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Benefits of Adding an Affordability Component to a Multifamily Investment
Learn the benefits of investing in multifamily properties with an affordability component.
Real estate investors want to grow their capital through active measures. They want to be the ones looking for investments and controlling their fate. One of the popular traits of real estate investing today is that in regards to multifamily housing, you typically have a range of options and price points that you might be considering. You will find that each of the different choices tends to have some pros and cons.
What Is Multifamily Housing?
Multifamily is a special type of real estate. The property generally has five or more units, meaning you can have multiple tenants. These types of units can appeal to many different types of renters. Whether it is someone who is looking to downsize or someone who is just starting out in life, the style and size of these units often work well for them.
Multifamily housing also means that you have a lower risk because there are more tenants. Even if one unit is empty for a few months, you are making money from the other units. You will find that getting these properties, although it may seem expensive at first glance, are affordable for you. Consider how much you can earn from them compared with other types of properties.
The properties are also an affordable option for renters. This is why they are so popular and why they have the potential to do well for real estate investors. However, even though it might be considered affordable, it doesn’t mean that it is necessarily accessible for low-income households.
Benefits of Affordability in Multifamily Housing
Some landlords have found that opting for lower-cost multifamily properties can help in many ways. First, the properties are often affordable, and they can house multiple renters, which means more income for you, which can be used to pay down the property faster.
Multifamily affordable housing is considered to be a safe investment for investors. This is because these types of properties are often in high demand. In many locations, it is difficult for people to afford to buy single-family homes or even condos. Even renting single-family properties is sometimes out of the question. With affordable multifamily housing, though, investors can provide housing to those who need it, ensuring fewer vacancies.
When you have a high-end property, it tends to be more difficult to find renters initially, although it can be easy to keep good renters once you find them. Of course, it’s just as easy to keep good renters when you have an affordable property.
You will find that having more units and more renters tends to mean a steady cash flow coming into the property. When you have a multifamily property in an area that is in high demand, and when the rents are predictable, you can more easily predict how much you are going to be earning.
What About Section 8? The Good and the Bad
Although we know that affordable doesn’t always have to mean low-income, it may be worth considering low-income housing in some cases. You could, for example, opt into HUD’s Section 8 Program, which is a voucher program that pays the balance of the rent that exceeds 30% of the renter’s monthly income. This provides you with reliable income paid by the government, and the tenant pays the rest. Landlords will not have to worry about missed or late payments.
One of the other benefits of Section 8 housing is that the tenants are partially prescreened. Typically, the public housing authority has a screening process for the applicants that tests for things like income verification, drug use, and criminal background. Even though the basics are covered, landlords might want to do some of their own screening, as well.
However, it is important to know about the cons of this option, too. Each year, the local housing authority will have someone come out to inspect the property to make sure it complies with the standards for Section 8 housing.
As an investor who takes good care of their property, though, it shouldn’t be hard for you to pass the inspection. If there are issues found, you will have to fix them, or else you could lose your subsidy. Of course, you would have to fix those issues regardless of whether there was an outside housing inspection or not.
One of the other issues that a lot of landlords have is the rental pricing caps. There is a maximum amount you can charge for rent at your property when you are a Section 8 landlord. You can’t go above the market rate for the rental, even if you believe the area should have higher rent. You have to abide by what HUD says in terms of the cap. Investor landlords often like to have more control over their business and how much they can charge.
The Affordability Component Is Key
Of course, you want to make sure that the properties you buy are going to be affordable for those who are renting from you. The affordability component is essential if you hope to glean all of the benefits that we have discussed. If you have a multifamily property that is priced as high or nearly as high as the single-family options or single units you have, it’s going to take longer to fill them. You won’t qualify for Section 8 if that is something that interests you either.
There are plenty of other benefits of choosing to buy multifamily properties and to make them affordable. You will find that managing a single property of 10 units will be easier than managing 10 separate units across the city or county. You will appreciate a range of tax breaks, and you will often find that these properties appreciate quickly. They also help you to build your investment portfolio faster.
As you can see, when you consider affordability, there are quite a few benefits to investing in family properties. It might be time for you to start looking at some of these properties in your investment areas if you haven’t already.
Related Questions
What are the advantages of adding an affordability component to a multifamily investment?
Adding an affordability component to a multifamily investment can provide many advantages. Lower-cost multifamily properties can help generate more income for the landlord, as they can house multiple renters. Multifamily affordable housing is also considered to be a safe investment, as these types of properties are often in high demand. Having more units and more renters can also mean a steady cash flow coming into the property. Additionally, investors can qualify for tax breaks and the properties can appreciate quickly. Read more here about the benefits of adding an affordability component to a multifamily investment.
What are the potential risks associated with investing in affordable multifamily housing?
Investing in affordable multifamily housing can be a great way to generate income, but there are some potential risks associated with it. One risk is that the property may not be in high demand, which could lead to vacancies and a decrease in income. Additionally, the property may not be able to attract higher-income tenants, which could lead to lower rental rates and a decrease in income. Finally, the property may not be able to attract the necessary financing to cover the costs of the investment, which could lead to a loss of capital.
It is important to do your research and understand the risks associated with investing in affordable multifamily housing before making any decisions. You should also consider the potential benefits of investing in this type of property, such as the potential for steady cash flow and the ability to provide housing to those who need it.
What are the most important considerations when evaluating an affordable multifamily investment?
When evaluating an affordable multifamily investment, the most important considerations are the type of property to purchase, how the operation of the asset will be handled after the purchase, and the expected operating expenditures. It is important to determine the type of property to purchase, such as a duplex, triplex, quadplex, townhome, or other housing asset designed with multiple families in mind. Additionally, investors must have a clear idea of how to handle the everyday operations of the property, such as whether they will manage the property themselves or hire a property management company. Lastly, investors should consider the expected operating expenditures associated with the property.
What are the tax benefits of investing in affordable multifamily housing?
Investing in affordable multifamily housing can provide a range of tax benefits. These benefits include deductions for depreciation, mortgage interest, and operating expenses. Additionally, investors may be eligible for tax credits, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which provides tax credits to developers who build or rehabilitate affordable rental housing. The LIHTC program is administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is designed to encourage the development of affordable housing for low-income households. Other tax credits may also be available, depending on the state and local laws.
For more information on the tax benefits of investing in affordable multifamily housing, please consult a qualified tax professional.
What are the most common sources of financing for affordable multifamily housing?
The most common sources of financing for affordable multifamily housing are government-backed loans, such as FHA loans, HUD loans, and USDA loans. These loans are typically more affordable than conventional loans, and they often have more flexible terms. Additionally, there are tax credits and other incentives available to developers of affordable housing, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).
FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration and are available to borrowers with lower credit scores and down payments. HUD loans are insured by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and are available to developers of affordable housing. USDA loans are insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and are available to developers of rural housing.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is a federal tax credit that is available to developers of affordable housing. The credit is based on the amount of money invested in the development of the housing, and it can be used to offset the cost of construction and other expenses. Additionally, there are other incentives available to developers of affordable housing, such as tax-exempt bonds and grants.
What are the best strategies for managing an affordable multifamily investment?
The best strategies for managing an affordable multifamily investment depend on the investor's goals. Generally, investors should focus on improving their return on investment (ROI) by increasing income potential, reducing expenses, and boosting resident retention. Improving Your Multifamily ROI is a great resource for learning more about this. Additionally, investors should consider their exit strategy. 5 Real Estate Exit Strategies for Multifamily Investors outlines the top 5 multifamily exit strategies, including buy & hold, 1031 exchange, sale to another investor, sale to an owner-occupant, and sale to a developer.