06/28/2018
It seems like everybody wants to flip houses.
So now that you own a home of your own, you might be thinking that you’re kind of good at handywork and you want to give Kalamazoo house flipping a go. It’s certainly one way to make money in today’s somewhat volatile real estate market, provided you know what to look for in an optimally flippable Kalamazoo house for sale. Of course, the house that flips best in downtown Newark probably won’t be the same one that flips amazingly in Dallas. Just like the house that's in big demand in Kalamazoo might not be a hot commodity in Otsego or Galesburg. But there are some general things you can look for in a fantastically flippable house.
Five Focal Features of a Flippable Find
Buying a flip should be a numbers game. You’re not buying your own place to make memories, you don’t have to live there, so the house that you have in mind for your first flip should be one that’s not needing too much repair work, but is seriously undervalued.
This happens frequently when an older person goes into a medical facility long-term or they pass away. It’s much more common for children that inherit a property to want to move it as quickly as they can, rather than fight over who gets to live in mom’s house. That’s why you’ll often see several promising properties in neighborhoods that are more than 30 years old — many of those owners bought when they were early to mid-career, all at the same time, and, well, time makes fools of us all.
Your ideal flip looks something like this:
It’s structurally sound. Unless you are absolutely stealing this property, there’s no substitution for structural soundness. You can’t flip a house that’s on a crumbling foundation. You can do a preliminary assessment yourself by carefully looking at the roofline. If it’s straight and sharp, the chances are good that the rest is, too, but don’t skip a professional structural inspection. If the roofline is wavy, the roof itself is cupped or it’s doing anything except being a good and proper roof, you might want to keep on looking or at least budget for some roof work.
The systems are solid. You can drop some serious money on updating or replacing electrical, HVAC, plumbing and roofing, so make sure that your flip has most of these in good, working order with long life expectancies. Your home inspector can give you an idea about how much time each should have remaining. Most flips can absorb one of these items, so don’t pass on a great deal just because it needs an electrical update — unless, of course, there are other big issues.
The house just doesn’t look like much. Even when the market is highly competitive, small changes can make all the difference. The plain little house tucked behind that bushy tree is not going to be on anybody’s short list, unless they’re looking to flip. Get a tree crew in there to groom or remove that monster, add some shutters in a contrasting color, dress up the landscaping with perennials and bam! Instant (almost) curb appeal.
There are a lot of memorable cosmetic items. If you look at a house and your brain keeps trying to sort out what it is that you’re seeing, you might be in a fantastically flippable property. Bright green carpet, fuschia backsplashes, mirrors on the bathroom walls? Nailed it! These are often the real gems, provided that the cosmetic stuff is what’s scaring buyers away. That cosmetic stuff is a serious turn-off for so many people who can’t see beyond the ugly to that potential house under the surface. Obviously, that homeowner cared about their place or they’d not have added so many personal touches, so chances are good that you’ll find most everything that costs a lot to be in good working order.
It’s a fine representative of the overall neighborhood. Ok, so the walnut paneling and the bright orange carpet have to go, but in terms of the architectural style, size, age and general upkeep, a good flip is the one that looks like it fits into the neighborhood. Not too big, not too small, not too weird. Especially not too weird. Avoid weird houses. You'll know them if you see them. They're difficult to sell.
The four questions that are critical to have answered are:
1. How much will it cost to get the property into at least average condition and make it look pretty?
2. How much will it sell for (within a reasonable time) once I'm done?
3. How much will it cost me to "carry" the house? Taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.
4. How much money can I expect to make?
If you are confident in the answers to those questions, then you'll know what you should do.
