Boston Multi-Families for Sale

We are Boston's Multi-family property sale experts. Our website allows you to search up-to-the-minute multi-family houses in the Boston area for free! Click the magnifying glass above and put in your criteria. This system will let you search multifamilies in all of Massachusetts, including Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Jamaica Plain, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy, & more.

If you're thinking about purchasing a multi-family home, know that there may be no greater place in the U.S. for doing so than in Boston. In this city, such buildings come in a wide variety of architectural styles, locations, and prices, and collectively, they have long represented a point of civic pride.

Of course, there are different types of multi-family properties. A duplex contains two units, each with its own entrance; a triplex has three such living spaces, and a quadruplex has four of them. The term "townhouse," meanwhile, usually refers to a narrow structure with at least three floors, one that's positioned among a row of similar houses. A condominium complex and an apartment building could likewise fall under the category of multi-family residences.

Multi-family homes are especially popular among people who are buying a place to live for the first time. After all, they can dwell in one part of the home and rent out the other parts so as to greatly alleviate the monthly mortgage burden. Indeed, a multi-family's landlord can make significantly more money each month than he or she spends on the mortgage and expenses, which obviously means a higher annual incomes. On top of that, it's frequently the case that a multi-family home won't cost much more than a single-family in the same area. Further, property taxes and maintenance costs are tax-deductible in most cases.

As with any money-making enterprise, though, thorough research is essential. For example, it's best to investigate the local market to find out what kind of multifamily units enjoy the highest occupancy rates. In addition, are living spaces in your area with one bedrooms more popular than those with two or three bedrooms? Which homes are situated close to public transportation stations? You'll also need to look into all of your legal responsibilities, the process of leasing, and how much different types of repairs cost.

What's more, you'll have to develop a rental policy. That is, you'll decide if you'll run a criminal background check and a credit check on every applicant and if you'll require your prospective tenants to submit letters of reference. You'll likewise need to determine the length and the terms of your lease agreement and whether or not you'll allow residents to keep pets.

Also note that several kinds of mortgage options are available to multi-family homeowners. To name two examples, you might choose a fixed-rate mortgage in which the interest rate won't change over time or a balloon mortgage, the final payment of which tends to be sizable. Obviously, a lending specialist will be able to detail the pros and cons of each type.

The good news is that Boston's market for multi-family properties has been hot since at least 2012. The fact that many renters have been willing to pay increasingly high amounts in recent years and the emergence of low interest rates have made these investments especially attractive. Thus, despite all of the work that you'll have to do upfront as you learn the basics of being a landlord, you can have confidence that your multi-family home is primed for financial success. Indeed, it might pay great dividends for many years to come, and it's even possible that your children and your grandchildren will inherit that lucrative property.

Multi Families By City/Town

Allston Abington Acton Amesbury Andover Ashland Avon Ayer Back Bay Bay Village Beacon Hill Bedford Belmont Bellingham Beverly Brighton Brockton Brookline Cambridge Carlisle Charlestown Chatham Chelmsford Chelsea Chinatown Cohasset Concord Danvers Dartmouth Dedham Dennis Dorchester Dover Dracut Duxbury East Boston East Bridgewater Eastham Easton Everett Fairhaven Falmouth Fenway Foxborough Framingham Franklin Georgetown Gloucester Groton Groveland Halifax Hanover Hanson Harvard Harwich Haverhill Hingham Holden Holliston Hopkinton Hull Hyde Park Ipswich Jamaica Plain Kingston Lakeville Lawrence Leominster Lexington Littleton Longwood Medical Lowell Lynn Lynnfield Malden Manchester Mansfield Marblehead Marshfield Mashpee Mattapan Mattapoisett Maynard Medfield Medford Medway Melrose Methuen Middleboro Middleton Milford Millbury Millis Milton Mission Hill Nahant Natick Needham New Bedford Newbury Newburyport Newton Norfolk North Andover North Attleboro North End North Reading Norton Norwell Norwood Peabody Pembroke Pepperell Plainville Plymouth Princeton Provincetown Quincy Randolph Raynham Reading Rehoboth Revere Rockland Rockport Roslindale Roxbury Salem Salisbury Sandwich Saugus Scituate Sharon Sherborn Shirley Somerville Southborough South Boston South End Stoneham Stoughton Sturbridge Sudbury Swampscott Swansea Taunton Tewksbury Topsfield Tyngsborough Upton Wakefield Walpole Waltham Wareham Watertown Wayland Wellesley Wenham Westborough Westford Westminster Weston Westport West Bridgewater West Newbury West Roxbury Weymouth Whitman Winchester Winthrop Woburn Wrentham Yarmouth go

Why Buying a Multifamily Property is a Great Investment

Venturing into real estate makes an excellent alternative for investors looking for tangible assets. It is also a better investment for investors who want to have an active role in growing their capital instead of passive management of their estates. Rental properties are the most preferred investment strategy for investors looking for additional sources of income while growing their portfolio.

Residential real estate is classified into two; single family units and multi-family units. Single-family units are properties that have one unit available for rent while multi-family properties have more than one rental space. The latter requires a considerable capital investment but presents lots of advantages to investors. The discussion gives a detailed overview of investing in multi-family units.

What is a Multi-family Property?

It is a classification of housing with more than one unit where the residential inhabitants live with their separate living rooms, kitchens, electrical bills, and other utilities. Also known as multi-dwelling units, they are common in densely populated areas like cities where space is at a premium. Multi-family homes can be owned, rented and also serve as an investment property for landlords to collect rent from tenants.

Types of Multi-family Properties

1. Duplex

It is also known as a two-flat building and often confused with a twin home. Twin houses are two separate homes that share a wall with the lot line running through the shared wall. As such, each home is located on an individual lot despite being connected. A duplex, on the other hand, features a building constructed on a house lot, which comprises of a story taking up the first floor and another the second floor with a shared basement and front entrance, stairs, foyer and a similar back entrance.

In old buildings, the hall, stairs and back entrance may have been added later. Properties of this kind should have an external opening for each unit. Otherwise, it may be considered a single unit. There are local building codes and regulations that should be followed when constructing multi-family units in the form of a duplex.

2. Triplex and Quadplex

It is a building similar to duplex only that it has three stories. Two-flat and three-flat buildings are common in old neighborhoods in particular cities. A quadplex is a four-flat structure that is identical to a three-flat, except that it has four flats. The arrangement of the apartments is different, and the lot size is larger than that of a regular house.

3. Condominium

It is a private residence owned by a family or an individual in a building with multiple units. Condos have common areas like gyms, garages, and yards, making maintenance easy. Owners pay a fee to a condo board that consists of elected condo owners who can handle the hiring of maintenance specialists, pool cleaners, and landscapers, among other service people. Additionally, the board enforces rules and regulations that the owners abide by when purchasing the condos. It also controls the number of pets allowed in the building, as well as the age and number of people living in a unit. A retirement condo community, for example, legally requires their residents to be over the age of 55.

4. Townhouse

It is a house attached to many other townhouses, each with multiple floors located side by side. The apartments have separate entrances, and each home has an owner.

5. Apartment building

It is a building with multiple apartments; one every floor. Apartment buildings are constructed in different sizes some with a few flats and others with lots of them on every floor. They also have inside hallways and entrances to each apartment. The apartment building may be owned by one party with each apartment rented out to tenants, or separate parties can own each apartment as a condominium.

Benefits of Investing in Multi-family Properties

A 2015 article in the New York Times reported that nearly 770,000 new rental households emerge every year since the year 2004, explaining the increased demand for these units in upscale towns. Though there are only four million multi-family dwellings compared to a surging 90 million single-family units, multi-family homes present several advantages to residents. Several benefits accrue to real estate investors who buy multi-family units:

Easier to Finance

The cost of buying an apartment building is significantly higher compared to purchasing a single-family home. However, banks are likely to approve a million dollar loan for the acquisition of a multi-family property than for a single-family unit. The premise is that the vacancy rate of a ten-unit property is lower than that of a single unit. If a tenant vacates a single-family house, the property becomes 100% vacant. As such, the likelihood of foreclosing an apartment building is lower.

Easier Management

People investing in multi-family units are tasked with less home maintenance responsibilities. It is because the management company is responsible for rent collection, tenant problems, handling evictions, and maintaining the property, among other duties. Investors who own single-family units, however, may not enjoy the luxury of engaging a property management company because it may be too expensive. It may significantly reduce their monthly margins.

Fast Portfolio Growth

Multi-family units also make economic sense for investors who want to build large portfolios of rental units within a short time. Buying a ten-unit condo is more time-efficient than building or purchasing ten different single-family homes. You avoid dealing with ten different sellers and making ten inspections on houses located in different towns.

Forced Appreciation

Single-family units are purchased based on a sales approach in that, if a three-bedroom house is on sale, it is compared to other similar homes in the market to determine the price. In contrast, investors have much more control over multi-family properties as they don't need to wait for market forces to increase or reduce their values.

