Tag Archive for: BRRRR

The 8-Step Guide to BRRRR Real Estate Investment

The 8-Step Guide to BRRRR Real Estate Investment

How to turn a profit using the BRRRR method.

 

Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. That’s the BRRRR method in a nutshell.

Many investors use this method to generate monthly cash flow and build a real estate empire. Following BRRRR is one of the best ways to build a rental portfolio with little to no money out-of-pocket.

Little to no money down for rental properties? How does that work? Here’s our 8-step guide to BRRRR.

1. Set Your Goals

The first step happens before you even look at a property. It’s important to sit down and think about what you want out of your real estate investing experience. Answer the following questions:

  • Where am I in life now? Where do I want to be?
  • Why do I want to invest in real estate?
  • Where do I want to invest?
  • How many properties do I want?
  • How much cash flow do I want to generate?

Before you take any action, find your answers to all of these questions. This will show you where to start, how to go about it, and when to stop. You’ll get much more out of the BRRRR method if you stay aware of the process as it’s happening.

2. Search For Properties

Now, you can begin the hunt for the right properties. But you’ll need to know the right places to look.

BRRRR projects require undermarket properties. You won’t find these on the MLS, or through many traditional realtors. Undermarket properties are found by wholesalers, investor-friendly realtors, or other real estate professionals.

For advice on getting these off-market, discounted properties, read this post from Hard Money Mike.

3. Get Long-term Loan Approval

Before you buy a house, meet with banks about a long-term loan. You’ll want to find the maximum loan amount you qualify for. This becomes important later in the process when you’re maximizing your refinance.

Once you have pre-approval for this loan, you can move forward with the undermarket property you found.

4. Buy with a Short-term Loan

Undermarket properties have fast closings. Once you find a property, you’ll only have a couple days (or a couple weeks, max) to close the deal. As a buyer, the key to a fast closing is a short-term loan.

The most common short-term loan is a hard money. Although you could also use OPM, or another type of gap funding at this point in the process.

5. Rehab

Once you close on the property, you can begin rehab.

For this step of a BRRRR project, it’s important to strike a balance. An undermarket property will require a lot of repairs, but since it’s not a fix-and-flip, you don’t have to go “all out.” It will be a rental, so you’ll want to make it appealing for tenants. But at the same time, you don’t want to go overboard and lose money on the project.

A good guide for how much money and effort to put into the rehab of a BRRRR is the ARV, after-repair value. You should always renovate enough to meet the ARV.

6. Rent

After rehab, your property is ready to rent. Find a trustworthy, reliable tenant, and then we’re at the exciting part – you start earning cash flow!

7. Refinance

Short-term loans are expensive, so don’t get trapped in yours. You’ll want to get in and get out of the hard money loan at your first opportunity. Refinance the long-term loan in order to get the short-term loan paid off ASAP.

Now, with a cheaper loan payment and a tenant, you’re on your way to wealth!

8. Repeat

At this point, you’ll want to consider the goals you outlined in the first step. You can repeat this process until you’re happy you’ve met your goals.

For More Information

Hard Money Mike can help you get started on your BRRRR journey. 

Download our free BRRRR roadmap at this link. And for more resources, check out these videos from our YouTube channel.

 

Brrrr method

 

Why Realtors Make Good Team Members

Why Realtors Make Good Team Members

Why Realtors Make Good Team Members

If you want to make the most money on your real estate deals, then you need to create a solid team.

And some excellent members to add to your team are investor-friendly realtors.

But, why do realtors make such great team members for real estate investors?

Well, first of all, they have a constant pulse on the market.

They know what’s happening, where it’s happening, and how it’s happening.

Second, discounted properties also tend to fall into their laps, and they can pass those properties on to you.

So, what type of realtor should you work with?

Well, they should do more than put you on their MLS drip. Any realtor can do this, and nowadays, many of the properties on the MLS get listed on sites like Redfin and Zillow.

So, getting on an MLS drip won’t help investors much…especially when we’re looking for under-market properties. And under-market properties aren’t found on the MLS often. The right kind of realtor will have a lot more hustle. They’ll actually search for under market properties and then go through the numbers to decide it’s worth investing in before they present it to you.

Better yet, investor-friendly realtors connect with professionals in various industries, like bankruptcy attorneys. That way, when investment properties pop up, they’ll be one of the first to know about it. And then tell you about it, rather than making you wait to—hopefully—see it on the MLS weeks or months later.

Most importantly, the right realtor will LOVE working with investors.

Unfortunately, about 95% of the realtors do NOT like working with investors. Or, if they do, it’s part-time and not a high priority for them. These are usually more experienced realtors who have an established client list. They don’t really need your business to make money. They already have a system in place.

But, when you find realtors who are investor-friendly, you’ll know. You won’t be a side gig or a part-time project for them. They’ll be hungry to help you find investment properties and make a lot of money.

