If you’re looking to invest in apartment buildings, this article has a good checklist. Keep in mind that apartment buildings meeting some of the following requirements will fall under the “value-add” category.

A value-add property requires someone who can

  • bring the skills to take over for troubled property management
  • make improvements and repairs to the property
  • reposition the tenant base
  • improve overall property operations

It’s a good and often profitable strategy—but not one for the faint of heart. In spite of everything you read on the Internet.

It’s easy to bite off more than you can chew when dealing with a value-add apartment building. But if you’re ready to do some work, a value-add property can be a rewarding experience both personally and financially.

10 Things You Should Look for When Buying an Apartment Building:

1. Central location, desirable to tenants

The property is within walking distance of grocery, restaurants and retail. Is located in a major metropolitan area, near centers of employment and within immediate vicinity of mass transportation.

2. Property is poorly managed

The current manager is just mowing the lawn and fixing leaks, there are multiple sources of untapped income (laundry, parking, storage, community services, vending, etc.), and multiple opportunities for shopping new services and lowering expenses.

3. Verifiable upside in existing rents to market

The current rents are below the average market rent rate. The current management has a poor collection history (the party’s over). Marketing improvements and enhanced resident screening will attract new residents at higher rental amounts.

4. Motivated seller

The property has had the same owner for the last 15-20 years. An owner who is looking to off-load the property and motivated to sell (see #2).

5. Needs some TLC and not a total rehab

The apartment building has no major deferred maintenance. There’s a 1-2 year proposition to bring the property to market standards, such as: new carpet, shower surrounds, lighting, paint, parking, appliances, etc.

Final Fast Start CTA

6. Occupancy at 70% or above

Maximum two to three-month period to bring the building to market occupancy. An occupancy below 70% spells trouble and will need significant financial reserves on the buyers part.

7. Good unit mix

Look for an apartment building with a unit mix of one, two and three bedroom unfurnished units. Note this will vary by market and renter demand – avoid all studio units.

8. Full financials are provided and verifiable

Rent rolls, leases, maintenance records, P&L, capital improvements, etc. are readily available for the past 12-24 month period.

9. “Free” utilities and separately metered units

The opportunity exists to easily introduce a Resident Utility Bill-back System (RUBS) where tenants are billed back for utility usage.

10. “C” property in an area that supports “B” properties

New management and cosmetic improvements (paint inside and/or outside, hardwood flooring, new lighting) will improve acquisition from a class C to a class B property.

Bonus Material

You can download a complete Apartment Building Due Diligence Checklist at this link: Free Multifamily Investing Resources.

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Theresa Bradley-Banta writes about investing in real estate while avoiding the pitfalls that plague many new investors. She is a 2017 PropTech Top 100 Influencer and winner of 14 American and International real estate awards for her website and real estate investing programs. As featured on: The Equifax Finance Blog, AOL’s Daily Finance, Scotsman Guide, The Best Real Estate Investing Advice Ever Show, Stevie Awards Blog, Rental Housing Journal, and Investors Beat among others.