Housing Authority - Guaranteed Rents - Helping Families & Vets

Housing Authority - Guaranteed Rents - Helping Families & Vets

Flipper/Rehabber · Las Vegas · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 12 votes

We own and operate 500+ apartments in California by partnering with great people. We have been working with Housing Authority / Section 8 / VA for 5 years. After flipping 500+ homes in Southern California, I realized this was a tough model to scale and manage. I decided to move to apartments for long term passive income, tax advantages with depreciation / cost segregation and to build long term wealth with partners and investors. When I started analyzing the market rents for apartments, I determined by working with housing authority we could receive 50 – 100% of the rents guaranteed by the Federal, State and Local Governments. I figured out how to purchase mismanaged, deferred maintenance apartments buildings with rents 50 – 100% under market rates. I started with 4 units then 24 units until I was at 40 units. I realized I liked apartments more than flipping housing, as I could get economies of scale for acquiring properties, reduce construction costs, reducing the amount of in-house staffing and forcing appreciation by working with housing authority. I sold off all my single-family flips. Over the past five years, I have partnered with great people. By trial and error, we have learned about housing authority, property management, syndication with investors, wholesale acquisitions, broker relationships, and how to force appreciations in 6 – 12 months. We have determined that housing authority / 8 and VA residents provided as close to guaranteed rents as a landlord could receive. I have also been able to buy mismanaged deferred maintenance apartment buildings with rents 50 – 100% below "Housing Authority market rents" consistently. We have figured out how to increase the rental rates in a neighborhood 25% - 100% in less than a year by working with housing authority. Over the past two years with great partnerships and investors we have grown from 40 units to 500+ doors in California alone. 90% of those units are Housing Authority / Section 8, VA residents. We currently manage 1100+ doors nationally. During Covid 19 we realize this was the right decision for our investor partners. Housing Authority is currently paying 50 – 100% of the rents. A majority of the rents are 80 – 100% paid by housing authority. To be success in real estate, apartment rentals and section 8 comes down to one thing. Management. When I started in multifamily, I interviewed 25+ property management companies to find the best management company for our business model. The company I picked was not the cheapest, however they were very flexible and managed 1000+ doors when we started. I started with a 4-unit apartment building. They had experience with housing authority and section 8. They allowed me to be active in working with their team daily. With trial and error, we have figured out we don't have to many competitors. In the past two weeks housing authority informed me they would continue to pay on the 1st and the 15th of the month. During Covid 19, we have not slowed down in the amount of housing authority section 8 residents applying and moving into our units. In fact, showings and leasing have increased. Our property management team screens all the residents including housing authority, section 8, credit, background and calling references to make sure we pick the best residents for our properties. It’s not perfect but it works well, and our investors have been very happy with the results. In touring all the properties talking with the residents and our management team, I know we are doing great things and helping families and veterans during these challenging times. Be safe and I hope this helps you in your real estate goals.

5Reply
33 views

Most Popular Reply

Investor · CA · Member since 2015 · 41 posts · 13 votes
6y

Hi @Mitch Pomeroy, thanks for sharing your story. 500 units in 2 years is amazing, especially in California. I have an apartment complex in your area too and most of my tenants are section 8. So far section 8 has been great, especially during this crisis. I would like to connect and learn more from you. 

Andy

See this reply in the discussion

10 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Rental Property Investor · Saint Charles, IL · Member since 2014 · 304 posts · 222 votes
    6y

    @Mitch Pomeroy, I also have benefited from the section 8 model for apartment investing.

    All of my tenants were furloughed during Covid 19 and unable to pay rent, yet with the guaranteed section 8 rents from HUD I was able to pay all mortgages and still enjoy a small profit.

    Yes the section 8 process can be cumbersome with longer turn times to fill vacant units and annual inspections, but in times like these it feels good to help those most affected by this crisis and still get paid.

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Las Vegas · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 12 votes
    6y

    @Ashley Pimsner

    For Housing Authority: Once units are renovated we have Housing Authority do pre inspections or the units, so the tenants can move in the next day.

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    6y

    I have some section 8 houses and would love to convert more of my properties. 

    My experience has been positive, my tenants have taken care of my properties and the tenants tend to stay a long time.

    I have also easily increased rents to section 8 allowed amounts.

  • Rental Property Investor · Long Beach, CA · Member since 2018 · 26 posts · 3 votes
    6y

    @Mitch Pomeroy great article, thank you. What cities have worked best for your model?

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Las Vegas · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 12 votes
    6y

    @Amber Rose Kandarian

    Hi Amber

    I work Bakersfield CA to Sacramento CA.

    What Market markets are you in?

  • Investor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2016 · 96 posts · 41 votes
    6y

    I have one unit that is Section 8 and the only issue I've had is the amount of time it takes the Housing Authority to approve a rent increase.  In cases where I'm required by law to provide the tenant a 60 day notice, the HA easily takes 75 days to get back to me.  

  • Investor · CA · Member since 2015 · 41 posts · 13 votes
    6y

    Hi @Mitch Pomeroy, thanks for sharing your story. 500 units in 2 years is amazing, especially in California. I have an apartment complex in your area too and most of my tenants are section 8. So far section 8 has been great, especially during this crisis. I would like to connect and learn more from you. 

    Andy

  • Cory LucasPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Brighton, IL · Member since 2019 · 431 posts · 139 votes
    6y

    @Mitch Pomeroy I look forward to reading the rest of the comments, but just wanted to say thanks for the post. This is an area I’m looking and wanting to get into, so this is very helpful

  • Investor/Syndicator · North Aurora, IL · Member since 2013 · 167 posts · 70 votes
    5y

    @Mitch Pomeroy very happy that you posted this article. Too many people are constently bad mouthing Section 8 and other subsidized rental programs. Unfortunatly the vast majority have zero actual experience with section 8 or at the least very limited exposure. "IF" managed correctly it can be a wonderful program and a hedge against catastrophies such as Covid or other economic downturns. Not to mention most section tenants are long term. So, lower turnover cost and less vacancy, the number one killer of NOI. In my opinion, MOST of the problems with section 8 are bad management decisions.

  • Rental Property Investor · Saint Louis, MO · Member since 2018 · 229 posts · 279 votes
    5y

    @Mitch Pomeroygood stuff - thank you! I have a much smaller portfolio of Section 8 properties and I love it.  I agree with the other feedback - management makes or breaks Section 8 for landlords.  It is more management intensive but once you learn the processes, you can expect them to be the same every time and follow them to maximize success.

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.