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Updated about 1 month ago, 10/25/2024

User Stats

5
Posts
8
Votes
Sam Shikiar
  • Investor
  • Los Angeles, CA
8
Votes |
5
Posts

Need Advice: How Is Everyone Finding Good Flip Deals These Days?

Sam Shikiar
  • Investor
  • Los Angeles, CA
Posted

Hi everyone!

I've been flipping houses and investing in multi-family properties for several years now, but I've hit a bit of a snag recently. My primary source of deals has been wholesalers, but the numbers just haven’t been aligning lately. I focus on the Columbus and Cincinnati markets. I’d love to hear how other successful flippers are finding great deals in today’s market. Any tips or strategies that are working well for you right now? Thanks in advance!

User Stats

6,413
Posts
3,666
Votes
Bob Stevens
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,666
Votes |
6,413
Posts
Bob Stevens
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Replied
Quote from @Sam Shikiar:

Hi everyone!

I've been flipping houses and investing in multi-family properties for several years now, but I've hit a bit of a snag recently. My primary source of deals has been wholesalers, but the numbers just haven’t been aligning lately. I focus on the Columbus and Cincinnati markets. I’d love to hear how other successful flippers are finding great deals in today’s market. Any tips or strategies that are working well for you right now? Thanks in advance!


 Those markers were 5 years ago, Look for other markets. I can get as many as I want in my market. All with about 2% rule some  more, 

All the best 

User Stats

377
Posts
316
Votes
Nadeem Alamgir
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Cleveland, OH
316
Votes |
377
Posts
Nadeem Alamgir
Agent
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Cleveland, OH
Replied

Try interviewing some investor-friendly agents who specialize in sourcing off-market deals. They have deals you can look at with better margins and less competition compared to wholesale deals. 

You can do some sourcing yourself through Facebook groups, and online RE communities , and even pick up the phone and cold call some homeowners that may be tired landlords, don't owe anything, and have built up some equity.

With enough volume, you should come across some solid deals. 

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User Stats

6,413
Posts
3,666
Votes
Bob Stevens
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,666
Votes |
6,413
Posts
Bob Stevens
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Replied
Quote from @Nadeem Alamgir:

Try interviewing some investor-friendly agents who specialize in sourcing off-market deals. They have deals you can look at with better margins and less competition compared to wholesale deals. 

You can do some sourcing yourself through Facebook groups, and online RE communities , and even pick up the phone and cold call some homeowners that may be tired landlords, don't owe anything, and have built up some equity.

With enough volume, you should come across some solid deals. 


 Realtors for great deals? NO disrespect, 99.99% do not have deals. I see many here on BP paying or about to way overpay, just because their realtor told them it was a great deal and looked great on paper. I have been doing biz in the Cleveland markets for 10 years, let's just say one or two deals, NEVER using a realtor. Last month I was chatting with someone on BP that was about to pay 130k for a duplex in N Collinwood, that needed 30 40k in reno, TERRRIBLE that is about 30 - 40k overpriced. However, on paper it looked good. He did not buy it and thanked me. Another paid 170K for a 3 br in GH, that needed about 25k in reno, and only rented for 1300, again beyond terrible. Realtors are not the way to go, Sure some have a clue so please do not get all twisted. My last 3 closings, 3 BR Lee Harvard all in 75k, rent will be 1600, Duplex all in 90k rent will be 1800- 2k, Duplex all in 90k, again rents will be 1800- 2k. Closing next week on a 4 br 2 full bath all in 80k, rented for 1400.  Now those are deals :)

All the best 

User Stats

15
Posts
3
Votes
Hassan Asif
  • Architect
  • florida
3
Votes |
15
Posts
Hassan Asif
  • Architect
  • florida
Replied
Quote from @Bob Stevens:
Quote from @Nadeem Alamgir:

Try interviewing some investor-friendly agents who specialize in sourcing off-market deals. They have deals you can look at with better margins and less competition compared to wholesale deals. 

You can do some sourcing yourself through Facebook groups, and online RE communities , and even pick up the phone and cold call some homeowners that may be tired landlords, don't owe anything, and have built up some equity.

With enough volume, you should come across some solid deals. 


 Realtors for great deals? NO disrespect, 99.99% do not have deals. I see many here on BP paying or about to way overpay, just because their realtor told them it was a great deal and looked great on paper. I have been doing biz in the Cleveland markets for 10 years, let's just say one or two deals, NEVER using a realtor. Last month I was chatting with someone on BP that was about to pay 130k for a duplex in N Collinwood, that needed 30 40k in reno, TERRRIBLE that is about 30 - 40k overpriced. However, on paper it looked good. He did not buy it and thanked me. Another paid 170K for a 3 br in GH, that needed about 25k in reno, and only rented for 1300, again beyond terrible. Realtors are not the way to go, Sure some have a clue so please do not get all twisted. My last 3 closings, 3 BR Lee Harvard all in 75k, rent will be 1600, Duplex all in 90k rent will be 1800- 2k, Duplex all in 90k, again rents will be 1800- 2k. Closing next week on a 4 br 2 full bath all in 80k, rented for 1400.  Now those are deals :)

All the best 


 Great! Would you please check your dm! Much appreciated.

