New to the U.S., Experienced Renovator Looking to Start House Flipping

[Ilir Livadhi]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to the U.S. and excited to start my real estate journey! I recently moved from France, where I spent 8 years running my own house renovation business. I’ve handled almost every aspect of renovations myself—plumbing, tiling, painting, drywall, and general construction. The only thing I don’t do is electrical work.

Now that I’m in the U.S., I want to focus on house flipping as a way to break into real estate investing. I currently have $20K to work with and would love to get advice on:

1. Finding the Right Deals: What’s the best way to find undervalued properties or fixer-uppers in my area (Philadelphia)? Should I focus on off-market deals, auctions, or foreclosures?

2. Financing Options: With 20K, how should I approach financing? Would hard money loans or partnerships make sense for someone like me?

3. Building a Team: While I can handle most of the renovation work myself, I’d need an electrician and possibly a real estate agent. Any tips on finding reliable professionals in my area?

4. Market Insights: Are there specific neighborhoods or property types in Philadelphia that I should target as a beginner?

If anyone has been in a similar situation or has actionable advice, I’d greatly appreciate it!

Thank you