Total sources should always equal what?

• A. total uses
• B. Net operating income
• C. Total equity
• D. Total debt

Answer: (A)

In real estate pro forma modeling, funds in and funds out must balance. Total sources include all money available to finance the project—equity, debt, and any other financing—while total uses cover how those funds are spent—land, hard costs, soft costs, reserves, fees, etc. The total sources should always equal the total uses to ensure the financing aligns with the project’s costs and no cash is created or left unallocated. If the numbers don’t balance, something is missing or mispriced and you’d adjust the financing or cost items until they do. Net operating income reflects operating profitability, not the funding balance; total equity or total debt are components of the capital stack, not the full balance between funds raised and funds spent.