User Stats

2,073
Posts
1,009
Votes
Peter Mckernan
Agent
Pro Member
#2 Rehabbing & House Flipping Contributor
  • Residential Real Estate Agent
  • Irvine, CA
1,009
Votes |
2,073
Posts
Peter Mckernan
Agent
Pro Member
#2 Rehabbing & House Flipping Contributor
  • Residential Real Estate Agent
  • Irvine, CA
Replied
Quote from @Sam Shikiar:

Hi everyone!

I've been flipping houses and investing in multi-family properties for several years now, but I've hit a bit of a snag recently. My primary source of deals has been wholesalers, but the numbers just haven’t been aligning lately. I focus on the Columbus and Cincinnati markets. I’d love to hear how other successful flippers are finding great deals in today’s market. Any tips or strategies that are working well for you right now? Thanks in advance!


 PPC and mailers, I would start to self source your own deals! 

  • Peter Mckernan
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The McKernan Group
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User Stats

294
Posts
199
Votes
Regina Blake
  • Realtor
  • Cleveland, OH
199
Votes |
294
Posts
Regina Blake
  • Realtor
  • Cleveland, OH
Replied

Hi, Cleveland, Ohio and the surrounding cities and suburbs is definitely a good place to start investing in Real estate my clients from all over the world definitely agree. If you have any questions, please reach out! Best Wishes!

User Stats

93
Posts
59
Votes
Replied

The market is all messed up. The hype continues while the marketplace has cooled. Hence, the spectators think prices are going up when the flippers know they are going down.

Information disconnect.

With Cincinnati being the 15th highest foreclosure city in the US, perhaps the court system is the place to look. By the time a seller gets to a foreclosure sale he has had his realty check.

User Stats

6,413
Posts
3,666
Votes
Bob Stevens
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
3,666
Votes |
6,413
Posts
Bob Stevens
  • Real Estate Consultant
  • Cleveland
Replied
Quote from @Sam Shikiar:

Hi everyone!

I've been flipping houses and investing in multi-family properties for several years now, but I've hit a bit of a snag recently. My primary source of deals has been wholesalers, but the numbers just haven’t been aligning lately. I focus on the Columbus and Cincinnati markets. I’d love to hear how other successful flippers are finding great deals in today’s market. Any tips or strategies that are working well for you right now? Thanks in advance!


 How, I can get as many as I want from my network,,,,,, 

User Stats

1,266
Posts
1,456
Votes
Joshua Janus
Agent
  • Realtor
  • Cleveland, OH
1,456
Votes |
1,266
Posts
Joshua Janus
Agent
  • Realtor
  • Cleveland, OH
Replied
Quote from @Sam Shikiar:

Hi everyone!

I've been flipping houses and investing in multi-family properties for several years now, but I've hit a bit of a snag recently. My primary source of deals has been wholesalers, but the numbers just haven’t been aligning lately. I focus on the Columbus and Cincinnati markets. I’d love to hear how other successful flippers are finding great deals in today’s market. Any tips or strategies that are working well for you right now? Thanks in advance!


 I have bought over 15 million and sold over 50 million of real estate in the Cleveland and Columbus, OH markets in the last 3 years and the vast majority comes from 

1 - cold calling targeted areas consistently with good data

2 - networking with agents, wholesalers and those who are consistently doing deals.

User Stats

3,685
Posts
3,332
Votes
Evan Polaski
Pro Member
#2 Multi-Family and Apartment Investing Contributor
  • Cincinnati, OH
3,332
Votes |
3,685
Posts
Evan Polaski
Pro Member
#2 Multi-Family and Apartment Investing Contributor
  • Cincinnati, OH
Replied

@Sam Shikiar, I (really my wife) am currently putting finishing touches on a flip here in Cincinnati. It was bought off MLS.

While I won't have final numbers until we list in the next couple weeks, and actually sell, I will say for us, it is hard to find deals.  We are not full time flippers, so we can be patient for a good house in a neighborhood we know.  Also, our renovations are effectively full guts.  The lipstick renovations simply don't pencil.  

So, not knowing your investment thesis, but for us, our strategy is patience and going after deals that need far more than any typical homeowner will want to take on.  But, we are unwilling to take the risks of investing in markets we don't know or wouldn't live in ourselves.  

