Creative Solutions Resulted in Maximized Pricing in a Downturn Market

OVERVIEW

  • 21-Unit Apartment in Lower Queen Anne
  • Sale Price: $7.3M
  • Current Cap Rate: 4.23%
  • Represented Seller & Buyer
  • Coordinated 1031 Exchanges for both parties

For more information regarding this case study, please contact:

CANDICE CHEVAILLER
Principal
O: (206) 773-2694
cchevaillier@lee-associates.com

DANIEL LIM
Senior Vice President
O: (206) 773-2692
dlim@lee-associates.com

DEA SUMANTRI
Vice President
O: (206) 773-2680
dsumantri@lee-associates.com

 

The Challenge

The owner reached out to the Lee & Associates Seattle's multifamily team for consultation and assistance marketing his apartment after another brokerage team's attempt did not bring a sale. The building was meticulously cared for and in a well-located area within walking distance to Lower Queen amenities. We are honored to be handpicked by the client for this assignment. At the same time, market had shifted since the building had been on market. Ready to take on the challenge of both meeting our client’s pricing expectations and finding the right buyer in a softening market, the team go to work.

Our Approach

While waiting for the completion of some capital improvement projects, the Multifamily team proactively gathered all the due diligence for the building. The client kept immaculate records on the building. During this preparation period, the team saw an opportunity to add value to the building. Under our council, the seller was able to lower his property assessment by $1M and also exploring a cell tower contract that would boost the net income by $35,000/year. This creative approach provided additional NOI to be counted towards the value of the building and maintain the building's top value potential.

The Outcome

In addition to our team’s on-going marketing campaign which reaches nearly 7000 people in the multifamily community, our team is actively engaged with key players who are active in the market. Our team works with many clients and one of them was in a 1031 exchange. The timing and the equity amount couldn’t have been more perfect.

Our Multifamily team typically create a wide marketing program for listings which is typically most beneficial to the client to have the property marketed to the wider audience. In this case, there was a unique opportunity to have pricing feedback and insight from a recent previous marketing campaign and could weigh that against an offer from a very well qualified 1031 buyer. We worked with both parties to move towards the completion of the capital projects, receive a property tax reduction, and advance the antennae contract. In the end, the buyer purchased the building at full price and the team assisted the execution of successful 1031 exchanges for both buyer and seller.

 

“I feel lucky to have found Candice and her team at Lee & Associates to sell my multi-family property in Seattle, WA. I was immediately impressed with the diversity of her team and their focus on under-standing my goals as a seller. They took the time to understand my property in order to market it successfully and ultimately find the right buyer. I felt completely supported and under-stood through the entire process and wouldn't hesitate to recommend Candice and her team to anyone looking to sell or buy a multi-family property. I couldn't have asked for a better team of people to work with or a better outcome." 

- Craig Brown