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Updated 10 months ago, 02/27/2024
SF/Bay Area flipping opportunities, are they out there?
Like the title states, are there flipping opportunities in the SF Bay Area? If so, how are you finding them? I was told they are few and far between but I refuse to believe they aren't out there, just need help finding them and would love to hear how other have found them and how they've faired.
Thanks!
Mike
Michael, Refuse all you want, you are still 5 + years late to the game in the Bay Area. Better returns are to be had elsewhere. I have been in SF longer than the Giants ('58), just so you know, and I am now selling and moving out. Never buy high. Good luck.
@dan_redmond so you speak from experience, you have ventured into this type of method?
@Michael Gustavo, I have been finding deals through MLS. I have a full time job and even with that I was able to get 3 deals this year... working on the 4th one. Not a whole lot, but I know I have missed couple because of lack of funds or not being quick enough to make offers. I have tried working with wholesalers but that deal avenue has not worked for me yet.
Originally posted by @Naveed Q.:
@Michael Gustavo, I have been finding deals through MLS. I have a full time job and even with that I was able to get 3 deals this year... working on the 4th one. Not a whole lot, but I know I have missed couple because of lack of funds or not being quick enough to make offers. I have tried working with wholesalers but that deal avenue has not worked for me yet.
Would you be able to share what numbers/returns you are looking to achieve? Curious what margins flippers are looking at to pull the trigger
Is there a particular city you are interested in? I'm a realtor in the Bay Area, an investor with BA rental properties and a few remodels under my belt. Also, keeping my eye out for a flip opportunity. If you're looking for an agent with an investor perspective let me know.
My general rue for the Bay Area is if the rent can support the payment and fixes, then I am going all in in the Bay Area.
There are opportunities in any market but when tides are high you have to get creative. Pre-market, off market, cancelled and expired listings are a great please to start. There is always a way to find the "low hanging fruit" you just need to know where to look and work with the right people! Speculation is always a key element as well, you cannot be afraid to go for the B/C neighborhood when the marketplace such as the bay area, is so volatile.
Originally posted by @JingJing He:
My general rue for the Bay Area is if the rent can support the payment and fixes, then I am going all in in the Bay Area.
Do those exist? :)
Originally posted by @Maria D'Aura:
Is there a particular city you are interested in? I'm a realtor in the Bay Area, an investor with BA rental properties and a few remodels under my belt. Also, keeping my eye out for a flip opportunity. If you're looking for an agent with an investor perspective let me know.
Hi Maria, yes I do, would love to exchange information with you.
Hey @Michael Gustavo - I'm actively sourcing buy & hold and flip deals in the Bay, largely focused on mid-Peninsula.
Drop me a note and we can chat - curious to hear more about your criteria and happy to share things that come my way.
@Michael Gustavo Yes, there are flipping opportunities in the SF Bay Area. Take a look at Redfin or Zillow in any city and you can find homes that were flipped.
There are definitely still some opportunities out there but competition is high. I just completed my second one. Both I found off-market in the same neighborhood. Found the first one through a direct mail ad. The second was a neighbor.
- Ben Paras
Originally posted by @Ben Paras:
There are definitely still some opportunities out there but competition is high. I just completed my second one. Both I found off-market in the same neighborhood. Found the first one through a direct mail ad. The second was a neighbor.
Congrats! Yeah I realize it isn't easy, I'm still searching.
@Michael Gustavo sounding like a broken record here - you need to get creative to find the off-market deals. @Ben Paras said he had some success through mailing. I'm curious what kind of list he used.
If you work with a list broker they can suggest lists that can be customized to your area and investing goals.
Absentee Owners have been the go-to list for years, but in a competitive market like yours, you need to get creative since it's safe to say that the absentees have been getting multiple offers in the mail.
Consider Owners with Low Financial Stability Scores and Seniors with Long-Time Ownership.
Hi @Chrissy Parsons, I sell real estate full time so I typically send marketing postcards to the same neighborhoods. It's a geographic list, we market to that neighborhood because of turnover ratio.
This person decided to sell to me directly because his home was in horrible shape and it wouldn't have shown well on the open market. He owned multiple properties and lived out of state. I offered him cash but part of the deal was that I had to get rid of all the junk at the house so he didn't have to come back to California. Turned out to be 6 truckloads! In the end it worked out for both of us :)
- Ben Paras
@Ben Paras - Quite often Senior Homeowners have the same situation even though they are owner occupied. Here's a link to an article: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/10944/74462-yo...
This goes through some value propositions that you can put into your letter or postcards. Could help you to branch out into other neighborhoods.
Some of these ideas came from when I helped my parent move...
Hi,
Do you still flip homes? I live in Bernal Heights (19 yrs) and I'm ready to go to an apartment. LMK if you're serious, and *please* don't put my name on a list.
I'm busy through 3/1/2024, but can meet anytime after then.
Thanks, Yvette