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How to Buy Your First Multi Family Small Apartment Building

buy_your_first_small_multi_family_apartmentDiscover how to buy your first multi family small apartment building. You'll also learn the personal benefits of owning small multi family apartments, the investing advantages of going "small", how to find the best deals, why you should start with 5 plexes and NOT 4 plexes or below, and finally, 5 different ways to finance your first deal, including if you are short on cash or credit. This is an extremely powerful training that may have a lasting impact on your financial future. Here's how to buy your first multi family small apartment building:

 

How to Buy Your First Multi Family Small Apartment Building PodCast

Commercial_Property_Advisors_Podcast

Here is a summary of what you learned in the video above:

How to Buy Your First Multi Family Small Apartment Building

 

Personal Benefits of Small Multi-Family Apartments (1:27)

  • It is easier to wrap your mind around an 8 unit apt vs a 100 unit apt
  • A smaller apartment requires less equity
  • Easier creative financing
  • Single investor
  • Smaller property equals smaller mistakes

Investment Benefits:

  • Less competition
  • Less sophisticated
  • No large ownership approval
  • Higher cash-on-cash, IRR
  • Easier to wholesale

How to Create Your Own Deal Flow: (6:10)

Real Estate Agents

  • Ask yourself what you are looking for?
  • Look for 5-20 unit apartment with some sort of upside

Loopnet.com

  • Search for small apartment buildings in your areas

Make the Call

  • Call the agent and develop a relationship with them
  • You are not after the property you are after the relationship with agent

Thank the agent for their time, exchange information

Ultimate Goal

  • When the agent gets a deal they send it to you first
  • The best deals come from good relationships

Precision Direct Mail: (11:49)

  • Develop a list of property owners and periodically send them letters so that they call you when they have a property for sale
  • This is how you get the best deals

3 Unique Advantages:

  • No real estate agent involved
  • There is a perception that the deal is good because it is coming directly from the owner
  • Simpler to wholesale these deals because of perception that it is a better deal

 Keys (14:00)

Target absentee and out of state owners first

  • These type of owners tend to have problem with cashflow, repair issues, and property management
  • They are often mentally and spiritually detached from the property

Use a fresh list from a reliable source

  • It is a campaign
  • You must remain in the minds’ of property owners.
  • Send out your letter every 4-5 weeks, 3-5 times.

Why Start with 5 Unit Apartments not 4 (16:30)

4 unit apartments

  • Considered a residential property
  • Its value is constrained by the sales comps in the area

5 unit apartments

  • Considered commercial property
  • Its value is based off sales comps AND NOI
  • NOI is your income minus your expenses
  • As NOI goes up your property value goes up
  • Value equals NOI increase divided by your Cap rate

Financing Your First Small Multi-Family Apartment Deal (21:33)

Conventional Financing

Take loan package to a local bank or loan broker

  • Local bank:
    Salary person
    They submit your loan package to a board for approval or denial

 

  • Loan Broker:
    Works off of commission
    Submits your loan package to 20 or more lenders to find financing

 

  Creative Financing

  •    Seller financing
    The seller becomes the bank for you and finances the loan

 

  • Seller-carry
    The lender might require 25% down that you do not have so the seller carries a second loan to cover what you do not have

 

  • Master lease
    You do not need a lot of experience or cash down
    Do not have to go through a bank
    I have a 20 minute video about “Master Leases” here

 

  • Wholesale
    A great way to make money if you do not have a lot of funds or experience
    Find a great deal, get it under contract, then assign the contract to an investor buyer for a fee
    You collect the fee at the closing and the investor buyer takes over ownership

Comments

  1. Hanan says

    February 14, 2021 at 10:53 pm

    I’m a beginner real estate investor who is convinced that multi family units better than SFH.

    I live in the capital city, and currently the real estate market is a seller market. Which the price had rocketed.

    I need your expertise.

    Reply
  2. Lloyd Bennett says

    April 13, 2020 at 12:32 am

    how much capital is required for apartment building .

    Reply
  3. Jerome Pinckney says

    April 9, 2020 at 11:44 pm

    Thanks, for the wealth of informative knowledge.

    Reply
  4. James Mebupe says

    January 28, 2020 at 11:26 pm

    Hi Peter,
    I watched the video with great enthusiasm. The knowledge and experience you shared are very helpful and great.
    Thank you so much.
    James Mebupe

    Reply
  5. Nathaniel Footes says

    January 19, 2020 at 5:38 am

    Thanks for the inspiration that may set me on this path. To try something new

    Reply
  6. Cheryl says

    January 14, 2020 at 12:47 am

    I am so amazed at this wealth of information that you provided and it answered all the exact questions that I was next for me.

