Flipping Houses 101

We’ve all seen the home renovation shows on networks like HGTV and thought to ourselves, that might be a good idea. The transformation of a house in shambles to a beautiful dream home is enough to make anyone consider the possibility. Granted some of the shows are geared towards personal home renovations, while others are renovating with the intent to flip. 

If you’re new to the process, house flipping entails purchasing a real estate property, updating it to add value, and then selling it for a profit.  Most home flips involve buying property at a less than average price, (either a fixer-upper or in foreclosure), rehabbing the property, and selling it for more than invested. 

Shows like the Property Brothers, Flip or Flop, and Christina on the Coast, to name just a few, give the illusion that the process of flipping a home can be fairly simple – all you have to do is just buy a house, make a few cosmetic changes, and sell the property for a good profit. Unfortunately it’s not as easy breezy as television portrays. 

What isn’t visible in that one hour is all of the behind the scenes happenings that get you to the finish line. Anyone who has ever had some type of home renovation done, knows it is not a quick and seamless process, there are always bumps along the way. 

Ask anyone who has flipped a home and they will tell you the truth – the process isn’t as fun or as profitable as you see on screen. Television has the power to glamorize and home flips are no exception. 

Flipping homes can be a lucrative way to earn good money in real estate but in order to be successful, you’ll need to be armed with a lot of knowledge, planning, patience, time, energy, and good judgement.  

It’s important to not only understand the process but also the basics of what flipping a home entails. Most people find themselves juggling both their day job and home renovation which can be extremely time consuming, not to mention super stressful. 

Before diving into your first home flip, there’s a lot to know and educating yourself is important. There are countless books and sites filled with information to help guide you in the process. We’ve broken down some of the basics:. 

How to Get Started 

First step is to develop a plan for your flip. What is your budget, how much do you want to spend on the purchase, and how much will be needed towards the renovations? When thinking about cost, keep in mind they include contractors and specialists along with the materials needed. 

You’ll want to have a team in place to help you get started before the home search gets under way. Ensuring the people you want to work with are available and align with your budget before making a purchase is important. 

The last thing you want is to find out after closing is that the cost of contractors is higher than expected, or availability is months away. A renovation takes time and the last thing you want to do is delay it even further because you didn’t assemble a team beforehand. Remember, time is of the essence. Every day you own the property it is costing you money.

Finding the Right House 

When it comes time to find the home, there are a few different ways to go about your search. Consider working with a real estate agent, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. A good agent can provide insight into the market and possibly help you sell the home once the renovations are complete.  

You want to find a home in a desirable location or one that is growing and promises a high resale value. 

If you have the ability to pay cash, auctions are another place to look for good opportunities for a discounted price. Just keep in mind they can carry some risk so before going this route, read and understand exactly how they work. 

Secure Financing 

In the world of real estate, cash is king. An all cash deal means that by the time of closing, the buyer will have unconditional liquid assets sufficient to pay all of the costs associated with the purchase, including the sales price and closing costs. If you ask any seller they’ll tell you they prefer this method of getting paid over an offer from a buyer who needs to secure funding in order to purchase. 

If you don’t have the funds to purchase outright, you’ll need to secure financing. There are different types of loans to explore which is why speaking to a mortgage broker ahead of time is a smart idea. If you have bad credit, options may be limited. If your credit is low, consider raising your score before starting the home search. 

Legal Representation 

Whether the deal is all cash or financed, there is always a lot of paperwork involved. It is important to seek out legal advice and have a real estate attorney look over all of the documents. Their job is to provide you with the best possible legal advice and will ensure all of the necessary steps are taken prior to closing. 

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, the most important piece of advice is be prepared. Seek out the help of experienced professionals and ensure you have a great team in place to help you achieve success. 

Flipping homes can be a lucrative business and with the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary it is possible to become successful.