Does property age matter for real estate investors? (2024)

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (1)

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (2)

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (3)

Newer real estate investors often wonder whether the age of a property matters, and if it does, how much?

The answer is Yes, Property age matters. But why?

Property age impacts the price, your rehab and update costs, your overall potential rents, and much more. Let’s dive in.

The Market Cares, So You Have to Care

The key to getting the best answer is to ask the right question. The right question isn’t why should investors care about property age, but rather how can they address what the market wants?

Experienced real estate investors know that they need to care about property age because the market cares.

Your ability to address what the market wants will be driven in part by your property’s age. First let’s talk about figuring out what the market wants.

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (4)

Supply and Demand make the real estate world go round

But what exactly does the market care about? Is it the same everywhere?No, it’s not.All markets are different.

The key is to understand your market and address its needs. A common mistake new investors make is to renovate properties to fit their own expectations, rather than target what the market wants.

More often than not this means spending more on renovations than you really need to, eating into your profits or wiping out your profit entirely. The most common examples are spending too much on finishes, appliances, kitchens, bathrooms, and floors.

Study your market to understand what it wants. If you have a B-Class rental, look at your competition and aim to get your property into a comparable (if not ever so slightly nicer) condition.

3 Ways to Figure Out What Tenants in Your Market Want

1. Research your competition online

Zillow, Craigslist, Apartments.com, and other listing sites can give you a great indication of your competition. Amenities, utilities, neighborhoods, and rental rates are just a few key indicators to look for.

2. Tour comparable rentals

Nothing beats seeing properties with your own eyes. Secret shopping will give you the best idea of what it’s like to be one of your prospective tenants.

3. Talk to Property Managers

Property managers are more tied into the day-to-day of your rental market than anyone else. Take time to build relationships with PMs in your area. They can help you better understand your market, what is driving rents, and how to update your property to meet the market’s demand.

By understanding your market you’ll understand what features, amenities, finishes, appliance packages, and other aspects your local rental economy wants. That gives you a target to aim for when updating and rehabbing your properties.

Now that we understand how to research our market & target what it wants, let’s dig into how property age factors our renovation costs.

Property Age Drives your Costs

Once you’ve determined what your market wants, the next step is to update your property to make it fit the desired condition. That may or may not be viable due to the costs to get your property updated.

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (5)

Newer properties simply need less upkeep

Mistakes when buying older properties

  1. Not having a plan: When you don’t have a plan, you end up making decisions based on emotion instead of logic, which can lead to poor choices! Business plans are critical in real estate.
  2. Underestimating repair costs: Repairs and capital expenditures can be a huge part of one’s budget when buying underperforming investment real estate. Rookies don’t know which landmines and pitfalls await them inside the walls of their buildings! Nuances such as issues with buildings built in the 1960s, plumbing and electrical nightmares, and rodent infestations can end up costing rookies dearly.
  3. Buying in a bad location: Location, location, location! This is one of the most important aspects of any real estate investment. Not understanding the neighborhood you’re buying in could lead to occupancy and cash flow problems down the road.
  4. Insufficient Operating Reserves: Even the best-performing properties can have down months. A well-funded operating reserve can help you get through these tough times without having to sell your investment property prematurely.

Common issues with older properties

Older properties can have a litany of physical condition issues. The full list would be much too big to write into a blog post.

A few keys to look for in your due diligence period include the roof, plumbing & sewer, and foundation. Most issues related to these dd items are fixable, but those repairs come at a cost.

Learn from My Experience

At the risk of tooting my own horn, I’ve been around the block a few times. As of writing this blog post I’ve acquired, partnered on, or invested in over $250 Million in Commercial Multifamily real estate.

I’ve learned a few tough lessons and many of them were directly related to the ages of properties.

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (6)

1960s Build: After a few difficult deals I no longer buy 1960s build multifamily properties. They tend to come with significant deferred maintenance, expensive updates, and many skeletons-in-the-closet type of issues that will pop up and will be expensive to fix.

1970s Build: 70s builds can be okay with sufficient due diligence and if they’ve been taken care of well enough.

