Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Rehabbers: Your Neighborhood’s Accidental Superheroes

Flipping houses benefits the whole community where the undervalued property is located, would you believe? This new boom in the real estate market may make you rich if you’re a seller, that’s already given. But have you ever thought that flipping houses could actually earn you gratitude from the community?

While it is unlikely their primary intention, “rehabbers,” or those who flip houses, are actually doing a bit of good for the neighborhood. Under the “broken windows theory,” rehabbers are actually preventing possible criminal activity from taking place.

Under the theory, a broken window will likely invite vandals to break another window of the property. More and more windows are then broken before vandals consider breaking into the property. Activities like drug trade and prostitution might take place inside the property, and before anybody knows it, squatters are already living in it as well.

As an analogy, imagine a piece of trash thrown in a sidewalk. People see it and think it is okay to throw litter in the area. Before you know it, the whole sidewalk is filled with garbage.

As we know, a form of flipping houses – fix and flip – may refer to buying an undervalued property, repairing it, and then selling it for a bigger value. Houses bought in this kind of flipping are usually undervalued because they are just inherited or are in need or repairs.

For many, it is easier to sell an inherited home and earn a little profit from it than leave it until it deteriorates. As for houses in disrepair, the owner would often sell the property for a small amount and move to another house or probably just rent a better place. These houses may have leaking roofs, clogged pipes, washed out paint, or “broken windows.”

It is a rehabber’s job to assess the property and buy it at a low price. He has many options such as sell the house to another buyer with a small profit or have the property repaired before selling it. His intention is to own profit in the process.

Perhaps unintentionally, the rehabber also helps prevent the property from having more “broken windows.” Once bought, the vacant property is repaired and renovated. This may discourage vandals from breaking more windows, breaking into the house, and breaking laws while inside the property. Fixing the property means not leaving it vacant and in a state that may attract vandalism, which in turn may lead to crimes.

Having it repaired also means you are spurring jobs. If the water pipes are clogged, then you will provide some income for a plumber. If the paint is faded, then you give a job to a painter, and so on.  Rehabbing houses is actually productive in the sense that it generates income for those who probably need it the most like those who do odd jobs.

Your also doing the community a little favor by beautifying an otherwise dilapidated house. They will have you to thank for that. (At least until the new owners occupy the property.)
So if somebody told you that flipping houses is rewarding, well, it actually is, and in many ways aside from filling your bank account.

You may visit RehabList.com to know more about the business of flipping houses. Whether a newbie or a veteran, there is always something to learn from RehabList.com. If it’s about flipping houses, it’s in Rehablist.com.  So go on, learn how to flip houses today and earn big bucks while being the accidental superhero of your neighborhood. Check out Rehablist.com today!

Making Your Way in the Business of Flipping Houses

Over the years, real estate investors have earned a great deal of money flipping houses and rehabbing fixer-uppers. Many people have taken interest in this type of real estate investing because who could resist the great rewards and profits that come with this particular business?

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need an IQ of 300 just to get started in this business. All you need is to know the basics of flipping houses, have patience and dedication, and a good eye for properties. There are some real estate investors who started out on the business below the age of 20. If they can do it, so can you.
To help you launch your career in the business of flipping houses. Listed below are some useful tips and pointers:

• To avoid starting off at the wrong foot, one of the first things you should do is to pinpoint your target neighborhood. As a first-timer, it is better to start slowly but surely. If you would waste your time wandering aimlessly and visiting every neighborhood in the city, chances are, the competition might have already grabbed a great property and flipped it for profit.

• Explore your market. Conducting a research on how long it would take for you to sell a house in a particular area would definitely help. You should also determine which property would bring you great profits.
• Once you have bought your first fixer, determine how much the repairs and/or improvements will cost. You can ask a professional home inspector to help you make the assessment. Meanwhile, it is advisable for first-timers to invest in a property that only needs cosmetic work, which include a clean-up, a light paint job, or some changes in the flooring.

• If you want to maximize your profit, be prepared to do some work. If the property doesn’t need major structural repairs, you can do the paint job and some light touch-ups yourself to minimize expenses. You can also give the kitchen cabinets and the garden a little makeover to improve the house’s appearance without having to spend more.

• After a month or two, you should be probably done with the repairs. You might be thinking that now is the time to reap your profits. You’re definitely right! Before re-selling the property that you have refurbished, you might want to come up with some marketing strategies to attract buyers and get great offers.
• Now that you have finished your first project, it would be wise to join a network of home sellers and fellow real estate investors. Keeping in touch with various home sellers would help ensure that you’ll get leads to bargain homes.

To know more about the art of flipping houses, you can log on to Rehablist.com.
Rehablist is the best web site when it comes to providing investors with all the information and resources they need in real estate investing. It also brings together thousands of investors, home sellers, and hard-money lenders from across the nation so you can meet people who can help you in your business.

