Thursday, October 21, 2021

Hedging Your Bets On Your Very First Flip

So you think you’ve read enough books, gone to enough seminars, watched enough HGTV, finally
got an offer accepted on an investment property and are now waiting for it to close. What should you expect? Smooth sailing or a nightmare? Is there an in-between?

So let's goes over the possible outcomes,  it’s good to talk to others who have been there/done that. And even though none of it will insulate you from reality, here are a few ways things can go.

Best case scenario is, of course, that it goes swimmingly, making you think you’ve got a handle on this investor/flipper thing. Here's an example of a couple who had great success with their first purchase. No major issues, making them confident that investing in real estate is much less complicated than they originally thought. But the couple had also done their homework. They took the time to speak to other flippers, studied how to evaluate the value of a property, took notes of what damages or potential expense to look for, and learned how to evaluate the housing market. They also got wisdom from others on the importance of how to communicate with their clients. If you do all these things, “Then you stand a much better chance of having a really smooth, profitable first purchase. Of course, a lot needs to be learned on the job, and you’re bound to make mistakes here and there, but this ‘pre-deal education’ will go a long way.”

The key in the beginning, anyway, is to be involved in EVERY aspect of the investment — from knowing the numbers to knowing the area to analyzing the repair costs. Don’t leave any of this in the hands of others. “Successful closes depend, in large part, on your commitment to, become the expert in your market,

Many investors buy too high; get their rehab estimates wrong; miss something in the walk-through that’s going to cost them later. “Profit on your first deal is by no means a guarantee. However, your first close can make you money. So let’s say you’ve done your homework and educated yourself on the process, how to price and value things, and you’re ready to go. Crunch time. Your accepted offer is accompanied in your mind by a certain profit figure when all is said and done. First home buying experience was exciting, fun and stressful all at the same time. What was supposed to be an 8 month flip with a six-figure return turned out to be a 1.5-year flip and with a mediocre return. “We learned very quickly that it’s good to trust people, but you must VERIFY that their information is true. We are talking permit and contractor delays, hiring the wrong people and finding more repairs than originally anticipated. Hopefully there is enough equity in the deal to cover any such short comings. 

Takeaways are the following:

  • Learn by doing, not just reading about it. Know that ANYTHING can happen.
  • Profit is never guaranteed (at least not what you may have originally had in mind).
  • Gather a solid, trustworthy team around you.
  • Make sure the information the homeowner is giving you is true. Don’t take their word for it, even if they had good intentions.

Have a heart. You are buying what was once someone’s home. Treat them and the deal with care and compassion. Closing a profitable deal was only half the excitement. The other half is coming through for your seller. To them, it may be much more than a transaction.


Thank you for visiting my blog, I hope you enjoy it and learned a thing or two. 


Roxy Redenbaugh, Broker
Sr Mortgage Consultant
Residential and Commercial
The Greatest Compliment I Can Receive Is A Referral From Friends, Family, and Business Associates,
NMLS#269926 Company NMLS#1930219

Friday, October 1, 2021

Using Real Estate As A Vehicle For Wealth

For many of , our most significant investment and largest profits in life are due to having bought a house — something that acts as a de facto bank account, grows in equity and provides shelter all at once. But what if we want to use real estate as a money-making opportunity instead?

Real estate has, of course, made many millionaires. The Wall Street Journal recently reported how more than 80% of borrowers who refinanced in the third quarter chose the “cash out” option, withdrawing $14.6B in equity out of their homes, according to government-sponsored mortgage corporation Freddie Mac. Now, many are finding their homes to be a tappable source of wealth. “Home equity is the big pot of gold,” said Sam Khater, the chief economist at Freddie Mac.

It’s not hard to see why many have successfully made money buying and selling real estate because of the diverse ways to grow wealth with real estate investments. Creating wealth through real estate is common among the most successful investors, whether they’re house flippers, residential home landlords, or large apartment complex owners.

Knowledge is, of course, key. Real estate investors always seem to know more than those around them — what drives markets, how to time market cycles, and which things to watch out for. “They are much more likely to recognize shifting markets before others do and are prepared to take advantage of these opportunities when they present themselves. The very best never stop learning, and real estate is no exception. Apart from websites where investors can learn, network, and find solutions to their problems, some also collect books written on how to invest in real estate, reading them over and over again. Developing the ability to analyze a property for cash flow as well as recognizing an under-valued property when you see one. Then develop a basic understanding for estimating rehab costs along with the various pieces at play when it comes to owning rental property.

“The more you know about real estate investing, the less fear you’ll have. Overcoming fear is one of the best things you can learn to do if you want to carve out a successful career for  yourself in real estate.

Patience is also a virtue. That it may sound simple, but that’s not always the case. “When it comes to real estate investing, there is a lot of pressure on you to move and move fast. The best deals go quick, and allowing projects to run past the agreed upon timeline can be expensive. Investors are constantly facing pressures to do more, do it faster, and do it cheaper.”

The best investors know when they need to run fast and when they need to stop and wait to see how things develop. Patience can take several forms when it comes to real estate investing. Learning to recognize areas where you’ll need to practice it can save you from a lot of expensive mistakes.

Understanding market cycles are also of vital importance. Top investors zig when everyone else zags. They are fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful. Waiting for the market to slow down, or crash even, can require more intestinal fortitude but it is also a much better time to be picking up assets.”

Learning how to transform a property, how to be efficient, and how to be keenly focused and how to develop important relationships, go to BiggerPockets.com, where you can get tips like this for free.  Top notch investors see ways to add value to properties without spending more money than they have to. For those with the vision to bring it about, there can be big rewards for those who buy the ugly duckling and turn it into the beautiful swan.

Thank you for visiting my blog, please leave a comment or question and come back again! 


Roxy Redenbaugh, Broker
Sr Mortgage Consultant
Residential and Commercial
The Greatest Compliment I Can Receive Is A Referral From Friends, Family, and Business Associates,
NMLS#269926 Company NMLS#1930219

Source: Wall Street Journal