Top Novogradac Rent Income Calculators


Top Novogradac Rent Income Calculators

This device, developed by Novogradac & Firm LLP, a nationally acknowledged accounting and consulting agency, helps customers estimate the potential revenue generated from Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) properties. It sometimes requires inputs similar to property location, unit combine, relevant hire limits, and working bills to generate projections.

Estimating revenue potential is essential for builders, traders, and syndicators concerned in LIHTC initiatives. Correct projections facilitate knowledgeable decision-making associated to financing, feasibility assessments, and long-term funding methods. Given the complicated regulatory panorama of inexpensive housing, a dependable estimation device gives invaluable assist in navigating monetary complexities and guaranteeing compliance. This useful resource contributes to the monetary viability and sustainability of inexpensive housing developments nationwide.

This text will additional discover the intricacies of LIHTC revenue calculations, delve into the particular information factors required for correct projections, and focus on how these estimations inform crucial funding choices.

1. Revenue Projection

Correct revenue projection types the cornerstone of profitable Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) investments. A specialised device just like the Novogradac hire revenue calculator performs an important function on this course of, offering builders and traders with dependable estimates to tell crucial monetary choices.

  • Income Forecasting:

    Income forecasting makes use of property-specific information, together with unit combine, relevant hire limits, and anticipated occupancy charges, to mission potential rental revenue. For instance, a property with 100 items, a projected 95% occupancy charge, and a mean month-to-month hire of $800 would generate an estimated annual income of $912,000. This information is crucial for assessing monetary viability and securing financing.

  • Expense Estimation:

    Projecting working bills, similar to property taxes, insurance coverage, utilities, and upkeep, is essential for understanding internet working revenue. Precisely estimating these prices permits traders to guage the profitability and long-term sustainability of a LIHTC mission. As an illustration, understanding potential will increase in property taxes over time helps in growing practical monetary fashions.

  • Sensitivity Evaluation:

    Exploring totally different eventualities, similar to various occupancy charges or fluctuating working bills, permits traders to evaluate the potential impression of market adjustments on projected revenue. This evaluation helps in understanding the dangers and alternatives related to a specific funding and informs strategic decision-making. Analyzing potential revenue variations based mostly on totally different occupancy ranges, for instance, can reveal a mission’s vulnerability to market fluctuations.

  • Compliance Monitoring:

    Revenue projections play a vital function in guaranteeing ongoing compliance with LIHTC program rules. Sustaining correct revenue data and demonstrating adherence to hire restrictions are important for continued tax credit score eligibility. Usually evaluating precise revenue in opposition to projected figures helps determine potential compliance points and permits for well timed corrective motion.

By integrating these aspects, the Novogradac hire revenue calculator facilitates complete monetary evaluation, enabling knowledgeable funding choices and selling the long-term success of LIHTC initiatives. Correct revenue projections contribute considerably to securing financing, guaranteeing compliance, and maximizing the optimistic impression of inexpensive housing investments.

2. LIHTC Compliance

Sustaining Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) compliance is paramount for builders and traders looking for to leverage these essential tax incentives for inexpensive housing initiatives. A devoted device, such because the Novogradac hire revenue calculator, performs an important function in guaranteeing adherence to complicated regulatory necessities, mitigating monetary dangers, and maximizing the social impression of those investments.

  • Revenue Limits and Lease Restrictions:

    LIHTC rules impose strict revenue limitations on tenants and restrictions on the rents that may be charged. A specialised calculator assists in figuring out relevant revenue limits based mostly on family dimension and space median revenue (AMI). As an illustration, a property designated for households incomes 60% of AMI in a particular location would have most allowable rents calculated based mostly on that threshold. Correct revenue and hire calculations are important for preliminary qualification and ongoing compliance.

  • Minimal Set-Apart Necessities:

    LIHTC properties should keep a minimal proportion of items put aside for low-income households. These set-aside necessities fluctuate based mostly on the particular LIHTC program allocation. A calculator helps decide the required variety of items designated for low-income tenants, guaranteeing compliance with program rules and facilitating entry to inexpensive housing. For a property with 100 items and a 40% set-aside requirement, no less than 40 items have to be occupied by qualifying low-income households.

