First, I’m not really seeing enough cushion in certain popular areas for investors to realistically hit a 30% profit margin.

Renting  rooms is almost always more profitable than renting entire suites or houses.

.), it can be profitable.

What would you consider a good minimum profit margin?

Searching property records for o deeds doesn’t tell us if the underlying transaction was profitable, or what the ROI is.3.

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. 

(Is there any “profit” left?) 

Stay tuned for our next blog on tenant retention strategies for long-term profitability!

There is way too much risk here and no profit.

Hi Will in Chicago-Congratulations on having a paid off rental with 500K in equity.You are wondering what options may be available to put that equity to work and you are not interested in buying another traditional rental.One suggestion I would offer is to put some of the equity to work by becoming a private money lender partnering with an investor that would split the profits with you on short-term projects.You could turn that money over and over into the next project getting a higher return than the trapped equity and getting a lien position on the project property to protect your downside investing in a fairly passive way.To Your Success!