There is one main point of this entire article that entrepreneurs will benefit from: startup costs don’t need to be a major worry. There are plenty of investors out there, your job is to find the right ones.
This means you’ll have to get the training and skills to present the right project to them, and this is one of the many skills taught at the Residential Assisted Living Academy.
You can make the difference. What do you want to do about the impending senior tsunami? There are many who feel the need, even a calling, to provide adequate respectable housing for those entering their senior years.
They feel a responsibility to take the bull by the horns and make something happen for those who have made so much happen for this country.
So, what does it take to open my own residential assisted living home?
EXPLORING THE COSTS TO START AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
Do you have a strong desire to help the most precious and often vulnerable among us maintain independence in a safe environment? How do you imagine making this desire a reality? How about an affordable reality?
Many investors who possess such a desire often think they must engage in the large scale assisted living project.
Guess what?
There is a different model, a more affordable and enduring one. Residential assisted living homes promise much of what the assisted living facility does with more consistency.
With the present pandemic, it is also a safer environment.
The demand for assisted living homes is only rising. The number of seniors in America is slated to reach over 20-percent of the general population by the year 2030.
How will you prepare to meet the demand of this growing market? What about the costs of construction and/or renovation?
What about the operational costs of running a residential assisted living home?
Let’s explore the answers to these questions as well as some other aspects you may not have considered about ownership in residential assisted living.
YOUR DOWN PAYMENT
Have you ever purchased a private residence? If so, then purchasing a property for the use of a residential assisted living home is quite similar.
While this home is an investment property, it is still a home and will be used for residential living purposes.
When prospecting properties for your residential assisted living home consider the following:
- What is the market rate for houses in your community?
- Based on multiple contractor estimates, what are renovation costs projected to be for the house chosen?
- Will you work in the home or will it be exclusively run by managers?
Down payment is also contingent upon the way in which the home is purchased. Is the home being purchased in a business partnership? Were you unaware of the benefit of partnership? Did you know this was an option?
Partnership is an option, especially in residential assisted living.
The question becomes who to trust? Connect with reliable business associates. The Residential Assisted Living Academy offers comprehensive training and networking.
Identify whether your project will be a new construction or renovation of an existing home? You may be required to provide 20-25% of the purchase price as a down payment. This percentage may fluctuate based upon partnership.
ASSISTED LIVING STARTUP COSTS
Once the home is procured, you will need to make one of two decisions.
- Is your home new construction? If so, plans must be finalized, permits secured and construction commenced.
- If this is a renovation, plans must be created, permits secured, and revitalization begins.
While each may sound the same, the process is quite different. At some point, however, the final touches will need to be chosen:
- Furniture
- Supplies
- Equipment
A good estimate per room would be between $2,500 and $5,000. You will also need to budget for operational costs such as:
- Salaries
- Internet
- Utilities
- Laundry
- Specialized meals
- Management software
- Financial software
While there are other ancillary expenditures, most residential assisted living homeowners’ budget for these quite readily. These startup costs focus on the resident and all support needed to make the resident safe and happy. Other costs are not so critical and can be worked in over time.
ASSISTED LIVING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Licensing can be mercurial for the novice investor. It is best to know and understand the requirements within your state as each state has its own set of regulations.
This is where the Residential Assisted Living Academy is crucial. Aligning with other RAL homeowners and operators in your state will be most beneficial.
You will find the network associated with the Residential Assisted Living Academy is a helpful one. Each RAL homeowner longs to see new homes succeed.
Your business and personal success is good for the industry.
YOUR ONGOING COST OF RUNNING AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY
Once the purchase is complete, construction or renovation is done, you will need to focus your attention on growing working capital. Working capital is how you finance your day-to-day operations.
If you have joined the fray of those who have purchased an existing residential assisted living home with positive cash flow, estimating working capital needs for the future should be much simpler.
If this is the case, the total working capital needs is typically a 30-60-day operational period. Of course, any mortgage payments, payroll and other operational costs should be factored in.
Operations will need to be funded for approximately 3-6 months within substantial income. How will you fund operations with no clientele?
- Venture capitalists
- Partnership
- Long-term investors
- Private savings
Whichever may be the case, these decisions need to be made prior to construction. There is no need constructing a building, which you are unable to open because of a lack of funds to operate.
Aligning with the Residential Assisted Living Academy will prepare you. You will have a working budget, with real costs not just estimates, and a strategy to open fresh or assume ownership.
HOW TO GENERATE A PROFIT TO COVER YOUR FACILITY COSTS
The major source of profit creation is occupancy. Retirement benefits, insurance or trusts pay rent for residential assisted living.
The majority of homes will house seniors, who have a steady income from retirement, savings, and trusts. They will pay monthly rent plus any fees applied to accommodate their medical needs.
How much do I charge residents to live in my RAL home? It depends.
Markets vary from one state to the next and even from one city to another within the same state. The broad stroke range is $3,500 – $8,000 a month based on the model provided by the Residential Assisted Living Academy.
Will all residents pay the same amount? That depends, too. Rents are determined based upon:
- Unit size
- Exclusivity
- Medical need
- Ancillary support need
The profit margin grows or shrinks based upon the level of amenities provided and the level of care available. So, with so many variables associated with profitability, it is important for homeowners to understand the market.
A full-scale market analysis inclusive of demographic studies is necessary.
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU TO BUY YOUR FIRST RESIDENTIAL ASSISTED LIVING HOME
Get in touch with the Residential Assisted Living Academy today to get started. Our professional experts know what it takes to be successful in this industry because they have built and run their own residential assisted living homes and their vast experience will help you save valuable time and money getting started.
Register for the next 3-day course today.
