Jan. 23, 2018

MB 092: From Teacher to Fulltime Multifamily Investor – with Todd Dexheimer

MB 092: From Teacher to Fulltime Multifamily Investor – with Todd Dexheimer

Todd Dexheimer always wanted to be a multifamily investor, but he got distracted by single-family rentals and fix and flips. When he stopped to take a hard look at his portfolio, Todd realized that when it came to return on investment, the...

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Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing

Todd Dexheimer always wanted to be a multifamily investor, but he got distracted by single-family rentals and fix and flips. When he stopped to take a hard look at his portfolio, Todd realized that when it came to return on investment, the rentals were destroying the flips. Worse yet, he was still in a holding pattern—waiting to ‘graduate’ to multifamily. What would his cashflow look like if he stopped wasting time and shifted his focus to apartment buildings?

Todd began his career as a high school teacher, but the meager pay and lack of job satisfaction had him looking for other opportunities. In 2008, he and his wife used their savings to purchase a rental property as well as a live-in flip, and before long he had a significant rental portfolio and 150 flips under his belt. But Todd never stopped dreaming about multifamily, and in 2016 he got back on track and purchased a 22-unit building in Cincinnati. Now he has a total of 106-units and the ambition to grow by another 800 units in 2018.

Today Todd explains how fear, distraction, and a lack of resources held him back from pursuing his multifamily dreams. He shares the details of a 15-unit deal that didn’t go so well, yet taught him several valuable lessons and set him up for future success. Todd discusses how a hard look at his portfolio got him back on the multifamily track and offers an overview of his last two apartment investments. Listen in for Todd’s advice around being taken seriously in a new market and learning from other investors to go big quickly, rather than waiting to ‘graduate.’

Key Takeaways

The Cliff’s Notes version of Todd’s story

  • High school industrial tech teacher
  • Developed interest in real estate
  • Invested in single-family, duplexes and fourplexes
  • ‘Graduated’ to multifamily

The problem Todd was trying to solve with real estate

  • Little job satisfaction in teaching
  • Liked interaction with students, but disliked politics
  • Income not there, not fulfilled by work

Todd’s initial investment strategy

  • Wanted to do multifamily, but lacked resources
  • Found house for $60K, rent at $1,500/month
  • Financed with savings
  • Refinanced properties to buy more
  • Started flipping houses, built rental portfolio

 Todd’s first multifamily deal

  • Bought 15-unit with passive investor in 2013
  • Building had plumbing issues that renovation budget didn’t cover
  • 80% of profits went back into repairs
  • Made money, but didn’t reach expected return

What Todd learned from his first multifamily deal

  • Understand what type of building you’re buying
  • Budget for necessary repairs, replacements
  • Provide investors with appropriate financials
  • Mind your books, understand expenses
  • Don’t get distracted with other projects

What inspired Todd to pursue multifamily again

  • Parted ways with business partner
  • Realized rentals destroyed flips on ROI
  • Conducted market research on multifamily

Todd’s second multifamily deal

  • 22-unit off-market deal in Cincinnati
  • 10% down payment, owner financing
  • Equity, renovation financed through investor

Todd’s approach to being taken seriously in a new market

  • Find commercial brokers through LoopNet, local sites
  • Call to discuss specifics of what you’re looking for
  • Follow up with email asking for recommendations
  • Contact referrals (property managers, lenders, attorneys)
  • Show up face-to-face, spend three days

Todd’s first syndication deal

  • 84-unit building in Lexington, KY
  • Heavy lift value-add ($9K/unit)
  • 88% occupancy, rents low
  • Improving C+ neighborhood
  • 11 investors to raise $800K

The value of the first deal

  • Learning sets up for future success
  • Conservative underwriting = profit (even if things go south)

Todd’s advice to his younger self

  • Get educated in multifamily, investing in general
  • Surround yourself with right people
  • Don’t get distracted from what really want

Todd’s insight for aspiring multifamily investors

  • Okay to do single-family, flips to gain experience
  • Find/learn from apartment investors from day one
  • Go big quicker, don’t wait to ‘graduate’

How Todd’s life changed after he quit teaching

  • Never nervous, very prepared
  • ‘Every day is Saturday’
  • Excited to grow real estate business

Connect with Todd

Venture D Properties

Email todd@venturedproperties.com

Todd on LinkedIn

Todd on Bigger Pockets

Todd’s Podcast

Resources 

Episode 89

LoopNet

Episode 77

Michael’s Coaching Programs

Free eBook: The Secret to Raising Money to Buy Your First Apartment Building

Review the Podcast on iTunes