Many times, these are newer agents who are willing to be trained. They’ll be the ones looking for business and finding ways to make money with you, not off of you. So, rather than selling 3-5 properties a year, they want to sell an investment property every month.

Now, is it a bad idea to team up with both experienced and new realtors?

Not at all.

In fact, it’s a great idea to work with multiple realtors, because they all have different resources, experiences, and ideas. Plus, if one moves away or quits their job, you don’t need to worry about losing your main resource for finding properties. You’ll have others to fill in the gap.

If you want to create a smooth, easy system with your investment properties, then adding a realtor or two…or three…to your team is an excellent idea. Just make sure they like working with investors and are hungry to make money. The hungrier, the better for both of you!

Happy investing!

How to Combat Red Flags in Real Estate

3 Ways to Combat Real Estate Red Flags

3 Ways to Combat Real Estate Red Flags

It’s time for a real chat.

Because we care about our clients and anyone else who decides to invest in real estate.

So, here’s the brutal truth: there are people who will lie to you in this industry. Lenders, realtors, other investors, and so on. Or only tell you half-truths.

I know. This is a HUGE surprise.

Okay, maybe not.

But, even if common sense and experience tells you that people lie, you can’t always believe it when it happens to you.

Why?

Because, more often than naught, you WANT something to be true, especially when it comes to making money. You want to believe you found an incredible deal, or an incredible lender, or an incredible something that nobody else has had the luck to find.

We all want those incredible moments to be true, right?

But most of the time, they’re just not.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and your wallet from real estate red flags?

Well, here are 3 tips we give to our clients:

First, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

For example, “If you buy this property, then you can generate $5,000 – $6,000 every month.”

Okay, that’s definitely a red flag.

Sure, we all want to make excellent cash flow on our properties. But, even in our competitive market, it’s near impossible to make $5,000-$6,000 every month on a standard rental in most towns or cities. The norm is more like $200-$500 a month…at least until a property pays off.

But, even then, making $5,000 – $6,000 every month with a single property is…too good to be true.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen this situation happen more than once to our investors. They get convinced of a sweet, sweet deal and jump into it. And…it doesn’t take long for them to figure out the person who convinced them to buy the property streeetched the numbers and the truth…a lot.

So, what can you do when a red flag waves in your face?

Ask questions.

Okay, someone told you something that’s too good to be true. Now what?

That’s right: ask questions. A lot of them!

For example, let’s say a lender quotes you a 4% rate when everyone else is quoting you about 10%.

Your first reaction is to cheer and think, “That’s amazing! I’m so happy I called this lender.”

But your second reaction should be, “Wait, why? Why is this lender quoting me so much lower than everyone else? What do they see that the other lenders missed? Why are they so much more forgiving and accepting of my financial history?”

There’s gotta be a catch.

Trust us, there is.

When lenders give quotes that are significantly lower than their competitors, it’s because they pad the rest of the loan with junk fees. They charge for everything, not just the loan itself. So, before you know it, you’ll be paying more than the 10% interest you would’ve paid with one of the other legitimate, honest lenders.

So always ask questions when a red flag pops up.

And, part of that process includes…

Getting a second opinion.

So, a red flag went up. Then you asked the lender, realtor, seller, investor, or whoever a bunch of follow-up questions to figure out if they’re telling you the truth…or yanking your chain and taking advantage of you.

Sadly, even if you grill this person, you might not get a direct or honest answer from them.

So, go and get a second opinion. Heck, get a third opinion! There are plenty of experts in the field to ask. Go out and see what they think of this “too-good-to-be-true” offer. Is it real…or fake?

Spoiler alert: it’s probably fake.

By taking these simple steps, you can protect yourself and your wallet from falling into a bad situation.

Just remember:

If it’s too good to be true, ask questions and then get a second, third, or even fourth opinion. Do your due diligence to save yourself a lot of hassle…and money.

Happy investing!

How to Buy: Breaking Down BRRRR

How to Buy: Breaking Down BRRRR

How to Buy: Breaking Down BRRRR

So, you’ve heard about the BRRRR method. You know it stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat.

But do you know what each of these steps in the BRRRR method really mean? More importantly, do you know how to set each one up?

Because if you don’t, your success will be limited. Because you won’t be able to make as much money as you could by doing things right. Your monthly cash flow will be lower, your down payments will be higher…a lot higher…And your ability to repeat the process will much…much… slower.

So, let’s break things down, starting with the B in BRRRR.

As mentioned, the B in BRRRR stands for Buy.

But wait! Before you run out and buy the first property you find for sale, you need to know a few important—er, VERY important things. Because the B in BRRRR is one of the most crucial steps in the entire process. If you don’t buy strategically, then you might set yourself up for failure.

First you need to find under market properties that you can add value to.

