Brief Overall Description of the Dataset:
“The historical NCREIF database goes back to the 4th Quarter 1977 and as of 1st Quarter 2015 consists of approximately 30,000 properties historically, and approximately 10,000 current properties. NCREIF collects 67 data fields each quarter that consist of financial information such as Market Value, NOI, Debt, and Cap Ex, as well as descriptor data such as Property Type and Subtype, Number of Floors, Square Footage, Number of Units, and Location.”Can copy from the websites, but put in quotes.
Screening
- Is the data collected opinion-based?
- Is the data collection recurring (must be collected at least annually)?
- Is there data available for 2013?
- For Housing: Is the data collected at the property or housing unit level?
- Can we access the data by August 15th?
Purpose
What is the purpose of the organization collecting the data?
“The objective of the NPI is to provide a historical measurement of property¿level returns to increase the understanding of, and lend credibility to, real estate as an institutional investment asset class.”
Why is it collected and how does the organization use it?
This data is collected
Who else uses the data?
Businesses, policy-makers, researchers
Who do they sell the data to?
Businesses, policy-makers, researchers
Method
What is the data collection method?
“Index Returns represent time-weighted returns as are generally reported to investors by the managers of the funds.
Each fund’s performance is weighted by its average market value equity for the value-weighted Index. Published reports may also contain equal-weighted and net of fee returns.
Net of Fee returns reflect the impact of all investment advisory fees (including paid and unpaid performance incentive fees).
Returns are based on market value equity and are therefore leveraged to the extent of debt used by each fund.
New funds are included in the Index as Index criteria are met. A fund’s initial partial quarter, if any, is not included.
Funds are removed from the Index if they continue to fail to meet the Index criteria on a recurring basis (generally 4 or more quarters depending upon facts or circumstances) or if the fund is liquidated or terminated. A fund’s final partial period, if any, is not included in the Index. When funds are removed from the Index their historical data remains.
All data will be reported at an aggregate level with masking criteria of at least 3 managers and 3 funds. Individual fund performance will never be disclosed.
NCREIF staff has the responsibility to see that the above policies and criteria are being adhered to.”
What is the type of data collected?
Administrative data
If designed, who created the questions? (e.g., government, researchers, private business)
What is the raw source of the collected data (prior to any aggregation)?
Time-weighted returns reported to investors by the managers of the funds
Description
What is the general topic of the data (1-2 words)?
Property history
What are the earliest and latest dates for which data is available?
4th Quarter 1977 and as of 1st Quarter 2015
Timeliness
Is data collected and available periodically?
Quarterly
How soon after a reference period ends can a data source be prepared and provided?
“The Index will be released on or about the 50th day following quarter-end.”
Selectivity
What is the universe (e.g., population) that the data represents?
Property in the United States
Accessibility
How is the data accessed?
“Quarterly NPI data reports include: Detail Report in a .pdf format that breaks the data down into three sections – Past 5 Quarters, Calendar Year, and Annualized Returns for all property types and sub¿types by region, division and metropolitan area. Detail Spreadsheets in a .csv format that provides quarterly returns back to inception on all property types and sub¿types by region, division, state, and metropolitan area. Also includes returns for properties held only in NFI¿ODCE funds or all Open End funds. Performance “Glossy” Report that features articles on each of the property types, a quarterly overview Highlight article, and a variety of return series. Manager¿Specific Report The ability to use the NCREIF query tool to create custom benchmarks of the NPI, including the ability for data contributors to exclude their own data.”
For Property Level Data:
“Quarterly data reports include: Detail Report in .pdf format that consists of return data by region in three sections – Past 5 Quarters, Calendar Year, and Annualized Returns. Detail Spreadsheet in .xls format that consists of all quarterly returns back to inception.”
Is it open data?
No
Any legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source?
Unknown
Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?
NCREIF Website Database Access -- $10,000 annually – Provides access to all property and fund data products, including the query tool.
NCREIF High-Level “Glossy” Quarterly Performance Report -- $2,000 annually -- Includes summary data and overall and sector articles authored by staff and members.
NCREIF Property Indices Data Package --- $5,000 annually -- Includes access to the reports and spreadsheet files for all property indices.
NCREIF Fund Indices Data Package -- $5,000 annually -- Includes access to the reports and spreadsheet files for all fund indices.
NCREIF Timberland Indices Only Data Package -- $1,500 annually -- Includes access to the reports and spreadsheet files for the timberland property and fund indices.
NCREIF Farmland Index Only Data Package -- $1,000 annually -- Includes access to the report and spreadsheet files for the farmland property index.
NCREIF Performance Returns Workbook -- $50 each
Does this dataset appear to meet our needs for the Census study? YES
Full Inventory
Description
Features
What is the temporal nature of the data:
Longitudinal, time-series, or one time point?
Geospatial? If Yes, at what level?
Available geographically by Region, Division, State, CBSA, and Zip Code.
What is the scope of the records? (e.g. program participants, geographic areas?)
United States
Metadata
Is there information available to assess the transparency and soundness of the methods to gather the data for our purposes (i.e., supplementing the census)?
Yes
Is there a description of each variable in the source along with their valid values?
None listed
Are there unique IDs for unique elements that can be used for linking data?
None listed
Is there a data dictionary or codebook? If so, put the link here and add to folder.
None listed
Selectivity
What unit is represented at the record level of the data source?
Property
Does this universe match the stated intentions for the data collection? If not, what has been included or excluded and why?
Unkown
What is the sampling technique used (if applicable)?
Unknown
What was the coverage?
Unknown
Stability/Coherence
Were there any changes to the universe of data being captured (including geographical areas covered) and if so what were they?
None listed
Were there any changes in the data capture method and if so what were they?
None listed
Were there any changes in the sources of data and if so what were they?
If a new member is added, none of their historical data will be added
Accuracy
Any known sources of error?
None listed
Describe any quality control checks performed by the data’s owner.
None listed
Accessibility
Any records or fields collected, but not included in data source, such as for confidentiality reasons)?
None listed
Is there a subset of variables and/or data that is must be obtained through a separate process? If yes, is there a separate legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source? Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?
No
Privacy and security
Was consent given by participant? If so, how was consent given?
Yes, fund managers volunteered the information
Are there legal limitations or restrictions on the use of the data?
No
What confidentiality policies does the source have? (e.g., cannot share data outside of requesting institution; does not include personally identifiable information)
None listed
Research
What research has been done with this dataset?
Fund Indexes, Price Change Indices Review
Include any links to research if provided:
http://ncreif.org/research_corner.aspx
List any other data use notes provided by the supplier.
Gaps and Concerns
Feasibility - can all jurisdiction levels provide the data (if applicable)?
Data ownership - a lack of clarity in legal guidance stemming from a lack of clarity with who owns digital data
Data collection authority - what data is reasonably private and what constitutes unwarranted intrusion?
Describe any other notes you have or any gaps/concerns you see with this dataset: