First offer - I think I'm going to turn it down but need feedback

First offer - I think I'm going to turn it down but need feedback

Kiryat Ono, Israel · Member since 2016 · 32 posts · 10 votes

We're investors from overseas (Israel) and were looking into REI in the US. I posted about this in my introduction thread and some more thoughts here. A recap: No experience in REI, have $70K to invest and right now looking for passive income investments that might be better than just more index funds.

We have a friend who's a broker (I think that's the term) working in the Memphis and Atlanta metros. She owns several units there herself. She suggested a property for us and before we say no, I wanted to get some feedback here.

It's a single family home in Memphis. Zip code 38118.

She bought it for $18K last year (I checked the records) and it was in a terrible condition (I saw the pictures on Zillow). She fixed the place and has a tenant coming in this month. So this is essentially a turnkey.

Asking price: 69,500$

Rent: $850

She's setting us up with a PM at 10%. Taxes are $1500 a year and insurance is $750.

As far as I can tell (and it's not very far ;) ), this is a good deal. Even with two months vacancy a year, we'd still make more than %8 on our investment.

What do you think? This would be a class C property, right? I'm not sure that's a good option for us, being newbies and from overseas. 

Frankly, no offense to anyone from these areas but I think it would be better for us to invest in the midwest. We've traveled a lot in the US (44 states and counting) and it's the midwest and the northwest that we liked the most. I realize that's not necessarily a good way to choose where to invest but I think I would feel more comfortable taking more time to learn about REI and explore the viability of different markets.

I'm basically posting here to see if more experienced investors think this is a deal we absolutely should grab with both hands and not let go. 

Thanks in advance!

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Alex CraigBusiness Member
Real Estate Professional · Memphis, TN · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y

38118 can be hit or miss. What about the home itself? How old is the HVAC? How old is roof? If those things have not been replaced, you could be looking at expensive repairs sooner then later. How much carpet is in the house? Carpet in high traffic areas needs to be replaced more often then you would think and the narrative that if the tenant destroys it then you can charge them is much harder then what most people think.

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

    I would ask the Memphis experts about that zip code... generally speaking any property that can be purchse for 18k and is trashed.. is probably in a war zone.. and will look like the before pictures within a few years.. its not the loss of rent that will get you.. its the turn over cost when tenants leave after 6 months and do 3k worth of damage.. buying in these areas for someone out of country is all about buying the TOP of the market and getting market rents that are above 1000 a month

    @Chris Clothier  Chris is the expert in this market maybe he can opine on the quality of that zip code.

  • Curt DavisBusiness Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10y

    it sounds like a decent deal.  Would need more info on the property to help you out more.  

    Curt Davis - KAIZEN Realty538 Reviews
  • Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    10y

    Your positive cash flow will be far less than you think. As a SFH if your expenses are average you will be in the 50%. Of the $425 remaining deducting a return of 5% on the $70000 equity only leaves a positive cash flow of $135/month on the actual property.

    OK as a turn key investment but not great.

  • Alex CraigBusiness Member
    Real Estate Professional · Memphis, TN · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    38118 can be hit or miss. What about the home itself? How old is the HVAC? How old is roof? If those things have not been replaced, you could be looking at expensive repairs sooner then later. How much carpet is in the house? Carpet in high traffic areas needs to be replaced more often then you would think and the narrative that if the tenant destroys it then you can charge them is much harder then what most people think.

  • Mike D'ArrigoPro Member
    Turn key provider · San Jose, CA · Member since 2010 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    @Anne M. I think you should have a more tangible criteria for choosing a market rather than because you've travelled to certain markets. What is it about those markets that you like? Have you compared the economic and demographic fundamentals and trends of the markets? If you're walking away from this deal, you should know why. Personally, I prefer Indianapolis and Kansas City over Memphis but everyone has their preferences. We sell turn keys in Indy and KC. If you're interested in learning about those markets, feel free to reach out.

  • Kiryat Ono, Israel · Member since 2016 · 32 posts · 10 votes
    10y

    @Mike D'Arrigo I absolutely agree. Which is why we decided to wait. I'm going to take a few more months to learn this in detail and explore several markets in depth before making any decisions. One of my favorite US towns is Bozeman and I already found out it's probably way too saturated to be a good place for newbies to invest in. So, no, I'm not going to choose a market just by how much I just enjoyed hanging out in that area ;) I also want to explore vacation rentals as an option, so that's going to take a while too.

    @Thomas S. 50% of revenue going into expenses, that's what I heard too. We also got to %5-6 return and that's not enough, especially in a high-risk area as this seems to be. Thanks!

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

    @Anne M. I'd be happy to take a look at the property for you.  We have several properties in 38118 that we own and manage. I'm at your service.

    thanks!

    James

  • Kiryat Ono, Israel · Member since 2016 · 32 posts · 10 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @James Wachob:

    @Anne M. I'd be happy to take a look at the property for you.  We have several properties in 38118 that we own and manage. I'm at your service.

    thanks!

    James

     Thank you so much for your offer! Much appreciated! I'll contact you via PM.

  • Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2016 · 200 posts · 87 votes
    10y

    I would pass on it.  You are looking at $400-$500 a month cash flow with maintenance.  It is not worth it.  For $70k you should be targeting properties that are closer to $1000 a month rent.

    Another thing is property value. What is the ARV of this property? It sounds to me like you are paying retail on it.

  • Kiryat Ono, Israel · Member since 2016 · 32 posts · 10 votes
    10y

    It's been repaired already. It's a turnkey property in that respect, with a tenant too.

  • Curt DavisBusiness Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10y

    I love how some peoples replies, rather them be a solution or offer legit suggestions are more of just a sales pitch for their company or market.   congrats!!! 

    Curt Davis - KAIZEN Realty538 Reviews
  • Crystal SmithPro Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Chicago, IL · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    If you're intending to pay cash I think your ROI will be less than 8% after adding in maintenance & incidentals. If it's a Class C property there's a high likelihood there will be little to no appreciation so you're only future return will be from rent. If you can only get single digit returns on the rent you should be looking in Class B or higher properties.

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