May
07
2024

What Is Impact Investing?

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing, Terminology | No Comments

Impact investing is a strategy that seeks to create both financial return and positive social or environmental impact. Impact investments can be made in both publicly traded companies and private companies or funds, and can take the form of equity, debt, or other assets.

In recent years, many investors have become increasingly aware of potential adverse societal effects to which their investments may contribute. These can include effects on health, the environment, and human rights. As such, large firms and foundations have increasingly decided to put capital to work to minimize these negative effects. For investors, it helps to be aware of the growing trend of impact investing to determine whether it is a suitable wealth-building strategy for a portfolio.

How Does Impact Investing Work?

Impact investing is typically, but not always done by large institutional investors and private foundations, though individual investors can do it as well. These organizations invest in various areas, including affordable housing, clean water, and renewable energy. Impact investments in these areas can benefit both developed and emerging markets.

The term “impact investing” is relatively new, but the concept of investing for both financial return and social good is not. Impact investing began in the early 1900s, as numerous philanthropists created private foundations to support their causes.

The concept of impact investing has expanded to include a broader range of investors and investment vehicles. Impact investing may be practiced by individuals, foundations, endowments, pension funds, and other institutional investors.

The growth of impact investing has been fueled by several factors, including the rise of social media and the increasing availability of data and analytics. Impact investing is also being driven by the growing awareness of businesses and investors’ role in solving social and environmental problems. Individual investors can take this new knowledge and consider index funds that focus on various causes.

Characteristics of Impact Investments

As outlined by Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), the following are considered characteristics of credible impact investments:

•   Investor intentionality: An investor must intend to make a measurable positive impact with their investment. This requires a certain level of transparency about both financial and impact goals. The investor’s intent is one of the main differentiators between traditional investments and impact investments.

•   Utilize data: Impact investments must use data and evidence to make informed decisions to achieve measurable benefits.

•   Manage impact performance: Specific financial returns and impact goals must be established and managed.

•   Contribute to the growth of the industry: The goal of impact investments is to further social, economic, or environmental causes. Impact investing toward these goals must be intentional and measured, not just guesswork.

Impact Investing vs Socially Responsible Investing

Impact investing is often associated with “socially responsible investing” (SRI). Both SRI and impact investing seek to generate positive social or environmental impact, but they differ in some ways.

SRI typically focuses on actively avoiding investments in companies involved in activities that are considered harmful to society, such as the manufacture of tobacco products or the production of weapons. SRI also typically focuses on promoting corporate policies considered socially responsible, such as environmental sustainability or gender diversity.

In contrast, impact investing focuses on making investments in companies or projects that are specifically designed to generate positive social or environmental impact.

Impact Investing vs ESG

The main difference between impact investing and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) is that impact investing is focused on investments that are expected to generate a positive social or environmental impact. In contrast, ESG considers a range of environmental, social, and governance factors in investing decisions.

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Why Is Impact Investing Important?

While some investors may not think impact investing is important at all, others may think the exact opposite. For those investors, impact investing may be considered important for a few key reasons.

First, it allows investors to put their money into companies or projects that they believe will positively impact society or the environment. Second, impact investing can help attract more capital to social and environmental causes.

When more people invest in companies or projects that aim to make a difference, it can help to increase the amount of money and resources available to make positive change happen. Those investments, however, may not offer the best opportunities to generate returns. While there’s no way to know for sure how an investment will shake out over time, investors should familiarize themselves with the concept of opportunity costs.

Finally, impact investing can help create jobs and support businesses working to improve society or the environment. This can have a ripple effect, as these businesses often provide goods or services that benefit the community.

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Examples of Impact Investing

Impact investing is usually done by institutional investors, large asset managers, and private foundations. Some of the largest foundations and funds focused on impact investing include, but are not limited to:

•   The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: This foundation has a $2.5 billion Strategic Investment Fund. This fund makes direct equity investments, provides low-interest loans, and utilizes other impact investing tools in promoting global health and U.S. education.

•   The Ford Foundation: The foundation has committed to invest a portion of its endowment to address social problems while seeking a risk-adjusted market rate of financial return. Its mission-related investments are focused on affordable housing, financial inclusion, and other areas in the U.S. and across the Global South.

•   The Reinvestment Fund: The Philadelphia-based nonprofit finances housing projects, access to health care, educational programs, and job initiatives. It operates primarily by assisting distressed towns and communities in the U.S.

Types of Impact Investments

There are various impact investment areas, including but not limited to microfinance, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and affordable housing.

Impact investments don’t have to be equity investments either; they come in many different investment vehicles, like bonds and alternative investments.

