Portland, OR ADU vs. Turnkey

Portland, OR ADU vs. Turnkey

Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes

Hello BP Community,

I have a scenario I wanted to run by you. The general subject has been covered quite a bit here, but I had some specifics and specific numbers I wanted to share. I am of course looking for overall feedback, but I also am looking for what questions or information I am not including. I have owned one rental unit in the past, but this is relatively new to me.

I am in Portland, Oregon and have been planning on building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on our current primary property for the past 6 months or so. Ended up getting plans draws and submitted to the city and then ran into some complications with setbacks. Frustrating, but also made me circle back to a turnkey option we have been looking at.

Here are the comparisons and please feel free to share feedback liberally.

Option 1: Build detached 1/1, 370 sq. ft. ADU/Backyard Cottage

$65,000 total cost

Rent for $750-900 a month, and utilities would be included as they are not separately metered.

Property taxes are hotly contested at this point, as our county has been drastically increasing them once building has completed. I am guesstimating my taxes would increase from $2,500 to $4,500.

I would then refinance all into my current mortgage, ending with a $260,000 new loan balance.

Cash flow of about $400 (if rented at $850), after factoring increases in property taxes, HOIs and utilities.

Option 2. Purchase 3/1.5 or 3/2 Turnkey Property

Total Cost: 60-85K

20% down and with financing looking at out of pocket cash of 17-21K.

Cash flow of about $250-325, after mortgage, taxes, HOI and mgmt.

Would then refinance primary and pull back the out of pocket cash I used to finance, resulting in a new loan of $215,000. I need to refinance for additional reasons, but would like to do it all at the same time.

Appreciate your feedback!

Brandon

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Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2016 · 47 posts · 36 votes
10y

Or option 3, 3 turn key's for 60k down making 750-975 a month. 

I too am pondering this scenario. I've got a place in SE Hawthorne that would be perfect for an ADU. I went on and ADU tour this summer and was blown away by the amount of rents some owners were collecting from Air BNB. One guy was collecting 3k a month for his studio, and it was only around 600-700sf. Shoot, I can change sheets for 3k. Even the month to month rentals were bringing in substantial rents, so its hard to argue against adding an ADU.

From the sounds of your post it seems you are leaning towards the ADU. So for that i'd say go that route, but try and make it larger. A few extra sf, won't add that much in construction costs but would make it so much more desirable to rent. Now if you are limited based on setbacks that's another thing. I'd then say take another look at the turn keys.

btw - Right now I'm working on buying more units. I can always build the ADU later. I'd rather have a few more properties that are on a fixed 30 year, 4% interest loan, than one ADU.

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  • Engineer · Portland, OR · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    that's such an apples to oranges comparison those numbers arnt useful. The ADU idea has a much better upside contingent on how hot your location is. Drill down on Airbnb revenue vs rents and add in home appreciation due to the ADU. What area of pdx are you located?

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    I am really not wanting to do the upkeep on Airbnb, but most similar places/locations range in the $75-85 a night. I have not had great answers on appreciation, but seem to be something to adding 60-70K, based on a 65K build. I'm in NE, but further out. 88th/Prescott.

  • Investor · Lake Forest Park, WA · Member since 2015 · 108 posts · 35 votes
    10y

    so what would your new PITI on your primary residence be in options 1 and 2?

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2016 · 14 posts · 4 votes
    10y

    @Brandon W.    Where is option 2 located at? I can't image finding a 3/2 turnkey property for 85k in the Portland Metro area or surrounding.

  • Real Estate Broker · Portland, OR · Member since 2016 · 17 posts · 8 votes
    10y

    I would LOVE to know where a home under $150k in Portland is that isn't going to require $20-30k in rehab $? If you find those homes BUY them!!!   

  • Rental Property Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 338 posts · 332 votes
    10y

    Where in Portland are you and what are your long term goals? Based on the numbers you gave, it seems like the ADU is the better option, both for cash flow and appreciation.

    Based on the rent you hope to get for a 370 sf unit, I'm guessing you're in a neighborhood like Buckman or Boise/Eliot or Laurelhurst. It's places like this and near MAX where an ADU makes most sense. Construction costs the same whether in Gresham or inner Portland, so you'll get the most bang for your buck if you're close-in.

