Is pivoting to new built properties the success strategy for 2023

Is pivoting to new built properties the success strategy for 2023

Rental Property Investor · Escondido, CA · Member since 2017 · 684 posts · 550 votes

When I started my own investing journey toward my Time Freedom Point I did a lot of research and watched a lot of HGTV. I quickly found residential real estate investing to be my calling and flipping was not something I wanted to do. Ergo, I developed an investing strategy working with high-quality turnkey providers like REI Nation, Spartan Invest, FREG, Apartmentsqca, and others. As my portfolio grew I started offering mentoring and coaching to people who read my postings on Bigger Pockets or found me on our website. That website describes the models under the name Ideal Wealth Grower.

The original strategy focused on investing in mainly single-family homes, sometimes duplexes, tri-plexus or four-plexus, financing 80/20 bank/individual down payment, and focusing on the performance of the property from day 1. We always aimed at 1% of the purchase price as monthly rent and generated good positive cash flow as soon as the property was rented and tenants got into a routine.

Now that we have seen interest rates more than double since this time a year ago, I am pivoting my investing towards a brand new SFR that is purpose build for long term and in some cases possibly short-term renting. Here are my reasons:

- The price gap between new build houses and fully renovated houses has evaporated almost completely (when comparing properties in the same location)

- New built houses are often in desirable locations attracting better tenants (payment culture)

- Tenants are willing to pay more to move into a brand new house supporting reasonable positive cash flow

- New built houses can get a builder warranty and don't require CAPEX and maintenance reserves for the first few years

- Newly built houses receive favorable financing conditions and are easier to refi when interest rates have come down again in 3-5 years.

- New built houses have a comparatively better appreciation opportunity than renovated properties, which can help develop a HELOC option for future investment in more favorable market conditions (lower interest rates and economic outlook)

- There will, most likely, be newly built houses that will come on the market in 2023, either directly from builders or banks or agents or TK-providers that were originally built for owner occupancy but buyers no longer qualify or cancel purchase agreements (this could be an interesting investment option that typically did not exist - has to be weighted versus furnishings that are made for tenants which owner occupants probably would not have requested)

- Rents have been lagging behind price appreciation. While inflation has been squeezing peoples wallets, a significant group f people who would like to own a house are potentially content with renting a house rather than staying in apartments or living with their parents. While it is another example of selection favoring the better-earning people, as investors it will offer a continued increase in rental income that benefits cash flow and help reaching the Time Freedom Point

- New built properties can remain in the portfolio for 2 or more generations and produce wealth and equity better than renovated properties that will have higher expenses as they get older and older (new built will age and need maintenance and CAPEX but they have a grace period of probably 5-7 years after completion)

These are my points to pivot to newly built properties. I probably forgot a few points but am very interested to learn what the BP community thinks about this approach. I am currently investing in two "new built properties" that should be completed in early 2023.

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Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2014 · 382 posts · 300 votes
3y

@Axel Meierhoefer Great points about the benefits of new construction. I'd like to also add that homeowner's insurance and flood insurance (especially if you're in Cape Coral or areas affected by Hurricane Ian) would be less expensive than older homes. 

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  • Real Estate Agent · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2021 · 279 posts · 121 votes
    3y

    These are some excellent points!

    I have also noticed that with the rising costs of renovations along with the difficulty of finding a quality contactor; that investing into new housing for a rental portfolio strategy is making more sense!  I agree that with rising interest rates and the impending recession that there will many new home builders scrambling to sell completed homes that buyers have backed out of.

    I love the idea of not having any CAPEX maintenance expenses for the first 5-7 years, this gives you ample time to build that emergency fund for each property instead of waiting with a bag of money for the shoe to drop when the HVAC or roof needs replaced suddenly.

    Also a great point about rents lagging and the type of tenant a nice new property would draw.  New properties would demand a premium in comparison to average rent in your city and the new home would also attract "better" tenants who would hopefully take pride in their freshly baked home!

    I will definitely be taking a closer to look at new properties in my area and see if there are any advantages to take a hold of!  Thanks for the great post!  Take Care,

  • Bay area, CA · Member since 2021 · 383 posts · 306 votes
    3y

    Can you write more about where you are investing and if you are managing all on your own? 

  • Lindsay DavisBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Birmingham, AL · Member since 2019 · 327 posts · 203 votes
    3y

    Hi @Axel Meierhoefer,

    I absolutely agree with you, and think that an investment strategy that leans heavily into new construction will see a lot of success and popularity going forward.

    I love the traditional buy-and-renovate turnkey process because it offers an excellent price point for investors, but I also see the need for the build-to-rent (BTR) offerings—for much the same reasons you mentioned.