  • Certified Contract Provisions:

    LIHTC rules mandate particular provisions throughout the certified contract, a legally binding settlement governing the event and operation of the property. A devoted calculator assists in guaranteeing these provisions, similar to prolonged use agreements and proper of first refusal clauses, are precisely mirrored and adhered to. This meticulous consideration to contractual element helps keep compliance and safeguard the long-term affordability of the housing items.

  • Reporting and Documentation:

    Sustaining complete data and submitting correct experiences to regulatory companies is essential for demonstrating LIHTC compliance. Using a specialised calculator contributes to producing constant and dependable monetary information needed for these experiences. This meticulous documentation helps compliance audits, facilitates communication with regulatory our bodies, and strengthens the credibility of the mission.

By addressing these aspects, the Novogradac hire revenue calculator contributes considerably to streamlining LIHTC compliance, mitigating potential dangers, and guaranteeing the long-term success and social impression of inexpensive housing investments. This meticulous strategy to compliance reinforces investor confidence, safeguards tax credit score eligibility, and finally expands entry to high quality inexpensive housing.

3. Monetary Feasibility

Assessing the monetary feasibility of a Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) mission is paramount earlier than committing capital. A strong device, such because the Novogradac hire revenue calculator, gives important insights into the mission’s potential for long-term monetary success and sustainability, enabling knowledgeable funding choices.

  • Working Professional Forma:

    An in depth working professional forma, projecting revenue and bills over the lifetime of the mission, is essential for figuring out monetary viability. The calculator facilitates the creation of this professional forma by incorporating elements similar to estimated hire ranges, emptiness charges, working bills, and debt service. For instance, projecting working bills 5 years into the longer term permits traders to evaluate long-term affordability and potential returns. This detailed monetary mannequin serves as a roadmap for evaluating the initiatives monetary well being.

  • Debt Service Protection Ratio (DSCR):

    Lenders scrutinize the DSCR, a key metric evaluating internet working revenue to annual debt service funds, to evaluate a initiatives skill to fulfill its mortgage obligations. The calculator assists in figuring out the projected DSCR, which considerably influences mortgage approval and phrases. A DSCR persistently above 1.0 signifies adequate money move to cowl debt funds, enhancing the initiatives monetary stability and attractiveness to lenders.

  • Return on Funding (ROI):

    Traders consider potential ROI by evaluating projected earnings to the whole invested capital. The calculator aids in figuring out projected ROI by contemplating elements similar to tax credit, money move, and potential property appreciation. A transparent understanding of potential ROI permits traders to match totally different funding alternatives and align their choices with their monetary targets. For instance, evaluating the projected ROI of a LIHTC mission with that of a market-rate growth helps traders make knowledgeable choices.

  • Sensitivity Evaluation and Stress Testing:

    Evaluating a mission’s resilience to surprising market fluctuations or adjustments in working assumptions is crucial. The calculator permits for sensitivity evaluation, inspecting the impression of variables like emptiness charges or working expense will increase on total monetary efficiency. This evaluation helps determine potential dangers and informs mitigation methods. As an illustration, analyzing the impression of a 5% enhance in emptiness charges on money move helps assess the mission’s vulnerability to market downturns.

By addressing these aspects, the Novogradac hire revenue calculator equips stakeholders with the important insights required for knowledgeable decision-making, facilitating the event of financially viable and sustainable inexpensive housing initiatives. A complete understanding of economic feasibility, supported by correct projections, contributes considerably to attracting funding, mitigating monetary dangers, and maximizing the optimistic social impression of LIHTC initiatives.

4. Funding Evaluation

Funding evaluation within the context of Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) initiatives depends closely on correct monetary projections. A specialised device, such because the Novogradac hire revenue calculator, gives essential information that informs funding choices, enabling traders to evaluate potential dangers and returns, and finally contributing to the monetary viability of inexpensive housing developments. This evaluation usually entails evaluating a number of eventualities, contemplating elements like various working bills, fluctuating occupancy charges, and potential adjustments in market situations.