How to Buy a Multi-Family Property

The benefits of investing in a multi-family property outweigh any costs that come with the investment. This section highlights the different steps of buying a multifamily property:

Analyze Important Aspects of the Property

It is a short analysis of the location, the number of units, monthly rent, the cash flow, and the expenses based on the 50% rule. Most multifamily units are located in cities and big towns often classified as C+ areas. Simply put, it should be close to the local transport and learning facilities, among other social amenities. You also want to determine if you wish to buy one, two, or three-bedroomed properties. The rents should outweigh the total monthly expenses. A 50% rule is applied in this case; 50% of the income should leave you with enough money to pay your mortgage. If it leaves a little amount for a mortgage payment, then you should consider venturing into another property that generates more rental income. The property should finance the mortgage without you looking for additional sources of income.

This short analysis should help you to determine whether you will buy the property or not quickly. Note that for every property, there are two prices- the list price and price. The list price is often overstated while the perfect price is the more reasonable and makes the investment worthwhile. Most investors offer the second price on the property.

Visit the Property

It allows you to obtain an overview of the amount of you should charge monthly and spot urgent repairs and their estimates. Note that four-plex properties are considered residential estates by banks and are easier to finance compared to five-plexes. It is because banks classify five-plex properties as commercial units that require a unique set of standards and approval processes.

Making the Offer and Negotiation

While the estate agent already has an ideal figure from the seller's point of view, it does not limit you to the amount stated. You can make a counter offer based on your research and finding out the reasons behind the sale. Look for other comparable properties and the amount they have sold for regarding price per square foot.

A new building does not leave much leeway for negotiation especially if the developer thinks other buyers are looking for such a property. It is important to find out how long the property has been in the market, the number of views it has had in the past and if there is a seller chain. A property may be in the market for a long time if the asking price is rather high or there are legal or other issues with the property. All such factors indicate how serious the seller is about selling the property while providing a reasonable ground for you to negotiate the price.

Most sellers know that buyers don't accept the asking price from the outset hence allow room for negotiation. You don't want to offer a price that is too low as it may annoy the seller, especially if you are competing with other buyers. If the property is popular, you want to avoid making high offers as buyers are often pushed into sealed bids. It is because buyers make confidential bids on the property. You also don't want to get carried away and overstretch with an offer that exceeds what you can afford. So, have a budget and stick to it.

If you are buying an incredibly competitive property, you should consider selling yourself as a buyer. In this case, a seller will be attracted to your offer if you do not have chains. A first-time buyer, for example, is likely to make a more attractive offer as there are no complications regarding selling his property. If you are not a first-time buyer, you may show the seller other properties you have on the market or those in the process of being sold. Sellers look for reassurance that once the offer is accepted, you will purchase the property fast.

Inspect the Property

An inspection helps examine and identify problems. Be sure to engage an expert. The money you spend on an inspection may save you thousands by providing a basis for negotiating a lower price and sometimes not buying the property at all. Note that a mortgage lender's valuation report is used to confirm the value of the property from the seller's perspective, hence may not show any faults with the building. Additionally, surveys vary as they depend on the location and type of property you are buying.

Determine the Method of Financing

By now you know the purchase price of the property, repair and closing costs and any other contingency costs that come with buying a property. There are various methods of financing a multifamily property as highlighted later in the discussion. The methods have different qualification criteria and maybe a little restrictive to some buyers. It explains the need to have various exit strategies:

• Refinancing the property using a bank; the property has to be seasoned for at least six months to qualify for property refinancing.
• Finding a long-term private lender; the strategy comes in handy when you cannot obtain a loan from a bank.
• Finding a reliable partner; a partner who has a better credit score, good cash flow, and a large capital base increase your chances of obtaining a loan.
• Sell the property; it is the last resort, especially if it makes a good sale.

Closing the Deal

You may engage a title company or an attorney during this process. Your real estate agent sends the signed purchase and sale agreement to the title company. The process lasts a week or more. It involves a title search and the preparation of other documents like the deed of trust and promissory note between the lender and borrower.

Before signing the papers, it is important to read the document carefully as it will have a major impact on your finances for the next decade or so. Ensure the interest rate is correct and there is no prepayment penalty.

How to Finance the Investment

Financing options depend on whether the buyer intends to occupy one of the multi-family units or not. A multifamily financing mortgage is specially designed to help first-time real estate developers and seasoned professionals purchase or refinance small multi-family units (usually 2-4 units), as well as large apartment buildings with many units. There are four types of multi-family financing options available to developers looking to buy or renovate 2-20 units:

• Conventional mortgage
• Government-backed loans
• Short-term multifamily financing
• Portfolio loans

Conventional Mortgage

The loans are offered by traditional lending institutions and banks. They are long-term, ranging between 15 and 30 years and are used to finance properties that range from 2 to 4 units. As such, buyers looking to finance over five units should consider other financing options like multi-family portfolio loans and government-backed loans. Banks and other lending institutions require borrowers to put up a down payment of 20% of the purchase price, a relatively fair standard compared to residential property loans. Other qualification criteria include a credit score of over 680 and cash reserves for 6-12 months.

