Trading my Single Family Homes for multifamily properties

Trading my Single Family Homes for multifamily properties

Investor · Provo, UT · Member since 2016 · 759 posts · 626 votes

Over the last few years, I have been able to build up a portfolio of over one hundred and fifty rental units. Within that, I have eleven single-family homes. Being located in Utah means that I have been able to gain a ton of appreciation while just like everyone else over the last few years I have had many with interest rates sub 4% down to 3.5%.

I have been going back and forth with selling my SFHs and moving them into larger multifamily properties. A few of my concerns are the timing of things, will I be able to sell now for top dollar or do I wait and put myself into a more difficult situation finding the multifamily properties when the market is stronger as rates come down?

I am also worried because everyone tells me to never sell anything which makes sense but if I can deploy the same capital into something bigger wouldn't I make more in the big picture?

Has anyone moved all of their SFHs into larger multifamily via 1031 exchanges, what was your experience through the process and what am I missing? I have seven mobile home parks now so I feel like I can manage something larger without a problem on that end.

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  • Dave FosterBusiness Member
    Qualified Intermediary for 1031 Exchanges · St. Petersburg, FL · Member since 2013 · 9k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    3y

    @Logan M., a couple other considerations - 

    1. The interplay between the MF and SF markets.  These are two different classes of real estate and peak at different times in a cycle and trough at different times in a cycle.  So, where do you feel these two cycles are?

    2. Another very common reason to do what your contemplating later in a run up market is to sell SFs that may have potential cap ex issues and 1031 into newer properties with less cap ex exposure.

    3. Of course, if there's a value add potential then that is the reverse of #2 but you're running toward cap ex exposure for the sake of forced appreciation.

    I would interpret "makes sense" as "what makes sense to you given your strengths and preferences.  And not just  a return figure.

    The 1031 Investor5140 Reviews
  • Investor · Provo, UT · Member since 2016 · 759 posts · 626 votes
    3y

    @Dave Foster these are great points you make. 

    One of the questions on my mind is dollar for dollar trying to compare apples to apples which makes an investor more money?

    My mobile home parks make a lot more than my SFHs and its not even close but I have FOMO if I sell those homes and they appreciate better. 

    Multi Family here is Utah has appreciated just as well as SFHs I would argue.

  • Dave FosterBusiness Member
    Qualified Intermediary for 1031 Exchanges · St. Petersburg, FL · Member since 2013 · 9k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    3y

    @Logan M.,  LOL. welcome to life as a real estate investor.  You can always tell the experienced ones - they either have gray hair or no hair!  FOMO is real.  And MO is real.  There's no question about that.  Every choice carries a cost.  But the greatest thing is that Real Estate is just like a broken clock - It's always right twice a day!!!  Real estate is cyclical so even if you MO big time.  All you need do is hang on given that in time the cycle will come around, the clock will be right.  And you'll get another opportunity to make the same or a different choices.

    The one thing I love about MHPs is that they're really just large MFs waiting to happen.  So, if you like MHPs and the cash flow is good.  And you have good scaled management I'd be tempted to use the 1031 and buy more MHPs.  Then start putting a team together to slowly turn those MHPs into nice new MF buildings where appropriate.  MHPs are always a long term land play.

    The 1031 Investor5140 Reviews
  • Investor · Provo, UT · Member since 2016 · 759 posts · 626 votes
    3y

    @Dave Foster I am building a ten-plex now and have been through the development process a few times and I think you are 100% correct. Many of my communities are in more rural areas and could become townhome/cottage-type developments over the years.

    I think your suggestion of looking at additional MHPs is probably my best play right now.

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