Evaluation Methods for Impact Investors

There are many ways to measure impact investments. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a popular framework for measuring impact. The SDGs are a set of 17 goals that the United Nations adopted in 2015.

The SDGs include goals such as “no poverty,” “zero hunger,” and “good health and well-being.” Each SDG has a specific target to be achieved by the year 2030.

Impact investors often seek to invest in companies or projects that will help achieve one or more of the SDGs. For example, an impact investor might invest in a company working on a new technology to improve water quality, contributing to the SDG goal of ensuring access to water and sanitation for all.

Another popular framework for measuring impact is the Impact Management Project (IMP). The IMP is a global initiative that seeks to develop standards for measuring and managing impact.

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How to Start an Impact Investment Portfolio

Though foundations and institutional investors are the heart of the impact investing world, individual investors can also make investments in companies and funds that may positively impact society. Here’s how to do it.

1.    Decide what type of investment you want to make, whether that’s in a stock of a company, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) with an impact investing strategy, or bonds.

2.    Next, research the different companies and funds, and find a diversified selection that fits your desires.

3.    Finally, make your investment with a brokerage and monitor your portfolio to ensure that your investments have a positive impact.

In order to become an impact investor, it’s wise to consider both the financial potential of an investment, as well as its social, environmental, or economic impact.

Some investors have a higher risk tolerance than others, and some might be willing to take a lower profit in order to maximize the potential positive impact of their investments.

The Takeaway

Impact investing involves making investments with aims of improving certain outcomes in the world, which may come at the expense of potential returns. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how to balance financial return and social or environmental impact. Impact investors must make investment decisions that are aligned with their values and objectives.

Not all impact investments are created equal. Some impact investments may have a higher financial return potential than others, but may also have a lower social or environmental impact. Similarly, some impact investments may have a higher social or ecological impact but may also have a lower financial return potential. Impact investors must consider both financial return and social or environmental impact when making investment decisions.

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If you invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) through SoFi Invest (either by buying them yourself or via investing in SoFi Invest’s automated investments, formerly SoFi Wealth), these funds will have their own management fees. These fees are not paid directly by you, but rather by the fund itself. these fees do reduce the fund’s returns. Check out each fund’s prospectus for details. SoFi Invest does not receive sales commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other fees from ETFs for investing such funds on behalf of advisory clients, though if SoFi Invest creates its own funds, it could earn management fees there.
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Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.

Investment Risk: Diversification can help reduce some investment risk. It cannot guarantee profit, or fully protect in a down market.

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Apr
30
2024
How to Invest in Agriculture

How to Invest in Farmland

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on How to Invest in Farmland

Investing in farmland can take many forms, including buying related stocks, or even farmland REITs. That’s contrary to what many people might think: That investing in farmland or agriculture may involve owning farmland and operating a farm.

Many investors overlook this business sector when deciding where to put their money because they don’t see themselves toiling the land. But there are various options to invest in agriculture without being a farmer.

Why Invest in Farmland?

Investing in farmland or the agriculture sector is more than just owning some of that farmland and working the land. Agriculture can be an alternative investment that diversifies an investor’s portfolio. Investors can get exposure to agriculture and farming by investing in businesses involved in any part of the farming process, from the seeds in the ground to the distribution of products to grocery stores.

While there’s no guarantee that growth will occur in the space during the years ahead, it may be helpful for investors to get a feel for the soil, so to speak, before planting an investment.

4 Ways to Invest in Farmland

There are a handful of key ways to invest in farmland, including through stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and REITs.

1. Agriculture Stocks

Investors can put money into various publicly-traded companies that provide services in the farming industry. These agribusiness firms range from those involved in actual crop production — though many crop producers are privately held — to companies in the farming support businesses. The farming support businesses include companies that make fertilizer and seeds, manufacture farming equipment, and process and distribute crops.

Companies in the agriculture industry include, but are not limited to:

•   Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) : A large food processing and commodities trading firm

•   Deere & Company (DE) : Known as John Deere, this company manufactures agricultural machinery and heavy equipment

•   Corteva, Inc. (CTVA) : An agricultural chemical, fertilizer, and seed company

•   The Mosaic Company (MOS) : A large company that produces fertilizer and seeds

•   AGCO Corporation (AGCO) : An industrial company that’s perhaps best known for selling tractors.

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2. Agriculture ETFs and Mutual Funds

Investors who don’t want to pick individual stocks to invest in can always look to mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to the agricultural industry. Agriculture-focused mutual funds and ETFs invest in a basket of farming stocks, commodities, and related assets, allowing investors to diversify farming exposure.

