HomeUnion has announced that it has added Jacksonville, Fla. to its list of active investment markets. Investors can now find pre-vetted, SFR investment properties in the Jacksonville, Fla. market on the company’s Web site. HomeUnion also announced that it has hired real estate investment veteran Jerry M. Sachs, as investment location manager in Jacksonville. HomeUnion chooses its markets and properties using proprietary models that factor in home prices, vacancies, historical income trends, employment, local economic factors and population growth among other criteria. Jacksonville meets HomeUnion’s criteria, with favorable cap rates (the relationship between rental income and purchase price), an unemployment rate that is at a six-year low, and a positive economic environment and outlook.
“Investors are increasingly exploring real estate as an alternative to low-yield bonds and turbulent stocks. Remote SFR investing is attracting investors who seek cash flow and potential appreciation over the long-haul and recognize that the properties that best meet their investment needs may be in markets in other parts of the country,” said Don Ganguly, CEO of HomeUnion. “Our ongoing research pointed towards Jacksonville because of its solid employment base that has anchored its distribution industry, military bases and position as a hub for low-cost financial services centers.”
Properties in HomeUnion markets generally range in value from $65,000 to $225,000 and are expected to offer annual returns ranging from 6.5 percent to 14 percent—depending on leverage. Expected return on investment is based on final purchase price, the amount of financing needed at closing, fees, rent and expense projections. The yield calculations do not factor in appreciation.
Once a new market has been identified, HomeUnion hires real estate professionals, who have intimate working knowledge of the neighborhoods, property values and rent rates. Sachs will fill this role in Jacksonville. He brings more than 20 years of professional experience in the real estate industry, most recently with EXIT Real Estate Gallery in Jacksonville. He is a member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, the Florida Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.
