House flipping is a lucrative real estate investment venture that requires a lot of skills, planning, and sometimes luck to pull off. Any wrong decision when flipping a house can lead to disaster. When done right, it could also bring in a lot of money. If you can make smart decisions to buy the home at a great price, and keep renovation costs down to the minimum while maximizing the reach, then you can sell the house at a much higher rate than you paid for it.
If you are looking to flip a house, you are looking to make a profit, so you need to make sure you are aware of the steps to take when investing in house flipping:
1. Invest in the house flip with cash
House flipping is a risky venture, and you do not want to add more debt to increase your financial risk. Flippers that borrow money with interest to finance a house flip often end up having to pay several months of interest which adds to the effective selling price of the house, making the project tighter than it already is. Using cash only to fund a house flip also means that you can wait out a slow market until you find the right buyer for the house at the best price for it.
2. Know the neighborhood market
It is normal to get excited during a house flip, but you must be sure that you never lose sight of the figures behind the investment. Know the neighborhood well so that you can buy houses that are around 80% of the average market value or less. Have the vision to know how the finished house will compete with homes already on the market and how best to price the house for a quick sale.
3. Have a strict budget for your house flip
Speak with your contractor to work out a good idea of how much the renovations will cost. It is good to have an estimate even before buying the house so that you do not overspend and become desperate with the house. Identify all structural, electrical and other issues the house may have before starting the project so that you can know if you can afford the house flip, even if unknown expenses crop up.
4. Plan for smart renovations
Aim for renovations that are low on cost and high on value. Instead of shiny floors and custom cabinets, you can refinish the existing cabinets, add granite countertops and replace all appliances to new stainless-steel ones. Things like painting and thorough cleaning can help increase the house value.
Your real estate agent will guide you on how to finish and renovate your house to meet local expectations and have a quick sale.
About the Author
