24 Years Old, 82 Units

24 Years Old, 82 Units

Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes

Before I start, I'd like to thank the BP community. I've learned quite a bit during my tenure as a forum member and consider it an invaluable resource. To begin, I'm 24, a part time real estate investor and full time financial analyst. I started investing in 2013, primarily purchasing class A condos. Over the last year, I've shifted my focus to multi-family and sold the majority of my SFH/condos.

My most recent acquisition was an 80 unit apartment complex. The deal was off market, located in NC, and sourced through my realtor. The property consists of 17 buildings on 7 acres containing 32 1BR/1BA units and 48 2BR/1BA units. It’s a class B-/C+ property, relatively low income, mediocre public schools, and low crime. One of the reasons I targeted this complex was due to the strong growth rate in the surrounding area. A private university recently announced they’re building a graduate campus within a mile of the complex. Around 200 student’s need housing within the coming 5 years.

Most of the tenants have lived there several years, some dating back to 1993. The vacancy rate has averaged 3.5% over the last 3 years and it’s currently 97.5% occupied. The previous owner had rents 25% below market at $300/1BR and $400/2BR. Current market is $375-$400/1BR and $475-$500/2BR. Rent is being raised $50/unit for current tenants. I’ll be billing water back to tenants next year, which will add $30-$45 per unit. Electric is sub metered and trash is already billed back. After both increases, rent will be nearly at market. Also, a laundromat is on site containing 5 commercial washers and dryers.

In terms of condition, the property has little deferred maintenance. A few water heaters are beginning to leak and two sidewalks need repair as they’re cracked and considered a trip hazard. Also, a few minor holes exist in the siding. Total estimate to fix all issues is around $5K. The property is on city water/sewer which is a plus as I’m not a fan of septic tanks. Roofs were replaced in ’07, should be able to get another 10 years out of them.

While the property is stabilized and structurally sound, it has been mismanaged over the last 10 years. As mentioned prior, rents are below market. Also, when a tenant’s lease expired, the previous owner let them stay on their current lease month to month. As a result, 90% of my tenants are on a month to month lease. I have management approaching 8 tenants per month to sign a new one year lease, that way all do not end at the same time. I’m not concerned with a mass exodus of tenants leaving as most month to month leases have been active for several years.

All financials are in terms of year aside from cash flow. Also, I've included a picture of the property below.

Purchase price - $1,198,500 ($14,981.25/unit)

Financing terms – 20% down 5.1%/20 years

Rental income - $345,600

Laundry income - $6,000

Maintenance/CAPEX - $55,296

Utilities (water/sewer) - $41,123

Property management – $27,648 (8%)

Vacancy allowance - $17,280 (5%)

Property tax- $14,452.67

Insurance - $13,191.95

Variable expense - $10,000 (mostly bad debt)

Pest control - $5,923

Tenant sourcing fee - $3,600 (assumes 25% yearly turnover)

Lawn maintenance - $3,200

Court costs - $2,000

Monthly cash flow - $6,891 ($9,705.91 after $50 per unit rent increase, $12,706 after billing 90% of utilities back)

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Rental Property Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2014 · 60 posts · 30 votes
9y

Congratulations on this deal @Kyle R. This post is a prime example of why BP forums are such a great resource and value. @Chris Eaker popped in without any hesitation gave a huge piece of advice that probably saved Kyle a bit of hassle in the future. Who knew that about RUBS? I didn't! I didn't even know RUBS were a thing. Now I do and when I go looking for my first large multi unit complex I'll know and I'll look into whether or not I can do it wherever I am purchasing.

(I didn't search to see if there was a definition on BP) 

Definition of RUBS: Ratio Utility Billing System

A Ratio Utility Billing System allocates the property’s actual utility bill to the residents based on an occupant factor, square footage factor, or a combination of both.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Dana WhickerPro Member
    Investor · Fernandina Beach, FL · Member since 2014 · 557 posts · 374 votes
    9y

    WOW! Great deal in today's market. Good job! Congrats!

  • Investor · Bentonville, AR · Member since 2014 · 759 posts · 379 votes
    9y

    @Kyle R. Congrats. How are you going to manage it? Those rents are surprisingly low to me for what I picture Charlotte. What kind of demographic is your current tenant, any sec 8? I would plan on some large turnover with those increases and bill back's at those rent levels.

  • Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Zach Quick:

    @Kyle R. Congrats. How are you going to manage it? Those rents are surprisingly low to me for what I picture Charlotte. What kind of demographic is your current tenant, any sec 8? I would plan on some large turnover with those increases and bill back's at those rent levels.

     I have a professional management company taking over. The property is just outside Charlotte, but rents are low nonetheless. As of now, only two tenants are on section 8. While turnover is a risk, it's a calculated one in my opinion. Even after the $50 rental increase, I can't find anything cheaper in the area. The increase will only be applicable to 8 tenants a month, so if we see a significant amount of turnover generating, we'll pull back.

  • Mindy JensenPro Member
    BiggerPockets Money Podcast Host · Longmont, CO · Member since 2014 · 7k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    9y

    @Kyle R. , how did you fund this deal? Did you have the 20% in cash or did you borrow it? 

  • Real Estate Agent · San Diego, CA · Member since 2015 · 293 posts · 109 votes
    9y
    Kyle R. Congrats on the success! That's a pretty nice part time monthly cash flow - especially after rent increases and bill backs. I'm also wondering the same thing as Mindy Jensen about the 20% down.
  • Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Evan Bell:

    Kyle R. Congrats on the success! That's a pretty nice part time monthly cash flow - especially after rent increases and bill backs.
    I'm also wondering the same thing as Mindy Jensen about the 20% down.

