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All Forum Posts by: Robert Leonard

Robert Leonard has started 19 posts and replied 235 times.

Post: Can you guys help me analyze this deal?

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Michael Van Are you looking to wholesale it or rent it? You have rents of $1,000 in the analysis, but the description makes it sound like it'll just be a wholesale deal. 

Post: [Calc Review] Help me analyze this deal

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Yasiel Figueroa I agree with everything @Taylor L. said. I'd also add that you vacancy, CapEx, Insurance, and Repairs also seem too low, in addition to your property management of 2%, as Taylor mentioned.

I generally like my vacancy rate of 8-10%, CapEx + Repairs at 15% total, and for insurance I'd get actual quotes for a given property - it's free and more accurate than guessing.

Robert Leonard

Post: Does anyone have any info?

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

Absolute, many people have been successful using hard money lenders. But, as with anything else, you need to make sure you are dealing with a high-quality money lender that isn't going to rip you off. Do your due diligence, get referrals, talk to people who have used the specific hard money lender you're thinking of using. Hard money lenders are going to vary widely based on where you are investing.

Robert Leonard

Post: Buy and Hold or Flip Advice

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Joseph A. If you can BRRRR the property, I'd recommend that. You get the best of both worlds.

Post: [Calc Review] Help me analyze this deal

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Kevin Pereira Welcome to BP and REI! I'm assuming this is going to be an owner-occupied property since you're putting 3.5% down? Your vacancy seems a bit low for me, personally, but other than that, the cash flow and ROI numbers look great.

Post: [Calc Review] Help me analyze this deal - 4-plex 1 of 2 units

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Mark Collins Many of my comments from your other post are applicable here as well. However, a 4-plex cash flowing at $285 per month is not worth it, to me. The COC ROI is too low and so is the cap rate. See if your numbers change at all based on my other comments, but if not, I'd personally pass on this one and consider the other one more.

Post: [Calc Review] Help me analyze this deal - 4-plex 2 of 2 units

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Mark Collins Congrats on your last investment success/profit!

In regards to your analysis, the first few things I'd say, they're relatively minor, but still impact the amount of cash needed for the deal. It seems like your closing costs and repair costs are a bit low. Closing costs vary from lender to lender and from location to location, so it is possible that your number is accurate, it just seems low to me on the surface. $1,000 for repairs also seems a bit low. Even for properties in great condition, there are likely things that need to be fixed before you buy, or at least shortly after you purchase. $1,000 goes quickly, so I personally would plan for a bit more than that.

I also noticed your down payment is 20%. That is definitely possible, but I'd just confirm that your lender allows that. I am finding more and more lenders are requiring 25%. Not all, but many.

The overall cash flow is acceptable, but not great. At just $157 per unit, it is above @Brandon Turner 's minimum of $100, but I personally prefer at least $200 per unit. As a result of this, the cash on cash ROI is a bit low for me, too. My target is 30%, and my minimum is 20%. The same goes for the cap rate.

Your vacancy number of 5% is also a bit low to me. I prefer to use at least 8% (one month per year). This may be conservative, but I'd rather be pleasantly surprised when vacancy is lower than I expected. If you decide to increase your vacancy cost, that is going to reduce your already low cash flow/ROI.

However, I think your CAPEX and Repairs are a bit high. I usually look at about 15% for both of those combined. Usually a 10/5 split. If you know this property will need above average capex and repairs, I'd keep your numbers. As I mentioned, I don't mind being on the conservative side. But, it's a place you might be able to look at to increase cash flow.

Also, is this a long-distance investment for you? If not, have you considered managing it yourself? That alone could add nearly 50% more to your monthly cash flow. If you have no interest in managing the property, or can't, I think your property management fee estimate is low at just 6%. Usually they are closer to 8-10%. If you have a confirmed, quality property manager at 6%, leave it. If not, I'd do a bit more research. 

Also, based on my research of the area, your estimated total monthly rent of $5,100 seems high to me. I'm getting closer to $4,400 (, and that's even being a bit optimistic. Conservatively, I'm closer to $4,085. (3x $995, 1x 1,100)

All of that being said, I LOVE the number of bedrooms. It's a big property with a lot of bedrooms - that's good for rents. Also, it has been on the market 110 days - don't be afraid to make an offer lower than asking where the numbers make more sense. Taking advantage of the 1031 exchange is great, of course, but don't do a bad deal just to do a deal. 

Overall, I actually think this is a decent/good deal. I wouldn't say it's GREAT, but it's certainly an interesting/good deal. If you could talk down the price - even better.

Using my personal spreadsheet, here is how I would analyze this deal:

Hope this helps.

Robert Leonard

Post: Does anyone have any info?

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Jean Iresne Many people! In hopes of getting a better response, I'd recommend being a little more specific with the information you're looking for, and someone will surely help out!

Robert Leonard

Post: Can someone with experience help me evaluate this deal?

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Eric Dami Absolutely - PM and I'll send you the link!

Robert Leonard

Post: [Calc Review] Help me analyze this deal

Robert LeonardPosted
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Greater Boston Area
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 105

@Dennis M. Short and sweet, but on point. Completely agree.