"Boots on the ground" and "remote" 50% partnerships

"Boots on the ground" and "remote" 50% partnerships

Queens, NY · Member since 2015 · 130 posts · 34 votes

Hi, 

I'm looking to do some brainstorming for how to create successful partnerships wherein one person is the "boots on the ground" and the other works "remotely". The main goal is to get a better understanding of how to divvy up responsibilities while maintaining a 50% partner structure. My particular focus is buy and hold rental properties, but I'm sure we could all stand to benefit from learning about how 50% partners engaged in other areas of REI handle the question of, "Who does what, and how do we assign value to what we're doing, so we can both feel comfortable in our abilities to judge how close we are to an equitable arrangement?".

My immediate thought is that the boots on the ground investor could easily justify a higher percentage in returns or a lower amount of capital invested based on the work required of them. They're in the area, can scope out properties in person, face to face with people, they may very well be the people maintaining the property. PMs typically charge 10% or more once fees are factored in. Tack on some of the other responsibilities, and they might as well be running a turnkey for you. 

With that being said, what kind of responsibilities could a remote partner take on in order to make this a more equitable business relationship? Just how many responsibilities can be taken care of by a phone call, email or other means that don't require a physical presence. Dawn Anastasi and Mehran Kamari mentioned their partnership during both their podcasts, but there wasn't much of a chance to expound on the specifics as far as responsibilities go. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts. 

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San Diego, CA · Member since 2008 · 301 posts · 108 votes
10y

@Sean Tracey

We go out and find partnerships to invest in. That is our real estate business model. Simply put, we are the Cash Partner and bring all the cash and financing to the table. The local person is the Ground Partner that finds, rehabs, rents, and manages the deals. We then split everything 50:50. We do certain things like purchase the property and close the escrow, buy insurance, pay for taxes, bookkeeping, get financing, etc. We do not do anything that requires local stuff like property management, contractors, tenants, comps, etc. 

You may think that this is an awesome deal for the Ground Partner because they bring no cash to the deal. But our partners are bringing deals to us that are typically 65 to 75% ARV all in that they could fix and sell for close to market value for a nice tidy profit for themselves. Instead they keep it for the Partnership. My company then refinance at 75% LTV and pull almost all of our cash out and repeat the process all over again. You see how this is an awesome deal for us.

In your situation, if you plan to not bring all the cash to the table, then you must figure out how to bring more value to the partnership such as making phone calls remotely taking on some of the work. If you plan not to bring all the cash to the table, be prepared not to get 50:50 but less because as hard as you may try, your Ground Partner will ultimately be responsible for much of the work because there are so many things you just cannot do remotely.

@Chris Allard

I will give you some feedback on your partnership. I am not quite sure that your partners are matching you dollar for dollar on cash contribution or are only putting in 25%. I am also not sure you are obtaining the financing in your name with your credit. But from what you said in your post, you have a great deal for yourself. By having your Ground Partners put 25% of the cash needed in to the deal, you are making them put skin in the game. But you get 75% of everything with preferred return and majority control. The only concession you gave up is that your Ground Partners get the 7% PM fee which means ultimately they are getting more than 25% but not much more. 

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  • Chris AllardPro Member
    Fresno, CA · Member since 2016 · 25 posts · 10 votes
    10y

    @Kevin Yoo

    I mispoke about the dollar for dollar partnership in my earlier post.  They will put up 25% of what it cost to acquire the property and I will put up the other 75%.  Each party will be responsible for the percentage associated with the company, so 75% cost/revenue to me and 25% cost/revenue to them.  The PM is factored as a cost associated with managing the properties (which their PM company will handle at a 7% fee).  They are looking to scale their PM side of the biz and having skin in the game for me helps protect my investments.  I would have to pay 10% at least to anyone else to manage (w/ no history of another PM), as I'm not investing in the same state I'm living in.  Both comps get to grow together, and have a mutual interest in see it happen.  Essentially, I'm paying a small price to learn more of the biz, but will only be an owner and never an employee.  My goal is using my ambitions for building financial freedom to explore other interest, and securing my family's future.  I've made millions for my current employer and wanting to do this for myself.

  • San Diego, CA · Member since 2008 · 301 posts · 108 votes
    10y

    @Chris Allard

    I got it now. I still say you have a great partnership. Getting your partner to put skin in the game is extremely valuable to a successful partnership. 

    Interestingly enough, however, we do not follow this rule. This is because we use our ability to fund 100% of a project over and over again as a leverage to get big players to listen to us and bring us their best deals. 

    I do like your goal of "financial freedom." That should be the only reason why you are even reading my post. Otherwise, it is just a hobby and you should keep it that way. But remember that the success of your efforts will come from financial freedom not only for yourself but for your 25% partner. We approach every relationship with the plan to make everyone involved with us financially free.

  • Investor · New York City, NY · Member since 2013 · 263 posts · 141 votes
    10y

    @Kevin Yoo and @Chris Allard

    How do you find your local partners?  What questions do you ask?  What do you use to verify them?

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