3. Farm REITs

Farm and agricultural real estate investment trusts (REITs) own farmland and lease it to tenants who do the actual farming. REITs that invest in farmland can be a good option for investors who want exposure to farmland without actually owning a farm.

This type of investment can provide investors with various benefits. For example, a REIT is a type of liquid asset, meaning an investor can quickly sell the investment on the stock market. In contrast, if an investor were actually to own farmland outright, trying to sell the land could be a drawn-out and complex process. Other benefits include regular dividend payments and geographical and crop diversification.

4. Commodities

Agricultural commodities are the products produced by farms, like corn, soybeans, and wheat. Usually, this is done by trading futures contracts, though large investors may actually purchase and sell the physical commodities.

Trading commodities can be a profitable, though risky, endeavor. Investors who trade commodities look to take advantage of the market’s volatility for short-term gains. Commodity trading can be risky, especially for a novice investor. ETFs with exposure to commodities may be better for investors with lower risk tolerance.

Recommended: Why Is It Risky to Invest in Commodities?

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Benefits and Risks of Investing in Agriculture

Investing in farmland and agriculture has its pros and cons. Here are some of the benefits and risks investors should consider.

Benefits

One of the significant benefits of agriculture investments is that people always need to eat, so there will usually be some demand support for businesses in the industry. Because of this, some investors view the sector as somewhat recession-proof (at least parts of it), and potentially, a good way to diversify a portfolio.

Another benefit is that farmland REITs and certain agriculture stocks can provide passive income through regular dividend payouts. Additionally, farmland investments can provide a hedge against rising inflation.

Risks

The agricultural and farming sector can be fickle, as it’s subject to various risk factors that can impact investments. Uncertainties stemming from weather to government policies to the global commodities markets can cause volatile swings in prices and income that affect investments in the sector.

Here are some risks facing agricultural investments:

•   Production risk: Major weather events, crop diseases, and other factors can affect the quantity and quality of commodities produced.

•   Market risk: The global markets for commodities can affect farming and agricultural business as prices can swing wildly, making crop production and agribusiness demand uncertain.

•   Financial risk: Farms and related businesses often use debt to fund operations, so rising interest rates and credit tightening can hinder companies in the industry.

•   Regulatory risk: Changes in taxes, regulations, subsidies, and other government actions can impact agricultural businesses and investments.

The Takeaway

Investors who want to invest in the agriculture sector don’t necessarily need to buy a farm. Several investment vehicles can fit their needs to get exposure to farming. Farmland REITs, agribusiness stocks, and farming and commodity ETFs can be options to build wealth in the farm business.

While investing in farmland may have some advantages, it has its risks, too – which investors should take note of before making any investments. If you’re interested in adding an alternative investment, like farmland, to your portfolio, it may be a good idea to speak with a financial professional for guidance.

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FAQ

Is farmland a good investment?

Farmland might be a good investment, as agricultural investments can help diversify a portfolio. Depending on what areas of the agriculture business you invest in, the assets can produce steady income and long-term capital gains. These investments do have risks, too, however.

Is farmland a risky investment?

Farmland can be a risky investment, as it faces risks from all sorts of directions – weather, government regulation, global commodities markets, and more.

Is farmland recession-proof?

A farmland investment might be called recession-proof, and that may be true to a degree as there’s likely always going to be a base level of demand for the sector’s products (people need to eat!). But like any other sector, a recession would likely lead to a significant downturn in the agricultural space.

How profitable is farmland?

How profitable farmland investments ultimately are depends on the whims of the markets, and numerous other factors, including the weather, global demand, and even consumer tastes.

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INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by email customer service at https://sofi.app.link/investchat. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.
Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.

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If you invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) through SoFi Invest (either by buying them yourself or via investing in SoFi Invest’s automated investments, formerly SoFi Wealth), these funds will have their own management fees. These fees are not paid directly by you, but rather by the fund itself. these fees do reduce the fund’s returns. Check out each fund’s prospectus for details. SoFi Invest does not receive sales commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other fees from ETFs for investing such funds on behalf of advisory clients, though if SoFi Invest creates its own funds, it could earn management fees there.
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Disclaimer: The projections or other information regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results.

An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. This and other important information are contained in the Fund’s prospectus. For a current prospectus, please click the Prospectus link on the Fund’s respective page. The prospectus should be read carefully prior to investing.
Alternative investments, including funds that invest in alternative investments, are risky and may not be suitable for all investors. Alternative investments often employ leveraging and other speculative practices that increase an investor's risk of loss to include complete loss of investment, often charge high fees, and can be highly illiquid and volatile. Alternative investments may lack diversification, involve complex tax structures and have delays in reporting important tax information. Registered and unregistered alternative investments are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds.
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Apr
30
2024
Understanding Net Asset Value

Net Asset Value (NAV): What It Means, Formula, Example

By | Growing Wealth, invest, Investing | Comments Off on Net Asset Value (NAV): What It Means, Formula, Example

Net asset value (NAV) is an important metric for knowing how much each share of an investment fund, like a mutual fund or ETF, is worth. However, NAV alone cannot tell investors everything they need to know about potential investments.

