While the concept of flipping houses is nice, the reality is that so much is involved in flipping real estate for profit that you could end up being stuck with a house you really do not want to own, or end up taking a big loss on the sale of your property. Yes, some people do make decent profit by flipping houses, but others lose out. Do your homework on a property before jumping in, and be sure to have the proper knowledge on how the process works. Make sure that you understand everything before buying a house that you plan on flipping later.
If you are considering real estate investments in general, and house flipping in particular, there are some things you should keep in mind:
1) You must treat this as a business rather than a hobby. Far too many investors do not take their investments seriously. This is a mistake because in this business, time is money, and every month that the house isn’t sold is a month that the house is costing you more. Create a plan, make a schedule, and stick to them both.
2) Again, remember that this is a business. You are not investing in properties to be nice or to make friends. You are in this business to turn a profit. You cannot be timid about making low offers. The ability to buy low and sell high is the lifeblood of this particular business.
3) Pay attention to the market. This is vitally important. Do not buy in an inflated market if it can be avoided, unless it is during the very beginning of the inflation (before property developers have the opportunity to create a surplus).
4) Do not allow it to become personal. Far too many first-time house flippers decide to create a work of art rather than thinking of the property as a business investment. Focus on structural and cosmetic fixes like painting the exterior or repairing the roof. Utilize professionals like Chase NW, and only have them do the work that is necessary to turn a profit. You are not building your dream home, but are running a business. The goal is to invest little and profit large.
5) Look into getting an Option ARM (Option Adjustable-Rate Mortgage), with a low rate and small minimum payments. This type of loan program can increase your cash flow by cutting your monthly payment in half! These loans will also allow you to take a small piece of your equity and turn it into a tax deduction by creating deferred mortgage interest.
6) The last part of the equation, selling your house quickly to a qualified buyer, means you need to do your homework. Many investors seek free help from a loan officer to price the house right and to qualify their buyers. These investors earn the sales commission by selling their houses by owner. The most important issue, how you fix up your house, ensures that you quickly attract a buyer willing to pay top dollar for your transformed property. Investors using Design Psychology strategies for fixing houses sell their homes, for more than the asking price, three hours after putting the For Sale sign out.
If you want to make money investing in real estate by flipping or fixing houses, you need to understand your market. To get started in your real estate business, go house shopping. You’ll soon learn how to pick up a flip or a fixer and be on your way to making a high return on your money.