searches, which can help keep users informed without needing to constantly check the platform.
Customer Support
RCA provides customer support through a dedicated support representative for subscribers. Users can also contact sales or customer service through the MSCI website, read FAQs, or submit a support ticket. This support structure is intended to help users overcome any difficulties they might encounter with the platform.
In summary, while Real Capital Analytics offers a wealth of data and analytics for commercial real estate, its user interface and ease of use could be improved. Users may need to invest time in learning the platform and may benefit from additional training or support to fully leverage its capabilities.
Real Capital Analytics - Key Features and Functionality
Real Capital Analytics Overview
Real Capital Analytics (RCA), a part of MSCI, offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features that leverage AI and advanced data analysis to support real estate investors, financiers, and advisors. Here are the main features and how they work:
Transactions Module
Key Features
- This module allows users to view all deals or research specific properties. It includes a database that can be searched using multiple criteria and filters.
- Users can view, map, export, and aggregate search results into trend reports, providing a detailed overview of market activities.
Investors Module
Key Features
- The database includes all types of investors such as owners, buyers, sellers, developers, and lenders.
- Users can sort by investment and property type, generate and export lists and rankings, and view detailed profiles of companies, including their deals, properties, and partners.
- This module also includes CMBS (Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities) data on loans, properties, and borrowers, which helps in analyzing the financial health and activities of various stakeholders.
Trends Module
Key Features
- This module provides monthly and quarterly publications, market insights, and webinars to keep users updated on market trends.
- Users can compare countries, regions, markets, and submarkets, and graph and download time series data for volumes, pricing, yields, spreads, and capital flows.
- The module includes advanced analytics tools such as the RCA CPPI™ (Commercial Property Price Index), which measures the actual price experience of property investors based on exclusive transaction data.
- The RCA Hedonic Series offers a cap rate and pricing time series that provides more accurate trends even with small data samples and heterogeneous assets.
- The Climate Value-at-Risk Due Diligence report can be run on any property to assess climate-related risks.
- The Capital Liquidity Scores® help in understanding market liquidity for risk management and portfolio allocation.
Registered Properties Module
Key Features
- This module allows users to explore the complete inventory of commercial properties, with over 50 million assets in the United States and over 5 million leaseholds in the United Kingdom.
- Users can access detailed information about each property, which is crucial for investment decisions and portfolio management.
AI Integration
Key Features
- AI algorithms are integrated into various aspects of RCA’s platform to automate tasks such as data gathering, analysis, and risk assessment.
- AI helps in processing vast amounts of data quickly, enabling users to make more informed decisions based on data-driven insights rather than intuition.
- For example, AI can analyze historical data, market trends, and comparable sales to provide accurate property valuations and identify potential investment opportunities.
Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Key Features
- AI tools within RCA’s platform can analyze market conditions, property history, and socio-economic factors to identify potential risks and mitigate them.
- This includes assessing risks such as market downturns, property vacancies, or legal issues, allowing investors to make more informed decisions and take appropriate measures to mitigate risks.
Data Management and Reporting
Key Features
- RCA’s platform aggregates, organizes, and reports on data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive assessment of real estate portfolios.
- Users can generate detailed reports and view data through various visualizations, which helps in portfolio management and investment strategy development.
Conclusion
In summary, Real Capital Analytics leverages AI to streamline data analysis, risk assessment, and portfolio management, providing users with a powerful toolset to make informed investment decisions in the real estate sector.
