Newbie Investor in South Florida Ready For First Deal!

Newbie Investor in South Florida Ready For First Deal!

Rental Property Investor · Lighthouse Point, FL · Member since 2019 · 13 posts · 2 votes

Hello BP!

My name is Brandon Hayes. I moved to South Florida from Fairbanks Alaska 3 years ago for an occupational opportunity to build Race Cars! I've been a mechanic all my life and have a background in construction. I've always been curious of property investing to achieve financial independence (like many of us here), so I read David's "BRRRR" book, Brandon's "No (or low) Money Down", listened to dozens of hours of the BP Podcast, sat in on several webinars, went PRO, spent hours in the archive...

Brandon Turner always says “if information was the answer, we’d all be billionaires with perfect abs”. Meaning that action, is what sets the dreamers apart from the do-ers. My goal is to build a portfolio of 10 doors (to start) and I’m ready to dive into my first deal and start my journey.

I've analyzed dozens of multi-family properties in South Florida, and they leave very little room for equity upon purchase. The asking prices are above market value, and that's before dumping money into rehab. I know deals aren't found, but made, but I'm starting to doubt the South Florida market is the best for my first BRRRR. And I've read a foreclosure probably isn't the best idea for a newbie either.

After analyzing dozens of deals, I've found an intriguing property in northern Florida. It's a 4-Plex with 800sq ft 2/1 units. Asking price is $90k. It's completely gutted, no appliances, windows are boarded, cabinets are destroyed, might need HVAC/Roof, etc. I've estimated $60k in rehab, but will have a contractor/inspector walk the property for hard numbers if I decide to move forward. What's interesting about this 4-Plex, is there are 3 other 4-Plex buildings on the same street, with the same floor plan, built by the same builder, and they are valued at $240k and they are all have tenants. So that takes the comp work out of this deal. And after a rehab, the ARV might even be slightly higher.

So let's say $100k purchase price after closing costs/fees, $60k rehab, $240k ARV, rentometer is showing $1100 per unit, so income of $4400, and can refinance for ~75% of $240k ($180k). I'll pocket about $17k from the refi to put toward my next deal, and will have a Monthly Cash Flow of $1870.82 after the refinance, plus will have added a $240k property to my net worth. I've researched the area and the market seems pretty hot. High demand for rentals, property values are rising, and the city is building more developments.

Any fellow investors have any tips or is there anything else I need to consider before contacting an agent in the area and lining up a hard money lender? It’s about a 3.5hr drive from where I live.

Thanks in advance! And sorry if that seemed long-winded. It’s my first post/member introduction/first deal post. :)

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Rental Property Investor · St. Louis · Member since 2019 · 35 posts · 11 votes
6y

@Brandon Hayes

I agree totally, invest where the numbers make sense. Not only in your background. Especially since it make sense to diversify your portfolio and not just invest in one market. The only reason I haven’t pulled the trigger yet (and I know I’ll get scorned for this), is because of a looming recession.

Yes, I know that no one has a “crystal ball” to predict the next correction. And that people have been calling for a correction for years now, but I just feel like something has to happen here in the next 18 months. And I just feel like I can find a super deal when that time comes.

So for now I’m hoarding cash, getting all my connections in place, talking to lenders, etc.

I have some private money lined up and figure I could hit the ground running when that day comes.

Im very interested to see how the deal plays out for you, let’s keep in touch! Hope everything works smoothly for you as I plan to take the same approach and invest outside my backyard.

Goodluck Brandon!

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  • Flipper/Rehabber · Nashville TN · Member since 2018 · 25 posts · 11 votes
    6y

    Hi Brandon, welcome to this group! that looks like a good deal, however not sure if you took into account the holding costs, and closing costs if you have any. But other than that looks like a deal that might work. and definitely recommend doing an inspection even in gutted properties. They might or might not find anything but you'll have an even better peace of mind. and definitely have a contractor over there before you close as well. 

    Good luck on this journey, would love to hear how this deal went for you and/ or other deals! 

  • Rental Property Investor · Lighthouse Point, FL · Member since 2019 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    6y

    @Arvi Carkanji

    Hi Arvi! And thank you for your response! I equated an extra $10k in the purchase price during my analysis to account for closing costs and holding fees. I’ve reached out to a realtor in the area that my current realtor referred me to. She seems to be in the top 1% in the area and has a team to help me along the way. I’ll keep you posted on how this deal turns out. How did your first deal turn out? What lessons did you learn during your first investment deal that made your second and third deal easier? What kind of property was it and what condition was it in? How is it performing now? Thank you in advance for your insight.