Calculating NAV is helpful for fund valuation and pricing. Still, there are times when it is more beneficial to look at other aspects of a fund, like total return, to determine investment opportunities. Nonetheless, investors need to know how to calculate NAV, when it makes sense to use it, and why.

What Is Net Asset Value (NAV)?

Net asset value, or NAV, represents the value of an investment fund. NAV, most simply, is calculated by adding up what a fund owns (the assets) and subtracting what it owes (the liabilities).

NAV is typically used to represent the value of the fund per share, however, so the total above is usually divided by the number of outstanding shares. This makes it easier for investors to value and price the shares of a fund. Mutual funds, for example, use per-share NAV to determine their share price.

The NAV will also change daily because an investment fund’s assets and liabilities change daily based on market prices.The assets of an investment fund include the daily market value of the fund’s holdings, which are usually securities like stocks and bonds. The liabilities of a fund are usually debts owed to financial institutions and expenses, like salaries, operating costs, and other fees.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that mutual funds calculate their NAV at least once each business day. Most mutual funds perform their calculations after the major U.S. securities exchanges close for the day.

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NAV Formula

Net asset value, as mentioned above, is calculated by taking a company or investment fund’s total assets and subtracting its liabilities. This figure is usually divided by the fund’s number of outstanding shares because NAV is generally represented on a per-share basis. The formula looks like this:

NAV = (Total Value of Assets – Total Value of Liabilities) / Number of Shares Outstanding

How NAV Is Used for Investments

NAV can be used for investments, and by investors, in a number of ways, often depending on the specific type of asset an investor is analyzing. It can give investors insight into a fund’s performance, but doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story.

Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are usually open-ended funds, meaning that investors buy and sell shares of the fund from the fund directly and not on an exchange like a stock. Because these funds don’t trade on an exchange for market prices, NAV is used to price the fund’s shares.

Mutual funds calculate their NAV per share daily, usually at the end of the business day, and that is the price an investor will pay to buy or sell shares in the fund. Every mutual fund company has its own cut-off time for buying and selling shares. After that time, investors buying or selling shares will get the fund’s NAV for the day after their transaction order is received.

💡 Recommended: Understanding the Different Types of Mutual Funds

ETFs

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and closed-end funds are similar to traditional mutual funds, but one big difference is that investors can buy and sell ETFs throughout the trading day for a market price and not the NAV per share. Investors can make buy and sell orders for traditional mutual funds once per day and only at their published NAVs.

ETFs are still required to calculate the fund’s NAV once per day, like a mutual fund. Additionally, an ETF’s NAV is calculated approximately every 15 seconds over each trading day and published on various financial websites.

Because ETFs tend to trade at a premium or a discount to their NAV, traders often compare market prices and NAV to take advantage of the differences and make investment decisions.

Example of Calculating Mutual Fund NAV

As an example of calculating mutual fund NAV, imagine that mutual fund XYZ has $100 million worth of investments in different securities, based on the day’s closing prices for each security, and $10 million in liabilities and expenses. The NAV for this fund would be $90 million. If the fund has 5 million shares outstanding, the NAV per share for mutual fund XYZ would be $18.

The NAV for mutual fund XYZ can be calculated using the above formula:

NAV = ($100,000,000 – $10,000,000) / 5,000,000 = $18

How to Interpret NAV Results

A fund’s NAV alone doesn’t tell investors much; a high NAV for one fund is not necessarily better than a low NAV in another fund. Similar to stock prices, a high stock price doesn’t necessarily mean the stock is a better investment than a stock with a lower price.

Looking at a fund’s NAV and comparing it to another fund does not provide investors insight into which fund is the better investment. It’s more important for investors to look at NAV alongside other factors, like the fund’s past performance, the allocation of securities within each fund, and how it performs compared to benchmark indices like the S&P 500 Index.

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Why Do NAVs Change?

A mutual fund’s NAV will likely change every trading day because the prices of securities in which the fund invests are likely to change every trading day, affecting the total assets in the fund. It’s also because the number of outstanding shares held by investors often changes daily, as new investors buy shares and existing investors sell.

