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Updated almost 5 years ago,
Should I buy this as my 1st investment property?
I'm currently renting for around $1000/month and am looking to get into investment properties. I'm currently in talks with a seller who has a 4 unit (2 duplexes) for sale that is being used as a vacation rental banking $98k/year in revenue between the 4 units. The asking price is $610k. My plan initially would be to live in one of the units while managing the other 3 vacation rental units. I would be using an FHA loan so I would only put down 3.5% plus closing costs.
I would manage the property and take care of landscaping that first year while living there and should cashflow at least $5-10k while living for free. After I moved out, I would be getting revenue from 4 rentals instead of 3 and would continue managing the property and doing landscaping. In that scenario I would be cashflowing $27k-$32k per year. The place is well taken care of, has been remodeled, and comes with high quality furnishing. It's considered a "turnkey" property aka would be ready to earn me money without having to do anything to it. I live in a booming market where tourism is big and retirees are moving to in droves.
The cap rate renting all 4 units is around 11% and is 7% when I'm living in one of the units. I would have my cash back within 2 years. I've calculated all my expenses and have even been conservative with my numbers. I'm pre-qualified to buy and I wouldn't pay the full asking price.
My question to you is this. Is this too big of a leap for my first purchase? Are the numbers too good to be true? Will I struggle to run successful vacation rental cottages out of the gate?