It is not for a real estate investor who wants to hold and touch and feel, and fall in love with, and micro-manage his/her property. It is for someone looking for a little diversification. There is a component of “Socially Redeeming Value” in the transactions as well.
I have recently seen similar concepts being floated around. I have invested in real estate in the past and still own an investment property. The primary reason I have individual real estate as part of my portfolio is that (in addition to diversification) it is an investment that I can touch and feel and that I have control over. I have the option of moving into it if I want to move back to the SD area or I fall on rough times move back in because my payments are signficantly cheaper than renting. I also could use it as a second home or retirement pad once it is paid off.
If I want diversification into real estate or cash flow I buy REITS. If I buy single family homes or a condo, it is because I have a vision for changing the property in the future or have flexible plans for that property.
That said, assuming 30K, these would be tempting if one could actually clear $400 per month cash flow. That’s equivalent to 16% yield. My main worries in that situation are vacancy rates and job stability in the region. Supply of vacant/foreclosed properties and …
But, the biggest issue I have is maintenance costs. It turns out that a 1000 square foot home in the midwest has about 70-80% of the maintenance costs of a 1000 sf home in San Diego. However, that house might be 50-100K in the midwest (or 30K in this case) versus 400K in San Diego. SO, if I spend 2000 per year on maintenance for my 400K home it’s no big deal. But, if I spend $1500 maintenance on my 30K home somewhere in Ohio. Well that’s significant and cuts into cash flow. My maintenance figures are probably on the low side, too.
As for where these properties are located …
I would assume that these properties are most likely in the states of Ohio and/or Michigan.
