Multifamily Apartment Buildings
Apartment Building in Turn-Key Condition
Investors interested in
Commercial Real Estate is
Multifamily Apartment Buildings
Multifamily properties are relatively straightforward and easy to understand. After all, many people have lived in an apartment building at some point in time. Purchase the property, rent units on an annual basis, invest in capital expenses as necessary to maintain the property.
Here are seven things to look for when investing in apartment buildings:
Market conditions.Before investing in a project, you should always understand current market conditions. This is true at both a macro- and micro-level. At the macro-level, be sure you understand where we are in the current market cycle. Buyers typically have the upper-hand in a down market, whereas sellers can drive prices up in an up-market.At a more micro-level, consider local economic conditions. Specifically, understand the local economic drivers that can provide rental demand. Is the property located near a major hospital or university? Are there major employers located nearby? What are the risks associated with the local economic drivers? For example, if the major economic driver is a naval base, is there any risk that the naval base could shut down, and if so, what impact would it have on demand for this apartment building? The stronger (and more diverse) the local economic drivers, the better positioned the investment is to weather a downturn.
Comparable or planned developments.No matter what asset class you’re investing in, you should always evaluate your potential competitors. When investing in an apartment building, that means doing your due diligence to understand what other multifamily properties are located nearby, their average rents, their vacancy rates, and their properties’ amenities. See how the investment you’re considering stacks up relative to these others.Go beyond the competition that already exists. Look into what other developments may be planned or in the pipeline locally. This will help you understand what competition, if any, could affect the value of the property you’re considering investing in.
Current cash flow.Properties are often valued based on their income generating potential. Understanding the current cash flow can help you back into an appropriate purchase price for the property. It also helps investors identify areas for improvement. For instance, if cash flow seems to be low, understand why. Could rents be increased? Could strategic investments in amenities (e.g., storage lockers, on-site laundry) result in increased cash flow?
Multifamily Apartment Buildings
Apartment Building in Turn-Key Condition
Condition of property.When evaluating an investment opportunity, consider the condition of the property. Are the major systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, roof, etc.) in good condition? How much life do these systems have left in them? If critical building systems need immediate repair or replacement, the capex costs need to be evaluated in conjunction with the purchase price to understand the total investment cost basis.Aside from the condition of major building systems, investors should evaluate the general aesthetics and condition of the interior building and interior units. Is there room to improve the units, and correspondingly, increase rents? This may be an opportunity for value-add investors. Those looking to take a more hands-off approach are typically better off purchasing a fully stabilized apartment building
Multifamily Apartment Buildings
in turn-key condition.