Behind the Numbers: What ROI, GDV, GDC and Yield Really Mean for Investors

image of tech conference scene

If you’re getting into property investing, you’ve probably seen a flood of acronyms: ROI, GDV, GDC, Yield...

But what do these numbers really mean? And how can you use them to make smart, fast investment decisions?

At Property-Assistant.ai, our AI assistant runs these calculations instantly  but understanding what they measure (and why they matter) is key to becoming a confident investor.

Let’s break it down.

₱ ROI: Return on Investment

What it is: The percentage of profit you’ll make based on your initial capital invested.

Why it matters: It tells you how hard your money is working.

Example: If you invest £40,000 and make £20,000 profit, your ROI is 50%.

How our AI helps: We calculate ROI instantly based on your purchase price, refurb costs, fees, and projected resale or refinance value.

GDV: Gross Development Value

What it is: The expected market value of the property after renovation or conversion.

Why it matters: It’s what your project will be worth when completed  and crucial for calculating profits, finance options, and risk.

Example: Buy at £200,000, refurb for £50,000, expect to sell for £300,000. GDV = £300,000.

How our AI helps: We pull comparables and estimate GDV for every property so you know what the upside looks like before you commit.

GDC: Gross Development Cost

What it is: The full cost of completing the project, including purchase price, refurb, legal fees, stamp duty, and finance costs.

Why it matters: It tells you how much you need to invest or borrow to bring the project to life.

Example: GDC might include: £200K purchase + £50K refurb + £15K fees = £265K total.

How our AI helps: We combine cost estimates, stamp duty calculations, and finance scenarios to show your total investment.

Yield:

What it is: The annual rental return as a % of the purchase price or market value.

Why it matters: Great for comparing passive income potential across different properties.

Example: If you earn £10,000/year in rent on a £200,000 property, your yield is 5%.

How our AI helps: We calculate gross and net yields using live rental data, so you can instantly see if a BTL deal stacks up.

Bonus: Let the AI Do the Math's

Understanding the numbers is important. But doing the numbers? That’s where AI changes everything.

With Property-Assistant.ai, you get:

  • Instant ROI, GDV, GDC and Yield on every property
  • Side-by-side comparisons
  • Strategy-specific thresholds
  • Customisable investment goals

Ask your assistant questions like:

  • "Does this meet my ROI target?"
  • "What’s the GDV if I convert this to 2 flats?"
  • "Can I refinance at 75% of the new value?"

And get instant, data-driven answers.

Ready to go beyond the buzzwords and start investing with clarity?