First Rental Property

My First Rental Property - 3 Years Later

My First Rental Property - 3 Years Later

Looking Back At My First Rental Property

It’s been a little over 3 years since I purchased my first rental property so I thought it would be interesting to look back and see how I did. I learned a ton from the process of purchasing this property. Although this was the third property added to my real estate portfolio, I credit this little gem with being the catalyst for catapulting my real estate career. Check out my blog post, My First Rental Property, to read the full story of how I purchased this property.

3 Years Later

Estimated Value: $375,000

Price Appreciation: $219,500 (141%)

Loan Balance: $117,500

Estimated Net Rental Income (3yr):$15,600

Principle Pay Down: 7,000

Total Return (3yr): $242,100

ROI: 778% (259%/year)

My First Rental Property

My First Rental Property

Time To Reflect

It’s been a little over 3 years since I purchased my first rental property so I thought it would interesting to take a walk down memory lane. Although this was not the first piece of real estate I’ve ever purchased, this was the first house I purchase for the sole purpose of renting it out and holding it as an investment. Prior to the purchase of my first rental property in 2017 I purchased a Condo in 2009, which I turned into a rental in 2015. I also purchased a Townhouse as my primary residence in 2015. So although I had some experience purchasing real estate I had never purchased a piece of real estate as a pure investment.

The Backstory

To help paint the full picture of how I knew this particular house was the one for me and therefore was able to make a quick decision, I think it’s important to provide a little backstory. Towards the middle of 2016 I decided it was time to purchase my first single family house for the sole purpose of renting it. I had been observing areas in Southwest Atlanta that seemed full of potential with construction of the Beltline. I already noticed a lot of momentum and new development which was resulting in price appreciation. My main objective at the time was price appreciation, with cash flow being secondary. I wanted to keep the price of the house relatively low, to limit my risk, since this was going to be my first investment in a transitioning area. My main focus was on Adair Park and Capitol View since I had become familiar with those areas when I first starting looking at properties in 2015. Unfortunately by the time I was ready to jump in and pull the trigger, Adair Park and Capitol View had become extremely hot. The prices were rising to levels that I wasn’t comfortable with and the houses that were in my price range were in multiple offer situations. Long story short, I either couldn’t move fast enough or I repeatedly was outbid.