Why I am changing from the BrRRR strategy to the BrRRr strategy

Why I am changing from the BrRRR strategy to the BrRRr strategy

Stephen KeigheryBusiness Member
Rental Property Investor · New Orleans, LA · Member since 2018 · 717 posts · 555 votes

I Just closed a cash out refinance on a 6 plex I own in New Orleans. I am switching my strategy a little bit on this refinance. I love the BRRRR method (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) but have always done the BrRRR method (a little rehab). Now I am moving to the BrRRr method. I am toning down the repeat part, or what I normally call recycling my money into the next deal. So instead of rolling all my cash into the next deal I will only roll some of it.

There is a few reasons for this. Some of this is based on my personal portfolio. In the last 16 months I have bought 26 long term rentals using (and recycling) all my own cash (along with a personal residence). The rest is just based on what I see as an increase in risk in the markets. I am definitely not stopping buying, I am just not recycling all my money into the next deal like I have been. I am making greater allocation to reserves and ensuring I am more resilient and can weather any storms that come (Metaphorically and also Physically living in Louisiana).

For example, I will buy a single family next week with the cash from this 6 plex but the rest of the cash is being allocated to making me more resilient. I have more refi's coming and will end up refinancing the single family I buy next week and and each time I will keep investing but also keep shoring up my overall position. 

I am sharing this as I think its time to keep some powder dry. Don't stop buying, because even as interest rates rise they still at very low levels historically and there are still plenty of tailwinds in the market. It is not the time to sit on the sidelines but is time to be aware that headwinds are also increasing. I could see this market crashing and I could see it staying on fire. Both these scenarios are possible. I think this is the time when you need to be prepared for both outcomes. For me if the market crashes then I am ready and it will be an opportunity and if it keeps going up I am positioned to benefit. 

Closed on this refinance today
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John B ClarkPro Member
Waltham, MA · Member since 2021 · 38 posts · 26 votes
4y

I don’t have anything valuable to add, but I just have to say that getting to learn from folks like you and the other people on here with many years of experience is what makes this forum great for those of us with only a few deals under our belts!

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  • Flipper/Rehabber · Rochester, NY · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Stephen Keighery you got to change with the market, I agree, and with your place in life.

    There is no single answer to investing as everybody is in a different place or stage in life, has different circumstances, and different tolerances and aversion for risk, loss, fear of missing out, etc. 

    Due to supply chain issues and labor shortage I’m more averse to scopes of work that might encounter delays. I guess my big R Rehabs have turned into little r rehabs. And I’m more debt averse and just less “hungry” as I get older. So my big R Refi’s have turned into little r refi’s (really  just being debt free on some properties). 

  • Malcomb StapelPro Member
    Investor · Topeka, KS · Member since 2020 · 669 posts · 488 votes
    4y

    @Stephen Keighery  that sounds like a winning strategy. A lot of folks get caught up in the hype of trying to keep up with X who was on the podcast and has 300 deals under their belt at 19 years old. And why not? It sounds a lot sexier than being prudent, playing a long game, and investing from a position of financial stability. 

  • John B ClarkPro Member
    Waltham, MA · Member since 2021 · 38 posts · 26 votes
    4y

    I don’t have anything valuable to add, but I just have to say that getting to learn from folks like you and the other people on here with many years of experience is what makes this forum great for those of us with only a few deals under our belts!

  • New to Real Estate · West Georgia · Member since 2021 · 15 posts · 6 votes
    4y

    Congrats on all your success Stephen. I want to begin BRRRR'ing properties and I am currently reading David Greene's book on this very topic. My question is how do you estimate rehab costs?

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