Skip to content
Two investors reviewing resources on a laptop

Get industry-leading resources — for free

Unlock resources for every investing strategy and stage with a free account.

By continuing, you agree to BiggerPockets LLC's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed People Followed Locations
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

User Stats

106
Posts
32
Votes
Corey M.
32
Votes |
106
Posts

1st rental property - would love advice

Corey M.
Posted

I live in Los Angeles, where property is expensive to rehab and rent unless you have a lot of money to lay out. 

I'm doing a cash out refi of my primary residence, which will net me about $200k to spend. The issue is, I need to buy a property out of state and I have very little free time due to my full time job. 

I'm thinking that Turnkey is a good way to get my feet wet, but I am confused by them. I see that there are places like Roofstock, that sell properties on a marketplace that already have tenants. And then there's places like Spartan that make a deal with an investor, rehab the property, and then rent it for them. 

Is there a reason people go with operators like Spartan, which would require months before the property is ready, and even then, no guarantee of a tenant VS Roofstock, which seems quick and already has guaranteed cash flow?

Also, it seems like most of the Turnkey properties have 1-3% annual appreciation. Assuming the cash flow meets the 1% rule, that means an investor is only making between 2-4%/yr. The stock market averages 8%, and it's more liquid. So what's the point of investing in Turnkey at all? 

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

1,854
Posts
1,414
Votes
Cameron Tope
  • Property Manager
  • Katy, TX
1,414
Votes |
1,854
Posts
Cameron Tope
  • Property Manager
  • Katy, TX
Replied

Corey @Bjorn Ahlblad makes a great point - you have several options. I would read David Greenes book "Long-Distance Real Estate Investing" which might help you select a strategy. 

As far as your comment about the 2-4% vs the 8% return in the stock market, I have had the same thoughts! What makes real estate attractive to me is the tax benefits as well as leverage. I pay very little in taxes due to the depreciation of my rentals. And remember, the 3% appreciation is on your $1,000,000 property, not your $200,000 investment into the property. Therefore your return is 15% ($30,000/$200,000) not 3%. 

Hope that helps! Best of luck!

  • Cameron Tope
  • [email protected]
  • 832-770-7090
  • Loading replies...