Commercial Multi Family Due Dilligence Questions

Commercial Multi Family Due Dilligence Questions

Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 0 votes

Hey Everyone, 

During our due diligence period, we found that we will most likely need to bring up an older building to code in order to build out an existing structure to multifamily in Tampa, FL. This includes four big-ticket items:

1. Water main for the whole street needs to be upgraded 

2. The roof will need to be changed out from old wood rafters to metal

3. The first-floor elevation would need to be raised by about 6"

4. The concrete block wall would need to be filled and possibly reinforced with rebar.  

We won't know if we can get waivers for these issues until we are at the permit process, but there are interior no prints to attempt to get permits. Currently, the property has been rezoned for multifamily but there was no actual feasibility study done on the actual structure on the property, it was based on civil engineering print, population density, and square footage to approve the number of units. 

Is this amount of risk normal for commercial development? 

Thanks!

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Rental Property Investor · Coral Gables, FL · Member since 2016 · 199 posts · 266 votes
4y

@Justin Martin, more information would be needed to determine whether this is a reasonable investment.  These requirements can be normal for an older building or in an historic district.

If this is one of your first investments, you need to find a very experienced partner who has experience with the same issues you are facing.  Ask brokers, lenders, appraisers or others in the business to recommend a trustworthy partner.  This is not an investment to do without an experienced partner.

If you find a trustworthy, experienced partner, you should be sure to learn everything you can about each step of the project so you gain as much knowledge as you can yourself.  Each investment you make helps you learn more about the business that will help in future deals.

There's an old saying.  When a man with money meets a man with experience, the man with experience leaves with the money and the man with money leaves with experience.  Be sure your partner is well thought of by multiple people.

Good luck.

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  • Rental Property Investor · Coral Gables, FL · Member since 2016 · 199 posts · 266 votes
    4y

    @Justin Martin, more information would be needed to determine whether this is a reasonable investment.  These requirements can be normal for an older building or in an historic district.

    If this is one of your first investments, you need to find a very experienced partner who has experience with the same issues you are facing.  Ask brokers, lenders, appraisers or others in the business to recommend a trustworthy partner.  This is not an investment to do without an experienced partner.

    If you find a trustworthy, experienced partner, you should be sure to learn everything you can about each step of the project so you gain as much knowledge as you can yourself.  Each investment you make helps you learn more about the business that will help in future deals.

    There's an old saying.  When a man with money meets a man with experience, the man with experience leaves with the money and the man with money leaves with experience.  Be sure your partner is well thought of by multiple people.

    Good luck.

  • Benjamin AakerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Brandon, SD · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    My first thought is that that is a lot of work to do. You said you are converting to multifamily. The purchase price will need to reflect all the work you will need to do. I don't see how you can be responsible for the street's water, but the rest of them will be your responsibility unless you can get the municipality to waive some. Best do that before buying. It seems to me to be pretty risky for a newer investor, but I don't know your level of experience. 

  • Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    4y

    @Justin Martin, generally yes.  And I would factor in this is not just multifamily development, but any remodel.  I have had to bring old single families to code in various ways to get CO on residential permits.  And then you get to commercial properties, and the building codes are even more extensive.  

  • Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 0 votes
    4y

    Thanks for the help everyone! In our case, we are working with a local architect and engineer that have close relationships with the city and the area of town. Their response has been that it has the potential to be a lot more work than we think and we just can't know until we are at the permitting process. In my mind, it would be a worthwhile risk if we had plans and get them checked out by the city within our DD timeline, but we can't. I have a feeling that's asking too much though, and maybe more seasoned investors would be able to decide with the information available. 

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 904 votes
    4y

    @Justin Martin you would really need someone who is not just experienced but has experience in dealing with your local building inspectors and permiting office to see what is expected from them.

    Based on the potential things you have listed, that would be almost like a complete rebuild (sometimes more), so unless you are buying the property for the price of the land, I would be careful.

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