Sell or Rent my first potential Rental? -Asheville, NC

Sell or Rent my first potential Rental? -Asheville, NC

Member since 2018 · 19 posts · 5 votes

I moved to Asheville, NC about 6 months ago. I paid cash for a $240K home and have since remodeled the home. Updates, paint, new kitchen, some flooring, etc. etc.  Overall dropped about $25K into the home.  Spouse, me plus (2) kids been living in the project. I'm walkable to downtown Asheville (Montford neighborhood). 3bd 2bath home, 1200 SF. I think i can get $2000/month for rent. I'm guessing this home would sell pretty quick at $300-310K. Taxes/insurance on the home are about $2,000/$1,000.  

Moving forward, as a rental, the home would require very little maintenance. Roof, siding, paint, deck, HVAC are all in great shape. Kitchen & bathrooms are very nice; in retrospect, i spent too much on the kitchen.  

My wife and I are ready to move on to the next home (our primary residence; $450K'ish). We have plenty of money for the down payment for the next home, but are curious if others on the forum think we should sell this home or rent it.  The home doesn't quite meet the 1% rule (obviously). This home would be our first rental. 

Any advice or thoughts from others would be great. It seems like a no-brainer to keep the home and use it as a rental (taxdes, income, etc.), but want to get thoughts and opinions from others here on the forum.  Thanks in advance for any thoughts; cheers.  

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Rental Property Investor · Hendersonville, NC · Member since 2016 · 446 posts · 412 votes
7y

My recommendation is to assess the property as if you did not own it yet to help give some clarity.  Would you buy it as a rental with those numbers or flip it?  I have one as well that likely I will sell because it does not meet my criteria as a rental, but I can still make money on the property flipping.  I would likely sell it and utilize the cash for buying rentals that do meet your criteria.  Take into account the potential missed opportunity costs you may miss out on by keeping your capital in this deal.

All that said, that doesn't mean that I would sell right away.  I might would try to live in it long enough to avoid capital gains.

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  • Member since 2018 · 19 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    went a little overboard....

  • Lender · Asheville, NC · Member since 2019 · 60 posts · 50 votes
    7y

    Hi Craig,

    Welcome to Asheville! 

    To answer your question: I would rent the property. Montford area is highly desirable and premium location. You should expect to see solid appreciation. Although it has slowed down some, it is still outpacing national averages. However, I wouldn't leave all the equity in the property. 1) Debt is a good deterrent for a bogus claim from a tenant. 2) Leverage can maximize returns and fund several other projects.

    As for rents, contact property managers in the area. Based on location and finishes you may be able to push rents some, but 2k seems like a solid base to run numbers off of. 

  • Investor · Asheville, NC · Member since 2015 · 187 posts · 112 votes
    7y

    I'm wrestling with the same decision myself, on a smaller scale (could sell for $170k or rent for $1200) Similar overall numbers, and by my rough estmate (rent X.7 to pay a manager and expenses including occasional vacancy) minus MTI, it'll have mild negative cashflow, offset by loan paydown. So with this one (as with yours) the impetus to keep it is the expectation of market gain, which is risky, but potentially highly profitable. All my other rentals cash flow, so this is the first I'll keep on such poor numbers, mostly because one of my carpenters wants to live there. 

    May we both benefit from a continued rising market!

  • Rental Property Investor · Hendersonville, NC · Member since 2016 · 446 posts · 412 votes
    7y

    My recommendation is to assess the property as if you did not own it yet to help give some clarity.  Would you buy it as a rental with those numbers or flip it?  I have one as well that likely I will sell because it does not meet my criteria as a rental, but I can still make money on the property flipping.  I would likely sell it and utilize the cash for buying rentals that do meet your criteria.  Take into account the potential missed opportunity costs you may miss out on by keeping your capital in this deal.

    All that said, that doesn't mean that I would sell right away.  I might would try to live in it long enough to avoid capital gains.

