Raleigh, NC · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 4 votes
Hi all.
I just moved to Raleigh about 2 months ago and am looking to buy a personal residence in the near future. I am looking to buy an investment property I can preferably house hack. If anyone has some advice on what would work best in the area as a house hack it would be greatly appreciated. My intent is to use this as my first investment property and grow from here.
Also, I was planning on going to the local multi family and TREIA group meetings after moving here, but they were cancelled due to quarantining. This has put a damper on my in person networking, so if you would like to connect in the area let me know! Feel free to PM me as well.
Thanks in advance and I hope to hear from some Raleigh locals!
Investor · Apex, NC · Member since 2017 · 135 posts · 97 votes
6y
Hey Courtland, there is opportunity out there, but as Caleb eluded to for the most in demand properties you will have to move fast. There are still some duplexes in Durham and some parts of Raleigh you can get at reasonable prices, but the lowest prices will come with having to put in some to a lot of work. Also, try looking up Triangle Dealmakers session, they are doing a virtual meeting next week, can also get you in front of some wholesalers that may have more distressed properties that could work.
I have a broker set me up on alerts so I see all the small MF come to market in the area @Tiffany Alexy give her a shout, very knowledgable of the market and house hacking
Investor · Apex, NC · Member since 2017 · 135 posts · 97 votes
6y
Hey Courtland, there is opportunity out there, but as Caleb eluded to for the most in demand properties you will have to move fast. There are still some duplexes in Durham and some parts of Raleigh you can get at reasonable prices, but the lowest prices will come with having to put in some to a lot of work. Also, try looking up Triangle Dealmakers session, they are doing a virtual meeting next week, can also get you in front of some wholesalers that may have more distressed properties that could work.
I have a broker set me up on alerts so I see all the small MF come to market in the area @Tiffany Alexy give her a shout, very knowledgable of the market and house hacking
Raleigh, NC · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 4 votes
6y
@John Blanton Thank you for the connection. I also signed up for the zoom meeting with Deal Makers this week. Looking forward to it!
I have searches set up on redfin, but having a direct MLS update would definitely be helpful. I've noticed that the small multis in desirable areas go within a week typically. A question I have is if it's worth finding a 1-4 unit to house hack here or is it more feasible to find a single family to moderately rehab and convert to a rental? I am completely comfortable with a property that needs work, just not a complete tear down or the like. Also, getting in touch with wholesalers would be great!
Developer · DC & NC · Member since 2019 · 113 posts · 95 votes
6y
As others have mentioned, there's a severe lack of existing small multifamily stock. One approach that I'd look into is an accessory dwelling unit*, a legal way to add a second unit to many existing SFRs in Cary and Durham. In Cary, a second unit within the same house is called a "utility dwelling unit," in Durham it's an "accessory dwelling" and can be detached. With your budget, you can easily find a fixer-upper SFR on a larger lot from the 1970s-1990s, get a HomeStyle/ChoiceRenovation loan, and build yourself a duplex.
* search on this forum for ADU -- lots of California specific content, but some from the east coast
Raleigh, NC · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 4 votes
6y
@Payton Chung Thanks for the info. I will look into the ADU option as well. Any idea how much a 1000-1200 sq ft addition would cost to build? Could be a longer term vision as well.
Lately, construction costs seem to have softened. On a per-sq-ft basis, an ADU looks expensive since it includes all the expensive-to-build rooms (kitchen, bath) but fewer of the cheap-to-build rooms (bedrooms).
Given that the ADU should rent for ~$1200/month, it's one of the few in-town investments that nearly achieves the 1% rule. An addition to an existing house would be cheaper, but might rent for less.
Bear in mind that ADUs are often limited in size; Raleigh and Cary have an absolute maximum of 800 sq ft, and smaller in many circumstances.