We all know the economy is doing poorly. Inflation is hitting hard, money is sparse, and people everywhere are struggling. Most households’ median income is buckling under the weight of inflation. For countless families and individuals, the financial future looks bleak.
Fortunately, there are always ways to make money. Even in an economic downturn, smart investors can hedge against heavy inflation.
At Peoples Capital Group we deeply understand the real estate industry. We devote untold hours and resources tracking trends, devising metrics, and helping clients build passive income. Contact us and we will help you turn your hard-earned money into a lasting, productive investment.
Whether the market remains healthy or collapses, we are prepared to help investors at a rapid pace.
Finding the Best Multifamily Markets in Real Estate
Before investing in multifamily properties, investors should understand the market. Frequently, many investors don’t have the resources or the time to deeply study the housing market.
Multifamily investing is not easy to do alone. A prospective investor must factor in numerous variables, including how much to invest, where to invest, and when to invest. If any one of these decisions is poorly made, the investment may stagnate or suffer.
Again, it all depends on the markets. The multifamily market’s investment growth is booming in some cities and regions and plummeting in others. Salt Lake City, for example, has consistently ranked as one of the top cities for recent rent growth. Many investors have flocked to Salt Lake City.
This multifamily effective rent growth makes many other cities, towns, and regions particularly attractive to investors. Projected rent growth, population growth and median household income are all important factors that investors must consider.
Before throwing money at multifamily real estate or the multifamily market, real estate investors should also consider the type of multifamily property of interest. There are multiple types of multifamily real estate, with different advantages and challenges.
Types of Multifamily Real Estate
Multifamily investments can target a variety of multifamily housing. A multifamily investment may include various multifamily properties and units.
When people think of multifamily real estate, they often think of just apartment complexes and apartment rents. Although these multi-family units are certainly common, there are also many other forms of multifamily property. When looking to invest in or buy multifamily property, rental property investors have a variety of options.
Multifamily Apartments and Condominiums
Apartments are in high investor demand and are one of the top multifamily markets out there. Investors interested in this established market are dedicated to making the most of multifamily units.
Apartment markets and condominium markets are slightly different. The significant difference is that a condo is owned whereas an apartment is rented to a tenant. Condominium buildings are also managed by homeowners associations (HOAs), which may make renting out individual units more difficult. For some investors, buying an apartment and renting it out may be easier.
That said, a condo can be a sound investment when used as a primary residence. Mortgage payments can build equity, and the maintenance required is far less than that of a traditional home.
Another important consideration for investors interested in condos and apartments is average rents. The average rent may fluctuate based on market factors, property conditions, and tenant concerns. When considering rents, potential investors should calculate the net effective rent prices.
Effective monthly rent is a term that refers to how much the tenant is paying, on average, per month. This rate may be reduced due to certain landlord concessions. For instance, some landlords use free months as a promotional tool. Multifamily rents may also undergo property renovations. These also factor into the effective average rent.
All smart investors should understand what factors are driving effective rent prices.
Overall, there are several variables that impact one’s decision to invest in an apartment vs. a condo. The sales price, potential tenants and market trends are all important considerations.
Investors must be careful. In an economy hit by inflation, the best-performing multifamily markets could quickly change. What performed well for the past decade may perform poorly today.
Fortunately, a top real estate firm can assist in adapting to these changes.
Multiplex Buildings
Investors and tenants interested in these properties have various options. The traditional form of this housing is that of the duplex, which is a building comprising two so-called houses. These houses or units are typically connected side-by-side but separated. They usually have their own entrances and do not share any living space.
In addition to these duplexes, there are also buildings with three or more units. Typically called triplexes and quadruplexes (quads), these buildings offer more opportunities for investors to gain income. Investors can buy one unit and rent out the other, or rent out two or more units simultaneously.
Median sales price, rent growth, and job market growth may all inform these decisions.
Multi-Use Buildings
Multi-use or mixed-use buildings are especially attractive due to their versatility. These buildings often include a mixture of residential, commercial, and other property types. They may be partially used for office space or educational needs. They may be divided among medical practices and shopping centers.
Oftentimes, these mixed-use properties contain some type of commercial attraction on the bottom floors. Thus, these buildings attract both commercial real estate investors as well as residential investors.