Real Capital Analytics - Performance and Accuracy
Performance and Accuracy of Real Capital Analytics (RCA)
Data Coverage and Accuracy
RCA is renowned for its comprehensive and accurate data coverage. It has recorded over $40 trillion of commercial property transactions and links these to over 200,000 investor and lender profiles. This extensive database provides a high level of transparency, which is crucial for developing strategies, evaluating risk, and executing deals.Granular Data
RCA offers granular data across all property types, including office, industrial, hotels, retail, development sites, multi-family, senior housing, self-storage, and more. This detailed data includes sales, recapitalizations, refinancings, defaults, foreclosures, and construction projects, making it a valuable resource for various stakeholders such as investors, owners, bankers, lenders, advisors, appraisers, brokers, and developers.Longitudinal Data
One of the foundational strengths of RCA is its 20 years of verified and linked longitudinal data. This long-term data set allows for unique intelligence and analytics, enabling users to track market trends and property performance over time.Additional Datasets
RCA provides additional datasets such as Comprehensive Construction Starts, Mortgage Debt Intelligence® (MDI), and the Australian commercial real estate dataset. These datasets enhance the platform’s capabilities by offering insights into construction activities, mortgage debt, and market liquidity, among other aspects.User Interface and Training
While RCA’s data is highly regarded for its accuracy and comprehensiveness, the user interface may not be as intuitive as some other platforms. Users may need additional training to become proficient, which could be a minor limitation for some users.Market Insights and Research
RCA is backed by over 60 research analysts and the MSCI institutional brand, ensuring that the data and insights provided are reliable and robust. The platform offers quarterly updates on income and risk for the US market, as well as global market insights, which are valuable for investors and asset managers.Limitations
One of the limitations of RCA is that it does not provide extensive ownership contact information, which might be a drawback for users who need this specific data point. Additionally, while RCA’s data is comprehensive, the platform’s user interface may require some learning curve, which could be a minor inconvenience for new users.Conclusion
In summary, Real Capital Analytics stands out for its accurate, comprehensive, and granular data, making it a trusted source in the commercial real estate industry. While there may be some limitations, such as the need for training on the user interface and the lack of certain specific data points, RCA’s strengths in data coverage and accuracy make it a valuable tool for real estate investors and professionals. Real Capital Analytics - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of Real Capital Analytics
The pricing structure of Real Capital Analytics, a comprehensive real estate database, is segmented into several tiers to cater to different user needs. Here’s a breakdown of the available plans and their features:
Basic Plan
Price:
$99 per month
Features:
This plan provides access to basic market insights, transaction data, and limited investor profiles. It is suitable for users who need a general overview of the market and basic transaction information.
Pro Plan
Price:
$199 per month
Features:
The Pro plan offers more advanced features, including detailed investor profiles, transaction data with multiple criteria and filters, and the ability to generate and export lists and rankings. This plan is ideal for users who require more in-depth market analysis and detailed investor information.
Enterprise Plan
Price:
Custom pricing
Features:
The Enterprise plan is tailored for large-scale users and provides all the features from the Pro plan, plus additional advanced analytics, comprehensive market trends, and specialized support. This includes access to CMBS data, detailed property profiles, and the ability to track capital flows and market liquidity. The pricing for this plan is customized based on the specific needs of the client.
Additional Features
Mobile App:
All plans include access to the RCAnywhere Mobile App, which allows users to access transactions, investor profiles, and insights on the go.
Email Alerts:
Users can set up email alerts to notify them of changes on saved searches.
Data Export:
Users can export data in bulk via Excel add-in or virtual warehouses in real time.
Free Options
Free Trial:
Real Capital Analytics offers a free trial, allowing potential users to test and experience the tool before committing to a subscription. This is a great way to get a feel for the platform’s capabilities without an initial financial commitment.
Real Capital Analytics - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Dealpath
Overview
One significant integration is with Dealpath, an investment and deal management platform. This partnership allows commercial real estate investors to access RCA’s sales transaction data directly within the Dealpath platform.Benefits
Users can view and leverage RCA sales transactions, including market analytics such as cap rates and sales volume, without the need to switch platforms or manually enter data. This integration streamlines deal screening, underwriting, and diligence processes, providing a centralized place for all relevant data.Data Integration API
Functionality
RCA offers a Data Integration API that allows authorized users to access their data through a programmable interface.Data Formats
This API supports various data formats, including XLS, XLSX, XML, JSON, CSV, and TSV.Automation
It enables automation of the data retrieval process, providing fresher data and automatic differentials. Users can request either a full data set or a custom drill-down based on criteria such as continent, country, property type, and transaction type.Efficiency
This API ensures that data can be integrated into internal systems efficiently, supporting both full sets and differential data sets.Web Portal
Access
In addition to the API, RCA provides a Web portal for manual access to data.Functionality
This portal allows users to access their complete data set or drill down based on specific criteria, similar to the API. It also supports differential data sets, ensuring users receive only the updated transactions since their last access.Flexibility
This dual approach (API and Web portal) ensures flexibility and ease of use for different user preferences.Compatibility Across Platforms
Integration
The RCA data integration is compatible with various systems and tools, allowing for seamless integration into existing workflows.Data Retrieval
For instance, the data can be retrieved in multiple formats, which facilitates merging into different internal repositories.Professional Use
This compatibility ensures that commercial real estate professionals can use RCA data within their preferred platforms without significant disruptions.Conclusion
In summary, Real Capital Analytics integrates well with other tools and platforms, such as Dealpath, through both API and Web portal interfaces. This integration enhances the efficiency and accuracy of real estate transactions and analytics, making it a valuable resource for commercial real estate investors and professionals. Real Capital Analytics - Customer Support and Resources
For Customers Using Real Capital Analytics (RCA) from MSCI
Several customer support options and additional resources are available to ensure a smooth and informative experience.
Customer Support
- RCA provides a global Client Service team that is available 24×5 to address any questions or issues. You can submit a support ticket through their website, ensuring prompt assistance.
