NEW, 5 House Flipping Don'ts



by Chris Muller


House flipping information is usually filled with lists of Do's, but sometimes it is the lists of Don'ts that are even more important. Here is short list of 5 Don'ts which could make or break the profits on any house flipping investment.

1) Don't forget to check out the neighborhood before you buy. You will want to make sure that the property you are considering is a good fit for the neighborhood. You should also take the time to make sure that the plan you have in mind for the property will match well with the other neighborhood residents in order to guarantee a quicker sale.

2) Don't use up your whole budget without just cause. Your budget is what you used to determine whether or not the house would be a profitable venture. If you blow your budget and cannot recover the extra money you've spent in the selling price on the house you will have seriously cut into your profits if not eliminated them all together. The goal in property flipping is to get in and out quickly and spend as little money as possible in order to make as much money as possible.

3) Don't forget to set daily goals and hold yourself accountable to those goals. If you don't reach your goals for the day it can set the entire project back by as much as a month depending on the goals and what has to be rearranged as a result. Stick to your timeline and your daily schedule in order to avoid potentially costly delays in time and money.

4) Don't disregard the exterior. Curb appeal is what brings buyers into the property. If you spend all your money, time, and effort making improvements to the exterior of the home you will have little left to make the outside appealing to potential buyers. A homebuyer is in the market for the entire package. A home that looks run down on the outside leaves the impression of being neglected on the inside and many potential buyers will never walk inside if the outside looks forlorn.

5) Don't splurge when you don't have money to spend. While it would be wonderful to put in granite countertops and gourmet kitchens into every home it isn't always practical and this is often money that will not be recovered, particularly in homes that are in marginal neighborhoods.

Do enough to make the home market ready for your area. Resurfacing counter tops, replacing cabinet hardware, and simple low cost upgrades may be all that is needed. Do the most possible to prepare for resale, at the lowest cost possible. Every extra dollar you spend which does not add to the resale price, is a dollar reduced from your profits.

With the rapidly changing real estate market, you need to work quickly, spend your money wisely, and get the property turned over fast. Avoiding unnecessary costs and delays will help you make the highest profits possible, and get moved on to the next deal. As you become more experienced in flipping homes and real estate investing, you may choose to take higher risks, but for now, keep the money in your pocket, and work smart.




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