Considering Purchasing a House in a college town where housing is limited

Considering Purchasing a House in a college town where housing is limited

Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 0 votes

I am about to finish college and will probably work at my school for roughly a year. I am brand new to real estate and I think I found a good deal to where I could buy a house with the FHA loan, or regular loan. It is 4 bed and 2 baths listed for $170,000 in a town where housing is very limited. I am confident I could rent out 3 of the other rooms for $450 per room and have a cash flow of $100 while putting aside $200 each month in case something goes wrong. My concerns are; Before I purchase the property what people do I need for all the inspections to see if anything is wrong? Also if I leave the area and move far away for a better job a year from now, I would then have a cash flow of roughly $500 each month but how would I get someone to manage the property once I leave in case something goes wrong? I don't think it would be an issue to find more renters once I leave through advertising at my college and through clubs. However who would handle all that once I do leave? I would love to share more details and possible receive help from someone who has more experience and a better insight. Also if there is a forum or anything/anyone with all factors to consider. I would love to take a look at that if someone could point me in the right direction. I like to assume the worst and I believe as of right now, the worst is I have a $1,100 payment per month if nobody rents which I could manage. Again, I am brand new to real estate and trying to figure it out and any help or advice is really appreciated.

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  • Member since 2023 · 24 posts · 4 votes
    3y

    well first off when purchasing a home, lenders will make you get a home inspection. You do not do this until the offer is accepted. (you can waive your right to a home inspection but I would NEVER do this. This is fairly simple process to do. You search online and get multiple quotes. There is a pretty large gap in what people charge. 

    There are cheap ways to advertise and manage properties passively online. If somebody has an issue they raise the issue through the app depending on what company, you choose. Then you can search for somebody to go look at the problem. I use thumbtack for this. 

    When you say that you will cash flow 100, does that include what you will be paying for utilities? also take into consideration what you will have to pay when you move away in terms of lawn care. You can make a stipulation that the renters are responsible to maintain the yard work. 


    also consider if your renting room, then you will more than likely have to furnish the house. 

  • Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    3y

    Okay thank you for letting me know about the app and home inspection. When I say $100 cash flow, that includes factored in prices such water and trash. I plan on splitting Wi-Fi and electricity with the tenets. This is my math; Rent earned from tenets= $1350. Mortgage + taxes etc =  $1,100. Set $150 aside in case anything goes wrong each month and I am left with $100. However after the year it will be an additional cash flow of $450 more, once I move out. So total of $550.

  • Member since 2023 · 24 posts · 4 votes
    3y

    Can you show me your numbers

  • Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    3y

    $450 per room is pretty cheap these days, particularly if housing is limited.

    Make sure there is not a medium term risk that the school would require students to live in school provided housing at some point as that is a huge money maker for them and some schools are expanding housing and requirements beyond freshman year.

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