Every serious real estate investor will eventually explore adding multifamily developments to their investment portfolio. The reason for doing this is simple: investing in multifamily properties helps boosts your income while reducing vacancy rates. In this post, we’ll help you understand why acquiring, renovating, selling, and establishing a recurring rental property income, is a fantastic way to see high yield returns on investments.
What is a Multifamily Property?
A multifamily property is any residential property that contains more than one housing unit. Duplexes, townhomes, apartment complexes, and condominiums are common examples of multifamily properties. New investors can find great investment opportunities with multifamily properties. Investing in multifamily properties can be a great wealth-building tool and also helps diversify an investment portfolio.
What to Look for when Investing in Multifamily Properties
Deciding on which multifamily development to invest in is not as simple as window shopping on the weekend. Investors need to conduct their due diligence. Fortunately for investors, experience multifamily property development experts like Casey Development, Ltd. are the perfect partner for those looking to invest in these properties. We’ve put together a checklist on what to look for when deciding on investing in a multifamily developments. Let’s dive in.
Location, Location, Location
It may sound cliche when it comes to real estate investing, but location of your multifamily development project is of the utmost importance. With more tenants, every unit will need to appeal to renters. Most renters choose where they rent primarily because of the location. Investors should look for high-growth, high-yield areas (such as Austin or San Antonio), where properties and prime locations are in high demand.
Total Number of Units
After finding a multifamily investment opportunity, you’ll then want to evaluate the property as a whole. Investors should consider the number of units on the property, including the total number of rooms in each unit. Obviously the higher number of units and total number of rooms, the potential for higher investment capital and higher risk. For those just starting out, consider beginning with investing in duplexes, triplexes, or quadplexes, as these properties offer the most upside with the least amount of risk for beginners.
Income Potential
Investors in the industry to make money, there’s no two ways about it. So, the next step in the process needs to be evaluating how much income potential the multifamily property can accrue. As a general rule of thumb, the 50% rule is recommended. Meaning 50% of an investment’s income should be spent on the expenses rather than the mortgage.
Total Number of Units
After finding a multifamily investment opportunity, you’ll then want to evaluate the property as a whole. Investors should consider the number of units on the property, including the total number of rooms in each unit. Obviously the higher number of units and total number of rooms, the potential for higher investment capital and higher risk. For those just starting out, consider beginning with investing in duplexes, triplexes, or quadplexes, as these properties offer the most upside with the least amount of risk for beginners.
Multifamily Investing Benefits
A multifamily property, or multi-dwelling unit (MDU), is a residential building with two or more units under one roof. They can also be several buildings within one complex. The most common examples are duplexes, townhouses, and some types of condos. Each unit tends to have its own living space, a separate kitchen, and a bathroom. A multifamily property will generally consist of owning the property and the land on one recorded deed. In some cases, it can be owned by one or more parties.
While they are the least common type of residential buildings, investing in multifamily properties is an immensely favorable strategy among investors thanks to their additional source of monthly income, along with slow but steady appreciation. As an investor, the advantages of owning a multifamily property include:
More Cash Flow
The major difference between a single-family investment property and a multifamily investment property is that the multifamily property produces multiple forms of monthly income. These investments represent an innovative opportunity to generate additional income from one investment.
More Control Over Value
The more income a property receives, the higher the value is. Multifamily properties are comprised of more units, which means earning multiple streams of income. Therefore, these investments are generally valued higher than single-family homes, dependent on comparable sales as rentals.
Larger Pool of Possible Tenants
One of the underlying benefits of investing in multifamily properties is less risk. How, you ask? Because, unlike single-family units, where income is lost when the home is vacant, multifamily properties have numerous units and alleviate the total economic loss for investors.
Scalability
Multifamily investments epitomize scalability. Rather than purchasing one property at a time, these investments allow for the acquisition of multiple properties within one building. They are perfect for those looking to grow their real estate investment portfolio and take their business to the next level with the option for investors to venture into the arena of mixed-use and apartment investing down the road.
Casey Development, Ltd: Multifamily Development Investors
With population and economic growth expected to continue booming in cities like Austin, San Antonio, San Marcos, and New Braunfels, multifamily real estate development is only going to continue to grow. If you’re considering adding a multifamily investment to your portfolio, contact Texas’ best multifamily real estate development investment firm, Casey Development, Ltd., to learn more.