HomeUnion Expands into Columbus, Ohio Now Offering SFR Investment Properties to a Second Region in the State
- Firm also Hires Janet Phillips-Plunkett Investment Location Manager in Columbus -
May 12, 2015, 09:45 ET
IRVINE, Calif., May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeUnion, an online, real-estate investment management firm enabling value investing in single-family rental (SFR) properties announced today that it has added Columbus, Ohio to its list of active investment markets. Investors can now find pre-vetted, SFR investment properties in the Columbus market on the company's website. HomeUnion also announced that it has hired real estate investment veteran Janet Phillips-Plunkett, as investment location manager in Columbus.
HomeUnion chooses its markets and properties using proprietary models that factor in home prices, vacancies, historical income trends, employment, local economy and population growth among other criteria. Columbus meets HomeUnion's criteria, with favorable cap rates (the relationship between rental income and purchase price) and a positive economic environment and outlook, the company said.
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. Phillips-Plunkett will fill this role in Columbus.
"SFR investing has become a high-yield alternative to traditional fixed-income investments, as people are now comfortable investing in houses remotely-as they are fully managed by HomeUnion. The SFR market now attracts a broad segment of investors who are looking to build a portfolio of investments based on cash flow and potential returns, not proximity," said Don Ganguly, CEO of HomeUnion. "After thorough research, we added a second market in Ohio, because its core manufacturing economy has been growing, surpassing 80 percent capacity in most sectors, which historically has meant steady or rising employment and income levels, key components to a healthy rental market."
In addition to Columbus, HomeUnion is actively listing investment properties in:
- Austin
- Birmingham
- Chicago
- Cleveland
- Dallas
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- San Antonio
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 to 14% − 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. Appreciation is not considered in the calculations.
Phillips-Plunkett brings more than eight years of professional experience in the Columbus real estate market most recently with Carleton Realty, LLC.
HomeUnion's investment site allows individuals to invest remotely in single-family real estate, an asset class that was previously not available to the casual investor. With HomeUnion's guidance, investors choose a property that best fits their investment needs (income generation, growth or balanced). HomeUnion manages the acquisition for the owner and then handles the ongoing management of the property, which includes finding solid tenants, revenue management and expense control. The site has been operational since last May.
About HomeUnion
HomeUnion is an online real estate investment management firm, bringing value investing to the individual investor in single-family rental (SFR) properties. Based in Irvine, Calif., it provides all the services needed for individuals to invest remotely in SFR properties. HomeUnion's role spans the lifecycle of the investment transaction: from locating properties; advising on the purchase; finding renters; managing the property; and selling it when the time comes.
SOURCE HomeUnion