Starting out in commercial real estate

Starting out in commercial real estate

Investor · DFW, TX · Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 9 votes

My husband and I have been spending the past three years doing everything we can to  learn about investing. (Reading books, listening to every BP Podcast episode, YouTube videos, meeting with investors, etc). We are about to close on our first investment which will be a house hack / short term rental on the lake while we use our current house as a long term rental.

We have said from the beginning that our long term goal is commercial real estate but wanted to start with small residential and stack up to more passive investing. We also have been trying to convince my aunt and uncle, who are extremely wealthy, to invest with us for the past year. We’ve had conversations here and there but really haven’t pushed it further due to their hesitation.

This past month they have approached us and let us know that they want to invest in commercial real estate and want to partner with us. They want to do storage but do not know exactly what kind. They have also said they’re ready to retire so would like to be pretty hands off, which we’re excited about. We are very much the real estate “experts” of our circle due to our education but lack actual experience.

We’ve suggested that we partner together in a small deal like a flip to learn how we work together and so they can gain confidence in our ability before jumping into a larger commercial project.

The reason they want to get into investing is because last year they paid $270K in taxes alone for their business. They also have $30-40K/month they’re looking to invest. We are all very excited about this opportunity but I want to make sure I steward their money well and set us all up for success. Our timeline is to begin investing in commercial real estate summer of 2023, a small flip fall of 2022 and have a formal meeting to discuss details within the next few months. We’ll have time to plan and discuss but I’d like to make sure I make good use of this time. I’d also like to be prepared going into this meeting (what split we should take, a business plan that clearly defines roles, budget, what capital we will contribute to the deal, etc).

Does anyone have any book recommendations, podcast recommendations, expert on the topic, words of wisdom, ideas? I’m really looking for anything anyone is willing to throw my way. I know this is a huge jump from managing a SF long term rental and short term rental and I want to do whatever I can to mitigate the risk that comes along with that.

Thank you!


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Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
4y

IMO - skip the flip and just go for storage if that's what you want to do. The flip is a distraction that won't teach you much about self storage investing. Once you make the shift to storage I bet you'll look back and conclude that spending a year on one flip was not an optimal use of time.

If you want to go into self storage, definitely check out @Michael Wagner's Storage Rebellion group. You may find other folks who you can partner with to find and/or run the deals.

If you're dedicated to doing the flip first and are planning on doing it locally, go to local in person real estate networking events to find the folks you need on your team. 

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  • Rental Property Investor · RVA · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    IMO - skip the flip and just go for storage if that's what you want to do. The flip is a distraction that won't teach you much about self storage investing. Once you make the shift to storage I bet you'll look back and conclude that spending a year on one flip was not an optimal use of time.

    If you want to go into self storage, definitely check out @Michael Wagner's Storage Rebellion group. You may find other folks who you can partner with to find and/or run the deals.

    If you're dedicated to doing the flip first and are planning on doing it locally, go to local in person real estate networking events to find the folks you need on your team. 

  • Investor · DFW, TX · Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 9 votes
    4y

    Thank you for your reply. I suggested this because BP Podcast usually suggest a doing a deal together before becoming business partners. I guess we could do one self storage deal and then reevaluate after that. I appreciate your feedback!

  • Henry ClarkPro Member
    Developer · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    @Kenzie McIlvoy

    1.  Be able to eat at thanksgiving with them

    2.  They and you have two different objectives. 

    3. They will want lower risk (existing location versus development), wealth preservation (LLC) to lower risk to their other assets. More appreciation versus income. Buy a location that will create more value creation than cash flow in general terms

    4. They will have to sign a personal guarantee with the finance company.  Are they comfortable with that? 

    5.  If they are that wealthy they should have a trust.  They should buy in thru the trust. Check with them.  If they don’t have a trust you need to recommend that 

    6.  They will want tax savings.  Do a cost segregation.  

    7. LLC operating agreement. The operating agreement is where you divvy up assets, tax savings, management, profit sharing, everything. Use this to structure both your and their objectives.

    8.   Determine your financing method and collateralization.  SBA 10%  don’t do in this situation.  Commercial 25% to 40%   Determine your downpayment   This will determine your investment size.  Example $250,000 at 25% is a $1mm deal.

    9.   Although you will be managing don’t pay yourself through payroll  

    10.  Storage is boring.  You will need to find something else to invest your extra time off.   Recommend you start developing locations after you run your first location for a year  

  • Investor · DFW, TX · Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 9 votes
    4y

    This is awesome information and exactly what we are looking for. Thank you so much!

  • Michael K GallagherBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Kenzie McIlvoy I have to agree with the sentiment around just skipping the flip.  Flips are hard, they are going to teach you about flipping residential and not about commercial.  If you genuinely enjoy flipping then by all means, but I have to say at least in my market it seems like a hell of a lot of work and frustration for not a ton of payoff.  

    If you are trying to find something that you can work on together or gain the experience yourselves, then it might be worth tracking down a self storage deal and doing it yourselves with your aunt and uncle.  But I'd also encourage you, perhaps on your aunt and uncles behalf, to look into existing funds and people who are really the best at that space.  There may be more upside and less work for everyone involved to simply help them find an AJ Osbourne or other such fund to invest in.

  • Scott KronePro Member
    Investor · Northbrook, IL · Member since 2017 · 352 posts · 295 votes
    4y

    @Kenzie McIlvoy - defining what you want to do is the best first step.  It appears your aunt and uncle have provided some specific goals for you all to focus upon.  As others have pointed out, self storage is a real estate vehicle that can accomplish many of those goals.  Nevertheless, it is also a unique real estate asset class as it is also a retail business.

    To further help define the goals, we describe self storage in 3 asset classes:  Class C - penny stocks, Class B - blue chip, and Class A - growth stocks.  Each have their own unique tax strategy as well.  For us when we purchase, identifying all available tax strategies is as equally important as understanding the valuation of the property.  We have implemented numerous tax strategies to enhance the rate of return of the property - again to enhance.  The deal must work on its own fundamentals.

    @Paul Moore recently wrote a book for BP on storage called:  Storing Up Profits.  It is a very thorough overview of storage, and covers some of the tax strategies that can accompany the investment.  Full disclosure, Paul was kind enough to interview us for his research and include us in his book.

  • Ronald RohdePro Member
    Attorney · Dallas, TX · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    Definitely have a very robust, comprehensive partnership agreement, a lot of these investments go south and a lack of planning can lead to some expensive disputes.

    Storage is hot, industrial outdoor storage would get my vote. Also, RV storage or boat storage.

  • Paul MoorePro Member
    Commercial Real Estate Fund Manager · Lynchburg, VA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    Thanks @Scott Krone. You made a great contribution to the book.  @Kenzie McIlvoy, I agree with you 100% that commercial real estate investing is where are you should start.  I agree with @Taylor L. and others that you should skip the flip (that sounds like a name of a new podcast or book. That’s free). 

    I would be happy to jump on a call with you and share my thoughts if you wish. You can PM me. If your family is looking for massive tax savings, there may be additional ways to accomplish that and I could share some thoughts if you wish. Happy Investing!

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