As mentioned yesterday, I recently completed a long road trip of a few weeks through the midwest and parts of the south. I took my checkbook because I wanted to purchase real estate in other states, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky.
In my travels I had been looking at single family homes, multi-family units and commercial property that seemed like amazing deals. Being from Southern California, the properties I viewed seemed unbelievable in price and quality.
Those red brick structures are much more attractive than our frame/stucco homes! Wow! The big white columns in front too! I liked the five acre single family home with a fully stocked pond for $139,000; the apartments overlooking the Ohio River; the 14,000 square foot bowling alley for $350,000; and the red brick, hardwood floor duplex for $60,000. I was SO EXCITED.
Guess what…in further research:
The property taxes are much higher than in California;
The vacancy factor is amazing…I was told to assume 25%;
The populations of these areas are declining, or stagnant at best;
The duplex referenced above rents for $300 per side!!!
There is no demand for the bowling alley, thus the reason the previous owner vacated;
It appears 25 to 50% of the commercial property is vacant and/or boarded up;
There aren’t a lot of zoning controls, junk cars all around;
And lastly…the Single Family Home referenced above sold for $80,000 in 1979 ($59,000 appreciation over 27 years), the duplex referenced above had an asking price of $120,000 in 1994 ($60,000 depreciation over 12 years).
I’m staying in California.
Seven properties went into escrow in October.
For Coachella Valley
Multi-family properties have been the hardest hit segment in the desert area for number of sales during the current real estate downturn.
I am always frustrated how the media and other trade groups use statistical data to prove the point they want to make, thus I like to do my own statistical research.
It can be very profitable purchasing bank owned properties in the current real estate market.
Some of the most outrageous episodes in property ownership that the owners lived to tell about.
Only 5% sales agents or brokers actually own investment property, and only 10% actually sell a property.
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Jeannie Niles Real Estate Investment
P.O. Box 317
Palm Desert, CA 92261
P: (760) 360-4020
F: (760) 340-9069
E: jniles@realestate-investment.com