Friday, December 20, 2013

Learn All About Flipping Houses 101

By Matt Baumberger


For those who have the resources to buy a run-down house at a good price and have a team of people to help make the improvements there is a lot of money to be made in flipping houses. It isn't an easy business, but with practice it could become a very lucrative endeavor. Expect to run over budget, things can come up that are not always visible. Flipping Houses 101 is not for everyone.

The housing market fluctuates with inventory levels and when the market has a lot of properties it is easy to find a deal. But when inventory is low an investor has to be more creative in finding a good opportunity. Finding a deal, fixing it up, and selling it for market value, or a little less, can make an investor a good profit.

Auctions are a good way to find property if an investor has a lot of cash. Short sales are another avenue to explore but they do not guarantee that the house will be acquired in the end and it could tie up an investor for several months. It used to be that people would check the multiple listings service, but a competitive market precludes that from being a viable option.

Before purchasing a house the investor should have an idea of what they can sell it for. Enlisting the help of a real estate agent to get comparable sales in the area is a good idea. Another idea is to hire an appraiser which could cost a couple of hundred dollars. Be ready for lots of paperwork, permits, and insurance coverage for the property after it is purchased.

Keeping the job on time and managed well is critical and that is where a good project manager and contractor come into play. Someone needs to be on site to manage the workers, make sure things are getting done in order and on time. They should also be able to handle problems and find solutions should they arise, and they will. Working smartly will reap the biggest rewards.

A 15 percent profit is considered the least amount of profit that a flip should produce. Make sure to buy in an area that is desirable to buyers, location is very important. Remember to make the outside as appealing as the inside, curb appeal is important as it is the first thing people see and the home should be inviting.

When selecting interior designs it is best to remain neutral and think of what will appeal to most potential buyers. Kitchens and bathrooms done well will increase the value of the house. Fixtures and appliances should match and be of a good quality. Starting small and working up to more difficult projects is a smart choice when flipping. The first project should be mostly cosmetic changes, a lot of lessons will be learned in Flipping Houses 101 that can be used on future flips.




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