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All Forum Posts by: Michael Tempel

Michael Tempel has started 59 posts and replied 312 times.

Post: Ways to Reduce Electric, Water and Gas Usage on a Property - Multifamily

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166

I have spent a lot of time on this area in the last few years.   We manage larger apartment communities that range from C to A class market rate apartment or mixed use buildings with most properties being over 50 units.

On average our overall electric bill per months is around 8400, water around 6500 and gas in the heat of winter is around 21000!   My goal has been to reduce each category by about 15% or more.   This could be a savings of 64,000 plus per year.  I have had some ideas work extremely well and others....are still being tested.  

Can anyone share ideas or techniques that have worked that haven't been cost prohibited?  

Here are a few things I did this year that do seem to be working.

Electric - Pretty much across the board on all our properties we have been installing or retrofitting LED.  There is an upfront cost, but after rebates and other incentives we have seen a payback that is less than 2 years.   We most recently did this at a property that had 3800 a month in electrical expenses, it is a 67 unit property, with 3 levels of underground parking.   After the LED was installed we cut this down by over half and lowered maintenance cost at the same time (you don't have to switch LED out for years).

Keep in mind this is only for common areas, residents and commercial tenants pay their own electric and in some cases heat based on the property.

Water -  This is an expense that I think a lot of companies don't look at deeply, but is a very large expense that typically will continue to see rate increases from the municipality. 

One option we have done is - charge residents for the water.   Most properties are not metered so you will need to check with your local laws and likely use an outside vendor or utility option in your accounting software that automatically allocates the bill to residents base on size and occupancy.   I have done this in the past, but it can open a lot of issues and in some cases management companies have been sued in our market for incorrect bills or fees that in some cases were over 20% of the overall bill.

Most of our buildings are very nicely renovated C class properties, but have to compete with similar properties in our market that do not charge for water.   Here are a few things I have done, that I think has helped.

Quarterly unit by unit checks for leaks or other issues by maintenance.  This seems excessive, but I have seen a drop of 3000 multiple times.   It definitely pays for the time to do this.

Retrofit toilets with different valve fillers that reduce the flow by 1.5 gallons per flush.  You can also add a toilet back or other to the toilet....this can be tricky if the resident bumps it and it causes damage to the flapper etc.   There is nothing worse than a bad flapper/running toilet for your water bill.   ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY FLAPPERS....never shave dollars by putting cheap or incorrect flappers in.

I haven't done all the extra low flow shower heads and low flow attachments on fixtures.   Unfortunately most residents either complain or remove these.

With the above being said, I decided to go right to the source (main line).   You can check the pressure with a low cost gauge (about $45.00).  My goal was to get the PSI down by 15%, which I did on some test properties.  We saw a reduction in cost, but also a reduction in leaks!   When you have a high water pressure, this will increase the overall maintenance of the property as well.   I used a flow reducer/control at the main line and can literally turn the water pressure up or down at the source.   Of course a lot of testing is needed to get it right, but it did shave off 1200.00 per quarter on one property alone.

Gas is the one I am stuck on :-).   Obviously keeping boilers or other running as efficiently as possible is the goal, but outside of keeping the temp at a reasonable level....don't have the boilers cranked up to high....I really haven't found a way to reduce this without putting I new windows or a completely new system or have the residents pay for it.   Any thoughts?

Again, I would like to see what people are doing, especially on the larger properties.   I think this is an area you can make a huge difference on the bottom line and I rarely see other properties take full advantage of savings when we are touring for acquisitions.

Looking for ideas :-).

I unfortunately agree that the market is overheated right now. At the same time deals do exist, personally I am tired of sellers not even willing to share rent rolls or financials "due to the market". Yes, it is hot, but that doesn't mean anyone should buy without digging into info. Another scary thought is our 401k, IRAs and really other investment funds with RE as a focus are being managed poorly with upside down assets purchased to move cash by the managers that like to buy pretty buildings at a premium with OPM. I don't want to see a crash, but my money is ready and waiting.

Post: Class A or Class C

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166

I agree from a simple point of view based on cap rates....the A makes the most sense.  If you can buy a run down property in a good area and turn it into a B+, it is amazing how much value you can create that isn't usually possible with a class A.  

All of our properties with the exception of one are class C's that are renovated.  If curious you can see some examples at www.NexusApartmentLiving.com - basically very reasonable prices were paid for the properties usually 20,000 a unit less than other similar properties (that is really where you make your money) and on average we did about 10,000 or less per unit in renovations adding new flooring, granite countertops, new cabinets, stainless steel appliances and of course other common area upgrades based on the property.  It takes time and effort, but is amazing how much the value and monthly increases after the renovations are completed. 

