One of the BIG pitfalls of "converting" is not having the electrical service upgraded - even if the owner pays the electricity for the entire property's one electric meter, not having enough "service" to run blow dryers/computers/appliances limits the # of occupants and subsequently the income....

Via BILL CHERRY (BILL CHERRY, Real Estate Broker):

There is one statement about investments that is indisputable.  If an asset does not earn a sufficient, regular cash return to its owner, it’s a speculation. 

By definition it's not a true investment.

Investments are vehicles that earn their keep.  The hope of capital gain, without sufficient regular cash return, is speculation.

Gold and other precious metals are 100% speculations.  They don’t work for the investor.  They generate no income.

They are market driven, and profit and loss are determined by what people are willing to pay for them.

Currently, properly investing in for-lease residential real estate is an excellent investment vehicle.  It fits the definition of an investment.

And since successfully picking and managing residential real estate is formula driven, a hand calculator, a legal pad and pencil, and a mind that doesn’t let "cute" overcome good business reasoning, can easily drive your success.

One interesting and clever investment avenue is buying large, older and historic homes and converting them into duplexes, tri-plexes, sometimes even four-plexes. 

And often an additional unit can be added above the garage.

In years past, I converted a number of homes in Galveston’s East End Historic District into apartments.  Since the area is adjacent to the University of Texas Medical School, they were in the perfect market.

These clever units commanded higher rents than those in conventional garden apartments, had very low vacancies, and always led the market in appreciation.

The net rents brought a fine and consistent rate of return.

If you are interested in this investment avenue, perhaps I can help you find and select the perfect Dallas properties.  Call me.

BILL CHERRY, REAL ESTATE BROKER

Since 1964

Dallas – Park Cities

214 503-8563

 

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM * GIBSON MANAGEMENT GROUP, Ltd.

LandlordWhisperer

View our available Charlottesville, Albemarle and Lake Monticello rental homes online with photos and floor plans


"...to be a Virginian, either by Birth, Marriage, Adoption, or even on one's Mother's side, is an Introduction to any State in the Union, a Passport to any Foreign Country, and a Benediction from the Almighty God...." Anonymous

 

 
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3 Comments on AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AVENUE * Convert an OLDER home to Multi-Units

FEB
28
2012
940,760 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

I have to agree with you on this one. We need to ensure that tenant is receiving the proper amount to keep that tenant happy. Otherwise, the phone calls are coming from my experience.

4:37am • #1
145,762 Points 17 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Converting large homes in individual units was a hot a few years back, however, the trend has slowed quite considerably. The buildings that had individual utility hook-ups typically always sold for more. It seems like the right kind of investment to make.

Have an AWESOME day!

5:05am • #2
162,391 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

In the right market, with proper utility accommodations, I'm sure that it's a great idea. We have a Victorian that was divided into a triplex and parking is a real challenge and the units are challenging to rent out. 

5:26am • #3

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Wallace S. Gibson CPM *

LandlordWhisperer

Charlottesville, VA

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Gibson Management Group, Ltd.

Office Phone: (434) 825-1933

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