Learn To Flip Houses In Just 5 Days

The “flipping houses” business is taking the real estate market by storm. More and more people are typing the words on search engines to know more about the latest craze in the investments. While flipping houses is not new, it is amid the recession that it is getting much attention.

It had been associated in the past to fraudulent mortgage practices when in fact, it is simply buying an undervalued property and selling it for a higher price. Some earn by selling contracts to buy these properties while others repair and renovate the house before selling it to raise its value. Whichever way you would like to “flip houses,” the business is booming amid harsher times.

More owners are willing to sell their properties amid the recession, widening your market. If you’re convinced that you have the confidence and the drive to pursue this business, the question is: “Do you know what to do?”

You can read articles about flipping houses and other investment schemes but nothing would beat learning from a master. If you don’t have the time and money for this service, don’t fret just yet. Try visiting Rehablist.com first.

The web site offers a FREE 5-Day Investment Course, which will surely educate you on real estate investing. Rehablist promises both neophytes and veterans to learn something from the course. The web site is confident that your time of wasting money on investments that don't pan out will end after you undergo the FREE course.
To access the video-based email course, interested parties will need to create a log-in account. Once created, they may log-in on the site and follows instructions directing to the course. Here’s a rundown of what you’re in for when you undergo the program:

DAY 1: You will be able to view a video that had been sold for nearly $150. It’s offered free for those who log-in to the web site. It will walk you through “rehabbing,” or the process of buying a house and rehabilitating it, from beginning to end. This could be the most informative 43 minutes of your “rehabbing“career, the site notes.

DAY 2: The course will teach you about “hard money.” “Why use your own money when getting money for investing is as easy as falling off a log,” it says.
DAY 3: You will learn about “wholesaling.” The course will show you how you can start flipping houses immediately even without a capital. You will make money while you learn a new skill, even if you’re an experienced investor, the site promises.
DAY 4: More lessons in wholesaling and you can make long-term wealth from it.
DAY 5: Gives you a guide on how to launch your career as a “rehabber.” You formally graduate from the course.

Armed with education from real estate giant Rehablist, you can now start your flipping houses. Remember that education without action is futile but action without education is fatal! Don’t fall for scams and let yourself be beaten by competition.

Inspecting Fixer Uppers Set For Rehabbing

If there’s a phase of rehabbing that you must be vary careful in, it’s during the inspection stage. This is where you check the property and ask yourself, “Will I reap profits from this house after I repair and sell it?” Some rehabbers even hire professional inspectors because they do not want to make a mistake during this stage.

In time, you will learn how to determine the profitability of a fixer upper home. You will develop this skill after a few rehabs but for beginners, here are some tips you might find useful. Remember, it wouldn’t hurt to know more when it comes to rehabbing houses. You can more information about this at RehabList.com. Just go to the Learning Center section of Rehab List and click articles. On to the tips:

Always be on the lookout for certain damages. When you buy a fixer upper, it is given that it needs repair. That’s the main reason why it’s called a fixer upper and why it is undervalued in the first place. But there are damages you must look out for as they can spoil your chances of raking home earning profits. These are called “structural repairs,” or repairs that are major and very expensive.

An example of a major repair that can wash away your dreams of huge rehabbing profits is the roof. If you aren’t too good at examining a house’s crowning glory, make sure you hire a professional. Don’t be shy to ask about how old the roof has been in place. A roof normally stays okay for around 20 years, depending of course on the material used. For example, a roof made from shingles must not be patched more than thrice. If it has undergone more than three patch-overs, then be wary. You might have to replace the whole roof and that will cost you a fortune.

The soil toxicity in the surroundings of the home is another major problem. So as a precaution, get the house’s engineering report from local authorities. The report will also tell you whether the property has been contaminated by mold. Mold equals expensive treatment.

If you know what to avoid, then you must know what to look for as well. Look for fixer upper homes that need only cosmetic repairs. Rehab List defines these are minor repairs that can boost a property’s value. Landscaping the yard, applying a new coat of paint, and replacing old lighting fixtures are examples of cosmetic repairs.

Learn more about rehabbing at Rehab List. It’s also where you’ll meet veteran and seasoned rehabbers, sellers, and even money lenders. Rehab List is the meeting place of everybody involved in the real estate business.

Searching Investment Properties The Easy Way

Finding investment properties at a time a lot of people are discovering real estate investing can be a headache. The competition among veteran and neophyte real estate investors is heating up. And to be able to beat competition, you must always be first when finding investment properties. Here are some tips that will help you search houses faster:

Drive around the area where you want to buy properties. Many owners cannot afford to advertise their properties. That is why they simply put up “for sale” signs in front of the property. Despite the presence of other forms of advertising, some people still prefer this old method of selling houses. Apart from “for sale” signs, you should also be on the lookout for abandoned properties. If you see one, inquire about it and chances are it is being sold at a bargain price.

