The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Care to share? your #'s that is.......

EasyMoney_in_NC

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
5%
Sep 9, 2007
348
16
Wilmington NC
So I often wondered (especially after some of the threads I was a part of on the RD board), what values are in other areas and how my area stacks up.
What I'd like to know (and please only those that are actually in it...for accuracy), is what does an average rental home A) cost B)what size and features (# of beds/bath/garage) C) age/condition D) rents for and would it cash flow at those values.

For instance in my area, the average rental house is: 1200 +/- sqft. 3 bed, 2 full baths and a garage. Average age is within 10 years old +/- . Prices these days for this house run $160K to $185K and rent these days run from $950-1100 and take from 1-3 months to rent (I can only guess on that one, mine rent usually within 30 days or less).
Larger homes here tend to take longer to rent than that small box. Everyone and their uncle is a Landlord around here, so I have to really be on my sales game and make sure I make the most of every contact with prospective renters.

I'd love to know how others have it around the country. I think this group is a bit more mature and not over run with newbies as apposed to the RD forum (I would never ask this there) and I look forward to the regulars chiming in on what they experience. I'd like to hear from those with rentals or that manage. I'd like to keep speculative talk out, I really want accurate pictures of the country, not what someone thinks is happening.

TIA
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

phlgirl

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Aug 29, 2007
755
157
Philadelphia
We buy single family homes in Jacksonville, FL. Typical scenario looks something like this:
  • 3/1 - 4/2
  • concrete block
  • 900-1400 sq ft
  • 10,000 sqft lot size (avg)
  • Purchase price 45k - 75k (50-70 cents on $1)
  • Rehab price 5k-15k
  • Appraised Value 100k - 140k
  • Rents $750 - $900
Solid working class neighborhoods on the north, west and south sides of JAX. They fill up pretty quick. I think our longest wait to rent has been 1.5 months but most are occupied in two weeks time. The tenants do not have the best credit, in most cases anyway, but if you set the expectations/rules clearly from the get-go, it tpically works out. I would buy a thousand of 'em, if I could......
 

EasyMoney_in_NC

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
5%
Sep 9, 2007
348
16
Wilmington NC
wow, not to bad. do you pull money out on refi to fund others? are there that many available that allows you a choice of what to pick from? Our market is pretty much tapped for that type of deal and has been for years. Now you buy junk at slightly reduced retail, dump money in and wait for the value to catch up to your investment (I don't partake in this, I built all mine from scratch). Would love to find a house worth having for that little $$. I hear Florida is a VERY hard market these days.......any comments one way or the other?
 

phlgirl

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Aug 29, 2007
755
157
Philadelphia
Yes, parts of FL are a mess right now but FL is a really big place. :) Like many other markets, Jacksonville experienced a significant price surge and there are now more homes for sale then there are buyers. This is across the board, in all price ranges. It is a very tough time, if you are trying to sell something.

We left PHL about 1.5 years ago now, due to the same type of experience you speak of, with regard to your market. I started investing in RE, according to RD rules with the #1 rule being positive cash flow. Unfortunately, when we hit our target RE income, which allowed us to exit the rat race, the cash flowing properties in Philly had dissapeared. We had to find a new market. So, after months and months of research and seveal trips south, we decided that JAX showed the most promise. It is one of the last affordable coastal towns and it is growing at a rate of 75 people per day (according to census). There are several large companies moving into the area (a lot of focus on international shipping) and they are expanding the infrastructure to accomodate the growth.

With a little research, you can find properties that cash flow here. As our relationships with REO realtors and banks get stronger (and the foreclosures keep coming) , the deals get even better. We pass on deals weekly and cherry pick the best ones for ourselves. We have acquired 40 properties since we got here and, had our capital base been more, it could have easily been 100+. In fact, we work very closely with another REI company who has a portfolio over 100, in that amount of time.

We buy the houses cash and then perform a cash out refi, such that none of our money is left in the deal. In fact, we almost always take out 5-10k more than we put in.

Plan, for now, is to hold longer term (5-10 yrs). By that time, the property cycle should have swung back around and, if projections are accurate, Jacksonville will be well on it's way to being a more substantial city.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

yveskleinsky

Silver Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
23%
Jul 26, 2007
2,215
515
46
What kind of interest rates are you getting for a refi? ...Interesting approach. I am assuming you are buying cash for quicker, cheaper closings and more incentive to sellers?