Quick example...if you pay a total of 50,000 a unit for a class C and have better finishes (after renovation) in a good area than an A class property bought for 110,000, imagine how much more that class A has to produce in rent and how much more rent the class C can now charge with better finishes without owing and extra 60,000 per unit in debt.

Post: Any Contacted by a mining company from Croatia? Want to invest 15 million

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166

I found some info on Linked in.  That is about right.  They basically make you think you are getting a large investment and somehow con you out of 450,000.00.  First off the website is in English and the calls come in from California using a magic jack line (very cheap phone service you can plug into the wall...mobile and not very traceable).   I will admit I was fooled for about 1 e-mail and they did really call etc.   I just research the heck out of anyone that I work with if possible....even if they were legitimate, I don't want to accidently help a terrorist etc. move money around.

Here is the website if curious:

www.cristalnaturalminerals.com

Post: Any Contacted by a mining company from Croatia? Want to invest 15 million

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166
I have e-mails and calls from an individual that claims to own a mineral operation in Croatia. Anyone run into the same thing? Really cannot figure out the scam.

Post: Better to buy several small properties or one big block?

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166
The best way to achieve economies of scale by maximizing unit numbers in the same property. I agree with all of the above, however if I had 1 million to investment I would focus on a 50 plus unit property and leverage the debt. One thing that wasn't mentioned is that it can be a pain in the butt to close on 40 duplexes vs. 1 building. I often see portfolios sell at a discount for this reason. Not to mention the acquisition process. To me less with more is better then more worth less (individual units vs. larger Multifamily).

Post: I have Foreign Investor Interest, How to Verify, Conduct Business?

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166

We have been in business since 2007 and have a successful business that luckily has had a great track record.  This has attracted investor interest, but at the same time opens up potential liability and of course the task of property setting up investment structures that I iron clad and good for all parties involved.

We recently have been contacted by multiple interest from foreign countries.  Does anyone have good advice on how to proceed?  I want to make sure the sources are valid of course, but also not connected to anything that could negatively are company image as well.

Also, I have a few groups I work with that have put valid syndications together (about 25 million under management), but am looking for an individual that can help do the same for our company directly vs. an outside group we offer our services to.

If anyone can offer help in either area I thank you in advance.   We currently have about 15 million combined investment offers from multiple investors that reached out to us directly that we simply don't know how to proceed with.

Post: Why are RE Funds Paying Way Over Value in Select Markets

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166

First off....I am taking a short break from the Minneapolis, MN market. Outside investors are paying beyond a premium and I am seeing long term hold investors sell like crazy. I am not talking about single family portfolios, but 100-2000 unit portfolios.

That does not even consider development! My favorite is "222 Hennepin Apartments" they created an amazing space (great job, love the leadership in that company), but quickly realized they needed to move on. The numbers are extremely tight in new construction, especially downtown Minneapolis. It is obvious they wanted to exit quickly at a premium and I believe it is a superior product that should sell at an extremely high rate.

My point is....there are tons of funds that have excess capital and nothing to do with it. THEY SIMPLY WANT PROJECTS....THE COOLER THE BETTER.....but....THEY DONT MAKE GREAT RETURNS.

I like to make 15 to 30% returns....these Chicago, NY and other fund mangers are happy to make 8% on your money. God Bless them. I cannot wait to buy back these properties, it is obvious that they are taking the easy route now, but will be in a heap pile of crap when they realize they don't understand what they bought at a premium.

Post: What's the best iPhone app or device for logging miles?

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166

I use GPS Logbook.  You can find it on Amazon.com.  Basically you just plug it in your car cigarette lighter (or whatever they are called now) and it will track everything and include a detailed map.  I have one in each car and just have to sync it every 15 days or so online.

Post: What list do you use when inspecting an apartment complex

Michael TempelPosted
  • Property Manager
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Posts 379
  • Votes 166

We normally redo the kitchens, flooring and lighting so it makes a lot of the regular items less important.  

Think of major items that will cost the most money.

Tile in the bathrooms, windows (overall), appliances, doors (sometimes they are not hung or in bad condition), bathtubs (do they need replacement or major repairs), plumbing (overall), air conditioners (do they work or are they outdated)......

We also rate each unit 1-10 based on all factors and list tenant issues if during due diligence so we know if we should consider non-renewing or addressing at the time of acquisition.  We normally do a unit by unit inspection 30 days or earlier before closing.