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Updated over 7 years ago on . Most recent reply

1st buy, and not so sure if I should just go for it
Soooo...I found this fixer upper property on MLS , it has been there for 3days so far. Its listed as duplex, but it has four units rented out . Looks like needs exterior paint maybe more, no due diligence allowed till offer excepted. Numbers: selling for 80K cash only, houses around in ok condition are about 100k. Each unit rented out for $ 600 /each x 4= 2400/m. My financial situation: I have big cc loans 0% apr till 11/17. To buy this property I would get hard loan and then re-finance . I have read a lot, listened to podcasts, books, webinars..i think i am ready, everybody says to just go for it. Should I just go for it or am I getting myself over my head? How long does the whole process usually take? Or maybe I should just buy and not rehab while tenants are there and then slow rehab as they move out and new ones come? Would really appreciate your 2cents!
Most Popular Reply

Jeff and Rodney make excellent points. I can tell by your questions that you are very new to investment RE. No problem, we have to start somewhere. However, you are looking at a property that should only be considered by a very savvy, experienced investor. If you look at the investment from an altitude of 50,000 ft it looks crazy good. Buy at 80k and annual rents are $28,800. That is a 38% cap rate. Something is not right! So now we get a closer look at the property from 1000 ft above (sorry I'm a pilot). 1st thing we discover is that it is mis-classified as a duplex when it really is a 4 plex. Why and how did that happen? What could the legal consequences arise because of this? By your own admission you are in serious "bad" debt situation. If a miscalculation in buying this property occurs it could put you in a worse condition than you are now. Once you buy the property, you have to manage it. If your property is not up to code and is not legally a 4 plex the tenants can use that to their advantage and have leverage over you and any policies you want to enforce. I am not saying you should just walk a way from this property. Hell, you might have come a cross a deal of a lifetime, I doubt it, but anything is possible. I would proceed with EXTREME caution. Until you understand throughly why it is listed as a duplex with the county but really is a 4plex, I would not buy it. If you proceed to buy it, make sure you have a comprehensive inspection. One last thing, I just notice reading your post. They are only accepting cash offers. I suspect why is because it could be next to impossible to find a lending institution to fund this deal. That also means less oversight for the seller.