First rental or so I thought...

[Robert Arquilla]

So after years of listening to the BP podcasts and saving up some capital I finally bought an off market SF rental property.  Im currently in the middle of rehabbing this property, mostly cosmetic upgrades like paint, flooring, new P-lam counter tops to get ready to rent out.  However Ive been crazy busy and had a lot of stuff that has come up recently and I'm starting to wonder if I should flip this for some quick cash. 

The house just had the electrical upgraded, basement water proofed, new roof 5 years ago, newish furnish, newer windows. The hardwood floors look brand new. My mother in law is a realtor and told me when I bought it I already had probably 10-20k in equity in the house due to the current real estate market and demand in our area. After the upgrades I'm expecting 30-40k in profit. The house will cash flow nicely once a tenant is in there and I shouldn't have much in the form of repairs or large repairs soon. (knock on wood)

My question is should based on the current market does it make sense to flip this property and make a nice profit which I can then use to find an off market multifamily at some point or should I stay my course and work through the busy times get a tenant in there and collect the nice cash flow for years to come?

Thanks for your advice!

[Tim Johnson]

How about finishing the project, getting good tenants in there, waiting 6 months or so to age and mature the situation... and then do a cash-out refinance? That way you can keep the project going AND have your new capital to start on the next project.

Personally, I'm not big on cash-out refinances. Investors sometimes talk like they've just won some money.... when we all know that you're actually going backwards. The beauty is that your tenants may be able to cover that "new, added debt" for you, AND, you'll have that liquid cash to start over..... but you better do those numbers carefully.

or.... go with either of the plans you mention.... it all sounds good.