Acquiring my grandparents' home as first investment

Acquiring my grandparents' home as first investment

CT · Member since 2023 · 1 post · 0 votes

Hi all - I'm a total newb in REI. I've been reading a lot and listening to a lot of podcasts. And I'm really excited about the possibilities available in real estate, especially over the long term and in building generational wealth.

I have a potential opportunity to acquire my grandparents' home for my first investment property, which I think is well- suited for a long-term rental. But I want to do it in a "clean" way so that it's a fair exchange with my dad, uncle and the family estate. The house is already paid off and they are preparing to sell the house.

I don't have enough money saved for a downpayment right now, and my credit is average (I've been using credit a little more over the last year investing in launching my online health biz + in educating myself about real estate investing).

So.... here are some initial thoughts I had: 

- see if my dad (as the executer of the estate) would hold the note, and I could make monthly payments to him as if he were the bank - then when the time is right, refinance and pay him/the estate for the house

- ask if he'd lend me some money for a downpayment or co-sign on a mortgage so I could take over ownership of the property, and then pay him back over time

Any other thoughts / advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

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  • Jaron WallingPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    @Tina Nicastro The major hurdle you'll need to "jump" is convincing your family that keeping the property as a rental beats the instant tax savings the family would receive. You said the property is paid off. If your dad decides to sell they would pay taxes on a "stepped-up" basis. Depending on the condition and property values nearby (comps) this could hundreds of thousands of dollars saved. 

    If you want a rental property you need numbers. As a rental, house-hack, or another strategy you need NUMBERS to back it up. What's the monthly cash-flow? ROI? What's the estimated expenses or rehab budget to get it rent ready? You need to provide these numbers to prove a case for holding. You need some investor knowledge to justify not listing and selling for top dollar. 

    I think the "seller financing" idea you stated could be a spark but you're dad would need a good return (interest rate). How much? Idk, maybe he doesn't want to deal with it. Maybe he gets emotional in this property. 

    That's the challenge mixing family and real estate. Sometimes it's a divorce, job loss, or death in the family so things get sold and life goes on. There's nothing wrong it. If it doesn't go your way take it as a learning experience and leverage your family for the next opportunity!

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