Investors

Plexes, bought and sold with the numbers straight.

Duplexes and triplexes in Montreal, Laval and the South Shore. Whether you're buying your first plex, adding to what you own or selling a building with tenants in place, I start with the building and the margin, not the gross rent.

Multi-unit building under construction with new black-framed windows

Buying a plex

Two ways in

Your first plex

Living in one unit and renting the others can make your first home part of a longer-term plan. You also become a landlord, and the numbers still have to work.

Adding to what you own

A second building, or a property with room to grow. Sometimes the opportunity is what the property can become, subject to the rules and approvals that apply.

How I evaluate a plex

In this order, every time

Day-one positive cash flow on plexes is largely over. In the early years, the shortfall builds your equity: it's money going back into your own pocket. The real question is whether you can absorb it for a couple of years without strain.

  1. Does it suit you or your family now?Or can it be adapted?
  2. Can you carry it for a couple of years?Even if expenses run higher than planned.
  3. Only then, the numbersTaxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancies and major work coming up. Gross rent impresses. The margin decides.

Selling a plex

What changes when the building has tenants

Selling with tenants in place

Leases, rents and Quebec's rental rules affect both the price and who can buy. I explain how, and present the building to the buyers it suits: owner-occupiers or investors.

What buyers will ask for

Leases, rent details, expenses, and the recent and upcoming work. Having these ready before listing keeps the negotiation on the building, not on missing paperwork.

Timing and what you keep

When to sell, and what remains after the mortgage and transaction costs. Your accountant handles the tax side; I make sure the sale plan gives them what they need.

A result

A triplex that funds a retirement

A family bought a triplex in 2005 for $270,000, a year after their first home. Today it is worth about $1.2 million, fully paid off, and the rents fund their retirement. They accepted the landlord's role: repairs, tenants, decisions that can't wait.

Past results do not guarantee future results.

Next step

Buying or selling a plex?

Tell me about the building, or the one you're looking for. On Instagram, you can also DM me PLEX.

Send me a messageor call 514-473-0037