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VILLAGE OFFICIALS CLAIM 320% RETURN ON FACADE GRANT INVESTMENT

By David Tatarowicz
Tuesday, Dec 18 2007, 04:53 PM

 I would love a 320% ROI !!!

I am sure that any investor would love to get that kind of Return On Investment --- but I doubt that even Warren Buffet would count those kinds of chickens before they are hatched.

The Community Development Authority is sponsoring a Facade Grant of $800,000 for the apartment building at 3575 N. Oakland.  According to a story in www.shorewoodnow.com by Marie Rohde:


The building  is currently assessed at $3.5 million.

The CDA says the facade improvements will increase the value of the building by $2.256 million and boost neighboring properties by $305,000. 

Doing the math, $800,000 invested with a return of increased value of $2,561,000 is a ROI of 320%.

As a real estate broker, I have been involved in many transactions involving renovation, with single family and multi family properties.  I have never heard of anyone getting that kind of ROI with just a new facade ....

I would certainly like to see a Certified Appraisal of both the value of the building as is, and the value of the building after the facade improvements.  Due to the uniqueness and complexity of this project, such an appraisal would be mostly in narrative, and it would be interesting to see the rationale the appraiser used, and the comps that justify the conclusion.

As a very imperfect comparison (once again considering the uniqueness and complexity of the project) I have printed below the kind of return on investment a homeowner would expect for various renovations.

This is somewhat "apples to oranges" -- but note that on average, no project even pays back the cost !!  The returns are all less than 100%. 

You can find a number of similar charts and comparisons on the internet --- potential Seller are always interested in ways they can sell their property for a higher price. 

Just for fun --- let's pretend that a 320% ROI is doable on this project --- and can be substantiated to the satisfaction of investors/bankers/etc ------- then  why does the Village have to finance the project ?  If it is for real --- drop a dime, call Warren Buffet --- those are the kinds of numbers that would probably get his attention.

What's YOUR TAKE --- please leave your comments below.

Description Of Remodeling Work

Job Cost Resale Value Cost Recouped
Minor Kitchen Remodel

Replace cabinet dooors, oven and cooktop, laminate countertops, sink, faucet and floor, repaint

$8,507 $8,030 94%
Bathroom addition

Add a second bath to a house with 1 or 1.5 baths;include ceramic tile and linen closet

11,645 10,593 91
Major Kitchen Remodel

Redesign kitchen, replacing all of the above, plus built in microwave, custom lighting, island.

21,262 19,190 90
Master Suite

In a house with 2-3 bedrooms, add a 24-foot by 16-foot master suite with walk-in closet, whirlpool tub, separate shower.

36,472 30,530 84
Attic Bedroom

In a 2-3 bedroom house, convert unfinished attic space with bedroom and shower/bath.

22,840 19,084 84
Two-Story Addition

First-floor family room and second floor bedroom with full bath.

55,687 46,236 83
Family Room Addition

Add a 16- by 25-foot room with skylights, hardwood tongue-and-groove floor, fireplace.

31,846 26,483 83
Bathroom Remodel

Update existing bath with new tub, toilet, vanity, medicine cabinet, lighting, tile.

8,423 6,480 77
Replace Windows

10 new 3'x5' aluminum-clad windows with trim.

6,112 4,536 74
Replace Siding

1,250 square feet of new vinyl or aluminum siding and trim.

5,458 3,983 73
Deck Addition

16'x20' deck of pressure-treated pine including built-in-bench, railings and planter.

6,172 4,459 72
Home Office

Convert existing room into office with custom cabinetry and re-wiring for electronic equipment

8,103 5,423 67
Source: Remodeling magazine, 1996-1997 Cost vs. Value Report.

Comments

Ann23   

I think the information you have posted is interesting and informative, but I agree with you that it may be an imperfect comparison.  In my experience, commercial real estate is more complex than residential real estate.  Also, municipal assessors have several ways to put value on a building after improvements are completed and I believe it is more complex than tallying the cost of improvements and adding it to the previous assessment total.  They have an “income approach” where they look at the ability of the building owner to increase lease rates and therefore, their "income".  This may be the basis for their $2.2 million value increase.  

Another thing to think about is “opportunity cost” - the possibility of decreased tax returns of this and surrounding properties well into the future if the building is not improved.  

December 19, 2007 7:44 AM

William Knox   

I don't think $800,000 will be the complete amount spent for this project.  While it is not mentioned in the article, I bet that the $800,000 is a subsidy used by the TIF district to "encourage" a much larger investment in the building by the owners.  The subsidy plus the owner investment will give you the increased valuation - not the $800,000 alone.

Seriously, when you replace the roof on your house, the village gets a nice bump in the assessment.  Considering the time value of money, there is a considerable value to the village of getting you to replace your roof sooner rather than later.  Whether it makes economic sense to you - well, that is another matter.

December 19, 2007 10:55 AM

dawnanderson   

Dave, the Village Board did not approve the $800,000 on Monday night. If you have questions, please contact one of us via our trustee email accounts.

Thanks, Dawn Anderson

December 20, 2007 12:52 PM

Steve Koczela   

Hi Dave -

I posted the packet from this Monday's meeting on my blog.  It contains the calculations they used to arrive at the new valuation, as well as the renovation plans and costs from the developer.  

Steve

December 20, 2007 5:15 PM

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