    Spartan made the same addition to our strategy and we started a new construction company in 2019 that allows us to service investors looking to go down the BTR route—so you’re in good company here!

    Thanks so much for working with Spartan Invest, by the way—I’m grateful for your business and am proud to be one of your trusted turnkey partners!

  • Axel MeierhoeferPro Member
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Escondido, CA · Member since 2017 · 684 posts · 550 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Brian Bohrer:

    These are some excellent points!

    I have also noticed that with the rising costs of renovations along with the difficulty of finding a quality contactor; that investing into new housing for a rental portfolio strategy is making more sense!  I agree that with rising interest rates and the impending recession that there will many new home builders scrambling to sell completed homes that buyers have backed out of.

    I love the idea of not having any CAPEX maintenance expenses for the first 5-7 years, this gives you ample time to build that emergency fund for each property instead of waiting with a bag of money for the shoe to drop when the HVAC or roof needs replaced suddenly.

    Also a great point about rents lagging and the type of tenant a nice new property would draw.  New properties would demand a premium in comparison to average rent in your city and the new home would also attract "better" tenants who would hopefully take pride in their freshly baked home!

    I will definitely be taking a closer to look at new properties in my area and see if there are any advantages to take a hold of!  Thanks for the great post!  Take Care,


     Thanks for your comments Brian. If I ever can be of help or provide any of my resources, feel free to DM me.

  • Axel MeierhoeferPro Member
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Escondido, CA · Member since 2017 · 684 posts · 550 votes
    3y

    @Ruchit Patel Yes, I am happy to tell you. Right now one of my built to rent is in Memphis and one is in Florida near Cape Coral. I have also been looking at places around Austin, Texas but prices and taxes are a lot higher. There are more locations that could be interesting but as an out-of-state investor, we also always need to make sure we find a good turnkey provider or property manager.

  • Axel MeierhoeferPro Member
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Escondido, CA · Member since 2017 · 684 posts · 550 votes
    3y

    @Lindsay Davis Thank you for your support. Some of my tribe members have become Spartan clients based on my referral to Maureen. Alabama and Tennessee still offer some good value and I believe the hubs that have commitments from very large manufacturers to invest will remain strong rental markets, even if we get a recession for the next 18 months.

  • Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2014 · 382 posts · 300 votes
    3y

    @Axel Meierhoefer Great points about the benefits of new construction. I'd like to also add that homeowner's insurance and flood insurance (especially if you're in Cape Coral or areas affected by Hurricane Ian) would be less expensive than older homes. 

  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 83 posts · 80 votes
    3y
  • James WachobBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Memphis, TN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 890 votes
    3y

    @Axel Meierhoefer I have found that new construction attracts more applicants. Therefore I have a larger pool of potential residents. Who would want to rent a BRAND NEW home vs. a 1960's renovation?? The larger benefit has been fewer maintenance expenditures. New homes are also more energy efficient therefore the resident could choose to stay in the home longer because of the savings.

  • Bay area, CA · Member since 2021 · 383 posts · 306 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Axel Meierhoefer:

    @Ruchit Patel Yes, I am happy to tell you. Right now one of my built to rent is in Memphis and one is in Florida near Cape Coral. I have also been looking at places around Austin, Texas but prices and taxes are a lot higher. There are more locations that could be interesting but as an out-of-state investor, we also always need to make sure we find a good turnkey provider or property manager.


     Thanks, I messaged you on the portal. I would like to connect. 

  • Axel MeierhoeferPro Member
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Escondido, CA · Member since 2017 · 684 posts · 550 votes
    3y

    @Peter Davis Ohh, yes, I totally forgot about that and if taking statistics into account, now that we had the storm we should be ok for a number of years.

    I can also saw and have confirmation from several agents in the area that houses built after 1999 were minimally affected by the storm because they were built with solid concrete block walls and to much higher standards. Houses that are built now are even more secure.

    When I spoke to some of the agents locally to find out if any damage occurred to my property, they all described the aftermath of the storm as a huge renovation project for the area, that will probably result in a much more up-to-date infrastructure

  • Axel MeierhoeferPro Member
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Escondido, CA · Member since 2017 · 684 posts · 550 votes
    3y

    @Pretty Khare Yes, its true that lead times are long in that area due to the slow permitting department and the storm issues. There are ready-to-buy properties in the Jacksonville and Orlando areas if you don't want to wait. I can refer you if you like.

  • Axel MeierhoeferPro Member
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Escondido, CA · Member since 2017 · 684 posts · 550 votes
    3y

    @James Wachob Thanks for commenting on my post. You are right. Those are great helpers for cash flow :-)

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