How to choose the right Multifamily Real Estate to Invest In

Published January 1, 2017
by Mark Kenney
How to choose the right Multifamily Real Estate to Invest In – Most people who have cash want to make sure they spend it in the right place. If they want to spend their money on real estate, they need to choose between multifamily real estate and single family real estate. Most people can go for the former since it is a better way to diversify the risk posed by an investment over multiple housing units.

It’s all said and done in theory, but in reality, buying the right multifamily property is a tough ask. The recurring question most people who are looking to invest in multifamily real estate ask is how to choose the right property. This article answers the question by outlining the factors that should be considered.

Consider the Location

The simplest and most obvious thing one needs to consider when they are looking to choose the right multifamily property is to take a look at its location. The location of the property will in most cases decide whether or not your investment will increase in valuation. Typically, it’s best if you are able to buy multifamily real estate in high growth areas so that you can enjoy a higher return on investment.

The Price

Most investors that are entering the multifamily real estate market will have a set budget in mind which will outline the limits of the amount that they are willing to invest. Keeping that into consideration, it is integral that the right price is sought for the property, before you end up buying it. Any considerations for price should take into account the return or percentage growth that it is likely to experience over time. If the percentage increase is propionate to the price being charged, the investment is justified.

The Number of Units

A multifamily property will have different number of residential units. Typically, the more the residential units on a property, better the chance of greater earnings and diversification of risks. Additionally, more residential units can mean less reliance on a single unit for monetary payments. Investors should always look for multifamily properties that have more residential units.

Amount of Rent

If you are buying a multifamily property that was already owned by someone else, make sure you take the rent being charged into account. The rent being charged in the multifamily property you are looking to buy and or what is being charged in other neighboring properties will give you a fair idea of what your expected earnings can be.

About the Author

Mark Kenney
Mark Kenney is a seasoned real estate investor, entrepreneur and founder of Think Multifamily. Mark started his real estate career over 25 years ago and has extensive experience in property valuation, acquisition, and operations. He has a passion for helping others succeed in the multifamily arena.