Other factors can also impact a fund’s NAV. For example, the fund’s management fee and additional fees that add up to the fund’s total expense ratio will come out of the fund’s total assets, thus affecting NAV. In addition to management fees, expenses can include costs related to the administrative, compliance, distribution, management, marketing, shareholder services, and record-keeping of the fund. It’s common practice for mutual funds to assess this debit on the fund’s assets every trading day.

When NAV Isn’t Everything

If a mutual fund invests in dividend-paying stocks or fixed-income assets, these securities’ dividends and interest payments go to the investor. Additionally, a mutual fund may distribute realized capital gains to shareholders. These payouts reduce the fund’s assets and result in a lower NAV. Because these benefits lower a fund’s NAV, it shows that NAV may not be the only figure to pay attention to when analyzing the performance of a fund.

When analyzing the performance of mutual funds, it can make sense to look at metrics other than NAV alone, like investment yield and the funds’ total return. The total return considers capital gains and losses from all of the securities the fund invests in, as well as the dividends and interest earned by the fund, minus the fund’s expenses.

The Takeaway

Net asset value, or NAV, is a daily calculation that can track the value of a mutual fund, ETF, or money market fund. But while this figure can be helpful to gauge a fund’s performance, it isn’t the only metric that investors should consider. Total return, yield, and fees are also important figures when making mutual fund investing decisions.

Remember that NAV itself doesn’t tell an investor everything that they need to know, but is just one metric or data point that can be used along with an array of others to analyze funds.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Is net asset value the same as price?

NAV and share price are two different things. Net asset value is the value of the investments within a fund, or the value of a portion of the fund. The share price of a fund, though it may be related, is different from that value.

Why is net asset value important?

Net asset value is important for investors because it describes the total equity or value of a fund. It can help determine the value a share of a fund has, and can help investors evaluate the overall value of an investment.

Is high NAV good or bad?

NAV on its own doesn’t tell investors a whole lot, so whether NAV is high may not be good or bad. What’s more important is how high a fund’s NAV is relative to other metrics, which may include its market price.

Is it good to invest when NAV is down?

If a fund’s NAV is down, that could be a sign that the fund’s performance is suffering. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a good time to invest in that fund, or a bad time to do so – other metrics must be considered along with NAV, at any given time, to determine whether an investor wants to alter their position.

What is an example of a NAV?

An example of NAV could be $18, and that would be calculated looking at a fund’s underlying securities. You’d need to rope in assets and liabilities, and calculate accordingly to find NAV. Again, $18 is just an example, as NAV could be any dollar figure as it relates to the fund’s assets and liabilities.

SoFi Invest®

INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE

SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.

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If you invest in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) through SoFi Invest (either by buying them yourself or via investing in SoFi Invest’s automated investments, formerly SoFi Wealth), these funds will have their own management fees. These fees are not paid directly by you, but rather by the fund itself. these fees do reduce the fund’s returns. Check out each fund’s prospectus for details. SoFi Invest does not receive sales commissions, 12b-1 fees, or other fees from ETFs for investing such funds on behalf of advisory clients, though if SoFi Invest creates its own funds, it could earn management fees there.
SoFi Invest may waive all, or part of any of these fees, permanently or for a period of time, at its sole discretion for any reason. Fees are subject to change at any time. The current fee schedule will always be available in your Account Documents section of SoFi Invest.

Claw Promotion: Customer must fund their Active Invest account with at least $25 within 30 days of opening the account. Probability of customer receiving $1,000 is 0.028%. See full terms and conditions.

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2024
How to Buy a Multifamily Property and What to Look For

How to Buy a Multifamily Property and What to Look For

By | Growing Wealth, Home Ownership, mortgage | Comments Off on How to Buy a Multifamily Property and What to Look For

Multifamily property has the power to generate cash flow and build wealth. Yet it also has the power to drain you of your free time and become the biggest money pit of your life.

If you’re looking to buy a multifamily property and avoid common headaches, you have your research cut out for you.

What Is a Multifamily Property?

Multifamily property consists of multiple units in a single building. This includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, condominium buildings, student housing, apartment complexes, age-restricted communities, low-income housing, and townhomes. The units in a full multifamily housing property must have separate entrances, kitchens, bathrooms, and utility meters.

Multifamily property investing has declined in the year ending November 2023, due in part to concerns about interest rates, but multifamily properties are still a popular investment vehicle. There’s a reason that individual investors gravitate toward two- to four-unit properties, other than ease of management. Residential loans of 30 years with a fixed rate are available for properties with one to four dwelling units. FHA, VA, and USDA loans are available for those properties if they are owner-occupied.

For five or more units, a commercial loan is required. Commercial loans usually come with a higher down payment requirement, higher interest rate, and a shorter term, meaning significantly higher mortgage payments.


