21 Years Old, Closed on 1st Multi-Family with only 5% Down

21 Years Old, Closed on 1st Multi-Family with only 5% Down

Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2016 · 245 posts · 436 votes

Been waiting to make the post for a long time..

To preface: I found BP two years ago (when I was 19). However, only recently have I felt qualified to make an account and offer my opinions to the other members on the site. During these two years, I listened to all of the podcasts, read the guides, bought RE books, and immersed myself in education. I saved money, searched for literally anyone that would finance me, and scoured the internet for deals. I also took a real estate pre-licensing course to help with my education and to give me the option to become an agent if I wanted to (which I have).

On March 4th, I closed on and became the owner of a triplex located in Chester, NH. I found the deal on craigslist (which was a FSBO) and put it under contract literally the day after the seller posted it. For those who are not familiar, Chester NH is a very small town, so small that this is one of three multi family properties in the entire town. It is currently filled with qualified tenants who intend to stay for a long time. Essentially, it is a dream property for someone with minimal landlord experience such as myself.

Closing price was $194,900 and I used a combination of conventional financing and private money to finance the deal. After talking to literally over twenty banks and credit unions, I found a small, local credit union willing to lend to me after I convinced them of the investment potential and the equity that I would have from buying it under market value. I received a 20% down/30 year/4% Fixed Rate loan, and I financed 15% of the DP through multiple family and friends who I am paying 6% to over a 30 year amortized period with a 5 year balloon. This will give me more than enough time to refi out of their notes and into a single mortgage at market value down the line, which I believe is around ~$235k. This all means I brought 5% of the PP to closing ($9,745). My projected monthly cash flows:

Gross Rents: $2,940 a month

  • This is broken down into $1,050 from one 2BR unit, $995 from the other 2 BR unit, and $895 from the 1BR unit.

Expenses:

PI: $919

Taxes: $291

Insurance: $183 

Maintenance/CapEx Expense: $441 (I used 15% on monthly rents to be safe. There is some maintenance I expect to encounter in around 3-5 years as well).

Vacancy: $294 (Used 10% of Monthly Rents. I expect this number to be much lower given the desirability and competitive rental market the property is in.. Don't expect more than a few weeks of vacancy each year.)

PM: $294 (I will manage, just entered this expense as a safety net).

Heat: $210

Electric/Water/Trash: $0 (Tenants pay electric, property utilizes a private well, and the town dump is literally located across the street).

Net Monthly Cash Flow: $307

Net Monthly Cash Flow if I Don't Include PM Expense: $601

While this number may seem low to some of the members on BP, it is important to note that cash flow is harder to come by in New England than in many of the southern/midwestern states. All in all, I couldn't be happier that I finally own investment real estate! Have to give a huge shoutout to everyone on BP as well as Joshua Dorkin and Brandon Turner for producing an incredibly helpful podcast!

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New York City, NY · Member since 2016 · 25 posts · 15 votes
10y

congratulations. I love the Persistence at your age. I'm 24 trying to do the same thing. Pm me maybe we can learn from each other.

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  • New York City, NY · Member since 2016 · 25 posts · 15 votes
    10y

    congratulations. I love the Persistence at your age. I'm 24 trying to do the same thing. Pm me maybe we can learn from each other.

  • Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2016 · 245 posts · 436 votes
    10y

    @Jesus Minier Thank you. I'll be sure too. Patience and persistence are key.

  • Mike HurneyPro Member
    Real Estate Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 542 votes
    10y

    @Axel Ragnarsson Good.

    What are your plans for this property?

  • Rocky Hill, CT · Member since 2014 · 200 posts · 56 votes
    10y

    @Axel Ragnarsson- congratulations on a great buy! I see a lot of people on BP buying without having their education completed but that is not the case here! This is a well written post and you are on your journey to financial freedom. Best of luck to you and keep it rolling. Time is on your side! Good luck with the property. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    Congrats @Axel Ragnarsson  

    A live in multi-family is a great way to start investing. I have had clients here in CT do the same and I wish looking back that I started that way. 

    You also made a good point about being patient. It is tough to remain patient as an investor but I have never regretted the times I have stayed patient. 

  • Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2016 · 245 posts · 436 votes
    10y

    @Mike Hurney Currently to hold on to it and build equity. I plan to refinance in 18 months to achieve a better monthly rate and improve my cash flow. I have found it difficult to find cash flowing properties in the southern New Hampshire market, so I see no reason to sell anytime soon. 

  • Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2016 · 245 posts · 436 votes
    10y

    @Eric Munson Thank you for the kind words Eric! Like you said, I hope to keep it rolling into the future.

  • Rocky Hill, CT · Member since 2014 · 200 posts · 56 votes
    10y

    @Axel Ragnarsson- Be careful...positive cash flow is addictive:) 

  • Investor · Raymond, NH · Member since 2013 · 1 post · 0 votes
    10y

    excellent post and congratulations on your purchase. I have read some of your other posts and your determination and accomplishments are impressive. I live a town away from Chester and invest in southern New Hampshire as well, and know the challenge of finding a  good cash flowing property. Good job and keep going.

