Buying and selling houses are investment techniques used by many investors to earn profits in real estate. Known as house flipping, this method is highly profitable when done right. When done the wrong way, it can break the investor’s bank and make him lose everything. Hence, if planning to go this route in real estate investing, it is important to understand the risks involved and know how to make it work.
Below are some essential steps to take to make sure that house flipping will earn profits as expected.
Finance with Cash
Houses for flipping can be obtained by getting a loan from lending institutions. But since flipping is a perilous undertaking, it is more advisable to use cash instead of getting into debt. If you are extremely low on funds, getting a loan from a reputable lender may be the right solution. But bear in mind that even if you choose to get funds from a lender, you might still be required to prove that you have access to funds before they approve your loan. The minimum amount of money they need can depend on the size of the loan and your income.
Perform Market Research
Not every market in real estate is suitable for flipping houses. Therefore, it is crucial to perform some research first before getting into the trend. Will there be willing buyers in the market you have chosen? How many people are entering or exiting the market? Knowing these numbers can help you assess whether it is a good time to enter that market or not and whether it is a good time for you to invest.
Assess the Condition of the House
Know how much you will be shelling out for repairs and how much will be the overall cost if you have the house renovated. Flipping is essentially buying the home at a lower price, then selling it at a higher price. But in most cases, certain repairs and renovations have to be made to make sure that the house will sell at the rate you are charging. Before making the purchase, make an assessment first on the house’s overall condition and see if you will still get a profit after paying for renovations and selling it in the market. One of the many mistakes that investors make when flipping houses is putting so many funds into the renovation and realizing that they have actually shelled out more money than what they can recoup after the sale.
Renovate Only Certain Parts
Know your budget upfront and spend only on parts of the house that really need attention. There is no need to renovate the entire home if it can make-do with making repairs only on the most problematic areas. This is also why you should make a thorough assessment of the house before making a purchase. You need to assess whether or not the house needs total renovation or just a few tweaks to make it sell. Typically, you should avoid buying homes that need major repairs, as this might cost you more than what you can earn from flipping. Likewise, see if you would need a general contractor for the renovations or if you can choose to work with a specialized contractor. General contractors can cost more, so you will need to carefully assess whether a specialized contractor would be enough. Sometimes, some houses that can be used for house flipping may only need repairs on their porch. In such cases, you do not need to hire a general contractor but one who specializes in porch repair. You can save more and earn more in the process.
Choose Properties that Fit Your Budget
Look at your current finances before buying a house for flipping purposes. It can be tempting to purchase the first houses that are on sale, but some of them may cost more than you can afford. Be wise enough and consider the cash you have at hand, your savings, and how much you can afford to spend on renovations and other things. For more affordable options, you can browse through foreclosures, short sales, or auctions. Several houses are put on sale there at extremely affordable prices. You may also ask a professional real estate agent to guide you in making a wise decision.
House flipping is not an easy feat. You will need to have a lot of patience if you want to succeed in this business type. It may also take a lot of time before you can make a sale. The returns, though, can be promising if you can do the right steps.
