Help with deal analyzation...

Help with deal analyzation...

Seattle, WA · Member since 2012 · 34 posts · 23 votes

Hi Everyone,

Going to take a look at a potential deal this afternoon that is unique to my experience and was looking for advice...

It's a vacant 3BD, 1.75BA, 1590 Sq Ft. rambler with a basement built in 1948. Seller moved out after a fire this past May. He owes $143K between a 1st ($122K) & 2nd ($21K) Mortgage. ARV comps are in the $220K - $240K range. He's 3 months behind on his first mortgage and current on his 2nd.

The numbers are tight and may not work for a wholesale deal depending on the extent of damage from the fire.  What makes this unique to me, is that the lot is 19,400 Sq Ft, which is twice as large as the comps besides one.  After looking at it on Google maps satellite view, it could easily be divided into two separate lots to build a 2nd house.  

My question is how much does lot size affect value?  Also, how could the possibility of dividing this lot affect the numbers?  Lastly, would it be best for me to refer this seller to an investor that deals with short sales? Seems like he would be a good candidate for a short sale due to the fire damage and seeing as he is behind on payments...

~ Thank you

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  • Real Estate Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2013 · 56 posts · 27 votes
    12y

    Lot size can certainly impact value, but the answer to the question about what that impact is, as always, is it depends. In many areas, land values are quite low, so the real deal is value over land. Depending on where this property is, it might be hard to get any land comps, as there might not be much and for sale in the area, but I would recommend getting an opinion from a builder on the cost to build the house from the ground up (as if it were just about to be built on a new piece of land). If the cost to rebuild is higher than the ARV, buying for land is probably not a good investment, as you would be better off just doing a new existing construction deal.

    The other side of this issue, of course, is whether or not you can divide the land into two separate parcels. You will need to do some legwork and check with the county to determine what is possible there. There may be density controls or other legal issues in play that would make subdivision difficult or too costly.

    Good luck!

  • Seattle, WA · Member since 2012 · 34 posts · 23 votes
    12y

    Lance,

    I do know a builder, I can ask what they think about it and the cost of building on raw land.  Thank you for your advice!  

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