As far as rentals in my area:


5-10 year old homes: 3/2/2, around 1900 sq. ft., $190k-$245k, rents: approx. $1100-$1350/month. Rental time: varies when planes are rotated out. (Near AF base). Approx. 3 months when planes are slow in switching out.

Newer homes (1-5 years): 4/2/2, around 1900 sq.ft., $230k-$260k, rents: approx. $1400-$1900/month. Rental time varies with planes as well. Same timeframe for rental.
 

phlgirl

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Aug 29, 2007
755
157
Philadelphia
What kind of interest rates are you getting for a refi? ...Interesting approach. I am assuming you are buying cash for quicker, cheaper closings and more incentive to sellers?

Yes, exactly. The cash closing, in 5-7 days if necessary, really helps in convincing banks/sellers that you are serious and ready to act. This also improves our chances of having a seller accept a deeper discount.

All of our mortgages/HELOCS are fixed for 25 or 30 year terms and range from 7-8%. The products have definaetely become more difficult to find, as of late (particularly for us stated folks), but we still have a few banks working with us and are always keeping our eyes/ears open for more.
 

santiago

Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
27%
Aug 20, 2007
107
29
I have a few homes in the northern suburbs of Atlanta that fall into the following category

3 bedroom/2bath
150-160k
rent for 1200-1300 a month
I usually find a tenant within a month, usually a starter family that got into a credit crunch and are looking to rent till they fix their credit. Most of the time they don't fix the credit and stay with me for 4-5 years..

Phlgirl- thanks for sharing on your Jax market - I always thought that would be a great place to operate in..
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

EasyMoney_in_NC

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
5%
Sep 9, 2007
348
16
Wilmington NC
Yes, parts of FL are a mess right now but FL is a really big place. :) Like many other markets, Jacksonville experienced a significant price surge and there are now more homes for sale then there are buyers. This is across the board, in all price ranges. It is a very tough time, if you are trying to sell something.

We left PHL about 1.5 years ago now, due to the same type of experience you speak of, with regard to your market. I started investing in RE, according to RD rules with the #1 rule being positive cash flow. Unfortunately, when we hit our target RE income, which allowed us to exit the rat race, the cash flowing properties in Philly had dissapeared. We had to find a new market. So, after months and months of research and seveal trips south, we decided that JAX showed the most promise. It is one of the last affordable coastal towns and it is growing at a rate of 75 people per day (according to census). There are several large companies moving into the area (a lot of focus on international shipping) and they are expanding the infrastructure to accomodate the growth.

With a little research, you can find properties that cash flow here. As our relationships with REO realtors and banks get stronger (and the foreclosures keep coming) , the deals get even better. We pass on deals weekly and cherry pick the best ones for ourselves. We have acquired 40 properties since we got here and, had our capital base been more, it could have easily been 100+. In fact, we work very closely with another REI company who has a portfolio over 100, in that amount of time.

We buy the houses cash and then perform a cash out refi, such that none of our money is left in the deal. In fact, we almost always take out 5-10k more than we put in.

Plan, for now, is to hold longer term (5-10 yrs). By that time, the property cycle should have swung back around and, if projections are accurate, Jacksonville will be well on it's way to being a more substantial city.

Well bravo for you :thumbsup:Way to go. Wish I had product here to do that with. This area is SOOO cash rich, that everyone's chasing the same duck. I used to build my rentals, but the lot values have gotten way out of hand and I can't do what I've done...anymore. Right now, there's the same amount of money to be made by selling the lot (if you got in right) as there is in building and selling a completed house (size dependent but as it pertains to cookie cutter rental houses). I'm surprised you have as many deals to choose from as you do. There aren't any here.......hasn't been in quite some time. Market values shot up in a heart beat from $100/foot to $135-$150/ft but rents hadn't really followed. Only now are there the average rental home breaking $1000/month. There's so many to choose from (it never ceases to amaze me how lucky we get in renting ours) that the market stay saturated and we all go nowhere price wise. Luckily mine all CF very well even with 80% LTV initial loans. I've been saying for years to my wife, that if I had come into this area in recent years, there'd be NO WAY I'd be in the rental market here. To many idiot owners, to many idiot RE rental agents, and crappy L/T laws. We have just always been so amazingly fortunate in our business, its been worth staying with and I got in "right" so......

May need to take a closer look the next time I pass thru Jax :) Looking for investor partners? :D Licensed GC here!!
 

Bilgefisher

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
17%
Aug 29, 2007
1,815
308
Aurora, Co
Yes, parts of FL are a mess right now but FL is a really big place. :) Like many other markets, Jacksonville experienced a significant price surge and there are now more homes for sale then there are buyers. This is across the board, in all price ranges. It is a very tough time, if you are trying to sell something.

