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All Forum Posts by: Brett Merrill

Brett Merrill has started 24 posts and replied 101 times.

Post: New investor needing some help buying first property.

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

Hi @Jacqueline Lee

Very exciting news about your venture into the world of Real Estate Investing, and I wanted to extend my congratulations!

My name is Brett Merrill, and I'm a seasoned Realtor/Investor with a focus on the Central/Western MA area. I've had the privilege of being the featured agent for Bigger Pockets in these regions, where I've had the pleasure of assisting numerous investors in buying and selling their investments. The most recent success was in Gardener, and it's always incredibly rewarding to see investors thrive in the real estate market.

As you embark on this exciting journey, I wanted to reach out and offer my support. I have two promising multi-family properties that will be hitting the market in the next couple of months in Gardner, and I'd love to share more details with you. Whether you're looking to expand your portfolio or explore new opportunities, I believe these properties could be of interest to you.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your goals and how I can assist you in achieving them, please feel free to reach out. I'm more than happy to share my insights and expertise to help you in any way possible.

Congratulations once again, Jacqueline, and I look forward to the possibility of collaborating and contributing to your success.

Post: Business and Building BRRRR deal for 0% down

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

🏢 Revitalizing Success: Transforming a Struggling Business into a Thriving Venture 🏢

In the heart of our local community, I embarked on a journey that epitomizes the power of strategic thinking and problem-solving, resulting in the acquisition of a long-standing business and property that has become a beacon of success.

The business, once a cornerstone of the community, faced challenges stemming from distant ownership decisions that strained the business and its dedicated managers—a remarkable husband-and-wife team. Recognizing the untapped potential beneath the surface, I set out to forge relationships with both the sellers and the dynamic managerial duo.

The key to this success story was my ability to be a problem solver. Observing that the business consistently attracted a loyal clientele, coupled with high profit margins on services rendered, I saw an opportunity. The on-paper profitability did not reflect the true potential of the enterprise, and I knew transformative action was needed.

Approaching the four distant owners, I proposed a comprehensive solution—acquiring both the business and the property. The timing was opportune, as the apparent struggles of the business allowed for a purchase at a favorable market rate. Negotiations led to a groundbreaking deal with seller financing: 0% down, a 5-year balloon at 5%, and an additional $20,000 at 5% interest upon the liquidation of their business, providing a financial buffer during our transition.

Equally crucial was engaging the managers who knew the ins and outs of the business. I proposed a unique opportunity for them to become co-owners, aligning their expertise with the vision for revitalization. The acquisition unfolded seamlessly, creating a synergistic partnership that leveraged the collective knowledge and passion of the existing team.

Since the acquisition, our focused efforts have yielded remarkable results. We've halted financial leaks, brought in fresh talent, and implemented training and bonus programs that nearly doubled productivity. The acquisition extended beyond the business, encompassing the property as well. As the sole owner, I secured this asset with 0% down, a 5% interest rate, and a 5-year balloon.

These strategic purchases form the foundation for a robust future, generating excellent passive income and equity. By acquiring distressed business and property, leasing to ourselves, implementing improvements, and strategically refinancing, we are poised for sustained success. This narrative reflects not only a triumph over challenges but also a blueprint for future opportunities, where strategic vision and problem-solving can create lasting prosperity.

Here's to transforming challenges into triumphs, and to the exciting possibilities that lie ahead!

Post: Business and Building BRRRR for 0% down

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

Investment Info:

Industrial commercial investment investment.

Purchase price: $500,000

In the heart of our local community, I embarked on a journey that epitomizes the power of strategic thinking and problem-solving, resulting in the acquisition of a long-standing business and property that has become a beacon of success. This was all acquired for 0% down.

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

The key to this success story was my ability to be a problem solver. Observing that the business consistently attracted a loyal clientele, coupled with high profit margins on services rendered, I saw an opportunity. The on-paper profitability did not reflect the true potential of the enterprise, and I knew transformative action was needed.

