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Concepts

December 31, 2017

5 min read

Understanding Private Equity Waterfalls, Clawbacks, and Catch-Up Clauses

In private equity, a 'waterfall' refers to the priority sequence in...

In private equity, a 'waterfall' refers to the priority sequence in which profits from an investment are distributed among the general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs). It's akin to a multi-tiered waterfall, where the water - the profits in this analogy - cascades down different levels, each representing a phase in the profit distribution process.

Consider an example: A real estate fund acquires a property, invests in improvements, and then sells it at a profit. According to a typical 'European Waterfall' structure, the first tier - the top of our waterfall - ensures the return of the original capital to the LPs. The second tier provides the LPs with their preferred return, a predefined percentage on their initial investment.

Only after these two levels are satisfied does the waterfall flow to the third tier. Here, the remaining profits, often called 'excess profits,' are divided between the LPs and GPs. It's common for this split to favor the GPs, typically around an 80-20 LP-GP ratio, incentivizing fund managers to exceed the preferred return threshold.

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November 2, 2021

4 min read

A Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Due Diligence in Private Equity Real Estate

When it comes to private equity real estate, due diligence is a crit...

When it comes to private equity real estate, due diligence is a critical process to ensure your potential investment aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. The process can seem intimidating, especially for beginners, but it is essential for protecting your investment and maximizing returns. The steps discussed here will provide a strong foundation for a thorough due diligence process.

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