1980s-90s Build: Generally speaking, 80s and 90s properties can still be in great shape with plenty of potential upside.

2000s and Newer: Love em. The pricing can occasionally be too high to produce cash flow, but physically these properties have the best chance to be in good condition.

Property age is a big factor for real estate investors because it can have a significant impact on the overall potential of a deal. The potential rents and costs to update & renovate a property are all driven, to some degree, by the age of the property.

Want to learn more?

We work with investors to help them build passive wealth with real estate after they grow frustrated with the volatility of Wall Street.

Schedule a call to learn more and explore ways we can help you invest on Main Street.

About the Author

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (7)

Hi, I’m Taylor. To date I’ve acquired, partnered on, invested in, or had a hand in over $150 Million in Real Estate Investments. I help busy professionals invest in multifamily and self storage real estate through my companyNT Capital.

I started the Passive Wealth Strategy Show to teach busy professionals how they can build passive cash flow and protect their wealth by investing in Main Street real estate, instead of Wall Street.

Don’t forget to follow on Instagram @passive_wealth_strategies

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (8)

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (9)

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (10)

Put Your Money to Work in Real Estate

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (11)

Get our guide on 6 Ways to Build Passive Wealth with Real Estate

What Listeners are Saying

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (13)

Extremely useful podcast

@thehappyrexan

Read More

Short, impactful with excellent guests. If you have a full time W-2 job or business and are looking for ways to get involved in real estate on the side, this is for you.

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (14)

Simple & effective information!

@jjff0987

Read More

This podcast is worth listening to for investors at all levels. The information is simplified for the high level investors but detailed enough to educate seasoned investors about nuances of the business. I recommend!

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (15)

Awesome Podcast!!!

@Clarisse Gomez

Read More

The host of Passive Wealth Strategies for Busy Professionals podcast highlights all aspects of real estate investing and more in this can’t miss podcast! The host and expert guests offer insightful advice and information that is helpful to anyone that listens!

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (16)

Great podcast!

@Owchy

Read More

Love all the information and insights from Taylor and his guest. Fun and entertaining. Highly recommend.

Previous

Next

Does property age matter for real estate investors? (17)

Popular Posts

  • Jeremy Roll on Why Investors Should Be Vetting Sponsors
  • Wealth Strategies of the Ultra Wealthy with Richard Wilson
  • 5 Year Plan to Financial Freedom with Anna Kelley
Does property age matter for real estate investors? (2024)

FAQs

Does property age matter for real estate investors? ›

Property age is a big factor for real estate investors because it can have a significant impact on the overall potential of a deal. The potential rents and costs to update & renovate a property are all driven, to some degree, by the age of the property.

What age is best to buy an investment property? ›

In reality, your 20s and 30s are an ideal time to begin investing in real estate. Passively investing in real estate is especially attractive to those who are just learning about the real estate industry. Or for those who simply don't have the time, interest, or resources to invest in property directly.

What age do most real estate investors start? ›

Real Estate Investor Age
Real Estate Investor YearsPercentages
40+ years71%
30-40 years22%
20-30 years7%
Sep 9, 2022

Does the age of a house matter? ›

Old homes may use older heating and cooling systems or have fewer electrical outlets than you'd like. Similarly, building codes and standards have changed as well. Old homes might not be up to modern code, and bringing things up to today's safety standards will likely be costly. Expensive upkeep.

What do investors look for in property? ›

The adage "location, location, location" is still king and continues to be the most important factor for profitability in real estate investing. Proximity to amenities, green space, scenic views, and the neighborhood's status factor prominently into residential property valuations.

What is the 1 rule for investment property? ›

What Is The 1% Rule In Real Estate? The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of the investment property against the gross income it will generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must be equal to or no less than 1% of the purchase price.

What age do most people buy property? ›

Homeownership rates by generation

Younger millennials (23 to 31 years old) comprise only 18% of the share of homebuyers. 60% of older millennials (roughly 40-42 years old) own a home. At that age, 73% of the Silent Generation owned homes, 68% of Baby Boomers owned homes and 64% of Generation X owned homes.