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

I engaged the managers who knew the ins and outs of the business. I proposed a unique opportunity for them to become co-owners, aligning their expertise with the vision for revitalization. The acquisition unfolded seamlessly, creating a synergistic partnership that leveraged the collective knowledge and passion of the existing team.

How did you finance this deal?

Approaching the four distant owners, I proposed a comprehensive solution—acquiring both the business and the property. The timing was opportune, as the apparent struggles of the business allowed for a purchase at a favorable market rate. Negotiations led to a groundbreaking deal with seller financing: 0% down, a 5-year balloon at 5%, and an additional $20,000 at 5% interest upon the liquidation of their business, providing a financial buffer during our transition.

How did you add value to the deal?

Since the acquisition, our focused efforts have yielded remarkable results. We've halted financial leaks, brought in fresh talent, and implemented training and bonus programs that nearly doubled productivity.

What was the outcome?

These strategic purchases form the foundation for a robust future, generating excellent passive income and equity. By acquiring distressed business and property, leasing to ourselves, implementing improvements, and strategically refinancing, we are poised for sustained success. This narrative reflects not only a triumph over challenges but also a blueprint for future opportunities, where strategic vision and problem-solving can create lasting prosperity.

Lessons learned? Challenges?

Be a problem solver.

Post: Buying wholesale property - Tenant in place

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

@Pouyan G.It's worth the money to consult with a knowledgeable RE attorney in your area. This seems like a tricky situation and you want to make sure you're protected.  

Post: What would you do next?

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

@Shawn Morrow I have a similar amount of units and a very similar life/financial set up. We are at the same crossroad. However, this is a good thing. I'm sure you ran your #'s with the expectation of future management. I take pride in managing my properties and have always had the best experience with tenants, little to no vacancy and expedited repairs. I am working now at finding a management company that will allow for negotiation to still allow me to have the control and oversight that I fell comfortable with. I would work on using this time to transition from being a full time manager/book keeper/etc to being a full time investor. I feel that this is the only true way to scale. My actual career is very flexible so I'm not ready to part ways with that yet but I will be starting with finding great people to start taking over the management and daily operations that have been cutting into my time. While this will cut into my cashflow in the short term, it will certainly result in a greater ROI with the time it will allow for me to scale by business.

Post: New investor looking for guidance

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

Hi @Joshua Hinton

Congratulations on starting your REI journey. You certainly have come to the right place.I am an active investor and the featured agent for BP in the Western MA area. I'd be more than happy to lend guidance as you start off on your new venture. Feel free to connect and reach out anytime. I look forward to speaking with you.

Post: Greetings from newbie

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

Hi @Kay Thi Oo welcome to BP! I'm a buy and hold BRRRR investor and agent out here in Western MA area. Feel free to reach out if you would like to connect. Best of luck on your REI!

Post: New investor just starting out!

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

Hi @Alexis Jerusik welcome to BP! I am a fellow investor and agent in the Western MA area. BRRRR and house hacking are the best! Let me know if you have any questions I'd be more than happy to connect. Best of luck on your REI journey!

Post: Agent in MA looking to connect agent in NH and VT

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

Good morning. I am an active agent and investor in the Massachusetts area. I have a cash buyer looking for a large amount of land in the Vermont and New Hampshire area. He is hoping to have it close to a body of water or river. I am looking to connect with an active agent and investor in both Vermont and New Hampshire that I can set up a referral with and assist me in finding him the land that he is looking for.

Post: Can you buy a property before a foreclosure auction in Massachusetts?

Brett Merrill
Agent
Pro Member
Posted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Ludlow, MA
  • Posts 107
  • Votes 46

Hi @John J Murray

Yes, it is possible to purchase a home before it goes to auction when it is in the foreclosure process. This is known as a "pre-foreclosure" sale or "short sale" where the homeowner is in default on their mortgage but the lender is willing to accept an offer for less than what is owed on the mortgage. A real estate agent can help you find pre-foreclosure properties and guide you through the purchase process.