Help analysing a deal

[Tom MacDonald]

Hi BP, I am new to REI but hope to make my first investment soon. I am analysing properties in the Houston area, and I can't seem to understand how make a deal on a condo come out when I factor in HOA fees and property taxes. Am I doing something wrong?

For example:

I figure this MLS listed 2/2 condo in Houston is in a really trendy neighbourhood, I know because my brother lives right around the corner. It's listed on the MLS for $194k. 2/2 condos near it sell for at least $50k more, and it looks like you can find an apartment or similar rental in that area for about $1,800/mo.

So the mortgage calculator is telling me that if I were able to buy this for $185k with 5% down ($9,250) at 4.75% with a 30YF, the monthly mortgage payment would be around $917/mo.

That sounds pretty good, but the HOA fees for this property are $350/mo, and according to the tax history section the property taxes in 2015 were $4,722 (up +47% from 2014?!) or $394/mo.

So the total monthly payments would be $1661!

Am I missing something here? Should inclusion in HOA somehow bring down my assumed expenses? Am I misunderstanding the tax situation?

Thanks in advance,
Tom