Unusual partnership proposal

Unusual partnership proposal

Real Estate Investor · East Bridgewater, MA · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 5 votes

One of my good friends has been hearing me talk about rental properties in my area of interest (Fall River, MA 02723).  He just brought me into his office (we work together) and told me he's about to come into some money and would be interested in setting up a real estate partnership, but the terms sounded a bit unusual.  I can't tell if I'm on the good or the bad side of it.  Here it is in a nutshell:

  • He puts up all the money to buy the property in cash and fund any repairs (in this example we'll use $50,000)
  • His wife (a real estate agent) helps find the deal and does the bookkeeping
  • We split any renovation work not done by a contractor 50/50
  • I am responsible for paying him back $25k, which would come from my half of any cash flow.  My equity stake in the property would be increased by a small percentage with each dollar I buy in.
  • He reserves the right to sell the property, at which point any of his remaining funds owed by me comes out of our profit and we split the remainder.

Obviously it's not a loan, and it's not a typical 50/50 partnership, it seems to be something in between.  From what I can tell the "interest"in the property comes in the form of my lack of initial equity.  

Any thoughts on the matter?  Anything that's staring me in the face that I'm missing?  I'm sure there is.

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  • Real Estate Investing Entrepreneur · Palm Coast, FL · Member since 2016 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    10y

    Hi Tim, it does sound unusual but I would definitely have him draw up a contract and then have a lawyer look it over.  I would not say no but you can't tie your own hands, he's coming to you, not the other way around so you have some input in drawing up the legs on the deal!   My opinion...

  • Realtor · Keystone Heights, FL · Member since 2015 · 340 posts · 118 votes
    10y

    In my opinion, this is NOT a good partnership for you to get into.

    First, good friends very rarely make for good business partners and a bad partnership can easily ruin a good friendship. Second, he fronts all the money, his wife gets a commission when you buy, he reserves the right to sale the property, you split any out of pocket costs (non-contractor cost) and you essentially split the cash flow. There are a lot of moving parts here to complicate the arrangement.

    If you were going into the flipping business and he wanted to be an equity partner, then maybe a 50/50 split of profits (after sale and expenses) makes sense.

    For a long term rental, why don't you just ask him to loan you a set amount of money at a set interest rate for a fixed term, then buy the rental with conventional financing and own the deal yourself? You pay him a good return for his money (which you use as the down payment); you pocket the cash flow and own the property out right, both sides win.

  • Lender · Haverhill, MA · Member since 2016 · 60 posts · 21 votes
    10y

    Tim,

    He's putting up the money, his wife is finding the deal, and she's doing the books? What are you bringing to the table for this partnership, from your short description it sounds as though your friend and his wife don't need you. Out of due diligence to better understand the situation what type of properties are you looking for and what are your plans for them? Here's my concerns, why is he getting money now and is this money legal? Are you setting up any sort of entity or are you putting your name on everything? Keep in mind a golden necklace can often be a golden chain. Message me if you want to get more detailed about this.

    Always with my best,

    Chris

  • Real Estate Investor · East Bridgewater, MA · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 5 votes
    10y

    It's inheritance money, nothing shady.  He's about as straight an arrow as I know, that's why I'm even considering it.  Good question about what I bring to the table.  My experience as a landlord, my history working in that market (he doesn't live near there), and the fact he doesn't want to have anything to do with managing the property.  I'd be the one screening tenants and handling the issues.  Hope that clears things up (or makes them cloudier!)

  • Real Estate Agent · Grand Junction, CO · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 736 votes
    10y

    So now run some actual numbers. Find a real place that is advertised and then plug the numbers in - how do you come out on the back side? 

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