CarMax NNN Investor Hub | Cap Rate Trends, Credit Rating Trends, Lease Terms & Due Diligence

CarMax

Last Year Cap

6.7%

This Year Cap

7.0%

Cap Change

0.3%

Last Year Rating

BBB-

This Year Rating

BBB-

Rating Change

No change

CarMax – NNN Cap Rate Trend

Cap Rate Trends

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Tenant Year Cap Rate
5779 admin2 2026 04:17 AM admin2 2026 04:17 AM 7 Brew 2,020 6.5
5780 admin2 2026 04:17 AM admin2 2026 04:17 AM 7 Brew 2,021 6.3
5781 admin2 2026 04:17 AM admin2 2026 04:17 AM 7 Brew 2,022 6.0
5782 admin2 2026 04:17 AM admin2 2026 04:17 AM 7 Brew 2,023 6.3
5783 admin2 2026 04:17 AM admin2 2026 04:17 AM 7 Brew 2,024 6.6
5784 admin2 2026 04:17 AM admin2 2026 04:17 AM 7 Brew 2,025 6.6
Tenant Year Cap Rate

Credit (what net-lease buyers care about)

Credit Snapshot

CarMax

Cap Rates NNN
Last Year 6.7%
This Year 7.0%
Change 0.3%
S&P Rating CREDIT
Last Year BBB-
This Year BBB-
Change No change

CarMax Net Lease: Secure, Essential Investment

CarMax is one of the largest used vehicle retailers in the United States and a well-known net lease tenant. This guide reviews cap rates, lease structures, tenant profile, and key due diligence considerations for buyers and sellers evaluating CarMax investment properties.

For 1031 exchange buyers, CarMax properties offer exposure to a nationally recognized automotive retailer with large-format facilities, significant real estate footprints, and long-term occupancy requirements that can support stable cash flow.

Investors often target CarMax assets for:

  • Long-Term Net Leases
  • Large Real Estate Footprints
  • Strong National Brand Recognition
  • Attractive 1031 Exchange Compatibility

Because CarMax properties are typically purpose-built automotive retail facilities, investors should carefully evaluate lease term remaining, rent escalations, building functionality, market demographics, and future re-leasing potential when underwriting an acquisition.

CarMax Properties for 1031 Exchange Buyers

CarMax investment properties often appeal to buyers seeking long-term income from a nationally recognized tenant. Buyers should review lease structure, remaining lease term, renewal options, landlord responsibilities, and local market fundamentals to better understand long-term risk, residual real estate value, and future exit opportunities.

CarMax – Credit Trend (S&P vs Moody’s)

Tenant_Rating_Trend

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at TenantKey Tenant Year Moody SP Moody_Grade SP_Grade Moody_GradeRank SP_GradeRank
1 admin2 2025 03:43 PM admin2 2025 03:43 PM 7eleveninc 7-Eleven, Inc. 2022 Baa2 A Lower Medium Grade Upper Medium Grade 5 6
2 admin2 2025 03:43 PM admin2 2025 03:43 PM 7eleveninc 7-Eleven, Inc. 2023 Baa2 A Lower Medium Grade Upper Medium Grade 5 6
3 admin2 2025 03:43 PM admin2 2025 03:43 PM 7eleveninc 7-Eleven, Inc. 2024 Baa2 A Lower Medium Grade Upper Medium Grade 5 6
4 admin2 2025 03:43 PM admin2 2025 03:43 PM 7eleveninc 7-Eleven, Inc. 2025 Baa2 A Lower Medium Grade Upper Medium Grade 5 6
5 admin2 2025 03:43 PM admin2 2025 03:43 PM 99centsonlystoresllc 99 Cents Only Stores, LLC 2022 Caa2 CCC+ Substantial Risk Substantial Risk 2 2
TenantKey Tenant Year Moody SP Moody_Grade SP_Grade Moody_GradeRank SP_GradeRank

CarMax Stock Price (NYSE: KMX)

CarMax Investment Market Statistics

AVERAGE SALE PRICE

$20,000,000

BUILDING SIZE

35,000 – 60,000 SF

AVERAGE NOI

$1,200,000

LAND

8 – 20 Acres

$/SF RANGE

$250 – $500

LEASE TERM SHOWN

20 years

CarMax Investor Snapshot (Quick Facts)

Origins & Growth (Past)

• Founded in 1993 as a subsidiary of Circuit City
• Introduced the no-haggle pricing model to the used vehicle industry
• Expanded through large-format retail stores nationwide
• Built a nationwide vehicle appraisal and reconditioning network
• Invested in digital retail and omnichannel sales capabilities
• Became the largest used vehicle retailer in the United States

 

Where CarMax Stands Today

• Largest used vehicle retailer in the United States
• Nationwide network of large-format retail locations
• Significant omnichannel and online sales platform
• Corporate-operated stores with standardized operations
• Extensive vehicle sourcing and reconditioning capabilities
• Focused on operational efficiency and customer experience

Where CarMax Stands Today

• Digital Expansion
• Process Automation
• Omnichannel Sales
• Customer Convenience
• Logistics Optimization
• Operational Efficiency
• Used-Car Demand

Why investors buy CarMax NNN Properties or CarMax ground Lease Properties?