Under market properties are not found on the MLS. They’re usually found through wholesalers and investor-friendly realtors. And they come at a nice, discounted price.

Just taking this step will do wonders for your wallet.

But it’s not the only thing.

You also need to work with the right lenders.

With BRRRR, there are two lenders involved. The first is for purchasing and renovating the property. The second is for refinancing into a cheaper, long-term loan.

For now, let’s focus on the first lender, for when you BUY the property.

Typically, this is a hard money or private lender. It’s not a bank or another traditional lender. Because those lenders usually require 10, 15, or even 20% down when you go to close. And, if you want the most bang for your buck, you should aim to put 0% down at closing. Because once you put money into a deal, it’s difficult to get it back out.

Hard money and private lenders can help you achieve this.

How? Because they let you maximize your LTV (loan-to-value) by lending up to 75% of the ARV (after repair value).

Ok, deep breath! We get it. This is starting to sound too complicated and confusing.

But trust us, it’s not. Just stick with it. You got this!

The right lender will give you a loan that is 75% of your ARV.

That means they will try to cover the full purchase price, plus part or all the rehab, closing, and holding costs. Basically, they will cover as much as the 75% allows so you don’t have to spend your own money.

And the less money you personally have to put into each deal, the faster you can repeat the BRRRR method. Because you’re not forced to wait until your bank account recovers to make another big down payment on another property.

Aiming for 75% of the ARV will also make a big impact on your refinance (the third R in the BRRRR method). But we’ll get to that later. Let’s stay focused on the B in BRRRR.

If you’re interested in trying the BRRRR Method, then it’s crucial you understand this first part of the process. If you buy an under-market property AND find a lender who can cover 75% of the ARV, then your success rate will be much, much higher. And your bank account will be a whole lot happier.

Happy investing!

3 Problems That Cause BRRRR Confusion

3 Problems That Cause BRRRR Confusion

3 Problems That Cause BRRRR Confusion

Today, let’s talk about three big problems that cause many investors to experience BRRRR confusion.

Have you been thinking about investing in real estate using the BRRRR method? But you’ve hit a roadblock?

Unfortunately, you’re not alone.

A lot of real estate investors, both new AND seasoned, have heard about BRRRR, but haven’t used it.

Because they’re confused.

They’re confused about how to buy, rehab, rent, refinance…or all of the above.

So, to help unravel and debunk some of your confusion, let’s address some of the biggest questions we hear from our own clients about the BRRRR method.

#1: Is BRRRR real?

Yes. BRRRR is real.

There’s a reason why our team created this video for you. We’ve helped many clients succeed using the BRRRR method. But, just like you, many of those clients started their journey confused. Because they didn’t understand the entire process either.

And what they did understand wasn’t always accurate or true. Because they were working with bankers, lenders, or realtors who fed them misinformation or were simply out of the BRRRR loop.

#2: “Can you really find properties that work for BRRRR?”

Again, yes. Absolutely.

Even in our current, competitive market, there are properties that work perfectly for the BRRRR method. The trick is to find the right area to invest in. That might mean leaving your own town, city, or even state to find properties that produce solid cash flow.

And, trust us, those areas exist.

You can start your search by talking to wholesalers, investor-friendly realtors, or even other investors to see where they’re buying properties.

Of course, searching for cash flowing properties requires some time, effort, and patience.  But, if you think about it, all you’re doing is looking for one to four properties a year. Don’t you think it’s worth a little work to change your financial future? We think so.

#3: “How much money do I need to make BRRRR work?”

This is possibly the most crucial question we get. Not only is it a crucial question, but it also leads to the most confusion. Because it involves math, and most people don’t like math.

It also involves financing chit-chat, and again, a lot of investors don’t like talking about financing…even though the entire BRRRR process relies on good, solid numbers with good, solid loans.

But here’s the thing: once you grasp how to properly set up your BRRRR deal, then you can spend little to zero dollars on your properties.

Now, unfortunately, most investors don’t believe this, because, yet again, they’ve been fed misinformation by lenders, realtors, or other investors. So many people believe that have to bring a big down payment to closing.

And that’s because cash-out refinancing has been promoted as part of the BRRRR method. This isn’t a lucrative strategy. Not when there are other types of refinances that allow you to put little to no money in your deals.

The BRRRR method is an excellent real estate investment strategy. And, yes, it can be confusing when you get started. Because there’s a lot of chatter and misinformation flying around. Plus, nobody really likes math or financing. It’s true.

But if you’re willing to learn and do some work, then it’ll become easy. Very easy! And, better yet, lucrative. Because if done correctly, the BRRRR method can be repeated as many times as you want, as quickly as you want. Which means you’ll able to make the kind of money you want.

Happy investing!

What is BRRRR?

What is BRRRR?

What is BRRRR?