Is 30 too late to start investing in real estate? ›

Or, if you're (somewhat) closer to retirement age, you figure you've missed your chance to become an investor. Starting a real estate investing career can be a sound, financial decision — at any age — as long as you're armed with enough knowledge to make a sensible and practical plan for your investing future.

What age is too late to start investing? ›

No matter how old or young you are, it is never too late to start investing in the stock market. Investing now will allow you to take advantage of compounding returns sooner rather than later. This can make all the difference when it comes down to long-term financial goals such as retirement.

Is it too late to get into real estate investing? ›

You can do it too and it's never too late. Just trust in yourself, your instincts and develop your plan for jumping into your own rental property investments. Your financial freedom will be your reward.

At what age does a house start losing value? ›

If you haven't renovated your home in the past 30 years or so, it won't show well when you put it on the market. In other words, it won't get the same price as a similar home that's been maintained and updated.

Does age of house affect value? ›

4. Age and condition. Typically, homes that are newer appraise at a higher value. The fact that critical parts of the house, like plumbing, electrical, the roof, and appliances are newer and therefore less likely to break down, can generate savings for a buyer.

Do old houses last longer? ›

Older homes were usually built with a higher caliber of solid building materials such as stone, brick, and solid wood. For example, wood in old houses was cut from “old growth”, which has proven to be more stable, durable, and more rot-resistant than today's wood.

What is the 5 rule in real estate investing? ›

That said, the easiest way to put the 5% rule in practice is multiplying the value of a property by 5%, then dividing by 12. Then, you get a breakeven point for what you'd pay each month, helping you decide whether it's better to buy or rent.

What are the 3 most important factors in real estate? ›

The three most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location. Too often I hear people talking about making decisions based on the home itself, instead of the location, and that is a mistake.

Who is the most successful real estate investor? ›

Donald Bren. Donald Bren is one of the greatest real estate investors in American history.

What is the 50% rule in real estate? ›

Like many rules of real estate investing, the 50 percent rule isn't always accurate, but it can be a helpful way to estimate expenses for rental property. To use it, an investor takes the property's gross rent and multiplies it by 50 percent, providing the estimated monthly operating expenses. That sounds easy, right?

What is the 80% rule in real estate? ›

The 80% rule means that an insurer will only fully cover the cost of damage to a house if the owner has purchased insurance coverage equal to at least 80% of the house's total replacement value.

What is the rule of 7 in real estate? ›

[00:01:12] This comes down to the rule of seven the rule of seven is a marketing concept that was developed actually in the 1930s and it goes like this the prospect needs to hear your service offering or your advertisem*nt at least seven times before they start to recognize you or take action on what it is you're ...

Is it wise to buy a house at age 55? ›

Buying a home after 55 is a major decision that is sure to impact your retirement. While some financial companies will give out loans to older buyers, most are wary of this for several reasons. According to personal finance expert David Ning, it's unwise to get a new 30-year fixed mortgage in your 50s.

Is 45 too old to buy a house? ›

While you're never too old to buy your dream home, there are some things to consider before making your purchase. See more real estate pictures. As you get closer to retirement age, it might feel like it's too late to buy a home. While this might be true in some cases, there are times when it still makes sense to buy.

Is it smart to buy a house at 20 years old? ›

Is it smart to buy a house in my 20s? Yes, it is smart to buy a house at any age if you've done your homework. Homeownership can bring both risks and rewards. So before you start house hunting, put yourself in position to succeed: Work on your credit profile and start saving up some money.

What is the 100 times rule in real estate investing? ›

Savvy real estate investors often pay no more than 100 times the monthly rent to purchase a property. In the case of the couple above, an investor following the 100 times monthly rent rule wouldn't pay more than $750,000 because the monthly market rent was $7,500.

Is 40 too old to invest in real estate? ›

When are you too old to start investing in real estate? Can you start in your 40s or 50s? Yes, says investment expert Adiel Gorel – you can start even in your 60s!

