Comments on: Apartment Building Investment “What Ifs”

By: Hendrik

Hendrik — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:08:00 +0000

This all are real concerns and great questions. Michael Keaton almost scared me out of the rental business.

By: Jim James

Jim James — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:10:09 +0000

These are real concerns but as with any business venture, there is always an element of risk with any undertaking that pays off in the long run.

By: Alex Z.

Alex Z. — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:20:02 +0000

Managing an apartment building for the first time was scary for me too. I had lots of tenants and had to make sure they were all happy. At Signature Community properties, we developed a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee incentive program. If people are not satisfied with their home or our services, they can terminate their lease at anytime within the first 30 days without penalty. Offering this incentive will increase, if not maintain, the number of tenants in your building.

By: Commercial Real Estate St George

Commercial Real Estate St George — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:23:53 +0000

If you let the what ifs get to you then you would never wake up in the morning. What if I slip in my own shower? What if I get in a wreck driving to an appointment?

If Wal-Mart worried about being stolen from extensively then they would be about of business. There is always someone in the world stealing from Wal-Mart.

By: Atlanta apartments

Atlanta apartments — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:34:56 +0000

excellent what ifs, i guess i will never buy an apartment building.

By: Glenn Fydenkevez - MasterPlan Capital LLC

Glenn Fydenkevez - MasterPlan Capital LLC — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:01:51 +0000

You are correct in pointing out the questions that haunt a commercial real estate investor before he/she buys an apartment building. I would simply point out that questions haunt all entrepreneurs in all kinds of business. Apartment ownership is not for everyone; business ownership is not for everyone.

By: Dike Drummond

Dike Drummond — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:55:51 +0000

Insurance can protect you against everything including “Acts of God” and is just a cost of doing business – plunk it into your proforma.
Most state laws will help a landlord evict a deadbeat tenant – heck, in TX you can have them out on the sidewalk in 30 days.
The most important determinant of your rent, vacancy rate and turnover is the “sense of community” you create in your apartment complex.