These properties may also be located in more commercial districts, making the property more valuable. Access to a nearby high-cost market may impact investment. Moreover, nearby visitor and convention centers may further attract tenants and investors.
There are many ways that a multi-use property can be configured and used, making it a complex but potentially very lucrative income stream for investors. With additional amenities, rent growth may increase significantly.
Townhomes
A townhome or townhouse is a unit that is individually owned. Typically, these units are closer to the size of traditional homes than apartment or condo units. When attached to other townhomes in a row, they are called ‘row homes.’
Investors can rent out these homes, and with improvements and renovations, expect to see rent growth. Tenants living in these homes essentially want everything a single-family home offers. The only difference is that townhouse tenants want lower rents and fees.
With households’ median income battling against inflation, this is no surprise. As income and employment levels continue to wilt under economic pressures, townhomes may see a resurgence among investors.
Important Real Estate Questions for Investors
Overall, the investment property type depends on the investor’s goals and interests. It also depends on economic factors such as rent growth, job growth, and transaction sales price.
- What is the median household income? Has median household income increased or decreased?
- Does the investor want to specialize in a niche market or diversify his or her portfolio?
- What are the demographic changes?
- Are tenants and investors slowly trading urban living for suburban or rural living?
- Is the target market of multifamily housing strong and stable? Is there an established market adjacent to an area of interest?
- Are there any special restrictions due to urban land institute lists?
- What is the overall multifamily market’s performance?
There are many questions and concerns that a sound investor must address before investing. The nuance and details are extremely important. Fortunately, if things become too confusing, the best real estate firms are ready to assist.
Top Reasons to Invest in Multi Family Real Estate
In general, the best multi family real estate is the best real estate option in an economic downturn. As a hedge against inflation, the passive income streams of multi family real estate cannot be denied. One of the primary reasons this form of real estate is so useful is that it provides reliable income.
However, purchasing multiple units or a whole building structure is expensive. A house or single unit may cost hundreds of thousands, but a whole complex may cost significantly more money. Fortunately, multi family complexes are frequently approved for bank loans. The typical home is harder to finance than many of these multi family properties.
There are multiple reasons why multi family real estate should be in every investor’s portfolio. The best multi family real estate can bring substantial profits to investors.
Consistent Real Estate Cash Flow
It doesn’t matter if an investor is fully diversified or solely focused on the only niche market around. When it comes to multi family real estate, cash flow is robust and dependable. When multifamily vacancy rates increase, there are other units to compensate for the loss.
Problems always arise. Sometimes tenants are struggling to make rent due to low median household incomes. Other times, the nationwide effective asking rents plummet because people have less money in their bank accounts. Thankfully, the multiple units of multi family housing can hedge against these losses.
The same cannot be said when investing in only a single-family property.
Multi Family Real Estate Management
Managing property can be very time-consuming and exhausting. Whereas some investors enjoy being hands-on, owning a lot of multifamily units may make it impractical or difficult for investors to manage.
This is where property managers can be helpful. For a cut of the monthly income, they can absorb many of the investor’s responsibilities. Property managers can locate tenants, aggregate rent, ensure upkeep, and even handle legal issues like evictions.
Because the best multi family real estate generates more stable, robust income streams than single-family real estate, it makes financial sense.
Hedges Against Median Household Income Changes
In times of economic downturn, tenants and investors alike may have less money to invest. One doesn’t need to consult a leading data center hub to know that times are tough. Gas prices are exorbitant, food is vanishing from shelves, and unexpected costs are catching many people by surprise.
Fortunately, investing in multifamily real estate can help ease many of these burdens. Investors can accumulate various real estate holdings. This helps to diversify the portfolio while also streamlining the process of property management.
Making Your Real Estate Investment Work
At the end of the day, investors want to succeed. Once they know what they want, they want it to last. A passive income stream requires work, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult as some people may think.
Should a certain property supply lure investors, there are always top firms that can assist with the logistics. No investor, whether experienced or new, should leave it to chance. Don’t risk your financial future. Don’t miss out on amazing multi-family real estate. Consult Peoples Capital Group today.
