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Important Tips For Fix And Flip Loan Borrowers To Minimize Risks

Written by InstaLend | Dec 14, 2022 10:54:48 AM

Are you thinking of getting loans for fix-and-flip properties? It has been found that fix-and-flip has an estimated 50% return on investment, and flipped homes in the U.S. earned a gross profit of $29,342 on average. Here are some tips for fix and flip loans so that you can minimize risks along the way.

Stay Clear from Homes with Serious Damages

First thing first, we recommend that you concentrate on homes that mostly need minor aesthetic modifications for a flip. After all, it will cost too much of your money to buy the house and gut rehabs require extensive experience to successfully complete.

Aside from that, stay away from houses with foundation issues unless you are able to fix these issues yourself. It is generally better to concentrate on smaller-scale upgrades that have a significant impact. These include new carpeting, kitchen equipment, refinished hardwood, and a fresh coat of paint.

Enhance Your Property’s Marketability

The last thing you want to do is invest in a home that will be difficult to sell. Make sure to include work to your rehab budget, which would add aesthetic appeal and improve your home’s value. Determine if your bathroom or kitchen needs a complete overhaul, install new flooring, replace faulty windows, or improve your fix-and-flip property’s curb appeal. 

Consider Your Profit Margin

Next, we recommend you spend some time carefully and accurately calculating your profit margin on any flip before making a buy. This should be compared to your expenses, which include your holding costs. Be sure to include lender origination fees, construction inspection costs, and realtor commissions for property sale in your analysis. Oftentimes, beginner house flippers go overboard with the quality of finishes but forget to account for buyer affordability. Ensure that you have considered the ideal buyer for the house and if they can afford it before you freeze the renovation budget.

Locate a Trustworthy Hard Money Lender

When you find a house you are interested to fix and flip, be careful to acquire the funds you’ll need to complete the required modifications. Before taking out a loan, you need to keep your profit margin in mind and take the interest into account.

Find a trustworthy lender with reasonable rates by doing your homework. Additionally, you must confirm that they can grant you the hard money loan in a timeframe that doesn’t exceed your closing time commitment to the seller.

Avoid Overspending on the Properties

Beware that some sellers may try and sell you the property for above its market value. This is where appraisals come in handy. A rule of thumb in real estate is that you make your money on the buy. Try and ensure you aren’t overpaying for a property.

Making a profit is usually a goal when renovating and selling a home. So choose the best agent, do your homework, and make sure you do a comprehensive inspection of the house.

When buying properties to flip, it is often helpful to work with a licensed general contractor. This way, the construction project isn’t held up by permit issues, materials, etc.