    The down payment was funded out of pocket, remaining 80% was financed through a local bank at 5.1% for 20 years.

  • Real Estate Agent · San Diego, CA · Member since 2015 · 293 posts · 109 votes
    9y
    Kyle R. So are you the sole investor on this deal, or did you partner with anyone else?
  • Johnson City, TN · Member since 2014 · 586 posts · 705 votes
    9y

    Less than 15k a unit is incredible! 

  • Real Estate Investor · Mahwah, NJ · Member since 2016 · 10 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    @Kyle R. Congrats!!!. Inspirational. Can you introduce your agent to me for any similar deals? I have been looking for these kind of deals for a few months and getting frustrated. Recently I have placed a bid on 92 unit property and crushed by other bidders. ( I was told)

    I really appreciate any help you can offer. Only thru' contacts you can get deals like this.

  • Rental Property Investor · Smyrna, GA · Member since 2016 · 86 posts · 27 votes
    9y

    Man this is awesome! I am hopeful that deals like these are a part of my future.

  • Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Evan Bell:

    Kyle R. So are you the sole investor on this deal, or did you partner with anyone else?

     I did partner with a family member on this deal. We each put about $130K into it.

  • Real Estate Investor · Palm Beach County, FL · Member since 2017 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    Awesome deal and great cash flow. Nice find. Are you leaving your down payment cash tied up into the deal or planning to re-deploy it back out after you raise rents and finish value add?

  • Real Estate Investor · Spring Valley, CA · Member since 2016 · 288 posts · 98 votes
    9y

    good stuff. another win for the young guys

  • Buy and Hold Investor · Knoxville, TN · Member since 2013 · 450 posts · 270 votes
    9y

    @Kyle R.

    Everything I've heard and read says that RUBS is not allowed in the state of North Carolina. Check into that. Apparently you have to sub-meter the water. I think you can also just meter the hot water and charge based on that tenant's usage of hot water as a percentage of all tenants' hot water usage.

  • Rental Property Investor · Baton Rouge, LA · Member since 2017 · 78 posts · 26 votes
    9y
    Congratulations Kyle R. !!!! This is major motivation!! Hope to see many more from you in the near future!
  • Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Brian Garrett:

    Awesome deal and great cash flow. Nice find. Are you leaving your down payment cash tied up into the deal or planning to re-deploy it back out after you raise rents and finish value add?

     As of now I'm planning to refinance the property in 2-3 years. There's plenty of room for value add which I hope to start on within the next few months.

  • Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Chris Eaker:

    @Kyle R.

    Everything I've heard and read says that RUBS is not allowed in the state of North Carolina. Check into that. Apparently you have to sub-meter the water. I think you can also just meter the hot water and charge based on that tenant's usage of hot water as a percentage of all tenants' hot water usage.

     I did a little research on this and confirmed you're correct. I'm going to hold off on RUBS for now, but will likely increase rent at a later date to compensate.

  • Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2016 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    9y
    Kyle R. Great motivating story so far. How many properties did you have to sell to fund your portion of the down payment? Did you find the properties you sold had appreciated a lot or not?
  • Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Caleb Heimsoth:

    Kyle R. Great motivating story so far. How many properties did you have to sell to fund your portion of the down payment? Did you find the properties you sold had appreciated a lot or not?

     Two properties were sold, both were condos. I purchased them in early 2013 for mid $120s. Both sold for mid $160s.

  • Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2016 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    9y
    Kyle R. Did you enjoy owning condos? I've thought about buying some condos myself but I'm concerned that the HOA would eat my cash flow.
  • plantsville, CT · Member since 2017 · 32 posts · 9 votes
    9y
    Haha I'm a little jealous over here !!! Nice work buddy !! Love seeing this kinda stuff !
  • Rental Property Investor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2014 · 60 posts · 30 votes
    9y

    Congratulations on this deal @Kyle R. This post is a prime example of why BP forums are such a great resource and value. @Chris Eaker popped in without any hesitation gave a huge piece of advice that probably saved Kyle a bit of hassle in the future. Who knew that about RUBS? I didn't! I didn't even know RUBS were a thing. Now I do and when I go looking for my first large multi unit complex I'll know and I'll look into whether or not I can do it wherever I am purchasing.

    (I didn't search to see if there was a definition on BP) 

    Definition of RUBS: Ratio Utility Billing System

    A Ratio Utility Billing System allocates the property’s actual utility bill to the residents based on an occupant factor, square footage factor, or a combination of both.

  • Investor · Tromsø, Norway (Europe) · Member since 2015 · 431 posts · 194 votes
    9y

    @Kyle R. Congratulations! 

    I'm curious: is the property located far away from your hometown? If it's far away, how long does it take you to drive? And did you take that into consideration when you bought it?

  • Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Caleb Heimsoth:

    Kyle R. Did you enjoy owning condos? I've thought about buying some condos myself but I'm concerned that the HOA would eat my cash flow.

    In the past I did, but I don't plan on purchasing any more. The HOA does take up a bit of the cash flow.

  • Real Estate Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2016 · 92 posts · 103 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Ingrid J.:

    @Kyle R. Congratulations! 

    I'm curious: is the property located far away from your hometown? If it's far away, how long does it take you to drive? And did you take that into consideration when you bought it?

     It's about 45 minutes away from my home. I'm comfortable buying anything within 100 miles of my city.

    In terms of what I took into consideration, my main focus was the per unit price, age of the property, P&L, and existing deferred maintenance (minimal found).

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