If you feel you are ready to begin your career as a single-family rental home investor in Argyle, one of the crucial terms you first need to know is After Repair Value (ARV). The after-repair value of a property refers to the value of a property that has been fixed up or renovated. To be more specific, ARV refers to the estimated future value of the property, consisting of all the repairs and improvements. To determine your property’s ARV to use it correctly, first, you need to get a grasp of how to calculate it accurately. Keep reading to learn how to do so.
Start With a Market Analysis
A competitive market analysis is one of the most important ways to calculate your property’s ARV. By checking into comparable properties (comps) that have recently sold, you can get a good idea of your property’s new market value. Many investors start by searching the multiple listing service (MLS) for recently sold properties that are as like your new, improved rental house as possible. For example, you would want to find comps close to your property in age, size, location, construction method and style, and condition. Look for at least three recently sold comps (i.e., sold within the last 90 days) that detail recent upgrades or improvements.
Calculating ARV
After finding three or more decent comps, and then you can calculate your property’s after-repair value (ARV). There are two standard methods:
- Find the average sales price of comparable properties. For instance, if you found three good comps, add their sold prices together, divide by three, and then you would have the average price. This number is your property after-repair value (ARV), which has to be used to estimate the likely sales price of your own single-family rental house after improvements and repairs.
- Find the average price per square foot of your comparable properties. Divide the total sales price by the average square footage of your comps. With an average price per square foot, you can then multiply that price by the number of square feet in your rental property. This manner can be more precise than the first option but needs a few more steps.
Using Your ARV
Before you even know it, your property’s ARV can be used in several ways. Initially, it can help you set a better rental rate. By acknowledging how your newly renovated property compares to others in the neighborhood, you can significantly improve your rental home’s potential. In yet another way, investors frequently use after-repair value when buying investment properties.
When purchasing a new Argyle investment property, you may want to take 70% of the property’s after-repair value and subtract the costs of repairs and improvements. The resulting offer price can help you know where to start bidding for a property. In some cases, investors may go as high as 80% ARV, significantly increasing the chance of an acceptable offer. Of course, the higher the ARV you use to determine your offer price, the higher the risk for your profit margins afterward.
Calculating an accurate after-repair value takes practice and skill. While many investors learn to do so on their own, it can be helpful to rely on the expertise of a real estate professional or property management expert. Either one can help you locate comparable properties and ensure that your calculations reflect the true nature of the property, its location, and its future potential as a rental house.
Have you recently completed renovations on your investment property? Contact Real Property Management Lakeview and request a rental market analysis to ensure you stay competitive. Call us at 940-323-0505 to speak with an Argyle property manager today.
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