Rental Property - Accounting for Future Repairs with Purchase Price

Rental Property - Accounting for Future Repairs with Purchase Price

Real Estate Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 10 posts · 0 votes

Good afternoon, everybody,

I'm working on getting into REI, and right now I am looking at the possibility of purchasing a duplex.

The windows in the upper unit (and probably the lower) are original to the house. They slide well, but the wood frames are drying out and beginning to crack, and several of the screen frames have been bent. - In a flip situation, I would take the need for new windows into account, but my realtor advises me that the state of the windows shouldn't be considered in the offer price for a rental property. I'm tempted to disagree, but I wanted to see what others thought.

Property Summary:
I've run the numbers through the deal analysis form, and after paying all expenses, I would be cash flowing $274/mo. (I used the numbers @BrandonTurner suggested in his rental property analysis webinar for future assumptions [2%} and monthly variable expenses [10%])

The cash-flow is based on full occupancy (two tenants), but there is currently only one tenant in the duplex.

The duplex is an upper-lower set-up (so one tenant lives in the split-level style basement with egress windows). I was only able to tour the upper level, so I will need to see the basement before making an offer, but I was wondering if anyone could give some advice about the purchase price:

 - The duplex is currently listed at $10,000 above assessed value

 - Overall, it's in good shape (built in the 70's), with no major repairs needed externally, outside of the windows. (needs some vinyl corner trim and bushes need to be trimmed - driveway is badly cracked and could use a resurfacing, but is still usable)

0Reply
20 views

Most Popular Reply

Investor · Nipomo, CA · Member since 2011 · 227 posts · 76 votes
12y

@Account Closed 

I believe all repairs should be considered. It doesn't matter if it is a rental or not. Fact is, after it closes, you own it, good or bad. It sounds like the realtor is just looking for their commission, which is understandable. because of this, I would not take the advise of a realtor about what to do with my investment dollar. JMHO.

If you don't have access todo it yourself, I would also ask your realtor to get you all the comps on sales of equal properties within the last 30-90 days for you. That way you should be able to consider value. 

Hope this helps ya!

Happy Investing!

See this reply in the discussion

9 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Investor · Nipomo, CA · Member since 2011 · 227 posts · 76 votes
    12y

    @Account Closed 

    I believe all repairs should be considered. It doesn't matter if it is a rental or not. Fact is, after it closes, you own it, good or bad. It sounds like the realtor is just looking for their commission, which is understandable. because of this, I would not take the advise of a realtor about what to do with my investment dollar. JMHO.

    If you don't have access todo it yourself, I would also ask your realtor to get you all the comps on sales of equal properties within the last 30-90 days for you. That way you should be able to consider value. 

    Hope this helps ya!

    Happy Investing!

  • Investor · Louisville, KY · Member since 2011 · 331 posts · 278 votes
    12y

    @Account Closed It depends.  If you hold this property long enough, EVERYTHING will have to be repaired / replaced.  Somethings, multiple times.  It is not reasonable to discount for functional items just because they aren't new.  

    That being said, if the windows are at the end of life and you are going to have to replace them in the next year or so, it is a valid consideration.  You could discount your offer or you could pay slightly more and have the seller replace them.  The latter option would save you the out of pocket expense while effectively financing the cost over the period of the loan.  

  • Specialist · Portland, OR · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    12y

    You didn't mention what the duplex is listed at. What it comes down to is whether this is the best deal you can find at the present time. I am inclined to agree with the RE agent. You use this plex to compare it with other plexes that would have the same type of condition which may include older windows. Actually, 70's windows probably are acceptable anyway and the things you mention are very minor maintenance problems. Maintenance problems are a negotiating tool that you should be able to come out ahead on with a break in the price IMO.

  • Real Estate Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 10 posts · 0 votes
    12y

    Thanks, @Terry Hershberger, @Erik Hitzelberger, @Jeff S. 

    I appreciate your thoughts. I'll probably have a contractor walk through with me the second time to get an idea of the overall cost of replacing the windows, and their life expectancy, and compare the duplex to other comparable ones on the market.

  • Real Estate Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 10 posts · 0 votes
    12y

    @Terry Hershberger @Erik Hitzelberger @Jeff S. 

    Good morning, gentlemen,

    I spoke with my realtor about doing a second walk through with a contractor so we could see what the lower level apartment looks like (I have not seen it at all yet), and get an idea of what the repairs and updates would cost. I also asked if he could contact the seller so we could look over the income statements and operating costs.

    My realtor indicated that we need to make an offer on the property, subject to all of the above. Is this standard operating procedure for purchasing a rental property. (I've never bought one before, so I am new to this)

    All my friends and family tell me that making an offer (even if subject to) is a bad idea. Granted, none of them have ever had any interest in rental properties, so they're going off buying a single family. I'm inclined to agree with my friends and family, but like I said this is new territory, so I thought I'd check with you to see what you thought.

  • Specialist · Portland, OR · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    12y

    @Account Closed making an offer subject to is expected on income properties. You need to understand there are tenants living in the property, and it is an inconvenience to them and everybody involved, if you are unwilling to show some intention toward buying and not just looking.

    Don't seek advice from people that know nothing about the subject you are inquiring about. You don't need their approval.

    There is no danger in this type of offer but it will get you moving in the right direction if you really want to be involved in RE. If at the end of the day you don't think you will buy this property then don't proceed. If you think you want it you should make your subject to offer.

  • Investor · Louisville, KY · Member since 2011 · 331 posts · 278 votes
    12y

    @Account Closed   Make the offer subject to whatever conditions you need to have satisfied in order to move forward.  Once it is accepted, YOU control the deal.  Until then, you risk spending a lot of time and energy and having the owner sell to someone else.  

    It has been 11 days since your original post. I imagine you've spent a lot of time thinking about this and running numbers. Being in limbo is the worst possible situation. You need to either decide not to buy it or take action towards getting it done. Whether you move forward in your search for a new deal or with this one, you are making progress towards your goal. Standing still because you are stressed out about windows or you are trying to think of yet another way to analyze the deal moves you in the wrong direction. You can paralyze yourself with fear to the point you give up on REI altogether. Don't let this happen.

  • Investor · Nipomo, CA · Member since 2011 · 227 posts · 76 votes
    12y

    @Account Closed 

    Hi Matthew. I agree with Erik & Jeff. Especially about not getting advise form those not in the business. Don't be afraid. Take ACTION. Just make the offer subject to whatever conditions that you would need to satisfy you in order for you to move forward.

    Happy Investing!

  • Real Estate Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 10 posts · 0 votes
    12y

    @Terry Hershberger @Erik Hitzelberger @Jeff S. 

    Thanks, guys, I appreciate the advice. I had wondered if the inconvenience to the tenants was part of it.

    Thanks for the the kick in the pants, too. I tend to be slow, careful and methodical about things... Your comment got me thinking... Making a subject to offer actually helps with a lot of things: 

     - You decide what purchase price makes sense for the property to cash-flow
    - You find out if the seller is interested
    - You find out whether repairs and update costs will make sense for the purchase

    And at the end of the day, you're moving quickly, and as all of you said, it helps minimize wasted time for all parties

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.