- For specific inquiries related to RCA services, you can contact the RCA service team directly via email at RCA_Service@msci.com.
Contact Numbers
- If you prefer to speak with a representative, you can call the global support numbers:
- Americas: 1 888 588 4567
- Asia Pacific: 852 2844 9333
- Europe, Middle East and Africa: 44 20 7618 2222.
Additional Resources
- Knowledge Base and FAQs: MSCI offers a comprehensive knowledge base and FAQs section where you can find answers to common questions and learn more about their products and services.
- Support Tickets: You can submit support tickets for any issues or questions you have, and a member of the team will contact you to assist.
Product Demos and Information
- If you are interested in learning more about the capabilities of Real Capital Analytics, you can book a demo through the MSCI website. This will help you understand how the platform can assist in sourcing off-market opportunities and staying ahead of the competition.
Data and Analytics Tools
- RCA provides extensive data and analytics tools, including modules for transactions, investors, trends, and more. These tools allow you to search databases, view and compare market insights, and generate detailed reports.
Integration and Technical Support
- For users of the MSCI Real Capital Analytics Trend Tracker Add-In for Excel, the add-in allows seamless integration with Excel, enabling you to fetch and incorporate real estate trend data directly into your spreadsheets. If you encounter any technical issues, the support team is available to help.
By leveraging these support options and resources, users of Real Capital Analytics can ensure they are getting the most out of the platform and resolving any issues efficiently.
Real Capital Analytics - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Comprehensive Market Data
RCA provides extensive information on the global commercial real estate market, tracking transactions, trends, and pricing data across various sectors such as office, retail, industrial, multifamily, hotel, and land. This comprehensive data helps investors, lenders, brokers, and other real estate professionals make informed decisions.
Market Analysis and Trends
RCA enables users to understand market trends, including investment volumes, pricing, and capital flows both globally and in specific regions or cities. This helps in identifying market patterns and making strategic decisions.
Investment Sourcing
The platform allows users to identify potential investment opportunities by analyzing transaction histories and market activity. This feature is crucial for finding viable investment options.
Due Diligence
RCA facilitates thorough due diligence on potential investments by providing detailed transaction data and property information. This ensures that investors have all the necessary information before making a decision.
Benchmarking
Users can compare the performance of specific properties or portfolios against broader market benchmarks. This helps in evaluating the relative performance of their investments.
Forecasting
By using historical data and trends, RCA helps users forecast future market movements, enabling them to make informed investment decisions.
Disadvantages
While the provided sources do not explicitly outline the disadvantages of RCA, some general considerations can be inferred from the broader context of real estate analytics:
Data Quality Issues
As with any data-driven platform, the accuracy and reliability of RCA’s data are crucial. If the data is incomplete, obsolete, or incorrect, it can lead to misleading analyses and suboptimal decision-making.
Cost and Accessibility
Depending on the pricing model of RCA, it might be costly for some users, particularly smaller real estate firms or individual investors. This could limit its accessibility to those with larger budgets.
Dependence on Third-Party Data
Relying on a third-party provider for critical data and analysis may require a high level of trust. Some users might prefer to handle their data internally to maintain control and ensure data integrity.
In summary, while RCA offers significant advantages in terms of comprehensive market data, market analysis, investment sourcing, due diligence, benchmarking, and forecasting, potential users should be aware of the importance of data quality and the potential costs and dependencies associated with using a third-party analytics service.
Real Capital Analytics - Comparison with Competitors
Real Capital Analytics (RCA)
RCA is a leading provider of commercial real estate data and analytics. It offers comprehensive insights into property transactions, market trends, and investment opportunities. RCA’s platform integrates extensive datasets to provide users with detailed analytics and valuation tools.
Competitors and Alternatives
Cherre
Cherre is a significant competitor that provides real estate data and insights solutions. It allows users to connect all their real estate data into a single source of truth, facilitating better investment, management, and underwriting decisions. Cherre serves the real estate, insurance, and startup industries, and is known for its ability to integrate diverse data sources.
GeoPhy
GeoPhy transforms commercial real estate processes with data-driven valuations and analytics powered by machine learning. It applies supervised machine learning to provide accurate and reliable valuations, making it a strong alternative for those seeking advanced analytical tools.
Reonomy
Reonomy focuses on providing insights into the commercial real estate sector using artificial intelligence and machine learning. It offers a range of products that help users analyze market trends, identify investment opportunities, and make informed decisions. Reonomy is particularly useful for its detailed property and market data.
CoreLogic
CoreLogic combines public, contributory, and proprietary data to develop predictive analytics and data-enabled services. It provides property information, analytics, and various data services that are essential for real estate professionals. CoreLogic’s comprehensive data coverage makes it a viable alternative to RCA.