💡 Quick Tip: With SoFi, it takes just minutes to view your rate for a home loan online.

First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.

Why Buy a Multifamily Property?

Buying a multifamily home can jump-start your own real estate portfolio and investment portfolio. Here’s how.

Recommended: First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Income From Flipping

Multifamily homes can be improved and then resold for a profit, or ”flipped.” Buying a multifamily property, remodeling, and then reselling can be even more profitable than flipping single-family homes because as you remodel, you can increase rents.

Once you increase rents, the property becomes more valuable, both in terms of monthly income, cash flow and overall worth.

The ‘BRRRR’ Method

BRRRR stands for buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat. An investor buys a property, renovates it, and rents out the newly refurbished units for more money. After that, they can refinance the property to take out extra cash to buy a new property to renovate.

This method works well with larger multifamily properties because the rehabbing of multiple units can be done while other units that are not being renovated can still bring in some income.

Cash Flow

Multifamily homes were designed for cash flow. Space and amenities are optimized to bring in money for the investor. On the other hand, single-family homes are designed for comfort. The added space of a single-family home may not bring as high of a return as a multifamily property.

Quick Portfolio Expansion

Buying multifamily properties allows investors to acquire multiple units with one transaction, so they may have a favorite in the single-family vs. multifamily comparison. Additionally, investing in multifamily properties can allow an investor to quickly generate income, which could be enough to acquire more properties.

Reduced Risk

A multifamily property lessens risk exposure. When you have single-family homes, vacancies have a bigger effect on your monthly cash flow. With one or more multifamily properties, the risk is spread across a number of properties. In other words, there are units still rented that can help cover the costs of the units that are vacant.

Analyzing the Investment Potential of a Multifamily Property

Investors can use a number of methods to determine if it makes sense to buy a multifamily property or not. Here are some of the most common calculations you can use to make that determination for yourself.

Cash Flow

In real estate investing, cash flow is money that’s generated by the property and money spent on the property. Positive cash flow means income exceeds expenses. You could also call it profit.

Investors have differing amounts that they consider acceptable. Some real estate investors bank on the appreciation of the property instead of the amount of cash flow.

The 1% Rule

The 1% rule states that the gross rents should be 1% or more of the purchase price. The 1% rule is hard to apply in high-income areas where the purchase price of a property is high relative to the rents it generates.

Gross Rent Multiplier

The gross rent multiplier (GRM) is a ratio: the fair market value of a property divided by its gross annual rents. It doesn’t take expenses into consideration and is meant to be a simple calculation to determine if a property is worth exploring further. If you’re comparing two properties for purchase, the one with the lower GRM may be the better investment.

Cash on Cash Return

The cash on cash return is the annual amount earned compared with the amount of cash invested. It’s expressed as a formula: annual net cash flow divided by cash investment. This is helpful for investors who want to know how much cash is brought in by their cash investment each year.

Capitalization Rate

The capitalization rate, or cap rate, is the amount of net operating income divided by the purchase price. This number indicates how long it will take to get back all your money in an investment.

Recommended: What Is Cap Rate and How Do You Calculate It?

Internal Rate of Return

The IRR measures the rate of return over an amount of time. It takes into account both cash flow and expected appreciation.

Recommended: Mortgage Payment Calculator

How to Buy a Multifamily Property

You may be able to use 75% of documented rental income to help finance mortgage interest on your loan. And again, multifamily homes with four or fewer units can be financed more traditionally, while five or more units require a commercial mortgage.

Getting preapproved for a mortgage for your multifamily investment property is one of the best things you can do to get started. After a mortgage officer has examined your finances and greenlighted an amount, you can go shopping for your multifamily investment properties.

Find a Multifamily Home

To narrow your search for a new multifamily property here, you’ll want to decide what it is you’re looking for. Keep a few of these factors in mind:

•   Location: Do you have an area that you have expertise in? Are you going to manage the property yourself? These are some questions you’ll want to ask yourself to determine if you can buy a multifamily property near or far.

•   Price range: After you’ve looked at where you want to potentially invest, you’ll get a good sense of what properties will cost by looking at real estate listings. Keep in mind that you can count 75% of documented rents toward the purchase price for many loan types, so the price you’ll be looking at will be much different than if you were looking for a single-family home.

•   Type of property: Are you looking for a fourplex or an apartment complex? Duplex or 55+ community? There are a lot of choices to make between different property types and whether or not they’ll bring you a profit.

•   Profit potential: Are you looking to invest for appreciation or cash flow? Many properties with a lower price tag in the Midwest may be better for cash flow, while properties on the West Coast may appreciate more. Take a look at both and decide on your investment strategy.

