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All Forum Posts by: Michael Hopkins

Michael Hopkins has started 8 posts and replied 11 times.

I'm looking to acquire 10+ SFR rentals. Let's assume I've accounted for all the following expenses before profit:

Mortgage

Insurance

Vacancy (5%)

Repairs (5%)

CapEx (10%)

City Services (utilities, etc.)

Let's assume the condition of each SFR rental is in fair shape. No immediate repairs required. And the demand for student rentals (these are in a university town) is strong to the point that there's typically a waiting list to rent any of the houses within the portfolio.

The question then, is should each property equally have the same amount of expenses set aside for expenses each month?

Knowing that not all properties would require repairs/capex at once, and that not all properties would experience vacancies, is it necessary for ALL properties to have 10% set aside each month for CapEx, 5% for repairs, etc?

If not, this improves the cash flow and helps me better underwrite and reconcile a Seller price point that seems a little higher than Fair Market Value. 

Any insights appreciated, particularly from you larger rental portfolio owners! Cheers. 

Post: Indianapolis / Add On, Cost PSF

Michael HopkinsPosted
  • Wholesaler
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Posts 11
  • Votes 4

@Josh C.Thanks for the reply. Yes, lots of variables to consider. 

In SoCal I segment costs for rehabs and constructions to quickly ballpark and evaluate if the deal is viable. If that looks ok, then a more detailed calculation of cost follows. See reference below. 

If it's relevant for Indy, how would you adjust these numbers? 

REHABS

$25/sq. ft. - Cosmetic Rehab (Paint & Carpet)

$35/sq. ft. - Medium Rehab (Bathroom, Kitchen, Roof)

$50/sq. ft. - Heavy Rehab (Full gut)  

CONSTRUCTION

$100 / sq. ft.  - Basic add on (Bathroom, Bedroom)

$250 / sq. ft. - High end add on

Cheers. 

Post: Indianapolis / Add On, Cost PSF

Michael HopkinsPosted
  • Wholesaler
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Posts 11
  • Votes 4

Hello BP'ers, I'm evaluating a flip in Indy (46201 zip) to convert a 1 BR / 1 BA to a 2/1 or even a 3/2. What cost per square footage number do you use to evaluate those costs? 

Thank you in advance! 

Post: Louisville / My First Flip

Michael HopkinsPosted
  • Wholesaler
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Posts 11
  • Votes 4

Investment Info:

Single-family residence fix & flip investment in Louisville.

Purchase price: $32,000
Cash invested: $34,000
Sale price: $85,000

First time flip; After additional rehab costs surfaced, decided to sell rather than hold as a rental to optimize profits; Reinvested those profits back into the business.

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

I was interested in taking on my first flip out of state where the risk was lower due to capital requirements.

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

MLS; I was able to negotiate down after better understanding the Seller's situation; She was awarded the property through her divorce and needed to net a certain amount to pay off mortgage and keep some cash for herself. Win/Win for everyone.

How did you finance this deal?

Hard money + 10% down. Hard money included both the purchase and 90% of repair costs.

How did you add value to the deal?

An additional bedroom was added. There was also no heating/cooling in the home. A/C and floorboard heaters were added and new windows installed throughout to improve operational efficiencies and mitigate heating/cooling costs.

What was the outcome?

After rehab started, a number of other repairs not previously identified either through the homeowners inspection or my contractor's assessment, surfaced. These repairs exceeded my contingency budget and negated positive rental cash flow. I changed my exit strategy from buy and hold, to fix and flip. The market timing was good in that the ARV increased over 10% during the time it took to complete rehab and sell the property. I got lucky.

Lessons learned? Challenges?

I fired my first contractor due to failure to adhere project schedule and quality of work. Fortunately, I was able to identify this early by paying another contractor to inspect the quality of the work. That inspection was a recommendation of my hard money lender which was golden advice saving me money and time. I found my next contractor by approaching one at the local Home Depot at the contractor desk. He was working late hours on another job. It was clear he was go getter and focused.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Mike Fallot, Mortgage Man
Hard Money Lender

Mike was an excellent set of eyes and essentially served as fail safe to confirm that I had contracted and penciled out a real deal. He provided guidance and recommendations as it related to insurance, contractors and risks.

Post: Seeking Partner for Current Flip Deal in Louisville

Michael HopkinsPosted
  • Wholesaler
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Posts 11
  • Votes 4

Hi, I'm seeking a Flip partner for an offer I have on a property in Louisville. I'm putting in a counter tomorrow. I'm able to put a 10% down payment, but need a local partner per my hard money lender to acquire purchase and rehab funds. I have a pro forma to share for those interested. 

Purchase $31k

Rehab $10-15k (Cosmetic)

ARV $60-65k

50/50

4218 Laura Ave.

Shively, KY 40216

Thanks in advance.  

Post: Square footage rehab and addition costs for Indianapolis

Michael HopkinsPosted
  • Wholesaler
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Posts 11
  • Votes 4

Hi Josh, thanks for the excellent insight! I'm curious how many properties you're working on at once where you need to jump in and roll up your sleeves. It sounds like you're a full time investor. 

Post: Square footage rehab and addition costs for Indianapolis

Michael HopkinsPosted
  • Wholesaler
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Posts 11
  • Votes 4

Hi All, would anyone know the following for the Indianapolis market: 

• Low / Medium / High end rehab costs per square foot?

• Addition costs (additional bedroom, bathroom, etc.) per square foot?

Thanks in advance!

Post: Hello all! 3 months new in Pasadena, CA

Michael HopkinsPosted
  • Wholesaler
  • Pasadena, CA
  • Posts 11
  • Votes 4

I've been visiting Bigger Pockets for about a year, and finally decided to get in the game. This community and the podcasts are an amazing resource! 

I'm 3 months old, and have already been a month and a half into marketing. The marketing works! I've been talking with sellers. While I don't have a deal yet, each of those conversations has been educational. 

Looking forward to contributing and networking!

Michael

I've got a unique lead in Pasadena, CA I could use input on analyzing as I'm a relatively new investor. Here's the highlights:

ARV $750-850k

• Historic District, California Craftsman

• Seller wants $200k cash out

• Loan Balance $550k, Reverse Mortgage

• My General Contractor toured the home and provided this strategy recommendation: 

> Sub divide the 18,000 square foot lot into (2) lots and build a second SFR; Sell at $750 - 850k each

> $500-600k rehab costs

> 12-18 month timeline

Input and/or interested investing partners are welcome. Thanks in advance!

I can almost hear the panic in your post's tone. ; ) Great save and a gorgeous outcome. Well done!