Flipping with an 8-5 job?

[Ryan Novak]

Hello everyone! I have a potential rehab deal I'm considering taking on. I have the finances for the down payment and a hard money lender available. It's a really good deal, but my concern is the availability I will have to ensure everything goes to plan. I work a full-time 8-5 Monday through Friday job with an hour lunch. My question to all you investors out there - has anyone rehabbed a property while still working a full time job? If so, how did you manage your time? Thanks for the advice!

[Marcus Auerbach]

Ryan, be careful with making asumptions about people you know from a different area other than professional. He might be a nice guy at church, butmay or may not be a good contractor. Never contract anyone without speaking to previous clients, preferably investors. And, even then be prepared for the worst: have them sign your contract, not theirs, have a detailed scope of work and never pay ahead. I even go and buy materials together with a new contractor instead of giving them money, it also helps also to get a mutual understanding of how you want things done and the quality you expect, it reflects in your choice of materials. As far as your job, it can be done no problem, just make sure you are at the job every morning and every other lunch break. Also spend some time the after work and do some clean up. Your contractor will appreciate that and you will see things you will want to discuss next day morning. It's a though program, but usually the majority of the work gets done within 3 - 5 weeks, so its a managable period and hoepfully your family understands that. After a few houses you will find yourself being a little bit less involved and it works pretty well with a reasonable amount of time invested before and after work. A final word: dont even think about taking on some of the work yourself! It seems like everyone is tempted to try that at some point and we all arrive at the same conclusion - totally not worth your most precious ressource, your time. Good luck!