Just Closed My First Deal!

Just Closed My First Deal!

Rental Property Investor · Mount Vernon, NY · Member since 2016 · 89 posts · 125 votes

BP family! I'm very excited! I just closed my first deal as an investor a week ago. After scouting the MLS for months I finally pulled the trigger on a duplex (1 bedroom over 1 bedroom) in West Philadelphia. It's not the deal of the century, but here are the numbers:

List Price: $69,900

Purchase Price: $60,000 + $500 seller concession (net purchase price: $59,500)

Appraised Value: $67,000

Downpayment: $15,000

Projected Gross Rent: $1,250/mo

As mentioned before I didn't hit a homerun but the numbers work. I managed to have the seller make a good number of repairs and turn over the units (since both were vacant). The property already had a new roof, updated electric and plumbing installed throughout so all that's really needed now are cosmetic updates. Here are some pictures:

I'm in the process of getting the floors in the second unit refinished and heeded the advice extended in many of the posts that predate this one "get multiple contractor bids!" I was surprised at how wide the spread in the bids would be.

What Will I Do Different Next Time:

My goal is to acquire 100 units over the next 10 years. I've come to the conclusion that in order to do so I can't go about purchasing property as a retail buyer, tying up all of this cash. With this property I was just so eager to actually do something, rather than sit on the sidelines and analyzie deals for God knows how long. I've told myself that my next purchase will be a value add project where I can get my capital back after a cash-out refinance and use the money towards the next acquisition (good 'ol BRRR strategy).

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John G.Pro Member
Rental Property Investor · Brainerd, MN · Member since 2015 · 72 posts · 42 votes
9y

congrats!

Be careful it is very addicting.  I started with a duplex flip....changed my mind and rented it.  That was 5 years ago now I'm up to 17 rentals.  I hoping for 5-6 more this years.  I love you have ambitious goals, that's what it takes.  Good luck my friend...you will succeed if you believe!

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

    @Michael Enriquez Congratulations for getting in the game! It's exciting. That looks like a very nice building. I hope this one is just the first of many for you. Way to go!

  • John G.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Brainerd, MN · Member since 2015 · 72 posts · 42 votes
    9y

    congrats!

    Be careful it is very addicting.  I started with a duplex flip....changed my mind and rented it.  That was 5 years ago now I'm up to 17 rentals.  I hoping for 5-6 more this years.  I love you have ambitious goals, that's what it takes.  Good luck my friend...you will succeed if you believe!

  • Real Estate Agent · PA · Member since 2017 · 63 posts · 28 votes
    9y

    "The most difficult time is beginning."  Looks like a solid duplex investment.  I noticed you are from NY investing in Philly, may I ask generally why?  Connections in that area?

  • Rental Property Investor · Mount Vernon, NY · Member since 2016 · 89 posts · 125 votes
    9y

    @Chris Eaker @John G. Thank you!

    @Brendon Grover The NY market is extremely cost prohibitive right now, it's nearly impossible to cash flow with debt service in place.  I own a co-op as my primary residence and have toyed with the idea of house hacking but I really like where I live and would have to move to a little rough area to make the numbers work, which I decided against.  

    There are cheaper markets here in NY (upstate) but I just don't see the potential and growth that a metropolitan area (like Philadelphia) has to offer. The area I invested in is no Fishtown or Northern Liberties but it's literally blocks from University City's expansion so it's only a matter of time. The appreciation aspect is nice and all but I made this decision based on the fact that it will cash flow above all else. 

    Looking at the appraisal, it appears that there may be an opportunity to add value as some of the comps were adjusted downward. I will perform further due diligence to reaffirm those findings and explore the idea of pulling my cash back out if I can find more than the 2 renovated comps that sold for 85k. 

    Long story short, if I would have waited until I could pull the trigger in my own market I would have been waiting forever. Expanding my horizon a bit I was able to start now. 

