I’m considering amulti-family property in the 76104 zip code of Fort Worth, TX, and I’d love your feedback to help determine if this is a good deal.Property DetailsAsking Price: $169,999 (seller says it’s negotiable).Current Rental Income: $2,400/month (duplex is vacant).Configuration: Combination of duplex and triplex units.Some units are rented at below-market rates.The duplex and need rehab.Historical Income: Seller claims it previously brought in $5,000/month when fully occupied.ConditionBuilt in 1934, so it’s an older property.Some permits were recently pulled (e.g., plumbing, window replacements, and sheetrock repairs), but it still needs work to get the vacant units ready to rent.It’s located in a neighborhood with a higher crime rate but also near major highways and areas with rental demand (e.g., downtown Fort Worth and Texas Christian University).My Goal:I’m focused on cash flow, and this property seems like it could work if I can stabilize it.

The interest rate is 7%, so we suggest this property is for someone who wants to get into Lease Options and meets the other requirements such as adequate reserves and credit.That means, they buy the property, they wind up with $50,000 in equity and they do a Lease Option to a buyer who doesn't currently own a house, but wants to.

The house we just bought is in cabarrus county and currently 1300 sqft with a 200 sqft breezeway.

As I'm sure you're well aware, the small multifamily space in metro ATL is competitive despite current interest rates. 

I have made some local connections for contractors to do something solo when my current projects wrap up. 

Here are some general guidelines: Lien Position1st Position LienEquityMinimum Down Payment of 20-25% (a 30% equity to sale price is preferred)Down Payment made in certified funds and not borrowedMaximum Funding of 70% ITV (Investment to Value)SeasoningMinimum of two monthly payments already made12 months or more preferredPayer CreditCredit Score of 650 or higherNo major derogatory trade lines (No 90-180+ days delinquent, foreclosure, repossession, bankruptcy, etc.)No decline in credit since purchase of businessTermsPrefer 60 months or lessMaximum of 72 monthsNo Balloon Payment preferredCash FlowBusiness has positive cash flow1.25 debt service coverage ratio preferred.DocumentationPersonal guarantee from a creditworthy individualStandard documents including Note, Security Agreement, and UCC-1 filing.Tax Returns on the business that substantiate profit and loss statements.OtherPayment history current and verifiablePayer Interview indicating buyer is satisfied with business and comfortable making paymentsMotivation for selling the note is not a result of a deteriorating businessConsideration of high risk businesses or geographic areasIn these situations, sometimes a partial is a better option. 

Find a partner, find co-workers/friends/relatives you wouldn’t mind living with, find a property you can buy for less than your current rent.

I totally understand and acknowledge the idea of investing where you currently live. 

Simply gifting him half the property now wouldn’t immediately allow him to claim the exclusion without fulfilling this residency requirement, I don't believe.One thought would be to use a HELOC to pull just enough equity out of the current home and use it to buy a smaller home, or at least the down payment.

@Austin Green we currently live in Franklin (short term)!