How I plan to compete with wall street

How I plan to compete with wall street

Lakewood, OH · Member since 2013 · 68 posts · 23 votes

As you all know, wall street is moving in on our turf. Thought I'd share my plan to stay alive:

1. Convert multi-family to single family dwellings. In my particular region there exists a large double (up/down) housing stock where the same sq ft would sell for significantly more as a single family. I take on these tough rehabs that most others would be afraid of. My expectation is the typical hedge fund/REIT would shy away from the headaches leaving me a sweet spot

2. Expand outside of the MLS/Auction avenues. Historically I've had too many fish in the MLS/Auction sea. Moving forward I think i need to establish relationships with Wholesalers (or possibly become one)

3. Compliment wall street by adding value. My company is also a licensed/insured contractor. I may need to do rehabs for the hedge funds. Or, i plan to keep a close eye on whether their using the 1% or 1.5% rule and find homes that would add value to their portfolio post rehab

4. Kiss my historical margins goodbye. Gone are the years when I had a 19% net profit margin. I'm ratcheting down my expectations to a 10% net profit margin on flips. This will change my return on equity from 37% down to 29% using Dupont's ROE. Nothing to complain about at all. I'm very fortunate to have 10% margins and will compete hard to maintain them.

5. More passive income Over the past few years I have NOT grown my rental portfolio because it was too easy to make abnormal returns on the flipping route. In the comping year I'll expand my rental portfolio reflecting my expectation there will be fewer opportunities for flips. I'll still expect a 14.5% return on equity with the passive income route. Plus, it offers more certainty given how unclear it is what the residential real estate market will look like in 24 months and whether flipping will even have the 10% margins in the future

What does everyone think about my plans?

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  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    13y

    In general, it's been my experience that the bulk buyers are looking for turn-key properties and aren't interested in making repairs. Just stick with the properties that aren't move-in-ready and you shouldn't have to compete with those buyers.

  • Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 928 votes
    13y

    Yes, look to sell your rehabbed finished product to hedge and pvt equity funds, who are only looking for 6-7% net returns and are paying top dollar, so I hear. Just make sure you understand their buying criteria of newer 3/2/2 homes in nice suburban locations.

    As far as acquisition channels, it will behoove everyone to cast their net wider, network with good wholesalers, network with agents to pick up pre-MLS listings, and engage in marketing efforts through the use of VA's and low-priced labor.

    All older housing stock (older than 25 years, perhaps) will probably be off their radar screen.

    How much new construction will begin to occur just to feed product to these funds? What other services will these SFR aggregators be willing to pay top dollar for? Anything besides the obvious property management?

  • Investor · Central Valley, CA · Member since 2012 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    13y

    There are investor groups with buying power in every market but I think you're totally safe from the hedge funds in most of Ohio.

    It looks to me like owner occupant buyers might be the ones at a disadvantage in some markets. Their offers with FHA loans and two appraisals and contributing to buyer's closing costs aren't going to look so great next to a all cash offer with a 15 day close.

  • Chris ClothierBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · memphis, TN · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    13y

    I know it is different in every market, but we have not had a significant amount of trouble dealing with large Hedge Funds or pool buyers that have entered our markets. They are here and they are buying a significant number of properties, but so far have not had any impact on our ability to find and purchase inventory.

    I think you are very smart for having a plan. That is the biggest mistake some investors are making. We started planning a solid 90 days before the first real significant Hedge Fund started acquiring and it has paid off. Others we know did not and they are struggling right now.

    I think your success will lie in how well you are able to adjust your strategy and follwo some of the simple advice on here as well as the steps you laid out. A more varied supply of sources, a recognition of tighter margins and a strategic decision to join them where you can't compete and beat them where you can.

    Good luck -

  • Long Beach, CA · Member since 2013 · 79 posts · 8 votes
    13y

    Thought this was interesting. It's an article about hedge funds getting out of the market because the expected return wasn't there: http://reut.rs/TvlCxV

  • Lakewood, OH · Member since 2013 · 68 posts · 23 votes
    13y
    Originally posted by K. Marie Poe:
    I think you're totally safe from the hedge funds in most of Ohio.

    I'm not so sure about this. And it is not only hedge funds and reits which have not hit this area hard yet... There is a surge in new ma and pop entrants to the market. I expect increased competition every where i turn.

    Originally posted by David Beard:
    How much new construction will begin to occur just to feed product to these funds? What other services will these SFR aggregators be willing to pay top dollar for?

    I'm not sure new construction makes sense for wall street because homes are selling for such discounts to their replacement costs.
    On what other services they will want.... I've spend a lot of time reflecting on this question. There are answers like annual inspections from qualified home inspectors, inexpensive appraisals to quanitfy their holdings every x years. But, I dont see my company having a great differentiator to provide value for these needs. I salute anyone that can though
    Originally posted by Chris Clothier:
    They are here and they are buying a significant number of properties, but so far have not had any impact on our ability to find and purchase inventory.

    You lucky devil. :P My guess is they probably had a minor impact to you, but so insignificant that you barely notice

    Steven Walter, great article. thanks for sharing

  • Brian BurkePro Member
    Investor · Santa Rosa, CA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    13y

    In addition to all of the above, and expanding our footprint, I am also tending to flip in the higher price ranges more than I was before. Up there, the prices don't make sense to buy & hold, so there is no competition from wall street. I'm still buying to hold in the lower price ranges, but staying nimble and turning over rocks that the HFs don't even know about are producing ample deal flow despite the added competition.

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