Figuring out what's up with a "Too good to be true" deal?

Figuring out what's up with a "Too good to be true" deal?

Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2018 · 61 posts · 46 votes

I'm currently looking at a 6 unit multifamily deal that seems too good to be true. Everything seems to be okay, but there's one glaring issue: every way I've analyzed it, it's been shockingly undervalued. Basing it off of comps, it's priced at about 60% of projected value. Going by square footage alone, it's at 50% of value. The cap rate is about 50% higher than the area, and if rents were raised to market rates, it'd be double the cap rate. It's not a foreclosure, and there have been no murders or meth labs that I have found online. The realtor has said the sellers are "hoping to move on to something different." 

Since this would be my first investment deal, I feel I'm missing something, and want to know what to be on the lookout for.

Here's the facts:

6 family home in a b/c class neighborhood, with a lower than average crime rate

100% occupied

Renovated 4 years ago 

Population is steady, jobs are mostly in health care and warehousing/distribution

Building is older (1890's in a neighborhood mostly built in 1940's)

County is about 100,000 people

Located right in the center of town

I recognize the property may be worth less because of its age, but certainly not 40-50% less, especially when it was renovated a few years ago. It's also not a foreclosure.

Of course, before I actually did a deal I'd have it inspected and do plenty of due diligence. Is there something, in particular, I should look out for? What's the most common reasons a deal like this is "too good to be true?" Of course, there is always the chance that the owners really do just need to sell quickly. And while I'd love for that to be true, I certainly am not betting on it. 

2Reply
46 views

2 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
    Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    7y

    @Account Closed In your title it says 'flipper an rehabber' so you probably know a bit about buildings and fixing stuff and that is a real asset. I would check the sales history-see if it has been under contract and fallen out a bunch of times. See how long it has been on the market, and if it still checks out I'd get it under contract pending inspection of property and financials. You can always revisit the price depending on what you find out. I would for sure check to see if the rehabbing was permitted, liens, back taxes etc. Read every lease, get a rentroll, and examine paperwork to see that rents are really being paid. You may have found a unicorn or an old dog in a unicorn suit. I came across a 20 unit the other day, great numbers, etc. But the property had essentially been on and off the market for almost 20 years-same owner! I even found out why-very happy to walk away from that one. All the best!

  • Real Estate Broker · Winthrop, MA · Member since 2014 · 260 posts · 199 votes
    7y

    Tyler, shoot me a pm, we are in the same area and might be able to help with a different opinion on valuation.

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.