  • Rental Property Investor · NH · Member since 2015 · 76 posts · 16 votes
    10y

    Wow Alex! thats great! Congratulations, Good to hear of your success.

    I know Chester and more people are looking for that small town atmosphere.  Im assuming thats the property? Looks like its in great shape. Also assuming its private sewer and water...

    Again congratulations, you were patient and persistent and it paid off!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Mechanicsburg, PA · Member since 2013 · 189 posts · 84 votes
    10y
    Congrats, very impressive for 21 years old! How do you plan to build equity? Simply principle reduction and a little appreciation or are you doing some renovation or increasing the NOI? I'm also interested how the location to the dump will net a $0 trash bill? I take trailers to my local dump and they still charge me every time.
  • Real Estate Agent · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2015 · 24 posts · 10 votes
    10y

    congratulations and keep it up. 

  • Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 31 posts · 80 votes
    10y

    Hey Axel, congratulations on your first big achievement! We are the same age and my goal is also to purchase my first multi-family by the end of the year. You are such an inspiration to me! You seem very knowledgeable about the financing, could you share some resources? Which real estate pre-licensing course did you take? 

  • Real Estate Agent · Milwaukee County, WI · Member since 2009 · 3k+ posts · 525 votes
    10y

    congrats

  • Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2016 · 245 posts · 436 votes
    10y

    @Ryan Mayo Ryan, thank you for the reply and I appreciate the recognition. I've spent my fair share of time in Raymond over the years! Where in southern NH do you own property? 

    @Mary D. Yes that is the property in the photo. Probably should have clarified in the original post! And yes, it is private water and sewer. I incorporated the cost to pump the sewer into the maintenance allocation since it is a biannual expense. 

  • Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2016 · 245 posts · 436 votes
    10y

    @Jeremy S. I acquired a small amount of equity into the property by buying it slightly below market value, however the main way I'll be gaining equity is through simple loan paydown and appreciation. I also plan to make some improvements to the property that I anticipate will add some value. My plan right now is to reach an equity level where I can refinance and pull my original capital out.

    Should have clarified in the OP, but the lease states that the tenant is responsible for their trash disposal. What they do right now is drive across the street to dump their trash when they need to, meaning it is no expense to me. Your right though, if I were to pick it up I would have to pay.

  • Specialist · New York City, NY · Member since 2016 · 97 posts · 24 votes
    10y

    @Axel Ragnarsson CONGRATS!!! MAN!! THAT IS PURE AWESOMENESS! I'm 25 myself from NYC I started invest less than a year ago . Started  gathering knowledge and investing in my reale state and now I'm using capital building strategies getting deals left and riight but haven't owned any Rental myself yet! looking to do that ASAP! :-D def would like to catch up with you sometime guys in their 20s with this kind of drive ?!? pure awesomeness. keep it up. Enjoy the journey and the process not just the destination

  • Investor · Cedar Bluff, AL · Member since 2015 · 83 posts · 17 votes
    10y

    Congrats on the purchase! I started at 21 as well. I'm 25 now and own 7 properties.  Sounds like your off to a great start, that's a nice looking triplex. The number's look solid, should cash flow even better once you refi it.

  • St. Helena, CA · Member since 2016 · 147 posts · 59 votes
    10y

    Congrats! Keep up the hard work, and thanks for the motivation.

  • Rental Property Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2015 · 272 posts · 50 votes
    10y

    Congrats @Axel Ragnarsson!

    As a young newbee that is very inspiring!

    Thanks for sharing!

  • Fort Wayne, IN · Member since 2016 · 38 posts · 7 votes
    10y
    That's awesome, good for you. Did the bank have any problems with you financing 15% of the DP?
  • Vendor · Norwalk, CT · Member since 2013 · 48 posts · 37 votes
    10y

    Nice job Alex on jumping in. I've been interested in getting involved in Real Estate for a long time, but never really made the opportunity. Way to go. 

  • Investor · MA · Member since 2014 · 164 posts · 114 votes
    10y

    @Axel Ragnarsson that property popped up on my radar too, I didn't have the funds at the moment and then poof it was gone. Nice work moving quickly and getting it under contract. Definitely rare to find a three family in Chester. I wouldn't bank on much appreciation given the location but the cash flow looks great! 

    Congrats!

  • Concord, NH · Member since 2015 · 22 posts · 2 votes
    10y

    Rock on man! Sounds like you found a good one here in NH.

  • Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2016 · 245 posts · 436 votes
    10y

    @Constance Kang I took a local prelicensing course that is offered by a real estate brokerage in New Hampshire. I learned a lot about financing through BP actually, there are a couple podcasts that really dive into the use of private money. I don't know the episode numbers off hand but they are there!

    @Ramon Jenkins Thanks man!

    @Kedian Jimenez Thanks for the reply! Getting started early is such an advantage, it looks like your killing it right now. Be sure to come back when you snag that first rental!

    @Account Closed I hope to be where you are when I'm 25!

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