The Warren Group
The Warren Group is another competitor that offers a wide range of real estate data, including mortgage data, loan originator data, sales data, and property data. It is known for its national coverage and detailed real estate analysis, making it a strong option for those needing extensive data sets.
Crexi
Crexi is a commercial real estate marketplace and data platform that enables professionals to streamline their business operations. It provides access to millions of commercial listings and has facilitated transactions totaling over $1 trillion in property value. Crexi is particularly beneficial for its marketplace and transactional data.
BatchService
BatchService offers property data and accurate owner contact information through a single API. This makes it a convenient option for those looking to integrate property data into their platforms or applications without the need for multiple data sources.
Immobiliare.it Insights
Immobiliare.it Insights specializes in the analysis and processing of Italian and foreign real estate market data. It provides highly detailed real estate analysis, including demand, supply, and market trends, which can be particularly useful for those focused on European markets.
Unique Features of RCA
- Comprehensive Data Coverage: RCA stands out for its extensive global coverage of commercial real estate transactions and market trends.
- Advanced Analytics: It offers sophisticated analytical tools that help users make informed investment decisions.
- Integration Capabilities: RCA’s platform can integrate with various data sources, providing a holistic view of the real estate market.
Choosing an Alternative
When selecting an alternative to RCA, consider the specific needs of your business:
- If you need a single source of truth for all your real estate data, Cherre might be the best choice.
- For advanced machine learning-driven valuations, GeoPhy is a strong option.
- If you are focused on commercial real estate insights and market trends, Reonomy or Crexi could be more suitable.
- For a broader range of property and mortgage data, CoreLogic or The Warren Group might be more appropriate.
Each of these alternatives offers unique features and strengths, so it’s important to evaluate them based on your specific requirements and the type of real estate data and analytics you need.
Real Capital Analytics - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Real Capital Analytics
What is Real Capital Analytics?
Real Capital Analytics (RCA) is a universal data and analytics solution for global commercial real estate investing and transactions. It provides comprehensive data on commercial property transactions, market trends, and key players in the industry.What types of property does Real Capital Analytics cover?
RCA covers all major commercial property types, including office, industrial, hotels, retail, development sites, multi-family, senior housing, self-storage, and other property types. This extensive coverage ensures users have access to a wide range of market data.What kind of transactions are tracked by Real Capital Analytics?
Real Capital Analytics tracks various types of transactions, such as sales and recapitalizations, refinancings, defaults and foreclosures, portfolios and entities, and construction and development sites. This comprehensive tracking helps users stay informed about all aspects of commercial real estate transactions.Who are the key participants covered by Real Capital Analytics?
The platform covers all key players in the commercial real estate market, including investors and owners, bankers, lenders and originators, advisors and appraisers, brokers and agents, and developers. This allows users to gain insights into the activities and roles of various stakeholders in the industry.What kind of data and analytics does Real Capital Analytics provide?
RCA provides detailed data on property owners, property attributes, and debt terms. It also offers advanced analytics tools such as the RCA CPPI™ (Commercial Property Price Index), Capital Liquidity Scores®, and the RCA Hedonic Series. These tools help users assess market trends, liquidity, and risk management.Does Real Capital Analytics offer any financial modeling tools?
Yes, Real Capital Analytics provides institutional-grade real estate financial models that help investors and private equity funds analyze and forecast the financial performance of real estate assets. These models incorporate live market data and are adaptable across various asset classes and deal stages.Is there a free trial or demo available for Real Capital Analytics?
Yes, Real Capital Analytics offers a free trial that allows potential users to test and experience the tool before committing to a subscription. Additionally, users can book a demo to learn more about how the platform can help them source off-market opportunities and stay ahead of their competition.What are the pricing options for Real Capital Analytics?
The pricing for Real Capital Analytics includes several tiers: Basic ($99/month), Pro ($199/month), and Enterprise (custom pricing). Each tier offers different levels of access to data and analytics features.Does Real Capital Analytics have a mobile application?
Yes, Real Capital Analytics has a mobile application that allows users to access their accounts and data anytime and anywhere, providing convenience and flexibility.Are there any user interface or support issues with Real Capital Analytics?
Some users have reported dissatisfaction with the user interface, suggesting it needs to be updated for better usability. Additionally, RCA does not offer built-in CRM integration or live chat support, which some users find lacking compared to other platforms.How long has Real Capital Analytics been collecting data?
Real Capital Analytics has been collecting data for over 20 years, resulting in a vast and verified longitudinal data set that includes over $40 trillion of commercial property transactions linked to over 200,000 investor and lender profiles.