Where to find investors to sells some of if not all of my portfolio

Question

I've been a landlord for almost 20 years and want to move onto other things.

Ametria Chaney · Answer

Jack, after almost 20 years as a landlord, you've built something a lot of buyers would want — congratulations on the run. For finding portfolio buyers, I'd start where the buyers already are: investor meetups and landlord associations in your market, the BiggerPockets marketplace and local REI groups, and 1031-exchange buyers who need to place capital. A strong rent roll, current leases, and a simple pro forma for the portfolio go a long way — portfolio buyers price off income, so clean books sell the deal before they ever tour. This is also where a knowledgeable local Realtor who works with investors can help, since they often already know the cash buyers in the market. I'd also talk to your CPA first — the tax side of selling a whole portfolio can be as important as the price.

Randy Schell · Answer

Almost twenty years of landlording is something to be proud of, and I hope moving on feels good when it comes. Before you list anything I'd sit down with a tax pro, because how you sell can matter as much as the price, and I'd tell your tenants early and kindly so they aren't left wondering what's next.

Randy, Bunklow

Lee Futcher · Answer

Hi Jack,

Almost 20 years is a real accomplishment, and you've had great advice here on the selling side.

I'll ask the question I wish someone had asked me once. Is it the properties you're done with, or the work that comes with them? My wife and I hit that point with our own businesses, and it turned out we didn't want out of the businesses. We wanted out of the calls, the follow ups and being on all the time.

If it's the properties, the advice above is spot on. If it's the workload, it might be worth looking at what it would take to keep the income and hand off the day-to-day before you pay the recapture bill Jay mentioned.

Either way, I hope the next chapter is a great one.

Cheers,Lee

Chris Seveney · Answer

I agree with Jay. Find an agent and list them. I would only move in another direction if you absolutely need the money immediately and had to do a fire sale.

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

20 year and selling out Recapture is going to eat a ton of the equity .. I think this is what shocks most investors and being ( I think Seattle props) bought 20 years ago there is plenty of equity so the recapture on a true cash out exit will just be taken out of his equity gains..

But just think about the max debt investor in markets that dont really go up much over the course of ownership.. I suspect many investors even with the very modest rise in values end up with and IRR that could be negative or certainly not worth the risk.. Compared to just investing in debt or debt fund and paying your tax's with gains.

Aaron Zimmerman · Answer

What’s your goal? Max sales price or cash today? If it’s max sales price, I’d consider listing off in smaller chunks.

No matter what though, consult with a local realtor and see what they say!

Divin Kanyama · Answer

@Jack B. Almost 20 years as a landlord is a big commitment—it makes sense to want more room for other things. Local real estate investor groups and a broker who works with rental portfolios could be good starting points for connecting with buyers, whether you decide to sell a few properties or make a full exit.

I’m in the Seattle area, so your post caught my attention. Having a simple overview ready—property locations, rents, expenses, and any major repairs coming up—could help interested investors see whether there’s a fit. It’s also worth comparing a portfolio sale with selling individually; the simpler path and the best financial outcome aren’t always the same. After that much time invested, finding an exit that fits your next chapter matters too.

Matthew Morrow · Answer

@Jack B. almost 20 years is a long run. A few things that help when selling a group of rentals: get your leases, rent roll, and expenses organized before you talk to anyone, since that's the first thing a serious buyer will ask for. Decide whether you'd sell them as a package or one at a time, because that changes who your buyer is. A local agent who works with investors can usually tell you pretty quickly which way gets you the better result. And with tenants in place, plan around the lease dates and give them plenty of notice for showings. Talk to a CPA before you sell too, especially after that many years of depreciation. Best of luck getting everything sorted out.

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

Jack these are all Seattle right. Just find a good agent and list them.. thats it.. nothing more to it.

Dan Worth · Answer

Jack, it depends on whether you care more about speed or price. Listing with an agent who sells a lot of investor property usually gets the best number, especially on any unit that goes vacant and can sell to an owner-occupant. Selling a package to one buyer is faster and cleaner, and local landlord associations or a property manager's client list are good places to find someone already buying in your area. Before you pick, I'd sit down with your CPA on depreciation recapture after 20 years, because spreading sales across tax years or carrying a note for a buyer can change what you actually walk away with.

Where to find investors to sells some of if not all of my portfolio

Where to find investors to sells some of if not all of my portfolio

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