•   Condition: Do you have the resources and team in place to take on a multifamily property that needs a lot of work? Or would you rather have something turnkey? You’ll want to be sure you know what resources you can commit to the project before you get in over your head.

Choose a Loan

The type of rental property used may determine what type of loan you’re able to get. If this is your first rental, you may want to consider living in one of the units so you can qualify for owner-occupied financing, which usually comes with lower rates and down payment requirements.

Choose a lender that can answer your questions about mortgages.

Make an Offer and Close

Working with a real estate agent, you’ll submit a competitive offer for the property you’ve chosen. Some buyers use cash to make the most competitive offer, while others need financing.

Renovate and Get Ready for Your Tenants

No matter what class of property you buy, the rental units will almost always require some work. Whether it’s a simple clean or a major renovation, these things are both tax-deductible and will improve the value, not to mention rentability, of your property.

Create a Management Plan

To make sure you’re running a business, and it’s not running you, you need to have a solid plan in place for how the rentals will be managed. How are repairs going to be taken care of? What’s your process when a rental turns over? How are you going to keep up with laws and ordinances?

Having a plan helps. Even so, you’ll learn as you go and will need to adjust this plan.


💡 Quick Tip: One answer to rising house prices is a jumbo loan. Apply for a jumbo loan online with SoFi, and you could finance up to $2.5 million with as little as 10% down. Get preapproved and you’ll be prepared to compete in a hot market.

The Takeaway

How to buy a multifamily property? Do your research and choose a property that you’ll have the ability to finance and manage. Investing in rental properties and multifamily investing is not easy, but it can generate cash flow and create family wealth.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.


SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

FAQ

Is buying a multifamily property a good investment?

Finding a multifamily property that is a good investment will depend on the investor’s analysis of the property. This can include the price, condition, gross rent multiplier, capitalization rate, and a number of other factors that will make renting the units successful.

What are the different kinds of multifamily properties?

•   Duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes

•   Townhouses

•   Apartment buildings

•   Condominiums

•   Bungalow courts

•   Mixed-use buildings

•   Student housing

•   Age-restricted housing units

•   Low-income housing units

What is the best way to finance a multifamily home?

Some would argue that an FHA loan with 3.5% down is one of the best ways to finance a home with up to four units. The owner must live in one of the units to qualify for this type of financing.

Photo credit: iStock/Andrey Sayfutdinov

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.

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Apr
23
2024
Buying a Multifamily Property With No Money Down

Buying a Multifamily Property With No Money Down: What You Should Know First

By | events, Growing Wealth, Home Ownership | Comments Off on Buying a Multifamily Property With No Money Down: What You Should Know First

Real estate investments make money through appreciation and rental income. Real estate can diversify a portfolio and act as a hedge against inflation, since landlords can pass rising costs to tenants. But the down payment on multifamily investment properties? At least 20%, or 25% to get a better rate.

It’s true that eligible borrowers may use a 0% down U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan for a property with up to four units as long as they live there. But those loans serve a relative few and are considered residential financing. Properties with more than four units are considered commercial.

So how can a cash-poor but curiosity-rich person tap the potential of multifamily properties? By not footing the entire bill themselves.

Key Points

•   Real estate investments offer potential income through appreciation and rental income, providing a hedge against inflation.

•   Eligible borrowers can use a 0% down VA loan for properties with up to four units.

•   Various financing strategies enable purchasing multifamily properties with little to no personal money upfront.

•   Options like finding a co-borrower, securing hard money loans, or obtaining seller financing can facilitate the acquisition.

•   Indirect investment methods include crowdfunding and real estate investment trusts (REITs), allowing participation without direct landlord responsibilities.

Can You Buy a Multifamily Property With No Money?

When you buy real estate, you typically have two options: Buy with cash or finance your purchase with a mortgage loan.

There are various types of mortgages. If you take out a home loan, you’ll likely need to pay a portion of the purchase price in cash in the form of a down payment. The minimum down payment you make will depend on the type of mortgage you choose — the average down payment on a house is well under 20% — and it will help determine what terms and interest rates you’ll be offered by lenders.

This money needs to come from somewhere, but it doesn’t necessarily need to come from your own savings account. When investors buy multifamily properties with “no money down,” it just means they are using little to no personal money to cover the upfront costs.

If you don’t have much cash of your own, there are several ways that you can fund the purchase of a multifamily investment property.


💡 Quick Tip: Jumbo mortgage loans are the answer for borrowers who need to borrow more than the conforming loan limit values set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency ($766,550 in most places, or $1,149,825 in many high-cost areas). If you have your eye on a pricier property, a jumbo loan could be a good solution.