    Reply
  7. George Matt says

    October 17, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    How do I get involved with you as my mentor?

    Reply
    • Peter Harris says

      October 17, 2019 at 7:12 pm

      You can apply to my Protege Program.

      Reply
  8. Mahesh Gurung says

    October 17, 2019 at 1:43 pm

    Thank you Mr. Harrish for sharing this powerful lesson.hope to see more videos from you.
    Thanks again.
    Mahesh Gurung.

    Reply
  9. James McNair says

    August 30, 2019 at 2:52 pm

    This sounds like a great strategy.

    Reply
  10. Tim Austin says

    May 17, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    I want to know more about your system. I’d like to discuss the specific actions you need from me and what your programs offers to assist me in becoming a more consistent real estate entrepreneur in all aspects of ownership and buy / sell small apartment buildings.

    Reply
    • Peter Harris says

      October 3, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      You can start the process by apply to my Protege Program

      Reply
  11. Bobby says

    August 21, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    I’ve been looking at your video and I’m looking forward to getting into commercial real estate 5 units or more I would like for someone to coach me like you so I can learn more about this business.

    Reply
    • Peter Harris says

      October 3, 2019 at 10:15 pm

      Apply to my Protege Program

      Reply
  12. B J DUHON says

    August 13, 2018 at 10:34 pm

    EXCELLENT MY BROTHER !!!!! YOU BREAK IT DOWN MORE AND SIMPLIFY IT. NOT SAYING THAT OTHER TEACHERS ARE GOOD, BUT THEY MAKE IT TOO OVER WELLING TO CATCH ON QUICKLY. I AM NOW READY TO GET STARTED. JUST GOT DONE WITH YOUR VIDEO TODAY, WILL GET STARTED TOMORROW. THANK YOU AGAIN

    Reply
  13. ct plaza metro says

    August 11, 2018 at 6:14 am

    I like the valuable info you provide on your articles. I
    will bookmark your blog and check once more here frequently.
    I’m rather certain I will be told many new stuff right here!

    Reply
  14. Mario Viteri says

    August 10, 2017 at 9:30 pm

    Mr. Harris, thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

    Reply
  15. Yola Magloire says

    June 28, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    Mr. Harris, thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
    “A teacher plants the seed of knowledge, sprinkles them with love
    and patiently waiting to reap a valuable harvest of blessings”

    Reply
  16. dave Cali says

    May 8, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    Great video Peter. Thanks

    Reply
  17. Wayne says

    December 20, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Peter,

    Where’s all the successful outcomes at. I would like to see someone say, I purchased these units using your systems.

    Best Regards,
    Wayne

    Reply
  18. Victor says

    July 26, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    I would like to know about your system it sounds interesting sounds so successful after reading the testimonials I would like to learn how to participate in your plan

    Reply
  19. Michael B says

    June 11, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    Hi Mr. Harris,
    I’m 22 yrs. old and currently reside in Houston, TX. I’ve been watching your videos for a few weeks now & I’ve learned so much from you already. My girlfriend and I are getting ready to build some four-plexus in the Houston area, but my real dream is to own a 40+ unit apartment complex within two years from today. I hope to continue learning from you. Thank you for taking the time out to educate people on how to achieve financial freedom! You are a blessing to many.
    God Bless,
    Michael

    Reply
  20. Anna says

    May 3, 2015 at 2:40 am

    Peter thanks so much for all the great information you share. I have learn so much from your video on commercial real estate. I have your book which have given me so much on commercial real estate. Thank you so much and keep up the wonderful videos

    Reply
  21. Soana says

    April 21, 2015 at 8:06 pm

    Mr. Harris, thank you for providing opportunity information. I’m at the beginning side of REI, and this is the first of your training videos I listened to.

    Reply
  22. Zach says

    April 20, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    Thanks Peter! Your a great inspiration!

    Reply
  23. Adriana Gatti says

    April 16, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    Your videos make things look very easy!!! Im so excited.

    Reply
  24. Cedric says

    February 25, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    Peter, im excited about becoming a commercial real estate investor of multi-unit apartment buildings i have read the entire book commercial real estate investing for dummies, this week i will be getting stated on your next book that i recently purchased the apartment consultant just want to say thanks for all this information and motivation that you provide.

    Reply
  25. Dennis Shinn says

    February 22, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    I really appreciate all the info you give out. You are one of my favorite youtube mentors. Thanks for the new videos

    Reply
  26. Mike Holly says

    February 16, 2015 at 4:53 pm

    Peter,
    About half-way thru our Commercial Real Estate Investing for Dummies book and just finished your video above ( how to buy your first multi-family small apartment building. Thanks for the info. Keep it up !
    Mike

    Reply

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