Most conventional mortgages for MFUs charge interest rates ranging from 4%-6% on a fixed or variable basis. Fixed rates are amortized fully throughout a loan's term while variable rates may change after 7-10 years. Variable rates are also based on a six-month LIBOR rate with a cap equal to the starting interest rate plus 5-6%. Additionally, fees associated with conventional mortgages include; the loan origination fees and closing costs. You may also be charged appraisal and application fees.

Government-Backed Financing

The option provides real estate investors with more than five financing alternatives. The loans have terms ranging from 5-35 years and buyers can finance 2-4 units, as well as properties with over five units. Just like conventional mortgages, investors are required to raise 20% of the purchase price as down payment.

However, borrowers taking an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan for the acquisition of an apartment require buyers to raise 13% or more of the purchase price. The minimum loan amount is $1M without restrictions as to the maximum amount.

The interest rates for government-backed loans range from 3%-6% which can be fixed or variable. Variable rates are adjusted after 3-10 years based on a six-month LIBOR rate but with a maximum cap rate of 5%. Fees associated with these loans include loan origination fees, prepayment penalty, and closing costs. The institution issuing credit may also charge legal fees, FHA inspection fee, and a mortgage insurance premium. The qualification criterion for a government-backed loan comprises:

• Finance more than five units
• Have a credit score of over 650-680
• A minimum occupancy rate of 85-90%
• Occupancy of over three months
• Liquidity of more than nine months

Short-term Multi-family Financing

It is a non-permanent multi-family loan alternative that lasts for six months to three years and is used to finance properties with two to over five units. The loans comprise bridge loans and hard money loans with monthly payments (usually interest-only). Note that short-term multi-family loans are used to purchase MFU properties before refinancing using a permanent loan.

Investors pick out these loans to renovate or improve the occupancy rate of an MFU to meet the strict requirements of a permanent multifamily loan. Other investors use the credits to purchase a property in a bid to meet the personal qualification criteria before refinancing. Short-term MFU financing loan amounts start at $100,000 and do not have a maximum value. However, both loans have a property (LTV) loan-to-value ratio of 90% and (LTC) loan to cost ratio of 75%. It means investors should expect to raise 10% or 25% of the purchase price, including renovation costs.

Interest rates for the loans vary greatly. For example, hard money loans have their interest rates ranging between 7-12% while bridge loans have rates ranging from 4-12%, depending on the lender. Fees associated with the loans include; loan origination costs, extension, and exit charges, as well as a prepayment penalty. The approval time is also short, making it advantageous for investors to know who is competing with all-cash financing buyers.

• Criterion for hard money loans
• Financing two to more than five units
• Have a credit score of over 550
• Have experience in managing a multi-family property or 2-3 past rehab projects
• Does not have another debt

Criterion for bridge loans

• All the requirements for a hard loan
• A credit score of 640 and above
• An interest reserve for properties less than 1.05 DSCR

Portfolio loan

It is a non-conforming loan used for an MFU property with 2-5 units. The mortgages have terms that last 3-30 years and tend to be more flexible compared to conforming loan options as they can finance four to ten properties at once. Additionally, investors are only required to raise 3% of the property's purchase price as the portfolio loan finances up to 97% of the value.

Portfolio loans charge interest rates, ranging from 4-6% or higher, which can be variable or fixed. Variable interest rates are adjusted within 5-10 years before based on the six-month LIBOR rate. Fees associated with a portfolio loan include the closing costs, loan origination fees, and prepayment penalties, which are charged on loan. To qualify for a portfolio loan, you must meet the following criteria:

• Intend to buy two to over five units
• Have personal credit score of more than 600
• A liquidity of over nine months
• A minimum occupancy rate of 90%

Other Financing Alternatives

Some investors may find the financing options discussed a little restrictive hence might explore other alternatives:

Private Lenders

While private lending is the most common form of financing for single-family unit investment, it is also useful in multi-family investing. It comes in handy for investors looking to fund a down payment for a property. Private lenders can be people in existing social networks like colleagues, friends, doctors, and family. The prospects of better returns than what most of them are getting from their retirement or other plans make a compelling reason for them to lend money.

Equity Shares

This method of financing is somewhat different from working with a private lender. Here, the equity investor lends you money in exchange for a portion of the equity of the property. It is a more attractive way to woo investors to give or invest their funds as they have the opportunity to generate long and short-term cash flow.