Buying an Investment Property

Buying investment property is a big deal. It is a huge asset for most individuals, and it requires work. Many individuals actually view owning a rental property as being more similar to a small business than an investment, because it involves customers (tenants) and vendors.

We work with real estate investors to purchase real estate to generate cash flow and equity and diversify investment portfolios. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate investor or want to buy your first investment property you need local knowledge and extensive experience to secure the right properties that will cash flow. We employ strategies to buy right based on location and growth and to find distressed and early-stage foreclosure properties. We look at the potential cash flow and expenses of the property including taxes and maintenance as well as compare rents of similar units in the area and review tenant occupancy to understand if the property is available with ongoing leases in place. We understand that owning rental property is part of an investor’s business plan and treat it as such.

If you’re ready to invest or re-invest here are some things to consider:

Payment Strategy: Mortgage, Cash, Retirement fund, 1031 Exchange, Inheritance, Stock Options
Different purchase methods have different requirements. For example, a 1031 exchange requires specific time frames to be met for the identification and exchange of property. When using retirement funds often the money used for payment needs to be sent directly from the fund to escrow to avoid potential tax penalties. If a mortgage will be applied for, it must be a mortgage that allows the owner to lease the property after purchase. These are just a few examples of many requirements when purchasing an investment property. It’s critical that you work with agents that understand the ins and outs of investment property as maximizing your investment dollars often depends on it.

Considering The Extra Expenses
Every property has items that the owner is ultimately responsible for. Below are some to think about when purchasing an investment property:

• Property Taxes
• Maintenance
• Repairs
• Service Calls
• Wear and Tear
• Landscaping
• Property Management
• Insurance
• Damage to the property
• Utilities
• Appliances
• Tenant Non-Payment
• Potential legal fees
• Depreciation
• Hold time
• Cost basis
• Tax Preparation

Calculating Your Return On Investment
Once total expenditure is derived the true test is return on investment. Use the below calculation to estimate your ROI. First, take your total equity, and divide it by your annual return. You can calculate your annual return by doing the following:

Gross Income – Expenses (including mortgage payment) = Cash Flow
Cash Flow – Income Taxes + Principal Payment = Annual Return

To calculate your Return on Investment = Current Equity / Total Return

It is important to calculate this return annually, especially relative to other investments so you can compare your rental property’s performance. This is an essential calculation before buying any type of investment property.