All Forum Posts by: Raju Penmatcha

Hi Adriana, 

I am a commercial real estate investor in the U.S. but I live in Dubai.

In terms of the BRRR strategy, you could probably do a fix and flip in some of the older villa communities like the Springs, Meadows, or Arabian Ranches 1. I also see a lot of new villa fit-outs in Jumeirah Islands. Don't forget you need the original developer's permission to conduct structural changes to the villa inside and out. This can often be cost-prohibitive.

The real estate market in Dubai is significantly different to the U.S. though. Some positives and negatives to evaluate. 

Send me a message and we can have a virtual coffee or an in-person coffee if you're around town. Regards, R.

Hi Hemal, if you’re still looking to set up AirBNB rentals in Dubai, I can actually help set that up for you. I specialize in getting foreign investors started in Dubai and work with seasoned local companies who handle everything from start to finish. We can hop on a call to talk about it if you like.

Hi Marise,

This is Michael from Coldwell Banker UAE.

I have been in the BiggerPockets community for a few weeks now and from what I have seen is that this community and tools are mostly oriented towards the US market.

Regarding analysis for Dubai, I would more than gladly guide you through the Dubai market if you wish!

HI there

I live and own property here in Dubai. Im British and have been in Dubai for 13 years also selling real estate at Keller Wiliams so very happy to help with any questions you may have.

So I bought my own property here in Dubai last year, an offplan townhouse at 2.1 mill aed , today it is worth 3 mill aed! I paid just half of the price on it and have now made 50% appreciation on an unfinished home ..or 100% ROE on what I have actually paid. Im happy to run through this with anyone who may want to know more on Dubai real estate.

I will be speaking in Las Vegas for KW in 2 weeks on global luxury real estate also.

Hi @Raju Penmatcha plenty of people are invest in SFR. The question I will ask is would rather step or a dollar to pick a dime or just pick up the dollar? SFR are very tough, they have potential for certain niches like college rentals or rent by the room strategy. You can make SFR work but extremely tough in traditional sense. MFR have a much higher success rate in New Jersey. Collecting 2-4 rents for 1 property tends to offset taxes more favorably. Long story short, numbers are much more favorable with MFR.

While not a blanket statement, my experience is that my cash flow markets where I have my long term holds, are not going to appreciate a whole lot.  And my appreciation markets, where I run STRs, are slim on cash flow…or there is a lot of “dead” equity in order for the property to cash flow.  

That said, I’m going to put the extra money in a deal in the appreciation market, whether it is renovating a below-market-priced house so that I can rent.  Or I put a larger down payment so that it will cash flow.  Or I get an interest only mortgage.  Or short term rent, so the rents are higher.  

Here are some ideas to make raw land pay for itself:

1. RV or Tiny Home Rentals: Set up RV hookups or tiny homes for short-term rentals. With platforms like Airbnb or Hipcamp, you can attract travelers looking for unique stays. You could even offer glamping (luxury camping) to make it more attractive.
2. Agriculture Leasing: Lease the land to local farmers or ranchers. Even small-scale operations like beekeeping, organic farming, or growing specialty crops (e.g., lavender, hemp, etc.) can generate income.
3. Hunting Leases: If the land has good wildlife, you could lease it to hunters during the appropriate seasons. Hunting leases are a popular way to generate steady income, especially in rural areas.
4. Solar or Wind Leasing: If your land is in an area with good sunlight or wind, companies might be interested in leasing it to install solar panels or wind turbines. You can also look into community solar projects if you're not ready to commit to a full commercial lease.
5. Timber Harvesting: If there are trees on the land, selectively harvesting timber could generate income. Make sure to work with a forestry professional to ensure sustainable harvesting practices.
6. Rent it for Storage or Equipment: With the rise of RVs, boats, and large equipment, you can rent out part of the land as storage space for these vehicles. A low-cost investment in fencing or a gravel driveway could make the land attractive for outdoor storage.
7. Recreational Use: Open the land for recreational activities like ATV riding, horseback riding, or camping. You could charge access fees or offer day passes for off-road adventures.
8. Lease for Cell Towers: If the location is right, telecommunications companies might be interested in leasing a small portion of your land to install a cell tower.
   
9. Event Space: If you can make it picturesque or add basic amenities, the land could be rented out for events such as weddings, retreats, or festivals. Adding amenities like power, water, and a barn or pavilion could increase its value as an event space.
10. Farm-to-Table Experiences: If agriculture is possible, create an on-site farm-to-table business where people can visit, harvest, and eat fresh produce. Combining this with tours or small events can add extra income.
11. Lease Mineral or Water Rights: Depending on the area, leasing mineral or water rights can be a potential income stream if there are valuable natural resources under the land.

How many years is your long term view on farm land investments?