New Jersey condo investment and Renovation cost

New Jersey condo investment and Renovation cost

Great neck NY · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 2 votes

Hello BP! This is my first post and I wanted to get few feedback on the current deal. From reading couple of deals on this site, i realize that this is not a deal you guys would even consider; but I got anxious with rising prices and low inventory in northern NJ and I jump the gun... So I am about to close on this deal in 2-3 weeks. The original strategy was buy and hold with 3-4% ROI and hopefully some appreciation(I know you guys hate this), but i think its actually more like 1-2% ROI, maybe negative with some vacancy.

The current condition

Kitchen: cabinets/counter top are bad, appliances are ok, laminate flooring.

Bathroom: overall is ok, but really outdated. 

Condo 1bed/1bath (800SQ) Purchase Price is $150K (comps and appraisal at about $155-160K)

25% down with investor loan

HOA: $460

Taxes $5,300 

Negotiated a $1,500 inspection credit.

Currently renovation estimates is about $20-25K (For kitchen & Bath renovation, new appliance and fixtures, paint). (These estimates are not using high end materials) 

Current Market rent is about 1,550-1,600 and with renovation i am hoping for $1650. My realtor is pretty confident that I can get $1,650 or even $1,700 with renovation, but i am not 100% sure because it looks like its in the top range for this building. 

My question is on the renovation cost and potential rent: 

Should I do a more modest renovation or even at all. Maybe just paint and change some fixtures. but i am not sure what to do with cabinets.

Or should i just spend the money and charge a slightly higher rent and possible have a quicker rental turnover...

Major buyer's remorse here. please help!

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Edison, NJ · Member since 2016 · 24 posts · 5 votes
9y

Jay,

Your Setting yourself up for loosing money.

Your estimated mortgare, HOA and insurance would cost you almost 1350 - 1400.

if you factor in your repair cost and vacancy, you may loose money on this deal. if your purely doing this for investment purpose then i would recommend to find better options.

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  • Edison, NJ · Member since 2016 · 24 posts · 5 votes
    9y

    Jay,

    Your Setting yourself up for loosing money.

    Your estimated mortgare, HOA and insurance would cost you almost 1350 - 1400.

    if you factor in your repair cost and vacancy, you may loose money on this deal. if your purely doing this for investment purpose then i would recommend to find better options.

  • Great neck NY · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Hi Jim,

    Thank you for the advice, but it looks like I cant back out of the deal right now. 

    Do you have any input on the renovation question? And for curiosity, what is average ROI in NJ? I have done extensive calculations mostly in bergen county, and most deals seems to be between 5% to -2% ROI. I am looking at mostly at Condos.... thanks!

  • Real Estate Agent · Hackensack, NJ · Member since 2014 · 321 posts · 412 votes
    9y

    I would look at the other comps in the complex and see what type of renovations they have. If no one has granite, don't install granite.

    Wish your agent would have been more investor friendly and given you better advice about purchasing a condo. We are near the top of the market here in Bergen County and other areas. When the market goes down, condos are usually hit first and take longer to recover. Those HOA fees scare me too.

  • Great neck NY · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Dear Kevin,

    Thank you for your input. I agree with you that Bergen county is probably near the top of the market. 

    What types of ROIs are you seeing at Bergen county? I realize there are other states with much higher ROIs but personally i don't feel ready to invest out of state just yet. And in regards to the Condo investing, i thought condos would be easier to manage as I don't have much experience in being a landlord. 

    Also, do you have any investor friendly contractors you can recommend? 

    thanks!

  • Union, NJ · Member since 2014 · 10 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    hit me up if you want more comps pull so make your decision but this doesn't look too promising. 

  • Investor · Redford, MI · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 9 votes
    9y

    You may want to pull all comps: sales and rentals to verify the condition of the properties that have sold and rented recently in order to make an informed decision. 

    Chances are good, you may find yourself trying to decide between two of the below scenarios:

    Scenario 1: Making maximum improvement to get the fair market rent.

    Scenario 2: Making moderate improvement to get the fair market rent.

    Scenario 3: Making minimal improvement to get the fair market rent.

    The decision will be tough, but your budget and risk tolerance may dictate which scenario you proceed with.

    Hopefully this helps.

    ~ Aretha ~

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