    The more I write, the more Portland makes more sense. But it would help us to help you to know where the turnkey is (I'm guessing Midwest) and what part of town the ADU would be.

    The designer in me wants your ADU to be a little bigger. Adding a bedroom isn't going to wildly increase the per sf cost. You could even go bare bones and have a lofted sleeping area--that's just adding the cost of a little extra framing and siding and flooring and drywall.

    I wouldn't use air bnb to calculate the investment viability. There are a lot of unknowns that factor into that, like city regulations, taxes, competition from hotels, air bnb fees, and management/turnover. 

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    10y

    @Brandon W.  I would maximize PDX you get owner occ financing.. once you do that then you can branch out.  Plus because you live there you can discriminate legally in regards to tenant.. IE you can pick and choose exactly who you want living there.

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2016 · 47 posts · 36 votes
    10y

    Or option 3, 3 turn key's for 60k down making 750-975 a month. 

    I too am pondering this scenario. I've got a place in SE Hawthorne that would be perfect for an ADU. I went on and ADU tour this summer and was blown away by the amount of rents some owners were collecting from Air BNB. One guy was collecting 3k a month for his studio, and it was only around 600-700sf. Shoot, I can change sheets for 3k. Even the month to month rentals were bringing in substantial rents, so its hard to argue against adding an ADU.

    From the sounds of your post it seems you are leaning towards the ADU. So for that i'd say go that route, but try and make it larger. A few extra sf, won't add that much in construction costs but would make it so much more desirable to rent. Now if you are limited based on setbacks that's another thing. I'd then say take another look at the turn keys.

    btw - Right now I'm working on buying more units. I can always build the ADU later. I'd rather have a few more properties that are on a fixed 30 year, 4% interest loan, than one ADU.

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    @Charles Moore Looking at $1,737 for option 1 and $1,323 for option 2

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    @Cameron Rouse Definitely far from Portland! I'm talking with the folks at Mid South Home Buyers in Memphis, TN. Been on a wait list, and my spot is coming up soon, I am told. 

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    @Ritchie Metzler I would love that too! It might be under $200K in Portland is nearly impossible for a complete rehab.

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    @Account Closed I am in NE Portland, 88th/Prescott, walking distance to The Grotto. Not the best location, but hasn't scared me away. I am looking for cash flow and to not have my wife working soon. We are a two income family with kiddo number two on the way and not sure how this will impact everything. 

    I am a little bit hemmed in on size for the ADU, as we are using an existing structure (garage), but definitely something we've explored. I'll circle back and run everything again. Definitely believe cash flow would be better with a 2/1, but space, even building up, is limited. I have not thought about the lofted sleeping area in a while, I'll run that by our contractor.

    Appreciate the wisdom!

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    @Jay Hinrichs Never even considered this. Why BP is so helpful. Thank you.

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    @Scott Radetich I like option 3! That is my thinking as I see the Portland market continuing to skyrocket. I did take the ADU class with Kol Peterson, a year or so back and found it very informative and helpful. The only problem I am seeing with waiting on the ADU is that the SDC fee waivers expire on July 31, 2016 and I have heard from a few people that they are leaning towards not renewing them. Do not know for sure though.

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2015 · 16 posts · 6 votes
    10y

    Really appreciate the input and feedback. New at posting on BP and was a little anxious throwing stuff out there, but nice to see things were positive and very helpful!

  • Investor · Portland, OR · Member since 2016 · 213 posts · 60 votes
    10y

    @Brandon W. you shouldn't have problems with set back.. I have done more ADUs than anyone else in portland. PM me and we can talk, I think you should do the adu and then refinance out on conventional loan get all your money back out and get another sfr. 

  • James WachobBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Memphis, TN · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 890 votes
    10y

    @Jay Hinrichs I'd love to extend an invitation to visit the Memphis area. We have some killer BBQ!

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    10y

    @James Wachob  thank you spent many a day in Memphis when I was loaning there. so been to most of the BBQ places  Rendevous  Neals etc.

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