  • Real Estate Broker · Asheville, NC · Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    7y

    Asheville broker checking in here; to be honest, I would stave off those capital gains and rent it; especially because the average hotel room rates have gone up significantly year over year and this past year took the cake; compound that with the fact that most of them will no longer book for locals (or those with a local zip code) and you are in a prime rental area.  

       The devil's argument; we are seeing about 45 price reductions on average per day across the Asheville market and the average time on market has grown a bit; this confluence against less-than-spectacular growth many folks are seeking liquidity. Of course, there are just as many ready to 'buy the dip'. 

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

    @Craig Ruhland. So you’re all in at 265, sell for 310k. Minis selling costs doesn’t seem like a great flip.

    I would probably put debt on it at 65-75 LTV and go buy another rental

  • Flipper/Rehabber · York, UK · Member since 2013 · 895 posts · 453 votes
    7y

    I find the best way to answer those questions is less about the numbers on the property and more about how they meet your goals. If the market shifts and you find yourself wanting to sell in a few years, how does that impact your lifestyle and your investing plan? What is the opportunity cost of having that cash tied up ? If your goal is to build passive income you could take that money and put it into several lower priced rentals with better ROI.

    I second what @Caleb Heimsoth says. Pull a HELOC on it while it's still your primary residence and that way you get the best of all worlds - cash in hand, a cash flowing rental, and the opportunity to buy your dream home.

  • Member since 2018 · 19 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    BP's posters!  Thanks for your insight and the welcome to AVL.  The community is really growing on me and between the kids school, coaching basketball, my wives coworkers @ Mission and the mountain biking, I'm really enjoying it here. 

    My wife and I are really leaning towards keeping the home and renting it. Yes, we might pull some value out of it for additional cash, but I want to hold onto this place because I think it going to be REALLY, REALLY tough to find something for $250K which is walkable to Nine Mile (and downtown) which is already squeaky clean, turn key, and ready to rent. Yes, @Micki M.; I've been looking more down by Hendersonville and Brevard and it seems like there are great deals to be had....so close to great trails and outdoor rec. 

  • Investor · Asheville, NC · Member since 2015 · 187 posts · 112 votes
    7y

    I wish I knew more good carpenters!  Most are either too busy to even answer a call about more work, or are overpriced or undependable, or some combination of all three.  I have had good results with Jason Micheals, Blackhaw Builders.  Not sure how busy he is these days though.  Good luck!

  • Rental Property Investor · Hendersonville, NC · Member since 2016 · 446 posts · 412 votes
    7y

    @Craig Ruhland PM me and I’d be happy to talk more.  I’m about to buy my first ones in Brevard and I completely agree it seems to be a great location. 

  • Asheville, NC · Member since 2018 · 38 posts · 15 votes
    7y

    I agree with @Caleb Heimsoth Seems like a good candidate for the BRRRR strategy. @Caleb Heimsoth

  • Member since 2018 · 19 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    @Matthew Newby @Account Closed; will I get myself into trouble using this "Standard" North Carolina Lease agreement per NC Association of Realtors? Is there a "better version" which will minimize my risk and be beneficial for both tenant and landlord? I looked around the "forms" section of this forum and noticed 2 or 3 lease agreements. FWIW; if any of you want to get a coffee and chat, I'd be happy to buy.  thanks in advance!  

    https://eforms.com/rental/nc/north-carolina-realto...

  • Rental Property Investor · Hendersonville, NC · Member since 2016 · 446 posts · 412 votes
    7y

    @Craig Ruhland  I use a PM who has their own lease, but from what I’ve heard the NC lease is a good starting point that you can add on to as you go and gain experience.  Feel free to message me, I’d be happy to grab a drink and talk real estate sometime.

  • Member since 2018 · 19 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    ok, thanks Ryan. 

  • Investor · Asheville, NC · Member since 2015 · 187 posts · 112 votes
    7y

    I think the standard is pretty good, and just let it evolve as you do, adding or subtracting what seems relevant.  We emphasize care of the place, reporting any kind of leaks or water entry, and indicate arbitration in leui of litigation in case of disagreement.  Not sure if this will stick, but seems like a good start. 

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