Be Wary of These 5 Mistakes in Your Multifamily Deal Analysis
Multifamily property deals make potential investments provided your multifamily deal analysis safeguards you from estimation and judgment errors. Estimating the profitability of a multifamily property investment deal is easier said than done; it requires practice and experience, qualities seldom held by those new to multifamily investing. When you are handling intricate multifamily deals that involve sizeable capital investment, it is prudent to weigh the nature of every component of the deal.
To this effect, it is always prudent for investors to avoid the following mistakes at all costs when conducting a multifamily deal analysis.
5 Tips On How To Analyze A Multifamily Property
Estimating repairs, expenses, and unit turn costs
Multifamily asset ownerships cost you from day one, starting with capital expenses for structural improvements, repairs, and unit turn costs. At times, without considerable upgrades and repairs, the property does not yield a good rental value, even if records show some parallel with the market standard. In such cases, you have to bring the value of each unit up enough to attract tenants who you would want to profile.
Firstly, you must estimate whether the property is going to yield as per the present rental market expectations; without making those renovations, it might be difficult to find renters who are happy to pay a rent agreeable with you. In a slow market, renters expect quality units and amenities worth their dollar; in an active market, when they are spoilt for choices, they demand the best amenities! So, financing repairs for essential elements such as functional drainage, roofs, sidewalks, parking, etc. may arise.
Incorrect parallels between unit rent amounts and market rate
How to analyze a multifamily property without reading the market wrong? Simple, never assume the market. Some are quick to raise the rental fees without finding out if the rates are presently par with market value expectations. Instead, suppose you are taking over tenants from the previous owner. In that case, it may be more helpful to offer concessions such as discounted months or free amenities and utilities to retain tenants, especially if the rent is par with market values.
On the other hand, you may also, possibly, encounter a situation where you inherit tenants who are quite reluctant about paying their dues on time. Buyers who are too eager to max-out their occupancy rate are usually the ones who face such challenges. So, analyze the unit rent amounts and the going market rate, find out a fair rental price that maintains a middle ground between you and your tenants.
Check Out The ULTIMATE Real Estate Deal Analyzing Course
How to analyze a multifamily property for critical expenditure
Analyzing historical financials is essential to evaluating the necessary operating expenses that you shall have to incur. This includes property taxes and insurance rates, which may alter once ownership passes to you. It is also wise to consult commercial property insurance carriers and apprise yourself of the possibility of new rates.
Alternately, you can speak to the local treasury to get a more accurate update on the possibility of property tax increment. It is also a good way to confirm if the seller’s numbers are valid or not. You may also discover if there is a chance of obtaining tax liens on the property. It is also recommended to take utility costs into account, so you may want to speak directly to the utility service providers themselves. By rule of thumb, each unit’s rent should be approximately 35-40% of the expense ratio.
Excluding the seller’s motivation from your multifamily deal analysis
How to analyze a multifamily property for what it is truly worth? Well, for starters, the seller’s motivation for offloading any given asset is as important as your reason to invest. It is always prudent to dig deep behind their reason to sell the property. Questions and euphemisms about their reasoning behind selling can divulge critical information about the property condition.
This information can help you negotiate better prices and terms with the seller. Some investors are diligent enough to work the cost of the repairs and renovations into the seller’s price to ensure a rebate. Motivations such as a multifamily inheritance property can cause the seller to settle for a lesser price as realistically. The buyer would not share their investments; the seller is simply motivated at the prospect of the payout from selling the property.
Overlooking at the present residents and leases
Lastly, one must always pay close attention to the present tenant leases and their particulars before sealing in a multifamily deal. Each new vacancy may bring in two expensive unit turns, all the more if there have not been any maintenance carried out on them. Take note that the cost of unit turns can shoot up entirely of the blues. Proper multifamily deal analysis requires you to take stock of the residents and the community as well.
There are many moving parts to focus on, so it is relatively easy to lose control over your holdings if you are unlucky enough to inherit a building full of belligerent tenants. The tricky part about dealing with such situations is salvaging your rights with updated terms and conditions; the tenants may just evoke en masse lease cancellations and departures, leaving you to deal with multiple vacancies. Set proper tenant qualification guidelines for prospective tenants.
Way forward
The gist of the matter is that a multifamily deal always warrants scrutiny of the fine print and the income and expense data as submitted by the realtor and the owner. It is always advisable to seek consultation from a mentor or an investor with good experience in the multifamily real estate investing domain. Preferably someone who is an unbiased observer to the deal and is not involved on any side of the transaction to prevent a conflict of interest. You are good as long as your multifamily asset deal is on a path that does not meet any of these above-cited mistakes.
Click here to check out our free educational materials on multifamily investing.
Wish To Join The MIH MasterMind Group? Click here to apply.