The $30k rental club.......

The $30k rental club.......

Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2018 · 100 posts · 140 votes

Im sure many of us have read all the warnings and reviews of buying low price properties, and the problems typically associated with them, but all that considered, it is what first attracts a lot of people , indeed this is the only path available to some, its a start, so lets explore whats real and possible.........

lets use Detroit, Cleveland, Michigan and Indianapolis as examples where possible ,and set a ceiling of $30k

Personally i dont see the return on higher priced properties attractive enough to invest $80 to $120k plus, and before anyone starts preaching about the pitfalls, ive done this before, over 30 properties over 20 years, just in another country, low cost houses in deprived areas, i know what can go wrong.

The first attraction here is the low cost, funding with personal loans and credit cards etc,  is possible, and with high returns , quickly repaid, whereas a large mortgage is on your credit file for years, and has to impact further borrowing, and cannot easily be cleared temporarily in the same way credit cards can, if your credit needs a boost !

How easy is it to get a portfolio of say 3 x $30k properties you own outright (wherever the funds came from !) and then refinance into one loan after 6 months or a year ?........and then repeat this process ?

This is more attainable for a lot of people surely ?

So, anyone with a similar train of thought ?, anyone already doing this ?, any input would help........

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Rental Property Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2015 · 82 posts · 548 votes
7y
Originally posted by @Account Closed:

Im sure many of us have read all the warnings and reviews of buying low price properties, and the problems typically associated with them, but all that considered, it is what first attracts a lot of people , indeed this is the only path available to some, its a start, so lets explore whats real and possible.........

lets use Detroit, Cleveland, Michigan and Indianapolis as examples where possible ,and set a ceiling of $30k

Personally i dont see the return on higher priced properties attractive enough to invest $80 to $120k plus, and before anyone starts preaching about the pitfalls, ive done this before, over 30 properties over 20 years, just in another country, low cost houses in deprived areas, i know what can go wrong.

The first attraction here is the low cost, funding with personal loans and credit cards etc,  is possible, and with high returns , quickly repaid, whereas a large mortgage is on your credit file for years, and has to impact further borrowing, and cannot easily be cleared temporarily in the same way credit cards can, if your credit needs a boost !

How easy is it to get a portfolio of say 3 x $30k properties you own outright (wherever the funds came from !) and then refinance into one loan after 6 months or a year ?........and then repeat this process ?

This is more attainable for a lot of people surely ?

So, anyone with a similar train of thought ?, anyone already doing this ?, any input would help........

Hello, yes I've done this in Detroit for 9 years now and some properties were purchased for $1000.  At this point I own 9 properties (10 door) free in clear in Detroit. All occupied, making around $7100 per month. I've already made my initial investment back on almost all the properties and am now seeking a blanket loan on my portfolio. My guess is the total value of the properties as a whole today are $469k. So at 32 years old I owe $469k worth of real estate. But the good news is if the market go up next month or next year I could be worth $600k, then next year maybe $1 million. And i'm confident that the market will go up because it's already hit rock bottom so there's nowhere to go but up from here. Also there's a lot of big investment going on in the city now. I am currently look to purchase a condo in Vegas as well and hopefully moving down there soon. Thanks for you post!!! We need more opened minded people on here that can appeal to the masses without a ton of money.

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  • Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2018 · 100 posts · 140 votes
    7y

    @Dennis M. Yes, problems nobody can foresee unless they have lived it, dealt with it, I get you

  • Sterling Heights, MI · Member since 2016 · 37 posts · 19 votes
    7y

    @Account Closed i'm also in for the $30k Club

  • Investor/Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2014 · 63 posts · 18 votes
    7y

    @Ashley Hamilton where did you find the funding to make the renovations?

  • Investor · Akron, OH · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    30K! Wow those are expensive rentals. LOL. On our most recent 9 units, the avg unit price was under 15k per unit. We are cash flowing with 5 of the 9 units occupied. The tenant "crazy" was very, very deep when we took them over but we wanted to empty it out for the reno. We try to buy properties that were actually built as apartments rather than large houses that have been hacked up into apartments. We expect to redo the plumbing, kitchens, baths, repaint and refloor; because we DIY much of the work, we'll still be under 20k/unit when we're done and our units will be in nice shape-- But we'll be half full for months while we reno and It's NOT passive.

  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 871 votes
    7y

    @Stuart Smith you might find that you can owner finance them.  Less rehab required and no tenants to deal with.  Create a QM note using an established local RMLO and sell it off, or sell a partial note.  I am seriously considering doing exactly this in SE Texas.

  • Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2018 · 100 posts · 140 votes
    7y

    @Mark Sewell interesting angle, please keep me posted, thank you

  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 871 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    @Ashley Hamilton

    What about starting “The $30k Club”....