Is it too late to invest in real estate 2023? ›

Despite what some may think, 2023 is still a good year to invest in real estate, thanks to advantages like long-term appreciation, steady rental income, and the opportunity to hedge against inflation. Mortgage rates are expected to decline, but the housing market is likely to remain competitive due to low supply.

What age are most investors? ›

Beginning investors statistics

The average age when a person starts investing is 33.3, according to a 2021 study by robo-advisor Personal Capital.

What is the investing age rule? ›

The 120-age investment rule states that a healthy investing approach means subtracting your age from 120 and using the result as the percentage of your investment dollars in stocks and other equity investments.

Is it too late to start a 401k at age 60? ›

Is it too late to save for retirement at 60 or 55? The answer is no, especially if you take the 401(k) savings plan approach. Under the new law, there are no age restrictions for 401k contributions, even among the 70+ years old folks.

What is one major disadvantage to investing in real estate? ›

Real estate investments tend to have high transactional costs, especially in legal and brokerage fees. The process of acquiring a new property is also very long and tedious with lots of legal formalities. Another disadvantage of property investments is that they are not easy to liquidate.

Why not to invest in real estate? ›

Real estate investing can be lucrative, but it's important to understand the risks. Key risks include bad locations, negative cash flows, high vacancies, and problem tenants. Other risks to consider are the lack of liquidity, hidden structural problems, and the unpredictable nature of the real estate market.

How many people fail at real estate investing? ›

I still find this hard to believe. 95% of would be real estate investors never buy a single house.

What decreases property value the most? ›

It's best to be aware of what hurts property value so you can protect your home and get the most ROI when it comes time to sell.
  • 1) DIY projects gone wrong.
  • 2) Lack of curb appeal.
  • 3) Unsightly interior wall paint.
  • 4) Lack of upkeep.
  • 5) Wall to wall carpeting.
  • 6) Excessive clutter can hurt property value.
  • 7) Unpleasant smells.
Oct 9, 2020

Is it smart to buy a house at 50 years old? ›

The Bottom Line

If you're in your 50s, it's not too late to buy a new home, but it's key to ask the right questions and make the wisest decisions possible. Above all, make sure you won't be stuck making mortgage payments years after retirement. Gallup. "Most U.S. Employed Adults Plan to Work Past Retirement Age."

Do house prices double every 10 years? ›

After all, capital growth is one of the main reasons people invest in residential real estate. It's often said that over the long-term the average annual growth rate for well-located capital city properties is about 7%, which would mean properties should double in value every 10 years.

Is it OK to buy a 100 year old house? ›

It can be perfectly safe to buy a 100 year old house. On the surface, there's absolutely nothing wrong with buying a 100-year-old home. Still, you should be wary of structural issues and other problems associated with aged houses, such as lead paint and pest problems.

What makes a property worth more? ›

A home's value is affected by local real estate trends, the housing market, the home's condition, age, location and property size.

What type of house lasts the longest? ›

Stone and brick houses last the longest. If you are using wood, choose a hardwood for durability. A one-storey house will last longer because it is easier to maintain. Steel-frame techniques are also more durable for building houses than traditional stick-framing techniques and can last for 100+ years.

What is the typical lifespan of a house? ›

The average life span of a house in the United States is about 50-70 years. Houses can last for decades if they are well-maintained and have been constructed with quality materials. A poorly built home may not last more than 20 years.

What is the average lifespan of a house? ›

The average lifespan of a newly constructed house is 70–100 years. Factors such as weak housing materials and damaging weather exposure can shorten a home's lifespan. Routine repair and maintenance can improve the longevity of a home.

What is Rule 70 in real estate? ›

The 70% rule can help flippers when they're scouring real estate listings for potential investment opportunities. Basically, the rule says real estate investors should pay no more than 70% of a property's after-repair value (ARV) minus the cost of the repairs necessary to renovate the home.

What is the golden rule in real estate? ›

By “Golden Rule” I mean it is a rule investors can apply to accumulate wealth significantly faster than investors who do not follow the rule. A Like-Kind Exchange is an investment strategy whereby one property is sold and replaced by the acquisition of another of the same kind.

