1031 EXCHANGE + ARRANGED FINANCING + REFINANCE

CLIENT CASE STUDY

Wellington Square Apartments, Sold (through 1031 Exchange),

October 2012 - $1,825,000.

This particular engagement was focused on "exchanging - 1031" his 27-unit "Class C" apartment property into a larger, higher quality "Class A/B" asset.

First, the disposition property was prepared for sale. This included the completion of “in process” property improvements as well as the boosting of rents to get closer to full market rental rates. It was necessary to stabilize the operating financials before putting the disposition property on the market so that a top-of-the market sale price could be realized and appealing financing could be secured by prospective buyers. The disposition property (to be relinquished) was put on the market 5/2012, went under contact 7/2012 and closed in 10/2012.

Concurrently, suitable replacement properties were sought out and screened by Realty Yield. This included a variety of properties and property types throughout the Portland-metro area. A “short-list” was established and each opportunity thoroughly evaluated.

A state-of-the-art “Net Zero Energy Efficient” mixed-use property in the up and coming North Williams corridor of Portland was chosen as the best fit and pursued. The subject property was comprised of 18 apartment units and 3,600 square feet of ground-floor retail. The project met new standards of energy efficiency, sustainability and simplicity. All 18 units were initially leased within 30 days of the projects delivery to the market in March 2011. The anchor retail tenant was a Portland leader in the fast growing micro-brewing scene. The listing price was $4,750,000. The quality and fit of this property was ideal for our client. 

The list price was on the high-end based on the current in-place net operating income. The owner/seller was still in the process of bumping turnover rents and implementing a utility bill-back program (charging tenants). This “future”, yet unrealized revenue was already priced into the listing price. Additionally, the seller was asking an additional price premium for the possibility of adding additional units at a later date.

The primary challenge was negotiating a mutually acceptable price. Additionally, since lenders only lend on the in-place net operating income (NOI), securing a satisfactory loan amount was going to be a challenge and ultimately requiring a higher down payment than what was going to be available in 1031 exchange funds from our client’s disposition.

Informal “price” negotiations were facilitated through the respective brokers. After approximately 30 days, a mutually acceptable Purchase & Sale Agreement was executed at a price of $4,271,776. The Purchase & Sale Agreement contained provision-s for rent achievement and partial implementation of the utility bill-back program to meet the minimum lender underwriting threshold for the net operating income required to fund the full desired loan amount of $3,240,000. Buyer brought in a 25% partner to fund the additional capital required to bridge the gap between available 1031 exchange funds and the cash down payment required. 

Relinquished property sold for $1,825,000 (closed 10/2012). Replacement property acquisition price was $4,271,976 (closed 1/2013) after closing adjustments. The 1031 Exchange was easily completed within the timeline required by the IRS.