Keep $30,000 for Reserves or Finish Basement

Keep $30,000 for Reserves or Finish Basement

Rental Property Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2019 · 25 posts · 29 votes

I purchased a 6 unit apartment building on the south side of Chicago In January 2020 that I had to rehab, it is on a one year loan with an investor. Not only did I have bad tenants that I had to evict, but then came Covid-19 which stopped that eviction process. As of today I have one last person to get out of the building which has delayed my rehab schedule (I have until the end of the year to refinance this building). As of today, I have rehabbed 5 of the 6 units (which are all rented out at $1200 a month) and I have to build a laundry in the basement and take care of some minor plumbing work and porch reinforcement (this will all be completed by July 31, not sure when the last tenant will be evicted). The challenge is that after my rehab is complete, I will have about $30,000 left over. I can either keep that money as I will need reserve funds to refinance, or use that money to add a garden 2 bedroom garden apartment. By making the building a 7 unit instead of a 6 unit, I can refinance for more as I need to pull my investment money out. So, for the experts on the forum, should I invest the money and add a garden apartment or hold onto the money making my financial positions stronger for the refinance?

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Developer · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 431 posts · 354 votes
6y

I'd stabalize the building, refi out and add the basement apartment later. If you don't secure your refi, you can be stuck in a high interest loan indefinitely...assuming your hml will even extend. That is a nightmare scenario.

There are various other potential issues... are you zoned for 7 units? Did you pull permits for the work performed thus far? If the answer to one or both of those questions is no, you are really opening yourself up to unnecessary risk.

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  • Rental Property Investor · Greenwich, CT · Member since 2015 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    6y

    Does that mean you won't have ANY reserves, @Michael Taylor? Obviously, you don't want your account at $0. What's more, you'll need cash for closing costs and the bank will probably insist that you have 6-12 months of reserves at the time of closing. Don't put yourself in a position where you can't refi.

    That said, I think you should probably go for it. Even if it only increases your NOI by $600/month, that translates to an extra $90k of value (assumes an 8% Cap Rate). So you're basically tripling your money.

  • Real Estate Broker · 3412 S. Harlem Avenue Riverside, IL 60546 · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    6y

    @Michael Taylor maybe find a creative way to get the rehab done while still keeping the money in the account? I recently did a BRRR deal in Cicero where I used a HELOC and a hard money loan. I still had plenty of actual cash, but used lots of leverage on the deal. If this is your last 30k then I do NOT think you should add a garden unit. I also would be cautious adding a unit for only 20-30k in a basement... what about water proofing? My GC who has rehabbed thousands of apartments said he always does drain tile and sumps in a basement apartment.

  • Eddie SalemPro Member
    Lender · Jacksonville Beach, FL · Member since 2016 · 24 posts · 7 votes
    6y

    @Michael Taylor I agree with the others save your cash if this is all the reserves you have left. There are many lenders out there that will lend you the rehab dollars which can buy you some time while you see how this market unfolds. Let me know if you'd like an introduction to one.

  • Developer · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 431 posts · 354 votes
    6y

    I'd stabalize the building, refi out and add the basement apartment later. If you don't secure your refi, you can be stuck in a high interest loan indefinitely...assuming your hml will even extend. That is a nightmare scenario.

    There are various other potential issues... are you zoned for 7 units? Did you pull permits for the work performed thus far? If the answer to one or both of those questions is no, you are really opening yourself up to unnecessary risk.

  • Member since 2020 · 6 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    @Michael Taylor 

    IMO @Mike B. is asking by _far_ the most pertinent question, with regard to the work permitting and zoning for Unit #7. Some markets are more free wheeling than others about this, and I don't know where South Chicago falls on this spectrum, but you could potentially really complicate your reversion value if the asset is not compliant. Other considerations of cash on hand and order of operations for a potential refi are of secondary importance I think.

  • Rental Property Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2019 · 25 posts · 29 votes
    6y

    @ Mike B, I have the permits for the work I have done so far and have had the city inspectors out twice already.  To finish the basement will take plans and approval, but the mayor wants to streamline that process to make it easier to add garden apartments. @ Jaysen, Eddie, and John, the $30k is not all I have, but I don't want to touch the rest of my money which is in retirement funds.  I do have access to enough hard money if I wanted to add the garden unit, but it ain't cheap!  Eddie, I will take you up on the offer to met other lenders.   I already had US Waterproofing come to give me an estimate for the basement also.  Thanks everyone for your input.  

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