6 Ways to Pay for a Multifamily Property

Find a Co-Borrower

If you don’t have the money to front the costs of a property yourself, you may be able to partner with a family member, friend, or business partner. They may have the money to cover the down payment, and you might pull your weight by researching properties or managing them.

When you co-borrow with someone, you’ll each be responsible for the monthly mortgage payments. You’ll also share profits in the form of rents or capital gains if you sell the property.

Give an Equity Share

You may give an equity investor a share in the property to cover the down payment. Say a multifamily property costs $750,000, and you need a 20% down payment. An equity investor could give you $150,000 in exchange for 20% of the monthly rental income and 20% of the profit when the property is sold.

Borrow From a Hard Money Lender

Hard money loans are offered by private lenders or investors, not banks. The mortgage underwriting process tends to be less strict than that of traditional mortgages. Depending on the property you want to buy, no down payment may be required.

These loans (also called bridge loans) have high interest rates and short terms — one to three years is typical — with interest-only payments the norm. For this reason, they may be used by investors who may be looking to flip the property in short order, allowing them to make a profit and pay off the loan quickly.

First-time homebuyers can
prequalify for a SoFi mortgage loan,
with as little as 3% down.

House Hack

House hacking refers to leveraging property you already own to generate income. For example, you might rent out an in-law suite or list your property on Airbnb.

Another option: You could rent out your primary residence and move into one of the units in a multifamily property you buy. This way, you’d probably generate more income than if you had rented out the unit to a tenant.

Finally, you could hop on the ADU bandwagon if you own a single-family home. Accessory dwelling units can take the form of a converted garage, an attached or detached unit, or an interior conversion. The rental income can be sizable. To fund a new ADU, homeowners may tap home equity, look into cash-out refinancing, or even use a personal loan.

Seek Seller Financing

If you don’t have the cash for a down payment on a property, you may be able to forgo financing from a lending institution and get help instead from the seller.

With owner financing, there are no minimum down payment requirements. Several types of seller financing arrangements exist:

•   All-inclusive mortgage: The seller extends credit for the entire purchase price of the home, less any down payment.

•   Junior mortgage: The buyer finances a portion of the sales price through a lending institution, while the seller finances the difference.

•   Land contracts: The buyer and seller share ownership until the buyer makes the final payment on the property and receives the deed.

•   Lease purchase: The buyer leases the property from the seller for a set period of time, after which the owner agrees to sell the property at previously agreed-upon terms. Lease payments may count toward the purchase price.

•   Assumable mortgage: A buyer may be able to take over a seller’s mortgage if the lender approves and the buyer qualifies. FHA, VA, and USDA loans are assumable mortgages.

Invest Indirectly

Not everyone wants to become a landlord in order to add real estate to their portfolio. Luckily, they can invest indirectly, including through crowdfunding sites and real estate investment trusts (REITs).

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2013 allows real estate investors to pool their money through online real estate crowdfunding platforms to buy multifamily and other types of properties. The platforms give average investors access to real estate options that were once only available to the very wealthy.

REITs are companies that own various types of real estate, including apartment buildings. Investors can buy shares on the open market, and the company passes along the profits generated by rent. To qualify as a REIT, the company must pass along at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders each year.

As investment opportunities go, REITs can be a good choice for passive-income investors.


💡 Quick Tip: To see a house in person, particularly in a tight or expensive market, you may need to show the real estate agent proof that you’re preapproved for a mortgage. SoFi’s online application makes the process simple.

The Takeaway

Buying a multifamily property with no money down is possible if you take the roads less traveled, including leveraging other people’s money. And if you have the means to make a down payment on a property, your first step is to research possible home mortgage loans.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.


SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

FAQ

Can I buy a multifamily home with an FHA loan?

It is possible to buy a property with up to four units with a standard mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) if the buyer plans to live in one of the units for at least a year. The FHA considers homes with up to four units single-family housing. The down payment could be as low as 3.5%. There are loan limits.

A rarer product, an FHA multifamily loan, may be used to buy a property with five or more units. The down payment is higher. You’ll pay mortgage insurance premiums upfront and annually for any FHA loan.

Is a multifamily property considered a commercial property?

Properties with five or more units are generally considered commercial real estate. Commercial real estate loans usually have shorter terms, and higher interest rates and down payment requirements than residential loans. They almost always include a prepayment penalty.

Photo credit: iStock/jsmith

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

¹FHA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by FHA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. FHA loans require an Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP), which may be financed or paid at closing, in addition to monthly Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP). Maximum loan amounts vary by county. The minimum FHA mortgage down payment is 3.5% for those who qualify financially for a primary purchase. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.

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