Did you know you can buy properties with as little as zero down? It just takes an easy investment strategy many investors call BRRRR.

Although the term “BRRRR” was coined by Bigger Pockets in recent years, the investment strategy has existed for decades. Some call it zero down, some call it Quick to Buy, Quick to Refi. Whatever you want to call it, it’s all based on buying properties with as little as zero down.

So, what is BRRRR?

Well, let’s break it down piece by piece so you understand how to approach each step. That way you can generate the highest cash flow possible.

The B in BRRRR stands for “Buy.”

Now, how do you buy properties correctly when using the BRRRR method?

First, you need to buy under market properties with a short-term loan, like hard money. You shouldn’t buy retail properties that are already fixed up and ready for tenants. These are supposed to be value-add properties, meaning you add value to them. That way you immediately create equity in the project.

Second, you need to be able to buy properties FAST. The faster you can buy, the better the deals. Because sellers want to sell fast. Even if you bid lower than three other investors, you can still get the property if you can close quickly. Because speed nearly always wins.

The first R in BRRRR stands for “Rehab.”

The properties you buy using the BRRRR method will need rehab to bring them up to rental grade. That means simple, but durable renovations. You don’t need to aim for high end finishes like granite countertops or new, expensive cabinets.

Even so, the work you do should add value to the property. That way when an appraiser shows up, they can see you’ve improved it and now it’s worth more than what you bought it for. Again, think about creating equity. Equity is key!

The second R in BRRRR stands for “Rent.”

The moment you decide you want to try the BRRRR method, you should start researching rental numbers immediately. Go onto Zillow, Craigslist, or Rents.com and find out what other people in your target neighborhoods are charging for rent. That way you’ll know if a property will produce good cash flow BEFORE you buy it.

And once you know what your numbers are, go ahead and start accepting applications for tenants. It’s okay to look for quality, trustworthy people to live in your home even before you have the home ready for them.

The third R in BRRRR stands for Refinance.

Refinancing into a cheaper, long-term loan is the next step in the BRRRR method…and it’s where you get to capture the equity you created in the “Buy” and “Rehab” steps.

How?

Well, if you did those first two steps right, then you bought an under market property and then renovated it to add value. The gap between the buy and the rehab is your equity. And you can use that equity (rather than the money in your own pocket) to pay for your new loan’s down payment. That’s how the zero down portion of this strategy works.

Finally, the fourth R in BRRRR stands for Repeat.

The whole benefit of BRRRR is that you can repeat the process over and over…and over. As long as you find good, under-market properties and create good equity, you don’t need to wait to save up for a 20% down payment. You can complete this process whenever you want and however often you want.

And, at the end of the day, always remember your lender matters. When it comes to BRRRR, you want a lender who can help you maximize your hard money loan, and help you refinance into a traditional loan FAST.

So, if you’re ready to jump in and try out the BRRRR method, our team is always here to help.

Happy investing!

The Real Deal: Colorado Springs 2-Step Process

The Real Deal: Colorado Springs 2-Step Process

The Real Deal: Colorado Springs 2-Step Process

In today’s Real Deal spotlight, we’d like to share a project that one of our clients in Colorado Springs completed. He used the 2-Step Process to add a rental property to his real estate portfolio.

And boost his cash flow.

The Real Deal: Colorado Springs 2-Step Process

But, first, let’s chat about the 2-Step Process. What is it? And why is it so important to use when it comes to funding your deals?

Well, essentially, the 2-Step Process is how investors interested in BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) buy their houses. It allows them to quickly buy a value-add property with a hard money loan, and then quickly refinance into a cheaper long-term loan.

The Real Deal: Colorado Springs 2-Step Process

By using this funding method for his short-term and short-term loan, our client was able to:

  • Save money
  • Invest more by using ARV equity
  • And boost his cash flow.

Furthermore, if our client hadn’t used the 2-Step Process, he might’ve missed out on this great deal. Because he might’ve had to wait weeks or months to close, and when it comes to discounted properties, waiting isn’t an option. If you want to buy, then  you have to buy FAST!

Hard money loans allow you to do that. And we can help you get a hard money loan.

Better yet, our sister company, The Cash Flow Mortgage Company, can help you quickly refinance. Because nobody wants to keep paying high interest rates, right? The faster you can get a long-term loan, the better!

Ready to chat about funding your next rental property? Great! Our team is here for you at any time.

Happy investing!

What To Look For In A BRRRR Property Walk-Through

Interested in succeeding as a BRRRR investor? Then check out this video! Matt Faircloth from Bigger Pockets gives us a tour of a property he invested in, and talks about numbers, lessons, and tips. Check it out!

Ready to tackle the BRRRR method and invest in your first property? Our team is here to guide you through the process and help you reach your investment goals. Contact us today.

 

BRRRR vs Cash Out

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