Negative cashflow in Austin

[Tamilaruvi Manisekaran]

Hello BP,

I am a new multifamily investor in Austin and its suburbs real estate market. I am monitoring the market for few months and analyzing the properties. My strategy is to buy and hold and focusing more on appreciation. However, it's very hard to find the properties which even barely have positive cash flow (including maintenance, cap ex and vacancy). Is that only me who is in this boat? Now, I am having second thoughts to invest in areas like Killeen, San Antonio.

As an experienced investor/realtor, what would you recommend me? Thank you

[Rick Pozos]

When you look for appreciation, that is what you get, negative cash flow. For now.

Over time, rents will go up, but so will taxes. In Texas our houses are appraised every year that we own them, so the chance that our over 2% taxes will go up is pretty high. Hopefully rents will outpace taxes.