  • Evan Polaski
  • User Stats

    5
    Posts
    8
    Votes
    Sam Shikiar
    • Investor
    • Los Angeles, CA
    8
    Votes |
    5
    Posts
    Sam Shikiar
    • Investor
    • Los Angeles, CA
    Replied
    Quote from @Gregory Wilson:

    The market is all messed up. The hype continues while the marketplace has cooled. Hence, the spectators think prices are going up when the flippers know they are going down.

    Information disconnect.

    With Cincinnati being the 15th highest foreclosure city in the US, perhaps the court system is the place to look. By the time a seller gets to a foreclosure sale he has had his realty check.


     100% agree. Closed on and began a flip 3 months ago. Great neighborhood, great school district, big house, rehab done very nicely (may be biased) working with a very reputable well known agent and it’s been sitting on market now for 40 days even with a price drop. It’s priced what would seem like very fair relative to comps in that same neighborhood. Rate fluctuation, election, and general cooling of the Ohio market I think all collectively leading to this. Data said one thing, reality another

    User Stats

    3,437
    Posts
    3,638
    Votes
    Michael Quarles#1 Marketing Your Property Contributor
    • Flipper/Rehabber
    • Bakersfield, CA
    3,638
    Votes |
    3,437
    Posts
    Michael Quarles#1 Marketing Your Property Contributor
    • Flipper/Rehabber
    • Bakersfield, CA
    Replied

    Out of COI deals requires marketing dollars.  

    The two simple methods are 

    1- Direct Mail

    2- MLS

    From there 

    3- warm call all of the homes for rent. Trulia.com
    4- call all of the FSBOers. multiple sites 

    I then would reach out to the top closing companies and start phone networking. Title managers are a great resource for market players. 

    Everytime you talk to an agent ask who their home inspector is.  That person has addresses.  Network.  

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    User Stats

    1,266
    Posts
    1,456
    Votes
    Joshua Janus
    Agent
    • Realtor
    • Cleveland, OH
    1,456
    Votes |
    1,266
    Posts
    Joshua Janus
    Agent
    • Realtor
    • Cleveland, OH
    Replied
    Quote from @Sam Shikiar:

    Hi everyone!

    I've been flipping houses and investing in multi-family properties for several years now, but I've hit a bit of a snag recently. My primary source of deals has been wholesalers, but the numbers just haven’t been aligning lately. I focus on the Columbus and Cincinnati markets. I’d love to hear how other successful flippers are finding great deals in today’s market. Any tips or strategies that are working well for you right now? Thanks in advance!


     I buy and sell 100+ properties per year in Cleveland, Ohio and fundamentally the deals are found through cold calling. 

    User Stats

    150
    Posts
    35
    Votes
    John Ma
    • Investor
    • Arlington, VA
    35
    Votes |
    150
    Posts
    John Ma
    • Investor
    • Arlington, VA
    Replied
    Quote from @Bob Stevens:
    Quote from @Nadeem Alamgir:

    Try interviewing some investor-friendly agents who specialize in sourcing off-market deals. They have deals you can look at with better margins and less competition compared to wholesale deals. 

    You can do some sourcing yourself through Facebook groups, and online RE communities , and even pick up the phone and cold call some homeowners that may be tired landlords, don't owe anything, and have built up some equity.

    With enough volume, you should come across some solid deals. 


     Realtors for great deals? NO disrespect, 99.99% do not have deals. I see many here on BP paying or about to way overpay, just because their realtor told them it was a great deal and looked great on paper. I have been doing biz in the Cleveland markets for 10 years, let's just say one or two deals, NEVER using a realtor. Last month I was chatting with someone on BP that was about to pay 130k for a duplex in N Collinwood, that needed 30 40k in reno, TERRRIBLE that is about 30 - 40k overpriced. However, on paper it looked good. He did not buy it and thanked me. Another paid 170K for a 3 br in GH, that needed about 25k in reno, and only rented for 1300, again beyond terrible. Realtors are not the way to go, Sure some have a clue so please do not get all twisted. My last 3 closings, 3 BR Lee Harvard all in 75k, rent will be 1600, Duplex all in 90k rent will be 1800- 2k, Duplex all in 90k, again rents will be 1800- 2k. Closing next week on a 4 br 2 full bath all in 80k, rented for 1400.  Now those are deals :)

    All the best 


     You're 100% right.  In order to fix that, the answer is more. More leads, more deals.  People just need to know how to effectively craft a strategy to get realtors to bring deals often enough to find one. Its the same as seller lead gen.  Realtors bring me leads through IG all the time.  Just need to offer what makes sense.  Make enough offers and often times you'll suprise yourself what some ppl will accept some times.  Majority of deals I've done from wholesalers/realtors are deals I offered $30k to $40k under what they wanted.  Often times they'll go under contract, fall out and you might be the first person they reach out to with a "hey, are you still interested? So heres what happened..."