For instance, an investor contemplating a LIHTC mission in a quickly rising city space would possibly use the calculator to mission revenue based mostly on anticipated hire will increase over the following decade. Conversely, an investor evaluating a mission in a extra steady market would possibly deal with long-term working expense projections to evaluate the initiatives sustainability. The flexibility to mannequin totally different eventualities permits traders to grasp the potential impression of market fluctuations on their funding, informing choices associated to capital allocation and threat mitigation. Evaluating projected returns from a LIHTC funding with these from various funding autos, similar to market-rate actual property or bonds, additional enhances the decision-making course of. This comparative evaluation helps traders align their funding methods with their total monetary targets and threat tolerance.

Understanding the interaction between correct monetary projections, facilitated by instruments just like the Novogradac hire revenue calculator, and sound funding evaluation is prime to the success of LIHTC initiatives. By offering a strong framework for evaluating potential dangers and rewards, these instruments empower traders to make knowledgeable choices, contributing to the event of financially sustainable inexpensive housing and maximizing the optimistic social impression of those crucial investments. Navigating the complexities of LIHTC investments requires an intensive understanding of each the monetary and social implications, and sturdy funding evaluation, knowledgeable by correct information, is paramount to attaining each monetary success and optimistic group impression.

5. Lease Restrict Calculations

Lease restrict calculations are basic to the performance of the Novogradac hire revenue calculator and play a vital function in guaranteeing compliance with Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) program rules. These calculations decide the utmost allowable hire that may be charged to tenants in LIHTC properties, straight impacting mission feasibility and investor returns. Understanding these calculations is crucial for precisely projecting revenue, securing financing, and maximizing the social impression of inexpensive housing investments.

  • Space Median Revenue (AMI):

    Lease limits are tethered to the AMI for the mission’s location, printed yearly by the Division of Housing and City Improvement (HUD). The Novogradac hire revenue calculator incorporates present AMI information to make sure correct hire calculations. For instance, a mission focusing on households incomes 60% of AMI in a particular metropolitan space could have its hire limits decided by that space’s printed AMI. Understanding native AMI fluctuations is essential for precisely projecting revenue and guaranteeing long-term monetary feasibility.

  • Family Dimension Changes:

    Lease limits fluctuate based mostly on family dimension, recognizing that bigger households sometimes require bigger items and face higher monetary burdens. The calculator adjusts hire limits accordingly, guaranteeing affordability for households of various sizes. As an illustration, the utmost allowable hire for a four-person family will sometimes be larger than that for a two-person family, reflecting the necessity for bigger residing areas. This nuanced strategy promotes equitable entry to inexpensive housing and contributes to the social impression of LIHTC investments.

  • Utility Allowances:

    Utility allowances, which account for tenant-paid utilities, are factored into hire restrict calculations. The calculator incorporates these allowances to find out the web hire tenants are chargeable for, guaranteeing affordability and compliance with LIHTC rules. Think about a state of affairs the place tenants are chargeable for paying their very own electrical energy. The calculator would deduct an applicable utility allowance from the gross hire to find out the precise hire price used for compliance functions. This ensures correct monetary projections and prevents tenants from being overburdened by utility prices.

  • Compliance Monitoring:

    Common monitoring of hire ranges is crucial for sustaining ongoing LIHTC compliance. The calculator facilitates this course of by offering correct hire restrict calculations, enabling property managers to confirm that rents charged stay inside allowable limits. This steady monitoring helps mitigate the danger of non-compliance, defending tax credit score eligibility and guaranteeing the long-term sustainability of inexpensive housing initiatives. By flagging potential hire restrict exceedances, the calculator permits well timed corrective motion, preserving the integrity of the LIHTC program and the affordability of the housing items.

Correct hire restrict calculations, facilitated by the Novogradac hire revenue calculator, are integral to the monetary success and social impression of LIHTC initiatives. By guaranteeing adherence to program rules and selling affordability, these calculations contribute to the long-term viability of inexpensive housing developments and develop entry to secure, high quality housing for low-income households. Understanding the nuances of those calculations empowers builders, traders, and property managers to navigate the complexities of the LIHTC program and maximize its potential for optimistic group impression.

