Seattle Area - Finding Buy and Hold properties

Seattle Area - Finding Buy and Hold properties

Seattle, WA · Member since 2014 · 4 posts · 4 votes

I am 41 with a family and both my wife and I have well paying jobs. I have 100k in savings that I would like to invest in something other than the stock market where I am already heavily invested. I have read the beginners guide and am just starting to digest some of the material. I am comfortable with the idea of being a landlord and would like to diversify by purchasing a Condo/Townome/SFR and renting it out for some passive income. I am not as concerned with appreciation as I am with cash flow. I wanted to get an idea of what is out there for under $100k assuming that I would purchase outright. I set the screener to residences in my area for under $100k. Here is a property that I found as an example http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Paine-Field.dash.Lake-Stickney-WA/pmf,pf_pt/condo,townhouse_type/38596969_zpid/396858_rid/2-_beds/1000-100000_price/3-391_mp/days_sort/48.57479,-121.416779,47.185979,-123.059235_rect/8_zm/

This is 2/1 a condo in Everett with HOA fees of under $200 per month. The zEstimate for rent is $1450 per month. I know that there are a lot of jobs in the greater Seattle area, particularly Boeing which is close to Everett. And there are lots of jobs in the Greater Seattle area that is a 35 minute commute from Everett. I know that single bedroom homes have the most demand in this area with 2/1 also having considerable demand. I know the vacancy rate in this area is 4.6%. I know this is selling for less than the Zestimate.

This is just a start but tell me, what other things are there to scrutinize? I know there are lots. I am looking for a list of things to look at to see if this is a good rental candidate. This place was just an example of many that fits my budget.

Chris

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  • Real Estate Agent · Seattle, WA · Member since 2013 · 40 posts · 4 votes
    12y
    I would double check the rent estimates by searching for similar rental properties. You also want to investigate the HOA and condition of the building. You don't want to be surprised with a special assessment because the roof needs to be replaced and they have no reserves.
  • Rental Property Investor · Honolulu, HAWAII (HI) · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    use craigs list to find other rental comps

  • Investor · Bellingham, WA · Member since 2013 · 210 posts · 138 votes
    12y
    I live and own in historic North Everett. The rental rates are totally doable. Prior to buying our house last year, we were paying $1850 for a 2/1...
  • Rental Property Investor · Everett, WA · Member since 2013 · 389 posts · 222 votes
    12y

    @Chris Evans

    If you are more interested in cash flow than appreciation perhaps you should look into investing in a multiplex rather than a single family. You could pick up a nice, low maintenance high nice cash flowing 4plex with 100k down.

    I started looking at singe families and went the route of multifamiles and couldn't be happier that I did. Just a thought. Happy Hunting!

  • Real Estate Investor · Kirkland, WA · Member since 2012 · 480 posts · 116 votes
    12y

    @Chris Evans

    Welcome to BP. We're in Kirkland but have some rentals in Everett. Before you decide to pay cash for a rental property, do some reading on this site. Check the "Learn" tab up top. While paying cash for a rental is one way to go, you could also use the funds for downpayments on multiple rentals or a multifamily. Better yet, you could keep your money and do some creative financing. There are many ways to structure deals to get cashflow if you can solve peoples problems. Good luck.

  • Lowell, MA · Member since 2014 · 335 posts · 52 votes
    12y

    @Gerald K. Would you mind give us a few examples of a deal (residential multifamily) that can be structured? I am assuming you are not talking about the usally 20-25% down turn key with conventional lender we found through the MLS. Thanks,

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2014 · 354 posts · 149 votes
    12y

    I would asking suggest going MF. That is where the cash flow is, and to best utilize the $100k, you want to leverage it across a larger property vs buying outright.

    Another options is to make a minimum downpayment of $20k on 5 places, and see a higher cash flow, even though you will be paying more towards debt services, you will be making more monthly.

  • Real Estate Investor · Kirkland, WA · Member since 2012 · 480 posts · 116 votes
    12y

    @Chan K.

    There are many different ways of structuring deals, but to do it you need to find problems to solve where everyone wins and it's possible to do it without using your own money for the downpayment. One possibility is finding a motivated seller. Maybe one that has equity to help with financing, maybe not. Depends on the situation. You can bring in private money for funding. You can bring in a tenant buyer. If the numbers work out, everyone wins.

  • Rental Property Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2013 · 476 posts · 294 votes
    12y

    Care to look out of state?

    I'm from the Seattle area but am buying up SFH in good neighborhoods in Ohio. 15-20% cash on cash ROI.

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