We left PHL about 1.5 years ago now, due to the same type of experience you speak of, with regard to your market. I started investing in RE, according to RD rules with the #1 rule being positive cash flow. Unfortunately, when we hit our target RE income, which allowed us to exit the rat race, the cash flowing properties in Philly had dissapeared. We had to find a new market. So, after months and months of research and seveal trips south, we decided that JAX showed the most promise. It is one of the last affordable coastal towns and it is growing at a rate of 75 people per day (according to census). There are several large companies moving into the area (a lot of focus on international shipping) and they are expanding the infrastructure to accomodate the growth.

With a little research, you can find properties that cash flow here. As our relationships with REO realtors and banks get stronger (and the foreclosures keep coming) , the deals get even better. We pass on deals weekly and cherry pick the best ones for ourselves. We have acquired 40 properties since we got here and, had our capital base been more, it could have easily been 100+. In fact, we work very closely with another REI company who has a portfolio over 100, in that amount of time.

We buy the houses cash and then perform a cash out refi, such that none of our money is left in the deal. In fact, we almost always take out 5-10k more than we put in.

Plan, for now, is to hold longer term (5-10 yrs). By that time, the property cycle should have swung back around and, if projections are accurate, Jacksonville will be well on it's way to being a more substantial city.

Slightly off topic, but when the Navy choose to decommission the JFK, how much did this affect your area? (kinda curious I was stationed in Kingsbay, Ga and was in Jacksonville about 3 times a week.)
 

phlgirl

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Aug 29, 2007
755
157
Philadelphia
Well bravo for you :thumbsup:Way to go. Wish I had product here to do that with. This area is SOOO cash rich, that everyone's chasing the same duck. I used to build my rentals, but the lot values have gotten way out of hand and I can't do what I've done...anymore. Right now, there's the same amount of money to be made by selling the lot (if you got in right) as there is in building and selling a completed house (size dependent but as it pertains to cookie cutter rental houses). I'm surprised you have as many deals to choose from as you do. There aren't any here.......hasn't been in quite some time. Market values shot up in a heart beat from $100/foot to $135-$150/ft but rents hadn't really followed. Only now are there the average rental home breaking $1000/month. There's so many to choose from (it never ceases to amaze me how lucky we get in renting ours) that the market stay saturated and we all go nowhere price wise. Luckily mine all CF very well even with 80% LTV initial loans. I've been saying for years to my wife, that if I had come into this area in recent years, there'd be NO WAY I'd be in the rental market here. To many idiot owners, to many idiot RE rental agents, and crappy L/T laws. We have just always been so amazingly fortunate in our business, its been worth staying with and I got in "right" so......

May need to take a closer look the next time I pass thru Jax :) Looking for investor partners? :D Licensed GC here!!

Thanks, Easy. It was a scary leap - especially with the relocation and everything - but, so far, it has been everything we hoped it would be. :) It was a now or never type of decision. We do not yet have a family so figured we could take the chance.

I will PM you, as we do work with a few other experienced (but not local) investors.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

phlgirl

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Aug 29, 2007
755
157
Philadelphia
Slightly off topic, but when the Navy choose to decommission the JFK, how much did this affect your area? (kinda curious I was stationed in Kingsbay, Ga and was in Jacksonville about 3 times a week.)

Heard a little bit about this but do not think we were directly impacted, as the Mayport Naval Station is located pretty far east (we invest north, south and west). As you can imagine, the closer you get to the ocean, the more expensive RE tends to get - which makes it more difficult, with regards to cash-flow.
 

phlgirl

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
21%
Aug 29, 2007
755
157
Philadelphia
My apologies.... I think I may have hijacked this thread a bit.

Anyone else have numbers they would like to share? I am personally hoping to hear from someone in south TX. I hear the deals are pretty good there these days?
 

andviv

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
40%
Jul 27, 2007
5,361
2,143
Washington DC
Right now I am looking at multis deals in Houston, not SFH's. Current deal on the works is at around $40K per unit, rents around $650-$700 a month. It'd be interesting to see how are the SFHs doing in the area, but I have no clue.

phlgirl, your posts are very good.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

yveskleinsky

Silver Contributor
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
23%
Jul 26, 2007
2,215
515
46
My dad is part of a group that buys apartments in Houston. ...seems to be going really well. They look for class D apartments and gut 'em.
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

Latest Posts

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top