Advice for multi-family investing in Seattle WA

Advice for multi-family investing in Seattle WA

Member since 2021 · 1 post · 2 votes

Hello BP!

This is Amir. I just joined the forum, and relatively new to RE investing. I am an architect in my mid 30s, and would like to get more involved in RE in Seattle WA. 

I feel like there is lots of wisdom from many folks here that I can utilize. I would appreciate any and all advice/critique. I want to ensure I am doing the due diligence.

Brief Background:

My wife and I purchased a single family home in North of Seattle 1.5 years ago (~$700k) as our first house (owner occupied) and we paid off the 20% down. We fully renovated inside the house ourselves and the property is currently worth between 900k- 1m. There is also an ADU that we rented as an Airbnb. The Airbnb income pays almost 2/3rd of our mortgage.

Plan:

My wife and I would like to Airbnb/rent our main house as well as the ADU and then buy a duplex or triplex in Seattle (owner occupied). We're thinking to live in one unit (the best unit) and Airbnb/rent the other units. I am ok with some short-term negative cash flow for an overall positive cashflow and appreciation over the long haul.

Questions:
1- We don't have a 15-25% down for the new property. Do you think we can get 5-10% conventional or FHA loan since we are going to live in one unit of the new property (owner occupied)?

2- Do you think it's a good strategy we're thinking about?

3- Do you think it would be a good time to purchase? or it would be better to wait until the interest rates go higher, find a better deal, and refinance when the rates decreased in the future?

4- Do you know an agent/broker that specialize in this strategy in Seattle?

Thanks.

Amir.

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Real Estate Agent · Seattle, WA · Member since 2019 · 243 posts · 246 votes
4y

Hi Amir!

Welcome to BP! Happy to be a resource for you.

1) Yes, you can definitely do an owner occupied loan with much less down. (If you need to tap into equity for a down payment, you could also see if you can pull a HELOC while you're still living at the current property).

2) Yep! House-hacking is definitely the way to go & an area that I specialize in as well :)

3) I think there's always buying opportunities. You just need to find the right deals given current market conditions (e.g. maybe offering 5-10% below on some properties to make the #s work out)

4) Here to help :) 


Cheers!

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  • Real Estate Agent · Seattle, WA · Member since 2019 · 243 posts · 246 votes
    4y

    Hi Amir!

    Welcome to BP! Happy to be a resource for you.

    1) Yes, you can definitely do an owner occupied loan with much less down. (If you need to tap into equity for a down payment, you could also see if you can pull a HELOC while you're still living at the current property).

    2) Yep! House-hacking is definitely the way to go & an area that I specialize in as well :)

    3) I think there's always buying opportunities. You just need to find the right deals given current market conditions (e.g. maybe offering 5-10% below on some properties to make the #s work out)

    4) Here to help :) 


    Cheers!

  • Rental Property Investor · Everett, WA · Member since 2015 · 458 posts · 386 votes
    4y

    Hi Amir,

    Your plan is solid and you can get owner occupied financing that would allow you to get more attractive financing.  Interest rates are going up, so your financing costs will likely be more expensive in the future. While property prices may come down, I don't think it is likely that values will fall enough to offset the higher interest payment.

    Another strategy could be to look for properties that have the ability to add an ADU but do not have one currently. This way you could use your skill set to increase the value of the property by adding the ADU.

    Best of luck,

    John

  • Real Estate Broker · Seattle, WA · Member since 2017 · 139 posts · 82 votes
    4y

    Welcome @Amir Zi!

    1) As already mentioned, you should be able to qualify for a lower down payment since this would be a primary residence, but I'd recommend talking directly to a lender about that. I can recommend a few lenders that I know specifically deal with these kind of situations. Often they can use the rent from the additional units to qualify you for the new mortgage (though it always helps once you have rents on 2 years of tax returns).

    2) You've got a great strategy. In Seattle or Burien, you can even execute your strategy in single family zoning, as they allow up to 3 total units with ADUs. But be aware of the limitations that the city (specifically Seattle) imposes on how many STR units you can operate. You may need to plan on some units being dedicated to long-term renters (there are some other options too).


    3) If you can find something at a price that works for you, then it's a good time to buy. You can never plan to time the market, unless you can reliably predict the future. Interest rates are going to affect you, but if the numbers work now, they will work even better if you can refinance when rates do come down in the future.

    4) Of course! That's part of the reason I (and other brokers) are on BP. Feel free to discuss our history and specific ways we can help with your goals.

    Wishing you much success!

    -Jared

  • Member since 2022 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    4y

    I don't have any specific information to help you, because I am a beginner myself, but I would check out "Dion Talk Financial Freedom" on YouTube. He retired from his job using small multifamily investing (house hacking too) in Washington. He's not a super big YouTuber (around 11k subs currently), but he's very genuine, gives fantastic tips and information, and focuses on delivering the information rather than making videos on click bait things that "sell views". He even gives you his email to ask him questions at any time. Real nice guy.

  • Lender · Seattle, WA · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 899 votes
    4y

    @Amir Zi- thanks and welcome 1) yes- you can use a FHA loan 2) yes - sounds like a wise idea assuming the units are dessirable location for STRs 3) timing a purchase is impossible - get pre approved and if an opportunity presents itself that works for you - proceed ...if not - no worries 4) yes - I am familair with a great agent for this strategy

  • Lender · Kirkland, WA · Member since 2022 · 8 posts · 1 vote
    4y

    @Amir Zi I did some digging in guidelines and talked with our national underwriting team to get some specifics on FHA loans for your situation.

    FHA does not allow the use of Rental Income from an ADU, short or long term even when reported on schedule E(tax returns). Rental income is allowed for Primary if 2-4 units or 1 unit investment.

    To utilize rental income from your departing residence it would require an appraisal to show 25%+ in equity, 1007 Comparable Rent Schedule, & executed lease of at least 1 year. 

    The new primary multi-unit could use the same 1007 values for rent to help qualifying income, however a 1 yr lease is required.

    Side note, depreciation shown on Schedule E can be added back for qualifying income for rental properties.  

    If you want to qualify any rental income from the departing residence FHA requires you be moving 100 miles away from the current/departing residence. You mentioned North Seatttle, so that would be moving to as South as Castle Rock/Longview(straight line) or as South as Napavine in 100 road miles.

    I know that is a mixed bag of info, if you want to go deeper be happy to chat. :) 

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