Treat the reserve needed after closing as part of the acquisition cost and test whether the property can still operate through repairs, vacancy, and financing obligations.
In this article
01
Start with the actual decision
02
Test the operating assumptions
03
Price the downside before the upside
04
Keep the decision record
Start with the actual decision
Treat the reserve needed after closing as part of the acquisition cost and test whether the property can still operate through repairs, vacancy, and financing obligations.
Test the operating assumptions
Underwrite actual income, condition, financing, reserves, and operating capacity rather than a best-case listing narrative.
Price the downside before the upside
A decision is only durable when it accounts for vacancy, repairs, execution risk, timing, and the capital or attention the alternative requires.
Keep the decision record
Document assumptions, diligence, approvals, and outcome so the next acquisition or financing decision has a real baseline.
Key takeaways
Use property-specific assumptions.
Price downside and operating capacity.
Keep the decision record.