Year 15 Exit Planning

Navigate Your LIHTC Property's Most Critical Transition

Interactive decision tools, exit strategy analysis, and expert advisory to help general partners, investors, and syndicators maximize value at Year 15 and beyond.

870K+

Units Reaching Y15 (2020–2026)

42%

Properties Resyndicated

~5%

Convert to Market Rate

Yr 11

When Planning Should Start

Interactive Tool

Year 15 Exit Strategy Analyzer

Answer a few questions about your property and partnership, and we'll recommend the most suitable exit strategies with a side-by-side comparison.

Exit Strategies

Four Paths Forward at Year 15

Every LIHTC property reaching Year 15 faces a strategic decision. Understanding the options — and their tax, financial, and mission implications — is essential.

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Resyndication

Apply for new 4% or 9% LIHTC allocation, bring in new investor equity to fund rehabilitation, and extend the property's affordability period. Requires a Physical Needs Assessment, QAP application, and new partnership formation. Best for properties needing $25K+ per unit in capital improvements.

42% of Year 15 properties choose this path
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Investor Buyout & Hold

GP exercises Right of First Refusal or purchase option to acquire LP's interest, consolidates ownership, and refinances with conventional or agency debt. Provides maximum long-term flexibility. Buyout price typically calculated as outstanding debt plus exit taxes owed by LP.

Most common recapitalization strategy at Year 15
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Third-Party Sale

Sell the property or partnership interests to an unrelated buyer — whether a for-profit owner, nonprofit preservation buyer, or another LIHTC developer. Buyer demand is robust, with cap rates of 225–350 bps over long-term debt for family properties. Section 8 subsidy improves pricing 50–100 bps.

20–30% of BOV exercises now consider third-party sale
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Market Conversion

After the Extended Use Period or through the Qualified Contract process, convert to market-rate housing. Rarely pursued — only ~5% of Year 15 properties choose this path. Requires careful analysis of LURA, state restrictions, and other funding source covenants that often extend affordability beyond the IRS minimum.

Least common — ~5% of Year 15 properties

Planning Timeline

When to Start — and What to Do

Year 15 planning should begin by Year 10–11 to allow sufficient time for analysis, negotiations, and approvals.

Years 10–11

Begin Strategic Assessment

Review the Limited Partnership Agreement for buyout options, ROFR provisions, and distribution waterfalls. Commission an initial Capital Needs Assessment. Evaluate LP capital accounts and begin modeling exit tax implications for all parties.

Year 12

Engage Stakeholders & Evaluate Options

Open dialogue with the LP/syndicator about exit preferences and timing. Conduct a market evaluation — assess occupancy, comp rents, and new supply. Run cost-benefit analyses for each exit strategy (resyndication, buyout, sale, hold). Engage legal counsel to review all governing documents.

Year 13

Select Strategy & Begin Execution

For resyndication: commission a Physical Needs Assessment, engage architects, begin QAP application prep. For buyout: negotiate price with LP, secure refinancing commitments. For sale: engage broker for BOV, begin marketing. Check with state HFA about soft money reuse options.

Year 14

Finalize Documentation & Approvals

Complete all third-party reports. Secure HFA and lender approvals for chosen disposition. If resyndicating, submit LIHTC application during the state's allocation round. Begin investor placement for new deal. Prepare tenant notifications and relocation plans if rehabilitation requires displacement.

Year 15

Execute Transition

Complete LP buyout, property sale, or resyndication closing. File final compliance reports for the initial compliance period. Ensure seamless transition to Extended Use Period. Re-certify all tenants against current AMI limits if resyndicating. Dissolve or restructure the existing partnership.

Year 16+

Extended Use & Beyond

The Extended Use Period (typically 15 additional years) continues affordability restrictions. Monitor ongoing compliance, debt service, and capital reserves. Evaluate long-term hold vs. future disposition. The property remains subject to LURA and any state-imposed restrictions beyond the federal minimum.

Due Diligence

Year 15 Document & Analysis Checklist

Essential items to gather and review before making your Year 15 decision.

Partnership & Legal

  • Limited Partnership Agreement (LPA) or Operating Agreement
  • Right of First Refusal (ROFR) provisions
  • Buy-sell agreement terms and purchase price formula
  • LP capital account balance and projections
  • Distribution waterfall provisions for sale proceeds
  • Consent requirements for transfers or sales

Regulatory & Compliance

  • Land Use Restrictive Agreement (LURA) terms
  • Extended Use Agreement provisions
  • State HFA regulatory agreement requirements
  • Qualified Contract process eligibility and state rules
  • Other funding source affordability covenants (HOME, CDBG, etc.)
  • 15 years of IRS Form 8609 and compliance records

Financial & Physical

  • Capital Needs Assessment (10–15 year scope)
  • Current appraisal or Broker's Opinion of Value
  • Existing loan terms, maturity dates, prepayment provisions
  • Reserve account balances (replacement, operating, escrow)
  • Historic operating statements (3–5 years)
  • Current rent roll vs. maximum allowable LIHTC rents

Tax & Market

  • Exit tax projections for all partners
  • Depreciation recapture analysis (§1245 and §1250)
  • Cost segregation study (to shape capital accounts)
  • Market study: comparable rents, vacancy, new supply
  • State QAP scoring criteria (if resyndicating)
  • Investor/syndicator disposition preferences and timeline

Year 15 Intelligence

Monthly updates on exit strategies, market trends, policy changes, and case studies.

Insights & Analysis

Year 15 Blog

Publish New Article

Expert Advisory

Let's Plan Your Year 15 Exit

Whether you're a GP planning a buyout, a syndicator managing a portfolio of maturing assets, or a nonprofit preserving affordable housing — we structure the optimal exit to maximize value for all parties.

  • Exit strategy evaluation and cost-benefit analysis
  • LP buyout negotiation and pricing support
  • Resyndication underwriting and QAP application
  • Capital Needs Assessment coordination
  • Refinancing with Fannie, Freddie, HUD, or conventional lenders
  • Third-party sale marketing and broker engagement
  • Tax consequence modeling for all partners
  • Extended Use Period compliance planning

Discuss Your Property

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