6. Working Expense Inputs

Correct working expense inputs are essential for the Novogradac hire revenue calculator to generate dependable monetary projections for Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) properties. These inputs straight have an effect on internet working revenue calculations, influencing key monetary metrics similar to debt service protection ratio and return on funding. An intensive understanding of working bills, coupled with meticulous information entry, is crucial for knowledgeable decision-making and the long-term monetary well being of LIHTC initiatives. For instance, underestimating property taxes or utility prices can result in overly optimistic revenue projections, doubtlessly jeopardizing a mission’s monetary viability. Conversely, overestimating bills might deter potential traders, hindering entry to essential funding.

A number of key working expense classes require cautious consideration. Property taxes, usually a big expense, require correct projections based mostly on native tax charges and assessed property values. Utility prices, together with water, sewer, gasoline, and electrical energy, necessitate detailed evaluation based mostly on historic information, anticipated consumption charges, and potential charge will increase. Upkeep bills, encompassing routine repairs, preventative upkeep, and long-term capital enhancements, require cautious planning and budgeting to make sure the property’s long-term bodily and monetary well being. Administration charges, reflecting the price of skilled property administration providers, needs to be precisely estimated based mostly on business requirements and native market situations. Insurance coverage prices, protecting property injury and legal responsibility, require cautious analysis based mostly on protection wants and threat assessments.

Precisely forecasting these working bills is important for producing practical revenue projections and making knowledgeable funding choices. The Novogradac hire revenue calculator serves as a robust device for analyzing the monetary viability of LIHTC initiatives, however its effectiveness depends closely on the accuracy and completeness of the working expense information supplied. Failure to precisely account for working bills can result in deceptive monetary projections, doubtlessly jeopardizing a mission’s monetary success and hindering the event of much-needed inexpensive housing. A complete understanding of working bills, coupled with diligent information assortment and evaluation, empowers builders and traders to make sound monetary choices, contributing to the long-term sustainability and optimistic social impression of LIHTC investments.

7. Property Specifics

Property-specific information is integral to the correct performance of the Novogradac hire revenue calculator. These particulars, starting from unit combine and placement to facilities and accessibility options, straight affect hire potential, working bills, and finally, the monetary feasibility of a Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) mission. The interaction between these specifics and the calculator’s algorithms drives practical revenue projections, essential for knowledgeable funding choices. For instance, a property that includes a better proportion of two-bedroom items in comparison with one-bedroom items will generate a distinct revenue profile, impacting projected money move and investor returns. Equally, a property positioned in a high-demand space can command larger rents, influencing total monetary efficiency. Precisely inputting these property specifics into the calculator ensures that the ensuing projections align with market realities and supply a dependable foundation for funding evaluation.

Think about a LIHTC growth with a mixture of unit sizes and accessibility options. Precisely accounting for the variety of accessible items, the presence of in-unit laundry amenities, or the provision of on-site parking throughout the calculator ensures a extra exact revenue projection. These seemingly minor particulars can considerably impression hire potential and working bills. Moreover, the property’s age and situation affect upkeep price projections, affecting long-term monetary forecasts. A newly constructed property will probably have decrease preliminary upkeep prices in comparison with an older constructing, impacting projected internet working revenue and investor returns. Understanding these nuances and precisely reflecting them throughout the calculator is crucial for growing practical monetary fashions and making sound funding choices.

Correct property-specific information serves as the muse for dependable monetary projections generated by the Novogradac hire revenue calculator. This data-driven strategy empowers builders and traders to evaluate the monetary viability of LIHTC initiatives, safe financing, and maximize the optimistic social impression of inexpensive housing investments. Failure to supply correct and complete property particulars can result in deceptive projections and doubtlessly jeopardize the long-term success of a mission. Subsequently, meticulous consideration to element and an intensive understanding of the property’s traits are essential for leveraging the complete potential of the calculator and making knowledgeable funding choices within the LIHTC enviornment.

8. Market Evaluation Integration

Integrating complete market evaluation is essential for maximizing the accuracy and effectiveness of the Novogradac hire revenue calculator. Market dynamics considerably affect key inputs, similar to achievable hire ranges and working expense projections. An intensive understanding of native market situations strengthens the reliability of economic projections, informing crucial funding choices and contributing to the long-term success of Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) initiatives. With out incorporating market insights, projections might not precisely replicate real-world situations, doubtlessly resulting in misinformed funding methods and jeopardizing mission feasibility.

