Cash FlowIntermediate📖 7 min read

Sale of Investment Properties

Cash Proceeds from Disposing of Investment Real Estate

Section
Investing Activities
Nature
Cash inflow (positive)
Related Asset
Investment Properties (IAS 40)
Contrast
Vs. Purchase of Investment Properties (outflow)
Common Drivers
Portfolio recycling, profit taking

Sale of Investment Properties is the cash inflow received from selling real estate classified as investment properties—assets held for rental income or capital appreciation rather than operational use. This line appears in the investing section of the cash flow statement and reflects proceeds from divestitures of such properties, often generating significant one-time cash boosts.

Table of Contents

What It Represents

Sale of Investment Properties is the actual cash received when disposing of real estate held for investment purposes.

  • Full or partial sales of buildings, land, or portfolios
  • Cash proceeds net of direct selling costs (sometimes gross)
  • Often includes realized gains (or losses) in income statement

It's the inflow counterpart to purchases of new investment properties.

💡

Only under IFRS IAS 40—US GAAP treats as PP&E sale.

A Practical Example

A REIT owns an office building bought years ago for $100M.

  • Market improves → sells for $180M cash
  • Sale of Investment Properties: +$180M cash inflow
  • Gain of $80M recognized in P&L (if fair value model) or realized now
  • Removes $100-180M carrying value from Investment Properties asset

Big cash boost for new acquisitions or shareholder returns.

Common Reasons for Sales

  • Take profits in rising markets
  • Recycle capital into higher-yield properties
  • Exit underperforming or mature assets
  • Rebalance portfolio (sector, geography)
  • Fund distributions or reduce debt
  • Strategic divestment of non-core holdings

Accounting and Presentation

  • Cash inflow in investing activities
  • Labeled 'Sale of Investment Properties' or 'Proceeds from Disposal'
  • Fair value model: Gain/loss already in P&L over time
  • Cost model: Gain/loss realized on sale
  • Often netted with purchases for 'Net Investment Properties' line

Direct costs (broker fees) may reduce proceeds.

Impact on Financials

  • Significant investing cash inflow
  • Reduces Investment Properties asset balance
  • Realized gain boosts income (cost model) or none (fair value)
  • Frees capital for reinvestment or distributions
  • May trigger tax on gains

What to Watch For

  • Size and frequency (one-time or recurring?)
  • Relation to purchases (recycling or shrinking portfolio?)
  • Gain relative to carrying value (profitability of past buys)
  • Use of proceeds (reinvested or returned?)
  • Market timing skill
⚠️

Heavy reliance on sales proceeds can mask weak rental growth.

Key Takeaways

1

Sale of Investment Properties is cash received from disposing investment real estate.

2

Investing inflow—often large and one-time.

3

Reflects portfolio management and profit realization.

4

Common in REITs and property companies for recycling capital.

5

Fair value model spreads gains over time; cost model realizes on sale.

6

Check use of proceeds and relation to acquisitions for strategy insight.

Related Terms

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