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Updated over 9 years ago on . Most recent reply

Account Closed
  • Investor
  • Denver, CO
26
Votes |
105
Posts

Assembling Lots for Multi-Unit Dev - Negotiating Pitfalls w Owner

Account Closed
  • Investor
  • Denver, CO
Posted

I'm working on piecing together 3 lots with 3 different owners in a hot neighborhood in Denver. Each lot has an existing SFR on it. Zoning is higher density, so the more dirt I get, the more units I can build. I've got the largest lot locked down and I can put 4 units on it, so I dont *need* the additional lots, but having them included will make this project a lot more attractive.

The owner of the adjacent property to the one I have under contract expressed an interest in selling because they are moving next month and had planned to keep their home as a rental. Their asking price is reasonable.

I have not spoken with the 3rd owner yet, who's property sits adjacent to the first neighbor. I've been told his potential asking price, and it is $75k more than I am willing to pay.

My question is this: what are some things I need to consider when negotiating with multiple owners on the same block? If they start speaking with each other it could potentially blow up the deals. Do I include an NDA in the purchase agreement? What are some approaches or tactics that I can use to help navigate this situation more smoothly? 

To be clear, I don't need the other two lots to make this development project work and I have let the first neighbor know this.

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Travis Sperr
  • Lender
  • Denver, CO
596
Votes |
1,047
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Travis Sperr
  • Lender
  • Denver, CO
Replied

Make sure you are locked up on the 1st parcel and negotiate accordingly on the other parcels. You can be very clear on what you are looking to accomplish - getting all three properties - but you are a developer and have to maintain a profit so your offer price is set accordingly. 

What I see a lot of is offer a price to close quickly - then offer a higher price to be under contract until you can obtain permits - in Denver on 5+ units is about 5 months right now with the right team. This significantly lowers your risk in the transaction so it makes sense to pay a tad more. In some neighborhoods the value of the 2nd or 3rd property is more valuable to you than anyone else because it might be too small to buy for another investor unless they also assemble the lot on the other side.

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