  • Aggressive Lease Evaluation:

    Analyzing hire ranges for comparable properties within the goal market gives a practical benchmark for setting rents in a LIHTC mission. This data-driven strategy ensures that projected rents align with market realities, maximizing revenue potential whereas sustaining affordability. As an illustration, if market evaluation reveals that comparable items within the space hire for $900 per 30 days, setting LIHTC rents considerably decrease would possibly unnecessarily restrict mission income, whereas setting them considerably larger would possibly render the items unaffordable for the goal demographic. Integrating this aggressive evaluation into the calculator helps optimize hire ranges, balancing monetary viability with affordability targets.

  • Working Expense Benchmarks:

    Market evaluation informs practical working expense projections. Understanding native prices for property administration, utilities, insurance coverage, and upkeep permits builders to enter correct information into the calculator, resulting in extra dependable monetary forecasts. For instance, if market analysis signifies that property administration charges within the space sometimes vary from 4% to six% of efficient gross revenue, utilizing a worth outdoors this vary may result in inaccurate projections. Integrating market benchmarks for working bills enhances the credibility of economic fashions and strengthens funding evaluation.

  • Absorption Charge Evaluation:

    Understanding the speed at which new rental items are absorbed within the native market informs occupancy projections and lease-up timelines. This information helps assess the mission’s potential for attaining steady occupancy and producing constant revenue. If market evaluation reveals a sluggish absorption charge, it could sign the necessity for a extra conservative occupancy projection in the course of the preliminary lease-up interval. Integrating this evaluation into the calculator enhances the accuracy of revenue projections and informs strategic decision-making.

  • Financial and Demographic Tendencies:

    Analyzing broader financial and demographic developments, similar to inhabitants development, employment charges, and revenue ranges, gives invaluable context for assessing long-term market viability. This broader perspective informs funding choices and strengthens the mission’s long-term sustainability. As an illustration, a rising inhabitants and growing employment charges within the goal market might point out robust long-term demand for inexpensive housing, supporting the monetary viability of the LIHTC mission. Integrating these broader market insights into the funding evaluation course of enhances confidence in long-term projections and helps knowledgeable decision-making.

Integrating market evaluation into the Novogradac hire revenue calculator strengthens the reliability of economic projections, enabling knowledgeable funding choices and maximizing the potential for profitable LIHTC initiatives. This data-driven strategy ensures that projections align with market realities, mitigating monetary dangers and selling the long-term sustainability of inexpensive housing developments. By grounding monetary fashions in real-world market situations, builders and traders can confidently navigate the complexities of the LIHTC program and maximize its potential for optimistic group impression.

Steadily Requested Questions

This part addresses frequent inquiries relating to the utilization and implications of the Novogradac hire revenue calculator throughout the context of Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) investments. Readability on these factors is crucial for knowledgeable decision-making and profitable mission growth.

Query 1: How does the calculator deal with various working bills throughout totally different geographic places?

The calculator permits for location-specific inputs, accommodating variations in property taxes, insurance coverage prices, utility charges, and different regional expense elements. This flexibility ensures correct monetary projections tailor-made to particular market situations.

Query 2: Can the calculator be used for initiatives using a number of funding sources past LIHTCs?

Whereas designed primarily for LIHTC initiatives, the calculator could be tailored to include different funding sources by adjusting revenue and expense parameters to replicate the blended capital stack. Nonetheless, customers ought to train warning and guarantee correct changes for dependable outcomes.

Query 3: How does the calculator account for potential adjustments in market situations over the lifespan of a LIHTC mission?

The calculator facilitates sensitivity evaluation, permitting customers to mannequin totally different eventualities based mostly on various occupancy charges, working expense will increase, and different market fluctuations. This characteristic permits evaluation of potential dangers and informs proactive mitigation methods.

Query 4: Does the calculator robotically replace for annual adjustments in Space Median Revenue (AMI)?

Customers are chargeable for updating AMI values yearly throughout the calculator to make sure correct hire restrict calculations and ongoing LIHTC compliance. Counting on outdated AMI figures can result in inaccurate projections and potential compliance points.

Query 5: What function does market evaluation play along side the calculator?

