Flipper/Rehabber · Columbus, OH · Member since 2015 · 3 posts · 1 vote
Hey Guys,
I'm fairly new to BP and have been listening to a lot of the podcast episodes and so far I know that most people say to stay away from the D properties. and I get it. They suck, but, I'm ready to jump in and buy my first flip. I keep getting out bid on the few C properties I have liked and made sense money wise. I can comfortably afford most of the D properties I see in my market. My wife says she believes in me but doesn't want me to waste our savings and stretch ourselves too thin with a project that will produce little results. Winter is coming, should I hold out and see if something better comes out when the market starts to slow down? I've mostly been looking on the MLS. again I know its not the greatest for finding deals but, it seems to be the most reliable place that i currently find houses for sale. I've sent out a few letters to abandoned homes in my neighborhood but, with little luck. What are some good strategies when D properties seem like the best option?
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
10y
Then wait till a deal does happen . Dont be in a hurry , you havent lost money .......yet . Heres what will happen , you will buy a "D" property . you will spend time and money to fix it to flip it . And it wont sell . Now you will want to rent it to to cover expenses . So you rent a fixed up property in a "D " area . the tenants trash it and you are back to square one , with no money . And while all this happens a good "C" property comes up .
Lender · Greater LA/Orange County area, CA · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10y
Since you're just in the pontification stage, why not dream bigger dreams? The price is the same.
I mean, if you are going to settle on what you don't want, it will eventually mess with your mindset.
If you want to invest in better a product, partner up or wait until the next real estate cycle.
Or, study options, notes or other forms of investing and consoling real estate.
The problem with crappy properties is that they attract crsppy tensnts. If you are planning on fix and flip, a heavy fixer msy require way more resources than a lighter fixer in a better neighborhood. Of course, you aren't in a position to fix a neighborhood.
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
10y
Then wait till a deal does happen . Dont be in a hurry , you havent lost money .......yet . Heres what will happen , you will buy a "D" property . you will spend time and money to fix it to flip it . And it wont sell . Now you will want to rent it to to cover expenses . So you rent a fixed up property in a "D " area . the tenants trash it and you are back to square one , with no money . And while all this happens a good "C" property comes up .
Rental Property Investor · Melbourne, FL · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
7y
When I was starting and considering similar choices, I decided to hand write letters to distressed owners, in C areas.
I looked at the foreclosure notices in the local legal paper and mailed to houses in the ZIP codes where I wanted to buy. I was open to buying subject to the existing financing, buying at 65% LTV or better using a hard money lender (for the rougher properties that needed bigger renovations), or buying with a lease option.
The motivated sellers who called me preferred that I take over their mortgages, cured the default and then I renovated with my funds, and sold quickly.