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Cell Tower Lease Buyout Calculator

Is the Buyout Offer You Received Actually a Good Deal?

Cell tower lease buyout companies are in the business of acquiring your future income at a discount. A lump sum that looks attractive today may represent a fraction of what your lease would actually pay you — especially on sites with multiple remaining option periods and strong escalation terms.

This calculator compares any buyout offer against the present value of your lease income so you can see exactly where you stand before making any decision.

Why this matters: Buyout companies typically price offers using discount rates of 8–14% or higher — rates that heavily favor the buyer. Running your own present value analysis at a realistic rate is the only way to know whether an offer is genuinely competitive or simply a good deal for the company making it.

How to Use the Calculator

1
Enter your lease terms. Provide your start date, current monthly rent, escalation rate, how often the escalation applies, and the total remaining lease duration including all option periods.
2
Enter the buyout offer details. Enter the lump sum being offered. For "Term Purchased," enter the number of years the buyout covers, or enter 99 if the offer is for the full remaining lease (perpetual).
3
Set your discount rate. This is the annual rate used to convert future payments into today's dollars. A common benchmark is 6–8%. A higher rate favors the buyout; a lower rate favors keeping the lease. The calculator also shows the implied rate the buyer is using — which is often revealing.
4
Click Calculate and review the analysis. You will see the buyout offer compared to the nominal and present value of your lease income, the implied discount rate embedded in the offer, and a year-by-year or term-by-term breakdown.
Cell Tower Lease Buyout Calculator
Results assume the lease runs for the full duration entered. Rent payments are calculated to the nearest cent.
Current Lease Terms
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Buyout Offer Details
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About the discount rate: This rate converts your future lease payments into today's dollars. A lower rate assumes your lease is more likely to run its full term; a higher rate reflects greater uncertainty. Use the presets below as a starting point, then adjust based on your situation.

If you're not sure which to use, consider: Does your site have strong zoning protection? Multiple carriers? A long remaining term in a built-up area? Those factors point toward a lower risk profile. A higher rate may be appropriate for: a single-carrier site with high rent, steeple sites or other configurations that physically limit antenna options, or sites where the subtenant is not AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.

Not sure how to assess your lease risk? Contact us — we can help you evaluate it before you make any decisions.

Numbers Are Only Part of the Picture

A buyout offer that clears the present value threshold may still not be the right choice for your situation. Our advisors evaluate offers in the context of your specific site, carrier, remaining term, and market conditions — at no cost for the initial conversation.

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*There is no guarantee that your lease will last the entire projected term. Calculations assume escalation is applied at the start of each new period and that all payments are received in full. This calculator is intended as an educational tool and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Please contact us for guidance specific to your lease.