Thorough market evaluation is crucial for informing key inputs used within the calculator, similar to achievable hire ranges and working expense projections. Integrating market information strengthens the reliability of economic projections and ensures alignment with real-world situations.

Query 6: How does the calculator contribute to long-term LIHTC compliance?

By offering correct hire restrict calculations and facilitating ongoing revenue projections, the calculator helps keep compliance with LIHTC rules, mitigating the danger of non-compliance and safeguarding tax credit score eligibility. This contributes to the long-term monetary well being and social impression of LIHTC initiatives.

Understanding these continuously requested questions enhances the efficient utilization of the Novogradac hire revenue calculator, enabling knowledgeable decision-making and maximizing the potential for profitable LIHTC investments. Correct projections, coupled with thorough market evaluation, are important for navigating the complexities of inexpensive housing finance and attaining each monetary and social aims.

For additional insights into maximizing the potential of LIHTC investments, the next part explores superior methods for optimizing monetary efficiency and enhancing group impression.

Maximizing Insights

Optimizing the usage of specialised instruments enhances the accuracy of economic projections and strengthens funding decision-making. The next suggestions present sensible steering for leveraging sources successfully throughout the context of Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) investments.

Tip 1: Confirm Information Accuracy: Meticulous information entry is paramount. Usually cross-reference enter values with supply paperwork and market information to make sure accuracy. Even minor discrepancies can considerably impression projections.

Tip 2: Perceive Native Market Dynamics: Conduct thorough market analysis to tell key inputs, similar to achievable hire ranges and working bills. Market situations considerably affect monetary feasibility.

Tip 3: Discover A number of Eventualities: Make the most of sensitivity evaluation to guage the impression of various assumptions on mission efficiency. Exploring totally different eventualities, similar to fluctuating occupancy charges or altering working bills, gives invaluable insights into potential dangers and alternatives.

Tip 4: Preserve Present AMI Information: Replace Space Median Revenue (AMI) values yearly to make sure correct hire restrict calculations and ongoing LIHTC compliance. AMI figures straight impression allowable hire ranges.

Tip 5: Seek the advice of with Skilled Professionals: Search steering from skilled LIHTC professionals, together with accountants, consultants, and authorized counsel, to navigate complicated regulatory necessities and optimize monetary methods.

Tip 6: Doc Assumptions and Methodology: Preserve clear data of all assumptions, information sources, and methodologies utilized in monetary projections. This documentation enhances transparency and facilitates knowledgeable decision-making.

Tip 7: Combine with Lengthy-Time period Planning: Incorporate monetary projections into long-term strategic planning processes. Aligning short-term projections with long-term targets ensures sustainable mission growth and maximizes group impression.

By implementing these methods, stakeholders can improve the reliability of economic projections, mitigate potential dangers, and maximize the potential for profitable LIHTC investments. Knowledgeable decision-making, supported by correct information and sound monetary evaluation, is essential for attaining each monetary and social aims within the inexpensive housing enviornment.

The concluding part synthesizes key takeaways and reinforces the significance of meticulous monetary planning within the context of LIHTC investments.

Conclusion

This exploration of the Novogradac hire revenue calculator has underscored its essential function in navigating the complexities of Low-Revenue Housing Tax Credit score (LIHTC) investments. From facilitating correct revenue projections and guaranteeing LIHTC compliance to informing funding evaluation and assessing monetary feasibility, the calculator empowers stakeholders to make data-driven choices. Correct information enter, coupled with thorough market evaluation, maximizes the calculator’s effectiveness, guaranteeing projections align with real-world situations and selling the long-term sustainability of inexpensive housing developments. Understanding key working expense inputs, property specifics, and hire restrict calculations are important for producing dependable monetary fashions and maximizing the potential of LIHTC investments.

Meticulous monetary planning, supported by sturdy instruments just like the Novogradac hire revenue calculator, is paramount for profitable LIHTC investments. By leveraging these sources successfully, stakeholders can navigate the complexities of inexpensive housing finance, mitigate potential dangers, and maximize the optimistic social impression of those crucial investments. Correct monetary projections contribute not solely to mission feasibility but additionally to the creation of sustainable, thriving communities. The way forward for inexpensive housing depends on knowledgeable decision-making, empowered by data-driven insights and a dedication to long-term group growth.