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Joel Fernandes
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Disappointed with no deal on turnkey - need some inspiration

Joel Fernandes
Posted Jan 21 2019, 07:44

Hello!

I was pretty excited about "turnkey investments" and what have you, at first.

I looked at a couple of markets, the only market that made sense to me was DFW. I'll explain my rationale:

1. Since I am borrowing 80%, the minimal returns coming from cash flow means nothing to me as long as the cashflow is not negative.

2. Due to operating costs due to loan payments, the only  thing that make sense to me to make good money is a growth market.

This immediately ruled out class C type and even many class B's to me.

I turned my attention then to DFW as a turnkey promoter who's name I don't want to mention told me to talk to a "turnkey provider" in the area. I was pretty excited. But now it is becoming a drag because:

1. They have very little inventory - 1 or 2 houses.

2. Their email turn around time is > 48 hours, this is very frustrating.

3. They apologize about point 2. but apologies mean nothing, if you apologize for the same reason on every call.

4. In their "cashflow" calculations in their proposals, they did not factor in vacancy costs, which was a bit of a red flag since that and if you factor in maintenance costs, does make the cash flow net NEGATIVE.

5. They had some listing discrepancies. A property on their website is listed on zillow with small square footage - and they don't answer me clearly why this is. Could they selling a dud on their website?

6. Some of their previous properties on Zillow's price history shows a > 80 day vacancy. This is quite scary for an investor.

All in all, this seems a really risky affair even if it means high growth. If the cash flow wasn't net-negative, and if these people were more responsive over email, then may be I would be more interested.

But right now I'm really demotivated, and I am thinking if I should turn away from "turnkey" and do all the dirty work that they do than giving them a pile of money. :-(  And may be do something local to my city, since the whole "send an email and wait for a couple days" thing isn't working for me. If my emails don't get responses now, what assurances I have that they will get responses after a deal closes?

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Joel Fernandes
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Joel Fernandes
Replied Jan 22 2019, 14:22
Originally posted by @Victor S.:

surprised you didn't look a bit north (about 3.5 hr drive). okc is a pretty good rental market (even currently). additional bonus: no outrageous property taxes like in TX (everything is, after all, bigger in TX).

 Thanks man

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Mike D'Arrigo
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  • Turn key provider
  • San Jose, CA
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Mike D'Arrigo
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  • Turn key provider
  • San Jose, CA
Replied Jan 22 2019, 16:19

@Joel Fernandes I think as long as you are focused on Dallas, you will continue to be frustrated. Dallas doesn't cash flow well because of their high property taxes and insurance rates. Dallas is also not what would be considered a high appreciation market. Currently, Dallas County is seeing 4.6% appreciation which is moderate. Most markets are cooling and appreciation is slowing down. This may not be a good time to invest for appreciation. What's your long term strategy and why is cash flow not important to you?

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Joel Fernandes
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Joel Fernandes
Replied Jan 23 2019, 04:39
Originally posted by @Mike D'Arrigo:

@Joel Fernandes I think as long as you are focused on Dallas, you will continue to be frustrated. Dallas doesn't cash flow well because of their high property taxes and insurance rates. Dallas is also not what would be considered a high appreciation market. Currently, Dallas County is seeing 4.6% appreciation which is moderate. Most markets are cooling and appreciation is slowing down. This may not be a good time to invest for appreciation. What's your long term strategy and why is cash flow not important to you?

 Cashflow is not that important because I don't see it as a major factor in the return on investment, due to the high loan costs. Which is why I am more interested in the appreciation. Is that a flaw in my thinking?

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Mike D'Arrigo
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Mike D'Arrigo
Pro Member
  • Turn key provider
  • San Jose, CA
Replied Jan 23 2019, 13:33
Originally posted by @Joel Fernandes:
Originally posted by @Mike D'Arrigo:

@Joel Fernandes I think as long as you are focused on Dallas, you will continue to be frustrated. Dallas doesn't cash flow well because of their high property taxes and insurance rates. Dallas is also not what would be considered a high appreciation market. Currently, Dallas County is seeing 4.6% appreciation which is moderate. Most markets are cooling and appreciation is slowing down. This may not be a good time to invest for appreciation. What's your long term strategy and why is cash flow not important to you?

 Cashflow is not that important because I don't see it as a major factor in the return on investment, due to the high loan costs. Which is why I am more interested in the appreciation. Is that a flaw in my thinking?

Joel, I wouldn't say a flaw in your thinking but it the right markets, cash flow can provide a very high ROI. Keep in mind that the return on investment comes from several sources including rental income, equity gain from mortgage paydown and appreciation. mortgage interest deduction and depreciation. You can easily see total returns of 30% or more.