Accredited investors looking to diversify into residential real estate have a wide range of investment options, each with different risks, returns, and other benefits. An investor may choose to purchase a single home to rent out for income, taking on the burden of directly managing that property. Conversely, many larger residential real estate investments are managed by a team, and investors join a partnership where a professional selects and manages the properties. We believe investing in larger real estate projects, typically available through a partnership or pooled investment, can offer unique advantages in terms of scale, efficiency, and cash flow.
In this article we go into more detail on how accredited investors are putting their capital to work inside these larger residential projects.
Large Residential Projects vs Smaller Residential Investments
At their core, both large and small residential real estate investments share many of the same advantages, e.g. owning “hard assets” and diversifying your investments away from stocks and bonds. However, the differences in scale between these projects lead to distinct advantages and challenges.
Investing in Large Residential Real Estate Projects
Large residential projects, such as multi-family apartment complexes or housing developments, come with their own set of requirements. These projects necessitate extensive permitting, meticulous planning, and substantial capital contributions. The extended timelines for completion, often spanning several years, can seem daunting. However, the payoff can be substantial.
Large projects have the potential to yield higher returns upon exit for several reasons. First, if undeveloped land is purchased and then is zoned and entitled, that process alone can significantly increase the value of the land. Once engineering, infrastructure and utilities are added the value can increase even more. Along the way, an investment manager may choose to sell some or all of the land to start generating returns for investors. If the investment manager chooses to develop the land further, for example by building a neighborhood of homes, there will be economies of scale (both in construction and in marketing of the homes to potential buyers) that can make this more efficient than investing in a single home or smaller project.
Investing in Smaller Residential Real Estate Projects
Smaller residential projects, such as building one single-family home, present a different investment opportunity. If an investor is starting from scratch with undeveloped land, these projects often face fewer regulatory hurdles, with more straightforward permitting and zoning processes. The reduced need for a large workforce can make the project easier to manage.
However, the trade-off is often in the returns. While smaller projects can provide quicker and easier exits, they don’t offer the different options available with many larger projects (e.g. selling some land and also building some homes on a large parcel) which can lower the risk and increase the returns for larger projects. Investors are also tied into a single home, offering less diversification. For investors who want to be personally involved in the development process and have some real estate expertise, a single home or small project may be desirable. However, it may not provide the same growth opportunities as large-scale investments.
Ways to Invest in Large Residential Real Estate Projects
There are several ways for investors to participate in large residential real estate projects. Listed below are some of the most common.
- Direct Investment
One approach is direct investment, where investors use their own capital to fund projects. This method offers the potential for high returns and significant control over the investment. However, it also comes with higher risk and the need for substantial real estate knowledge and management expertise. - Private Residential Real Estate Partnership
Another option is working with a specialized partnership or firm that focuses on large-scale residential projects. These groups pool capital from multiple investors and leverage professional expertise in project management and development. This approach can be particularly appealing for investors seeking to mitigate risk while still accessing the lucrative potential of large projects. It also allows for participation in a large real estate project with a much smaller amount of capital than if an investor were funding the entire project. The burden of management and development is on the investment manager, and the investor can often benefit from more efficient project execution. - Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT)
Investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) is another popular method. REITs allow investors to buy shares in a portfolio of real estate assets, providing diversification. Many are publicly traded, which can provide more liquidity than investing directly or through a partnership. However, REIT dividends are typically taxed at an investor’s ordinary tax rate, which can generate a higher tax burden than many other types of real estate investing.
For investors without the time, capital and expertise to take on a direct investment, we believe a real estate partnership that has a proven track record in real estate development is often the best approach. Partnership managers can bring in-depth market knowledge, access to high-quality projects, and economies of scale, which can help boost returns. In addition, these partnerships are often designed to be tax-efficient for investors.
We’d like to invite accredited investors looking to capitalize on large residential real estate projects to reach out to us if you’d like to learn more about our approach and see if it may be a fit for your investment goals.
The investment information provided by this Blog Post is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. Domicilium does not guarantee the success of any investment recommendations or strategies discussed or provided by this Blog Post. The use or reliance of any information contained on this post is solely at your own risk.
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