Archive for August, 2008

Fix It Then Flip It

In this country the act of buying and flipping real estate has been refined to a fine art form. More and more people are making their fortunes in the real estate market and its a simple truth that it can be done by anyone. It takes a great plan and some money to invest, but if done right the rewards can be astounding. No other area of investment has consistently shown such a high profit margin and such a pattern of growth.

So what does it take to successfully fix & flip a home? This depends on you. Are you a bit of a handyman? Or could you cut off your own finger with a spoon? If you are the latter you may want to engage the services of a contractor, it will likely save money, time and band-aids. Whether you choose to DIY or to hire someone to do the fixing aspect of this there are a few things they almost all fixer-uppers will need.

Paint is the most likely of these suspects. Most older homes have a somewhat neglected cosmetic makeup. A new coat of paint both inside and out can take years off a homes appearance and add nicely to its value. One place that usually needs a bit of love is the kitchen. As the highest traffic area in any home, kitchens can deteriorate faster than any other room. If you are looking for a quick way to increase you asking price, install all new appliances and redo the countertops and cupboards. A modern and inviting kitchen is a great selling point.

If you have purchased a home as a ‘fixer-upper’ chances are there are some aesthetic improvements that are going to be essential in terms of the property itself. To take care of the yard bring in a landscaper to create a new and dynamic flow for the property. New plants and flowers add a beautiful touch to a yard and can be one of the most inviting aspects of a home. The exterior of the home is critical as the ‘visual impact’ can make or break a sale. Just remember, the new asking price must justify the improvements that you have made. So never forget to plan your improvements carefully.

Matt Barker is a professional Realtor servicing Saint Paul and the surrounding areas. A proven Saint Paul real estate expert, it is Matt’s passion for customer service that sets him apart. For info on Saint Paul condos, contact Matt anytime.

Common Mistakes That You Should Avoid While Flipping Houses

Successfully flipping houses means that you should be aware of the mistakes that you may tend to make. There are certain rules that you need to keep in mind in order to avoid getting entangled in these mistakes.

It is a bad idea to fall in love with the house.

You have to remember that it is just a house made up of mortar, clay, bricks and wood. There are several more houses and you cannot afford to fall in love with each house that you see. If you are the kind of person who gets emotionally attached to homes then flipping houses is just not meant for you. Never forget that at the end of the day it is just business and keep it that way.

You need to keep your mouth shut.

Do not reveal what deals you have made unless the contract or associated papers have been signed.

The first impressions are always the most important.

It is an extremely good idea to spend the most amount of money on the exterior and the landscaping in front of the house. It is the first impression that matters. It is the first 5 seconds that is the crucial time in which prospective buyers decide or make up their mind. If the exteriors are not up to par, prospective buyers will lose interest even before they view the house from the inside. Shiny and clean door knobs, coach lamps, door knockers and nicely done up address numbers will add to the impression. In fact if certain extra features do not gel cosmetically with the house then those should be removed at once.

It is not a good idea to go overboard

Flipping houses can bring in a decent profit by simple acts of replacing the paint, cleaning the house or getting a new carpet. A lot of flippers think that they need to invest thousands of dollars on a house to make it sell. This is the prime reason why complete renovation and remodeling of a house takes place. It also means that the price tag of the house goes higher in order to cover the amount spend on renovating it. Ultimately, the investor has to drop the price because the house ends up sitting in the market for too long a period. What you must remember while flipping houses is that you are not fighting for a spot on the cover of a real estate magazine but only trying to make some profit.

Do not be greedy.

Take the first offer that comes along if you have priced your home well. Do not be greedy and wait for months to get a better deal. At the end you might lose out on all prospective buyers and will have to eventually cut down your price. So greediness will not bring in profits but instead lead you to incur losses.

The above mentioned rules for flipping houses will help you in avoiding common mistakes.

James Klobasa, once broke with no job and $20,000 in debt made a choice that changed his life forever. That choice was investing in Real Estate. With the founder of, The Little Building Co. you too, can learn at Real-Real Estate Investing