Frequently Asked
Questions

Crawford's buyer network includes over 54,000 pre-qualified investors spanning first-time operators, multi-facility owners, REITs, private equity groups, and family offices. Buyers range from individuals seeking owner-operated 10-bed homes to institutional investors assembling portfolios of 50+ bed communities. Arizona's favorable demographics and growing senior population make the state one of the most active ALF acquisition markets in the country.

Prices range significantly by size, occupancy, and location. Small 10-bed residential assisted living homes (RALs) typically sell for $300K to $500K. Mid-size ALFs with 10 to 30 beds range from $1M to $6M. Larger institutional communities with 30+ beds can exceed $10M to $15M or more. The primary value driver is net operating income (NOI), with cap rates varying by facility quality, occupancy, and market position.

The most common financing vehicle is the SBA 7(a) loan, which offers up to 90% leverage with 25-year terms and competitive rates — ideal for acquisitions under $5M. Other options include conventional commercial mortgages (70-80% LTV), bridge loans for value-add situations, construction financing for new development, and seller financing. Crawford connects buyers with our preferred lending partners who specialize in healthcare real estate.

Key evaluation factors include water supply security (critical in Arizona), current licensing status and inspection history with ADHS, occupancy trends over the last 12 to 24 months, staffing stability and payroll costs, NOI margins relative to market benchmarks, deferred maintenance exposure, and regulatory compliance history. Crawford provides buyers with a comprehensive due diligence framework covering real estate, operations, and regulatory domains.

Yes, with the right structure. Crawford matches first-time buyers with experienced management companies who can operate the facility from day one. We also provide operational transition support and connect buyers with training resources. SBA lenders will finance inexperienced buyers as long as the deal includes a qualified designated manager and a credible business plan. Many successful ALF operators started with zero healthcare background.

Use Crawford's free A.L.F. Estimate tool at crawford.team/estimate for an instant valuation based on your facility's rent roll, operating expenses, and net operating income. Our proprietary methodology incorporates comparable transaction data, market cap rates, and location-specific factors to deliver a reliable estimate. There is no cost and no obligation — it takes less than two minutes.

The primary method is the income approach: annual net operating income (NOI) divided by the appropriate capitalization rate equals estimated market value. Crawford also considers replacement cost analysis (what it would cost to build an equivalent facility today), comparable sales data from our proprietary transaction database, the value of existing licensing, and the facility's competitive market position. All of these factors are synthesized into a comprehensive valuation.

A RAL is a smaller senior care home, typically serving 10 or fewer residents in a residential setting — often a single-family home that has been converted or purpose-built for care. In Arizona, many of these homes operate under BHRF (Behavioral Health Residential Facility) or ALF licensing through ADHS. RALs have become increasingly popular with investors because they offer high per-bed revenue, lower regulatory overhead, and strong community demand.

Arizona ALFs typically trade at cap rates between 8% and 14%, depending on size, quality, occupancy, and location. Premium facilities in supply-constrained markets like Scottsdale and Phoenix command lower cap rates (8-10%) due to high demand and limited inventory. Smaller, suburban, or value-add facilities trade at higher cap rates (10-14%), reflecting more operational risk but also greater upside potential for experienced operators.

Yes, completely free with no obligation. Crawford's A.L.F. Estimate tool is available to any facility owner or operator who wants to understand their property's market value. Visit crawford.team/estimate to get your instant valuation. If you want a more detailed analysis, our team can follow up with a comprehensive broker opinion of value at no additional cost.

Crawford specializes EXCLUSIVELY in assisted living facilities — it is all we do. Unlike national commercial firms or residential agents who occasionally handle an ALF deal, every member of our team focuses solely on ALF transactions, valuations, and market intelligence. We maintain the largest proprietary database of ALF transactions in Arizona, operate a proprietary market intelligence platform, and have closed 32+ transactions with a 78% repeat client rate.

No. Crawford serves clients across all 50 states through our affiliation with eXp Realty, one of the largest real estate brokerages in the world. While our deepest market expertise and transaction history is concentrated in Arizona, Nevada, and the Sun Belt states, we have the licensing capability and network to handle assisted living transactions nationwide. Our market intelligence platform covers 20+ metropolitan areas.

Crawford has closed 32+ assisted living facility transactions with a 78% repeat client rate, making us the leading ALF-focused brokerage in Arizona. Our track record spans small 10-bed RALs to large institutional communities, and includes standard sales, portfolio transactions, value-add turnarounds, and development advisory engagements. You can review our transaction history at crawford.team/track-record.

Crawford's brokerage fees are competitive, transparent, and structured to align our incentives with your outcome. Fees vary by transaction size, complexity, and scope of engagement. We are happy to discuss our fee structure in a confidential conversation — contact us at (480) 677-6688 or maxwell@crawford.team for details specific to your situation.

There are three easy ways to begin. First, get a free instant valuation using our A.L.F. Estimate tool at crawford.team/estimate. Second, call us directly at (480) 677-6688 for a confidential conversation. Third, email maxwell@crawford.team with a brief description of your situation. Our team responds to all inquiries within 24 hours, and every initial consultation is free and confidential.