Seeking Advice - Multifamily Investment with Potential Short-Term Rental Strategy

Seeking Advice - Multifamily Investment with Potential Short-Term Rental Strategy

Member since 2023 · 38 posts · 28 votes

Happy New Year, everyone!

I wanted to get your input on a potential investment opportunity I've come across in San Antonio, TX. It's a multifamily property in a good neighborhood with three units and a total of four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The breakdown is as follows:

  • 2 bed / 1 bath
  • 1 bed / 1 bath
  • 1 bed (studio) / 1 bath

The property was previously rented out for a combined total of $3,400 per month. However, the studio unit was only rented for $800, which is affecting the overall cash flow. When I run the numbers based on these rents, the property operates at a negative cash flow.

If I increase the studio's rent to $1,400 per month, the property becomes cash-flow positive. My idea to achieve this is to convert the studio into a short-term rental.

I’m trying to determine if I’m forcing this deal to work by relying on the short-term rental strategy or if it’s a reasonable approach given the numbers. Would love to hear your thoughts on whether pursuing this adjustment makes sense or if I should reconsider.

For reference, I’ve included the following assumptions in my calculations:

  • 5% for maintenance
  • 3.5% for vacancy
  • 10% for capital expenditures and management fees

    Thanks!
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  • Real Estate Agent · Temple, TX · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 700 votes
    1y

    I always run the numbers with long term rental rates. Its up to you, have you done STR / MTR in this area before? If so, you may have less risk if you are comfortable with getting it rented / the MTR numbers. It would just be more risk on your part if it doesnt cash flow because it doesnt get rented Short / Midterm.

  • Real Estate Agent · Temple, TX · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 700 votes
    1y

    I will say that if it were my market in Temple and I had the same opportunity and the MTR numbers looked good, I would jump on it. 

  • Zeona McIntyrePro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Boulder, CO · Member since 2015 · 285 posts · 226 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Sino U.:

    Happy New Year, everyone!

    I wanted to get your input on a potential investment opportunity I've come across in San Antonio, TX. It's a multifamily property in a good neighborhood with three units and a total of four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The breakdown is as follows:

    • 2 bed / 1 bath
    • 1 bed / 1 bath
    • 1 bed (studio) / 1 bath

    The property was previously rented out for a combined total of $3,400 per month. However, the studio unit was only rented for $800, which is affecting the overall cash flow. When I run the numbers based on these rents, the property operates at a negative cash flow.

    If I increase the studio's rent to $1,400 per month, the property becomes cash-flow positive. My idea to achieve this is to convert the studio into a short-term rental.

    I’m trying to determine if I’m forcing this deal to work by relying on the short-term rental strategy or if it’s a reasonable approach given the numbers. Would love to hear your thoughts on whether pursuing this adjustment makes sense or if I should reconsider.

    For reference, I’ve included the following assumptions in my calculations:

    • 5% for maintenance
    • 3.5% for vacancy
    • 10% for capital expenditures and management fees

      Thanks!

    I use 10% for maintenance & cap ex, 8% for vacancy (but not on STR because the estimate from Airdna includes vacancy), 10% for management. It sounds like you might be doing a little eraser math (making a deal work from not estimating enough for costs) so beware of that. The numbers I use for an STR and long term are different so I would probably analyze them separately and then put it all together. STR management is 20-25% (I would recommend self managing or getting a VA), since income is higher you could probably get away with 5% for maintenance / cap ex but remember you need to cover utilities and cleaning for these units which drives up costs. Not to mention the upfront cost of furnishing.

    I have a few Airbnb properties for sale with creative financing in San Antonio, I'll shoot them your way just in case. 

    Have you spoken to other investors in the area doing STR. From the little I know of San Antonio (I am a wholesaler who specializing in selling STRs nationwide) its not a super hot Airbnb market but the amount you expect for rent sounds pretty conservative.

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