Let someone do the work for you. You can offer a “finder’s fee” for other people who will then scour the area for possible investment properties. There are people who actually scout properties for a living.

Check newspaper advertisements from a few weeks ago. Call the numbers to see if the properties are still available. If they are, chances are these properties are now cheaper since they were first put up for advertising. You can also try calling old “for rent” ads. If those properties are still vacant, the landlord might consider their sale. This is another chance to score a quality but cheap property.

Advertise yourself. If you can’t find properties for sale in the local paper then let sellers find you. Advertise your contact number in the classified ads. This will probably generate a few calls. The better way of advertising, however, is online. Websites that are frequently visited by house sellers offer online advertisements. While such ads are expensive, there are websites that offer this service for free. Among them is RehabList.com. Rehab List is already considered an authority when it comes to real estate investing and is visited by scores of house buyers and sellers everyday.

To gain access to all free Rehab List services, including the online advertisement, all you need to do is create a log-in account. Whether a buyer or a seller, you will surely benefit from the free services, which also include free listings of investment properties via email. Finding investment properties can be hard or easy depending on what method you use. You can either find properties through Rehab List or try your luck using old school methods.

The House Rehabber And Seller Rendezvous

The Internet has become a powerful tool for those in real estate investing. A rehabber can now search for properties to flip online. A home owner, meanwhile, can find buyers for his property online. Perhaps we could say that cyberspace has become a rendezvous for those looking for houses to flip and those who have properties to offer.

However convenient it may seem, searching for properties online regularly can also be tedious, especially for full time investors. After finding a fixer upper home from one area today, you must search again the net again tomorrow for the latest properties available. You could spare yourself from all this hassle if only there was a website that serves as a meeting place for house buyers and sellers, one where you will be regularly supplied with the list of the freshest properties for sale. Watch the confetti fall and party poppers explode because actually there is one kind of site.

For those who have been living in a cave, RehabList.com is the rendezvous of a rehabber and an owner who wants to sell a fixer upper. Whether you’re looking for fixer upper or selling one, you don’t need to go elsewhere on the net. Rehab List is visited by scores of fixer upper buyers every single day. Buyers know that the website offers free advertisement of properties. This free service draws sellers to the site. To advertise your property online for free, simply create a log in account. This account will also grant you access to other services offered by the website.

Rehab List serves as a rendezvous for those looking for funds for rehab projects and those who give out loans. Just go to the website and you’ll find a link for those looking for hard money loans, a popular kind of financing in the real estate investing world. Another link is for hard money lenders who want to find more borrowers.

The website is actually a program that was formed to bring together the wholesale finders of single family homes in need of repair, realtors, independent “finders or birddogs,” and home sellers with the rehabber. Here is where everybody involved in the real estate investing cycle will find something useful for their respective fields. It promises to provide information that can boost one’s real estate investing career. Those who have no idea about real estate investing can familiarize themselves with the rewarding business through the website’s Learning Center.

Just click articles and you will find useful pieces on hard money financing, flipping houses, and negotiating like a professional, among others. Visit RehabList.com today!

You and Real Estate Investing

Investing in real estate is one of the greatest ways to spend your hard-earned savings. Although some people might tell you that you have just doomed yourself by doing such a move, many experts would probably applaud and praise you for your decision. It is because according to them, now is the perfect time to try real estate investing.

Because of the recent housing bubble and the ongoing economic recession, prices of real estate have gone down significantly. Although such a scenario paints an ugly picture of the country’s current financial status, it provides real estate investors with the opportunity to obtain great and nice-looking investment properties at very affordable prices. So if you want to get your hands on such lovely but inexpensive houses, then you should invest in real estate now.

There are three common ways to invest in real estate. The first method is by flipping houses. Flipping is the act of buying and quickly selling properties for profit. Real estate investors usually purchase undervalued houses before selling them at a slightly marked up price. Contrary to what some people, believe, this type of real estate investing is not against the law. Flipping is considered illegal only when it involves mortgage fraud or when an investor colludes with appraisers to inflate a property’s market value.

As the name implies, rehabbing homes if the process of buying and fixing up a distressed house before selling it at a higher price. While most rehabbers hire contractors to help them renovate a property, there are some who carry out the repair job on their own.

Such a move, however, is considered risky by some investors because you can’t entirely be sure that the buyer will be satisfied with the amount of effort you put on the property’s repairs.

The third method is to wholesale houses. Wholesaling in the real estate business is basically the process of placing a property under contract and then selling the said contract to a third party.
According to many wholesalers, this type of real estate investing is risk-free. Because you’re not really buying a property, you don’t need to have cash on hand or obtain loans. Thus, you don’t have to worry about losing money in this business.

To become a successful real estate investor, meanwhile, you have to possess the right knowledge that could help boost your investing business. Therefore, you should visit www.RehabList.com where you can learn valuable real estate investing tips and meet like-minded people.