Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 17 posts · 8 votes
When evaluating a multi-family property, do you know what to look for? Do you know what the expenses should be versus what the broker or owner is showing you? Many owners will try and fudge expenses in their favor, showing you, the potential buyer, something that is not quite on par with what reality is. When evaluating properties be sure to make sure they include the basics like:
Real Estate Taxes
Insurance
Gas & Electric
Water & Sewage
Repairs & Maintenance
Unit Turnover
Contract Services
General & Administrative
Payroll & Benefits
Marketing & Promotion
Legal & Accounting
Landscape & Snow Removal
Trash Removal
Management Fee
Reserves for Replacements
These items at the very least should be included in any competent underwriting of a property, be it by a broker or the owner directly. Before you make a buying decision make sure you understand the numbers, where they came from, how they were compiled, and what the time period over which they were compiled.