What is the rule of 72 in real estate investing? ›

The Rule of 72 is a simple way to determine how long an investment will take to double given a fixed annual rate of interest. By dividing 72 by the annual rate of return, investors obtain a rough estimate of how many years it will take for the initial investment to duplicate itself.

What are the three C's of real estate? ›

They evaluate credit and payment history, income and assets available for a down payment and categorize their findings as the Three C's: Capacity, Credit and Collateral.

What makes you stand out in real estate? ›

Making a unique presence in your community with events, relevant virtual resources, and consistently great photography on your listings can make you really stand out as a real estate agent. Be sure to highlight unique features of your listings to curate experiences for your ideal buyers.

What two factors does success in real estate come down to? ›

“Success in real estate comes down to two factors: taking care of and valuing the customer.”

Why 90% of millionaires invest in real estate? ›

Federal tax benefits

Because of the many tax benefits, real estate investors often end up paying less taxes overall even as they are bringing in more income. This is why many millionaires invest in real estate. Not only does it make you money, but it allows you to keep a lot more of the money you make.

How much do most real estate investors make? ›

Real Estate Investor Salary in California
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$185,074$89
75th Percentile$146,884$71
Average$105,586$51
25th Percentile$78,338$38

Should I own a house at 25? ›

There's no right or wrong age to buy a house — just the right or wrong time. Be sure to consider your financial situation, your employment, the local housing market, and your future goals and plans. Consult a real estate agent or loan officer for professional advice if you're unsure.

Should an 18 year old invest in real estate? ›

You Can Invest In Real Estate Starting At 18

Before you begin, spend some time educating yourself on how other real estate entrepreneurs become successful. You'll also want to make sure you put yourself in the mindset that this is going to be a long-term investment and not some get-rich-quick overnight plan.

Is it smart to buy land in your 20s? ›

One of the most significant reasons why you should invest in real estate in your 20s is because with real estate investing, the longer you own a property, the better the investment becomes. So, by starting in your twenties as opposed to in your thirties or forties, you will benefit greatly.

What percent of 25 year olds own a home? ›

Almost 30% of 25-year-olds own their own homes, a higher percentage than their parents at the same age.

Is 40 too old to buy a house? ›

Age doesn't matter. Counterintuitive as it may sound, your loan application for a mortgage to be repaid over 30 years looks the same to lenders whether you are 90 years old or 40.

Can a kid invest in real estate? ›

Did you know that your child can be a property owner even at a young age? Yes, your Kidvestor can truly become a real estate investor! Although a child cannot legally be on title under the age of 18 (and it's also not a good idea to do so), they can be listed as a partner of an LLC of which the LLC owns property!

Is real estate investing for everyone? ›

Active real estate investing isn't for everyone because there are unique hurdles and risks. Purchasing and owning rental properties isn't going to begin building wealth instantly.

Is it smarter to buy land or a house? ›

In general, you'll likely find it cheaper overall to buy an existing home, but that also depends on the market. A home loan is less risky than a land loan, and typically comes with a lower down payment and better interest rate.

Is 21 too early to buy a house? ›

There's no minimum age to buy a house. If you're ready and have a down payment, buying a house in your early 20s is a smart move.

What is the youngest age you can buy land? ›

You can legally buy property when you reach the age of majority, which in most states is 18 years old.

Can a 70 year old get a 30 year mortgage? ›

Can a 70-year-old choose between a 15- and a 30-year mortgage? Absolutely. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act's protections extend to your mortgage term. Mortgage lenders can't deny you a specific loan term on the basis of age.

Is a 100 year old house too old to buy? ›

It can be perfectly safe to buy a 100 year old house. On the surface, there's absolutely nothing wrong with buying a 100-year-old home. Still, you should be wary of structural issues and other problems associated with aged houses, such as lead paint and pest problems.

Can a 50 year old get a 25 year mortgage? ›

Mortgages for over 50s

Many lenders will be happy to offer you a mortgage if you're over 50, with a standard 25-year term and competitive interest rates often available. In some cases, you may be asked to show evidence of your predicted retirement income.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6623

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.