Case Study – Fremont 6 Unit

Key Deal Points

  • 3912 Linden Ave N, Seattle
  • 6 units
  • Sale Price: $1,800,000
  • Non-Contingent Offer
  • Closed in 50 days as part of a 1031 exchange.

 

Candice, Daniel & Dea’s services from start to finish were excellent. Communications with the team were clear and timely. As we neared closing, the team did everything to ensure a successful conclusion. I would highly recommend you.
- The Maxwell’s

For more information regarding this case study, please contact:

Candice Chevaillier, CCIM

Principal
(206) 773-2694
cchevaillier@lee-associates.com

 

Daniel Lim

Vice President
D  (206) 773-2692
dlim@lee-associates.com

 

Dea Sumantri

Associate Vice President
D  (206) 773-2680
dsumantri@lee-associates.com

 

Chris Larsen

Associate
D  (206) 773-2695
clarsen@lee-associates.com

Challenge

The sellers owned and self-managed their building for over 34 years. They had carefully maintained the building over the years and invested in thoughtful improvements to the systems, however the building’s rents were low and due to legislation at the time, were unable to increase rents to keep up with market rates. Not wanting to wait for the restrictions to ease, they were ready to relieve themselves of the increasingly difficult management role. They needed a team that could achieve maximum proceeds for their well cared for building while navigating a rapidly changing regulatory environment.

Action

Having provided valuations and consulted on building operations over the course of the seller's ownership, the Lee & Associates Multifamily team was familiar with the history the building. The updates and improvements completed were well documented and provided to potential buyers as part of the complete due diligence materials compiled by the Team. Prior to and during the marketing process, the Team, closely tracked changes in legislation, recommending rental increase amounts to sellers ahead of an expected revision to the regulations. With this information, the sellers were able act quickly during a short window of reduced restrictions and increase the potential value of their asset in the marketplace. With a rapidly changing regulatory environment, team worked to find a buyer with a longer-term vision who could tolerate the legislative turbulence and also acknowledge the immediate performance increase that would be provided by the rent increases shortly after closing.

Result

Ultimately, the team identified the perfect buyer profile. A sophisticated syndicator familiar with operating in highly regulated, out of state markets who was winding down their partnership to focus on building a personal portfolio. The buyer had longer term hold requirements and was motivated to perform on exchange deadlines. Through the team's extensive documentation and communication, the Multifamily Team was able to get the buyer comfortable with asset and the substantial future upside, resulting in the buyer writing a non-contingent offer, sight unseen. After a very smooth escrow period, during the final hours leading up to closing, complications arose over the buyer’s insurance coverage. Due to confusion on electrical standards, closing delays were imminent and tensions rose. Once again, the team nimbly pivoted to approach the issue from multiple angles, working both with prior insurance providers, the buyer’s property management company, and even looped in a respected electrician to find a solution. Their multifaceted approached provided the seasoned buyer with enough information to make an educated decision that was acceptable to all parties and allowed the deal to close on-time and without delay.