Exit strategies for multi-family buy and holds

[Matt Morgan]

If I'm buying a duplex in an area with 5% vacancy at or a little below FMV, but both units are rented when I buy it, should I be too concerned about what my exit strategies are? I understand the importance of exit strategies when flipping, but am curious what one would like for buy and holds. Thanks

[Ned Carey]

Buy and hold IS an exit strategy.

When you acquire a property an exit strategy is "what are you going to do with it?" Wholesale it, renovate and sell, or keep it for rental income are exit strategies. When you buy and hold you can take it another step becuase how you finance it is an issue. You could buy with hard money and refinance once stabilized with a tenant in place, so that would be your exit strategy.

The point of thinking about exit strategy is simply you need to know what you are going to do with the property because that will affect what you pay and how you structure the deal.

As an example, I am planing to buy a 5 unit property. The idea is to find a private lender who will loan the money for acquisition and minor repairs. The goal is to keep the property. Once the property is stabilized and fully functioning we would then refinance the private lender out and get lower rates from a traditional lender. Our plan B is to sell the property if we cannot get refinanced. We figure the property should be worth about $100K more than we will be into it for. So our exit strategy is to refinance and keep it or sell it as plan B.

I hope this helps good luck - Ned