  • Rental Property Investor · Lighthouse Point, FL · Member since 2019 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    6y
  • Rental Property Investor · St. Louis · Member since 2019 · 35 posts · 11 votes
    6y

    @Brandon Hayes

    I have the same problem! I can’t seem to find any good deals here in Miami.

    Also, do you plan on managing this asset from South Florida? Or do you plan to relocate

  • Rental Property Investor · Lighthouse Point, FL · Member since 2019 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    6y

    @Chris Arce

    Good question! Once it’s renovated, I plan to hire a competent property manager to help list it for rent, find tenants, deal with the signings of lease agreements, and he/she will be my boots on the ground while I continue my 9-5 here in south Florida. If a tenant has concerns, or if something breaks, they will contact the PM. The PM can call me any time of day if they want to know how to handle a certain situation, but over time, I’d imagine they will know how I’d handle it and take care of little problems here and there without having to contact me. As you can see in the analysis, there is a budget for maintenance, repairs, vacancies, and paying the property manager. As I build my portfolio, there’s no way I would be able to manage 10doors or even 20doors by myself. I’ve learned reading David and Brandon’s books that it’s best to treat it like a business. Know your strengths and hire help where you need it to make things run smoothly. You want to be purchasing an investment, not a job. Your time is much more valuable spent lining up the next deal, rather than worrying about remembering to call the handy man to go change the HVAC filters and batteries in the smoke alarms. This becomes more apparent when investing in properties that are 4 hours away or even in a completely different state. You want to invest in the best markets, wherever they may be.

    For my first multi-family, I feel more comfortable being able to drive up there on a Saturday morning and physically see the property myself. See the neighborhood and surrounding area. Meet the agent, the contractor, the inspector, and the property manager face to face. I’m sure I’m going to make mistakes and learn a lot of lessons from this first deal, and will know how to go about doing the next deal better. But if you wanna get into property investing, you just got to buy a house.

  • Rental Property Investor · St. Louis · Member since 2019 · 35 posts · 11 votes
    6y

    @Brandon Hayes

    I agree totally, invest where the numbers make sense. Not only in your background. Especially since it make sense to diversify your portfolio and not just invest in one market. The only reason I haven’t pulled the trigger yet (and I know I’ll get scorned for this), is because of a looming recession.

    Yes, I know that no one has a “crystal ball” to predict the next correction. And that people have been calling for a correction for years now, but I just feel like something has to happen here in the next 18 months. And I just feel like I can find a super deal when that time comes.

    So for now I’m hoarding cash, getting all my connections in place, talking to lenders, etc.

    I have some private money lined up and figure I could hit the ground running when that day comes.

    Im very interested to see how the deal plays out for you, let’s keep in touch! Hope everything works smoothly for you as I plan to take the same approach and invest outside my backyard.

    Goodluck Brandon!

  • Rental Property Investor · Lighthouse Point, FL · Member since 2019 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    6y

    @Chris Arce

    You’re reasoning is valid. And it’s a good strategy to recognize a market depression is right around the corner and wait for the right time to strike. The numbers don’t lie and it happens every 10-12 years. But just as it goes down, it will also come back up. People are reproducing at an alarming rate and they will always need a place to live. And in my current situation, I am looking to buy cash flowing properties. My wife and I just had our first child, a baby boy, and I’ve been hitting the books hard to get involved in this thing they call financial freedom. My first 10 doors is just the beginning. Once I can make enough cash to pay my bills, I can quit my 9-5 and pursue real estate full time and expand exponentially, while also spending more time with the family.

    The reason a recession that may be around the corner doesn’t scare me out of investing today, is that I’m in it for the long haul. Investing is a marathon, not a sprint. I will hold properties long enough to see the market rise again and can make a decision on what to do with them when the time comes. But honestly, I don’t see a cash flowing property being affected much by a recession. I will owe X amount on the mortgage every month, and a renter will be providing enough cash flow to pay it down, and pocket say $500 excess every month. Sure the value of the property will drop, but I’m not looking to sell. It’ll keep on providing cash the way I want it to, no matter what the market does (if you buy in the right areas, ie good neighborhoods and up-and-coming communities).

    On the other hand, if your goal was to flip properties, you don’t want a whole portfolio of $500k properties that are now worth $250k, and have no choice but to sell them for that price because you can’t afford to pay all the mortgages. People go broke during a market crash because they didn’t plan on how to weather the storm and wait for the sun to come back out. I’m hoping to be deep into the market and pursuing real estate full time when the market drops so I can scoop up some really good deals :)

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