    10 investors @ $10k

    The club buys 3 $30k properties, the $10k left is to cover expenses

    Entry criteria

    Little or zero experience in real estate

    $10k must be a considerable amount of money to them

    OK now this, sir, is an extraordinarily bad idea.  Partners are just as needy as tenants, in some cases, and you will find that you are spending a ton of time managing the partnership, more time than you spend actually getting deals done.

    That is before anything goes wrong.  And in this price segment in the market, I think we all agree that they will be challenging on a good day.

    Your plan has merit, but I just strongly believe that it is something you want to try on your own first.

  • Charlotte, NC · Member since 2018 · 40 posts · 7 votes
    7y

    @Chris Heeren what are your thoughts on the $30K-ish condos...900 sq ft and $900-$1K rents?  Same wins?

  • Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2018 · 100 posts · 140 votes
    7y

    @Mark Sewell yeah but MASSIVE RISK sounds like so much fun.......

  • Rental Property Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2013 · 85 posts · 146 votes
    7y

    I wonder how @Ben Leybovich feels about this subject ;)

  • Real Estate Coach · Member since 2018 · 246 posts · 216 votes
    7y

    @Jim K.

    @Jay Hinrichs

    Investing in the hood is great. The rent margins where I invest in Detroit metro are ridiculous and I am not stopping. For example, Purchase for 35k, rehab cost 5k and rent ranges are 950 to 1100 are incredible. This thread is very silly to me. That many people are afraid to invest in the lower income areas. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2013 · 85 posts · 146 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @James Galla:
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    @James Galla ah the classic pro forma I’m holier than thou negative predictable reply.....yawn

     Haha ok. I don't think I worded it like that, but if I raised some doubts, that's good. You'll be more careful when looking.

    But, if you're looking to be condescending, I'll suggest making it the $10k club - head right on over to South Akron, West Hill, or Sherbondy Hills in Akron, and just dump your $100k into 10 properties. You'll be rich in no time.

    I lived in Akron for 4 years (while getting my finance degree from UA) and this comment is hilarious

  • All Over, USA · Member since 2017 · 689 posts · 756 votes
    7y

    @Ashley Hamilton

    $1k-30k = ghetto. all day. any day. anywhere. everywhere.

    For that matter, Detroit itself is one giant ghetto.

    If you can hack it, great, but this is not something I’d ever encourage remote investors to do.

  • Rental Property Investor · Phoenix/Lima, Arizona/OH · Member since 2012 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Marko Zlatic:

    I wonder how @Ben Leybovich feels about this subject ;)

     Hah I've seen this thread pop-up, but I can't allow myself to spend any time on this. Enough has been said over the years :)

  • Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2018 · 100 posts · 140 votes
    7y

    @Ben Leybovich

    Thanks for your insightful contribution....bye then !

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    Some good points , but some of you didn’t read the question.....

    It’s also clear some of you have never been through a recession.....I can guarantee, from considerable experience , that when a downturn comes , your class B super neighborhood tenant, the flash guy with a Merc and a house full of toys and kids will be the first to lose his overpaid job, and the first to default on the $1500 rent.....whereas Mr Reliable in Detroit who works at Walmart and pays $450 a month will continue to do so.....

    But this is about $30k houses, local or out of state......about DOING this, going this route, not reasons why not too...…

    I owned 350 C class from Detroit to Alabama.. and in a recession everyone got hit.

    my Detroit houses were so un manageable after tenants did not pay did not pay water.. left the houses basically destroyed I let them go to tax's  took the 100k hit and moved on.  recession affects everyone top to bottom

  • Real Estate Agent · Lake Elsinore, CA · Member since 2015 · 37 posts · 26 votes
    7y

    @Stuart Smith

    The $30 k club sounds great to me!

    I’ve been intrigued by this discussion. I’m a RE agent in CA and own 2 properties and planning on buying a 3rd in 2020. A few weeks ago I was in Indy for a funeral, and a few blocks from my aunt house, there was a property for sale, $30k, owner/ agent and he was willing to do owner finance. Terms, which he clearly said was negotiable, $6k down and $500 per month. Rent in the area approx $700-$750 less then 10 min from Downtown. House seems to be in good shape, move in ready for a tenant. I asked my cousins about the area and they said a lot of gentrification is starting to happen, pushing poor people out by removing banks and shopping, so investors can come in and fix it up because it’s close proximity to DT. To me, it’s sounds great, but for me, would it make sense? Could I negotiate the terms to a number that makes me comfortable to proceed? These are the questions I am still asking myself today. The flip side, I can continue to build my portfolio in CA and maybe purchase a rental in Las Vegas (much easier for me to get to and I have relatives there that I am actually close with ).

  • Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
    Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    7y

    Wow! Talk about an eye opening thread! I admire you all that are operating in this segment. Those that are doing this with success, congratulations!

  • Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    @Account Closed,

    I'm a proud member of the 30K club! ... but once  we fix them up, they're valued at $50-$100K... It's not easy, it's sure as heck not cheap, and it's all about strategy and planning.     

    Would I recommend it... let me say, I did... to a local REI member,...who wanted to do what we were doing... the guy bought 2 houses 6 months ago, and did about 1/2 a rehab on one and quit, so it's just another house half-done, and the other house he got... I drove by it and it was obviously broken into recently.. so while it can be done... doesn't mean it's a good fit for everyone.

    Doing the 30K club is a shark tank, you either sink or swim, and ps. majority of people sink, people lose money, stuff gets stolen, bad screening will teach you about evictions,... definitely not for everyone!

  • Rental Property Investor · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 9 posts · 18 votes
    7y

    This is the current business model I'm using. I only purchase houses that are in the $30k range, typically looking for a 3BR/1BA unit. I have 9 units so far, with 6 of them being section 8, averaging about $800/mo in rent. There have been some unique issues to deal with, but for the most part nothing crazy and you can't beat the cash flow. 

    As far as financing, I recommend finding an aggressive lender. I just completed my refinancing on 3 separate mortgages for $22k, $27k, & $35k. Not only did they give me mortgages for these, they gave me a mortgage for the full amount eliminating the need to put 25% of my own money into the deals. For full disclosure, I do have a solid W2 job & a great credit history, but besides that I don't offer them anything special besides deals with great cash flow. I got into the business less than 2 years ago with no prior experience, so it can be done and with little of your own money used! 

  • Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2018 · 100 posts · 140 votes
    7y

    @Steve Bronder Kudos to you sir....impressive

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Darius Kellar:

    @Jim K.

    @Jay Hinrichs

    Investing in the hood is great. The rent margins where I invest in Detroit metro are ridiculous and I am not stopping. For example, Purchase for 35k, rehab cost 5k and rent ranges are 950 to 1100 are incredible. This thread is very silly to me. That many people are afraid to invest in the lower income areas. 

    I am totally behind those that live there and want to take that job on.. more power to them.. were this becomes HIGHLY risky is someone from CA who has no clue as to the tenant base and what needs to be done.. thinks they can do what YOU do.. They cant 90% of the time and end up being burnt out land lords that you end up buying the home from and rehabbing.. I get it.. I started my out of state HML career in Detroit did at least 200 plus deals there.. ended up owning two of them.. and for me being in Oregon it was a nightmare.. I am not a rookie and I just walked from them and let them go to taxs the tenants were just too tough for us.

  • Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles · Member since 2019 · 7 posts · 0 votes
    7y

    @Stuart Smith thank you for creating a great question and post, enjoy reading and learning more about areas and opinions of others in the lower price points.

  • Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2016 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    7y

    The key to this for me anyways is leverage, meaning none if you go this route. You need to be local, and you need people on your team who understand what this tenant base is like.

    I have tenants that pay 400 a month, and to 99 percent of people on BP that sounds like the ghetto, but then I can tell you there are people in the same area that pay 250. Of course the 250 is a slum lord and the 400 is just basic housing. That may be hard for someone to imagine if they’re from the west coast but that’s the reality. I know investors in the same town that own hundreds of doors, and the highest their rent usually goes (for an apartment) is 550-600. Yet they do great, so it’s all relative.

    I had a lunch meeting the other day with a newer Investor and I kept saying “it depends” on a lot of different things. Just because it worked or didn’t work for someone, doesn’t mean you’ll get the same results. Real estate is local, and you can’t make mass assumptions about the entire country.

  • Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2017 · 439 posts · 578 votes
    7y

    Some of you are getting real salty in here. I don’t think anyone is saying money can’t be made in the 30k homes. And, yeah, you might luck out and get a good tenant that is hassle free. And you might not have any necessary repairs for a while but let’s talk about the rules and not there exceptions. Sooner or later it is going to be a job, work, money, time. And there is nothing wrong with that. I have one class a property in a class a neighborhood. Current tenants are going on 2 years there. Only time I’ve ever heard from them is when he’s texted me to tell me he had repaired something on his own. I told him to deduct expenses for product and his time from rent. He told me not to worry about it and paid his rent in full before it was due. I did no rehab/upgrades on this property. All major appliances and systems are good for at least another 15 years and when these tenants move out, the day I list it I will have 5+ rental applications turned in From dual income households that probably average 150k+ a year. 0 time invested. No headaches. I haven’t even seen the place in two years. You won’t find that with a 30k property, generally. But like I said.... there is money to be made there, too.

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