A deal just fell in my lap and I don't know what I'm doing.

A deal just fell in my lap and I don't know what I'm doing.

San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 4 posts · 2 votes

So, I'm brand-flipping-new (see what I did there?)  I've spent the last couple of weeks plowing through YouTubes, webinars, and blog posts of everybody out there, and have just learned enough to know that to start, I would prefer to begin with lease options and possibly wholesaling single family homes, but I know I will add more later.

For now, I feel like I have a bit of information overload, but am very excited to get started.

A friend approached me because he is getting divorced and needs to sell their house quickly. He knew I was interested in real estate investing and asked what I might be able to do for him.

The house is a 5 BR, 4.5 BA, 2749 sq ft single family home in Schertz, TX, just north of San Antonio.  Comps for the area run $214- 270, and the house's estimated value through Redfin and Chase bank is a bit over $264K.  They currently owe $204,133. They are the first owners, as it was built by them in a neighborhood that has been growing over the last 5-10 years.  

He told me that it is in need of some repair, but did not elaborate, and I have set up a time to go out for an inspection.

I have NO IDEA what to do first or next! I want to make a fair offer to my friends, and help them out of their situation. My preference, of course, is to do a sandwich lease option. I have none of my own money or credit to invest in the beginning, so I know I will need to find appropriate tenant-buyers to put in there for them. I also want to make sure that is the best option for them. If wholesaling it, or some other method is better, I am open to instruction!

What words of wisdom/direction do you have for someone like me?  I am so thankful to have found so many rich resources out there for this business. I am so excited for all of the possibilities for replacing my full time income, and building my own business.

Thanks in advance to all who respond!

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Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
9y

Best advice, since he is a friend, walk away and advise he list it with a agent.

The last thing you want to do is get involved in a "friends" marriage breakup.

Additionally you only have enough knowledge to get yourself in trouble. Keep researching and educating yourself for a few months until you no longer have any questions. You said it yourself "I don't know what I"m doing".

This is not a business you want to learn through trial by fire.

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  • South Jordan, UT · Member since 2017 · 17 posts · 3 votes
    9y

    @Dawn Brooks  I'm too much of a rook myself to offer any advice, but I can't wait to watch what happens here!  Good Luck, sending positive thoughts.

  • Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Has he tried listing it?

    Looks like he has some equity.

  • San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Bob B.:

    Has he tried listing it?

    Looks like he has some equity.

    Not yet. In fact, when I talked to him today, he thought he was upside down on the property. I found out the current ARV with a little research of my own this evening. The market for that area is a cool one at the moment according to Zillow. I think they are both overwhelmed with everything going on, and the house has been a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, so he was just relieved to hear I might be interested in it.

    The least muss and fuss for the both of them, the better.

  • Little Elm, TX · Member since 2015 · 14 posts · 18 votes
    9y

    You need to give your friend the name of a good realtor and wish them the best.

    1. I wouldn't think twice about making money off a friend while they are getting divorced. Divorces are expensive and they will spend the rest of their life trying to make up that financial ground.

    2. How is a lease option a fast sale?

  • Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2016 · 251 posts · 70 votes
    9y

    @Dawn Brooks I would really look into getting ARV based on some solid COMPS pulled from SABOR MLS. Redfin/Zillow/Trulia are good when you are first starting and don't have acess to MLS but are not where you want to be pulling values from. When you know actual value based on concrete SOLD comps you will be able to determine how much you can offer, of course factoring in repairs.

    I would say based on what you described this is probably a newer build home and shouldn't need any major repairs. Flooring and paint based on square footage should run about $9,000-$11,000. 

  • Wholesaler, Rehabber and Landlord · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    Take someone with you to go see the house. Two pairs of eyes are better than one. Take someone who has done a few deals before so that they can guide you through the process.

    1 you have to really know the ARV. 214 to 270 is TOO wide a range. You should be within about 10k. You have to take comps that are within about 100 sf of each other with comparable condition.

    2 know what you can do for the sellers. Can you take over payments, pay cash, wholesale it to a landlord, or maybe the best thing is to call a realtor because you cant do anything for them.

    3 Whatever you are going to do, do it quick. If they are in a divorce situation, they want out quick.

    Good luck. If you want to call, my number is in my profile

  • Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    9y

    Best advice, since he is a friend, walk away and advise he list it with a agent.

    The last thing you want to do is get involved in a "friends" marriage breakup.

    Additionally you only have enough knowledge to get yourself in trouble. Keep researching and educating yourself for a few months until you no longer have any questions. You said it yourself "I don't know what I"m doing".

    This is not a business you want to learn through trial by fire.

  • Lender · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    @Dawn Brooks First off, way to ask for help and identify you don't know what you're doing. Plenty of people miss that step when they are starting out and make a mess of things. Second, if the comps are only $214k and they owe $204k, it is not a deal at all in your situation. Nail that number down. Even with a valuation of $270k, the $66,000 profit you're looking at is going to get eaten away pretty quickly if the seller, you, and a wholesaler, and an investor are all trying to make money on it. Not a lot of meat on the bone after all those people take a bite. 

  • Real Estate Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2016 · 143 posts · 167 votes
    9y

    If you truly care about your friend, you'll refer him to a good realtor that can get him full market value for his home. If he's getting divorced and has a 5 bedroom house, that means he has a couple kids. He's going to need every dollar that he can possibly get out of that house. Schertz is a popular area, especially for military families based at Randolph and Ft Sam and we're just getting into the busy season for military moves here in SA. He should have no problem selling his home on the MLS (barring any major defects). If you need contact info for a great realtor, I'm happy to provide. Just PM me.

  • Linda HastingsPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Stockdale, TX · Member since 2017 · 285 posts · 202 votes
    9y

    A lot of good advice has already been given here. To expound on what @Gabriel Esparza said, you can't trust sites like Zillow and Redfin for pulling comps in Texas since we are a non-disclosure state, meaning sales prices are not public information. The only way to get true comps and narrow down that ARV range is to look at actual sold data on MLS.

    I agree that the best thing for your friend in this situation may be to list it with a realtor. If you need one, I recommend @Arissa Pedroza. She's really familiar with the Cibolo/Schertz area and is great to work with. 

  • Real Estate Agent · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2013 · 153 posts · 132 votes
    9y

    Thanks! @Linda Hastings.  @Dawn Brooks, I live in Cibolo so I am super familiar with that area.  I am also an investor and a REALTOR.  Let me know if know if you want to meet up and go over various strategies and/or want me to run comps for you.  I would be more than happy to assist.,  Having gone through a recent divorce and getting to list my own house, I understand the situation about wanting to get out of the house as soon as possible, with the minimal effort :/

  • Investor · Longwood, FL · Member since 2015 · 221 posts · 130 votes
    9y

    I think the good advice on this non deal is to list it. There is not enough upside for the potential conflict arising with a friend. 

    That being said, to be prepared next time would suggest getting with some bp wholesalers and see if they will help you obtain the proper assignment contracts and get more experience studying processes. I think in a future but similar situation as this, the next step is to ask both spouses separately what they would want to see happen ,given their situation.

     If you have the ability to come close to their vision of an optimal exit, then great. If you can not then you let them know  and make suggestions accordingly.

  • San Antonio, TX · Member since 2017 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Thank you, EVERYONE, for all of the excellent advice! I am glad I asked!!

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