Looking for Cash flow in Indy with Small Muti-Family Units

Looking for Cash flow in Indy with Small Muti-Family Units

Vallejo, CA · Member since 2017 · 7 posts · 3 votes

Hello everyone,

My name is Rob and I am looking to start my investment journey. I am doing research to determine my starting point start for buying muti-family homes for long term for cash flow and one particular spot I was looking into was Indianapolis. My wife and I were previously down in Indy last year and were attracted to the prospect of investing here. 

I did notice that in my search for 2-4 units properties in the area there are a lot of properties that are under 150K. I have also looked at the rents as well and it appears that many properties will meet the 1% rule. That being said, I do have concerns given the other metro areas I have been looking at seem to be more pricey compared to rents. I am curious as to the rental market condition in Indy such as if homes are sitting vacant for months at a time, the rental market is extremely competitive to attract tenants and or if the rents are extremely flat. I have been looking at markets where the median rent is between $600-1000 a month and it just seems too good to be true with the prices things appear to be selling for. 

I hope to network with other BP team members in the area or RE investors that are currently investing in Indianapolis.I want to build a team, starting with a real estate agent, property manager and contractor. Please let me know if you have any recommendations and thank you in advance for your help. 

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Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 68 posts · 17 votes
8y

Hi @Rob Wells, for $150k in Indy, it's certainly possible for an out-of-state investor to pick up a duplex in a neighborhood with no shortage of qualified tenants willing to pay $750+ per side. I have done that a handful of times now. 

Feel free to PM me for intros or just to connect. 

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  • Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 68 posts · 17 votes
    8y

    Hi @Rob Wells, for $150k in Indy, it's certainly possible for an out-of-state investor to pick up a duplex in a neighborhood with no shortage of qualified tenants willing to pay $750+ per side. I have done that a handful of times now. 

    Feel free to PM me for intros or just to connect. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 141 posts · 123 votes
    8y

    Hey @Rob Wells, I am also a CA investor w/ 2 rentals in Indy ( 1 sfh and 1 duplex). Going forward I am looking for more small 2-4 multi fams as it is more scalable and cash flows better. There are lots of pros cons on SFH vs small multis on BP forums but the aforementioned reasons just make sense for me. My #1 advice is to do some searches on the BP forums, find out the players in the market (wholesalers, rehabbers, providers, realtors) reach out to them via PM or direct on the forums and fly out there.

    That was the advice I got and I am very glad I flew out and checked out the market w/ my own eyes. I got to meet my team, live like a local (airbnb) for a week and have a better sense of where I am investing in. Indy is great!

  • Investor · El Cerrito, CA · Member since 2015 · 108 posts · 26 votes
    8y

    @Bo Kim, why do you say 2-4 unit properties are more scalable than SFR ?

  • Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2015 · 6k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Noam Ofan:

    @Bo Kim, why do you say 2-4 unit properties are more scalable than SFR ?

     Quote: "I am looking for more small 2-4 multi fams as it is more scalable and cash flows better".

  • Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 80 posts · 64 votes
    8y
    We are close to the top for multi-family in Indy. I'm seeing 3/1 duplexes in areas you want to be in (SOBRO, Fall Creek area) going for well over 200k, ones that need extensive work at 150k+ and shells at 75 - 99k. I'd advise to have a local partner bird-dog for you.
  • Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2016 · 232 posts · 133 votes
    8y

    @Rob Wells Welcome! Indy is a market that meets many requirements. You can get into areas with $500 or $750-1000. It depends on your level of comfort. 

    As for the rental market - homes in rougher neighborhoods usually tend to sit vacant on the market a lot longer than the ones in decent areas. You have to be careful where you invest - especially if you're out of state. You can't drive around and get a feel for the areas. You can get tenants in rougher neighborhoods, but there's a reason why folks usually advise to stay away.  

  • Bakersfield, CA · Member since 2016 · 378 posts · 307 votes
    8y

    Welcome! I'm also an attorney here in CA, although I prefer to invest in-state in the Central Valley. I prefer being within driving distance of the property for a few different reasons. I highly suggest finding your local REI meeting to see what others have had success with (in state versus out of state, flips versus buy and hold, etc). Good luck!

  • Greenwood, IN · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 8 votes
    8y

    @Rob Wells For $150k in the Indianapolis, you can pick up a duplex in an area where the rents are $800-900. Those properties are in B to B- areas and won't sit vacant. You'll be more likely to have long-term renters. If you're looking for a 3-4 unit in that price range, it will probably be in a C or D neighborhood. Those rents will be more like $600-700. Those are more likely to sit vacant for 2-3 months between tenants and have more turnover in tenants.

  • Developer · Nashville, TN · Member since 2016 · 484 posts · 406 votes
    8y

    We do a lot of TK stuff here in Indy... mostly in the C class neighborhood. Cash flows on SFH's and duplexes are great. The Duplexes have a higher vacancy rate, but the overall performance is fantastic. We found that the 3-8 door units did not work our well for us though...the $50 less per month rent, combined with the extra units, just brought more turnover, and less desirable tenants, so we stopped doing those.

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