Pros (what buyers like)

  • Strong National Brand
    One of the largest and most recognized used vehicle retailers in the U.S.
  • Long-Term Occupancy Needs
    Large-format facilities are costly to relocate and support long-term operations.
  • Attractive Real Estate
    Typically located on major thoroughfares with high traffic counts and strong visibility.
  • 1031 Exchange Appeal
    Long-term NNN and ground lease structures attract passive investors.
  • Large Site Footprints
    Substantial land holdings may provide long-term residual real estate value.

Cons (what can bite you)

  • Automotive-Specific Buildings
    Large dealership layouts can limit alternative tenant options.
  • Used Vehicle Market Cycles
    Sales performance can be affected by economic and consumer spending trends.
  • Limited Rent Growth
    Some leases contain modest or infrequent rent escalations.
  • Higher Asset Pricing
    Large deal sizes can reduce the buyer pool upon resale.
  • Location Dependence
    Performance often relies on regional population growth and vehicle demand.

Find out more

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CarMax Background & History

CarMax is the largest used vehicle retailer in the United States and is widely recognized for transforming the automotive retail industry through its transparent, no-haggle pricing model. Founded in 1993, the company built its reputation by simplifying the car-buying process and creating a consistent customer experience across its nationwide network of stores.

Over time, CarMax expanded beyond traditional used vehicle sales to include vehicle purchasing, financing solutions, extended protection products, and digital retail capabilities. Today, customers use CarMax locations to buy, sell, finance, and trade vehicles through both in-store and online channels.

As consumer preferences have shifted toward digital convenience, CarMax has invested heavily in omnichannel retailing, allowing customers to complete portions of the transaction online while maintaining access to physical stores, vehicle inventory, and customer support.

Why CarMax Matters to NNN Investors

CarMax operates a nationwide platform of large-format automotive retail facilities serving major metropolitan markets across the country. The company’s business model is centered on vehicle sales, trade-ins, financing services, and customer convenience, supported by strategically located properties with strong visibility and accessibility.

Many CarMax locations occupy highly visible sites along major transportation corridors and high-traffic commercial districts. These locations typically feature large land parcels, substantial vehicle display areas, and significant infrastructure investments that support long-term operations.

The company’s continued investment in digital retail, inventory management, and omnichannel sales capabilities has helped strengthen its position within the used vehicle market. Combined with strong brand recognition and a national operating footprint, these factors contribute to investor interest in CarMax net lease properties.

This combination of operational scale, established market presence, and specialized real estate helps explain why CarMax remains a notable tenant within the net lease sector.

What Buyers and Sellers Should Evaluate

For investors evaluating CarMax NNN properties, a CarMax net lease, or a CarMax ground lease, the investment thesis is often centered on both tenant quality and underlying real estate fundamentals. Because CarMax facilities are typically large, purpose-built automotive properties, buyers frequently focus on site characteristics, lease economics, and long-term real estate value.

Common searches include CarMax real estate, CarMax cap rate, CarMax lease term, CarMax investment property, and CarMax ground lease. Ultimately, CarMax net lease value is driven by factors such as lease structure, remaining term, rent growth, market demographics, traffic counts, and the strategic importance of the location.

Investors should carefully evaluate property access, visibility, surrounding population growth, vehicle demand trends, competitive positioning, and the flexibility of the real estate for future uses. Since many CarMax facilities are customized for automotive operations, understanding alternative-use potential can be an important part of underwriting long-term risk.

In addition, buyers should consider long-term cash-flow durability, residual land value, lease renewal prospects, and how the asset may perform under different hold periods and exit strategies. The strongest CarMax locations are often those positioned within growing metropolitan areas where demand for used vehicles and transportation services remains robust.

our team of experts are here for you

Our team helps investors evaluate NNN properties with practical, market-based guidance. In addition, we support buyers and sellers with lease review, pricing analysis, and due diligence strategy.

Whether you are comparing CarMax ground lease properties or fee simple CarMax assets, we can help you review the details that affect risk and long-term value. As a result, clients can make more confident decisions based on lease structure, location quality, and investment goals.

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