  • Specialist · Atlantic City, NJ · Member since 2013 · 431 posts · 170 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by :

    The NY market is extremely cost prohibitive right now, it's nearly impossible to cash flow with debt service in place.  I own a co-op as my primary residence and have toyed with the idea of house hacking but I really like where I live and would have to move to a little rough area to make the numbers work, which I decided against.  

    There are cheaper markets here in NY (upstate) but I just don't see the potential and growth that a metropolitan area (like Philadelphia) has to offer. The area I invested in is no Fishtown or Northern Liberties but it's literally blocks from University City's expansion so it's only a matter of time. The appreciation aspect is nice and all but I made this decision based on the fact that it will cash flow above all else. 

    Looking at the appraisal, it appears that there may be an opportunity to add value as some of the comps were adjusted downward. I will perform further due diligence to reaffirm those findings and explore the idea of pulling my cash back out if I can find more than the 2 renovated comps that sold for 85k. 

    Long story short, if I would have waited until I could pull the trigger in my own market I would have been waiting forever. Expanding my horizon a bit I was able to start now. 

     I like your long term thinking here.  It is worth looking into the local neighborhood group even if you are out of state.  If you have thought about house hacking rougher areas check out Al Willamson's podcast on BP

  • Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 191 posts · 165 votes
    9y
    Kurt Kwart which podcast episode was he on?
  • Specialist · Atlantic City, NJ · Member since 2013 · 431 posts · 170 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Sung Park:

    Kurt Kwart which podcast episode was he on?

     https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/03/0...

    episode 8

  • Vancouver, WA · Member since 2017 · 23 posts · 9 votes
    9y

    Congratulations!  That is really awesome.  The place looks really nice.  May this is the first of many more properties for you.  

  • Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 142 posts · 26 votes
    9y

    @Michael Enriquez Congrats! It looks like you got a decent property.

  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2017 · 75 posts · 13 votes
    9y

    Congrats, it is difficult to begin, you did, good!

  • Atlanta, GA · Member since 2017 · 24 posts · 8 votes
    9y

    @Michael Enriquez, congratulations on closing your first deal!!

  • Rental Property Investor · Mount Vernon, NY · Member since 2016 · 89 posts · 125 votes
    9y

    @Shell W. Thank you all, so much!

  • Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2014 · 81 posts · 35 votes
    9y

    Congrats @Michael Enriquez! Hopefully it'll snowball effect from here and you'll crush that goal of 100 units! 

  • Financial Advisor · New York, NY · Member since 2017 · 8 posts · 4 votes
    9y
    Congrats! Hopefully I'll be doing the same in the next few months!
  • Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2014 · 149 posts · 58 votes
    9y

    Congratulations, Michael. Very motivating and appreciate the reminder to "expand horizons." :)

  • Real Estate Agent · Milwaukee County, WI · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 525 votes
    9y

    congrats

  • Specialist · MN · Member since 2014 · 42 posts · 13 votes
    9y
  • Health Care Administration · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 65 posts · 65 votes
    9y

    Congrats @Michael Enriquez, place looks great, good luck in your investing!

  • Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2017 · 321 posts · 157 votes
    9y

    congrats king.

  • Tony WooldridgePro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Walla Walla, WA · Member since 2016 · 480 posts · 346 votes
    9y

    @Michael Enriquez just wanted to reach out and give congratulations where they are due! GR8 job keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing as it provides inspiration and encouragement! Here's to wishing you a successful 2017 in REI ventures!

  • New to Real Estate · Las Vegas · Member since 2016 · 18 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Looks amazing! Once you get the floors refinished it would look even better. Congratulations! 

  • Ian WalshBusiness Member
    Lender · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Awesome! 

  • Residential Real Estate Broker · Bronx, NY · Member since 2016 · 11 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    @Michael Enriquez

    Congrats for jumping in the game!

  • Flipper · Lawrence, MA · Member since 2017 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    Congrats! Wish you the best of luck on your next project

  • Wholesaler · Essex Junction, VT · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 1 vote
    9y

    It's a good start. Congrats!

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