When contractors won’t come out - need quotes

[Maxine Kunimura]

Advice needed on my ‘Smelly Mansion’ please!

I’m having a hard time finding contractors willing to come out and give quotes this late in the season. I’m a new investor and I’m just beginning to work on building these relationships. I’m currently looking at a house as a live-in flip while renting the lower level (with my back up plan being a regular flip or multi rental).

It's listed for $365k but my offer will be closer to $210k due to the extensive repairs. I wanted to include add'l documents/quotes with my offer, that illustrate the cost of these major repairs. ARV would be $490k (conservative estimate, may be closer to $540k). Sellers have already moved, lots of ‘junk' still in home, and it hasn't been taken care of at all. On the MLS for 2 weeks before they dropped $15k from listing price.

What are some alternatives I can use to illustrate to the sellers the extent of the repair cost? Specifically, roofing, siding, gutters, and grading. Grading may be more complicated because we’re unsure if the foundation has the water proofing on it.

I don’t have the experience (yet) to estimate these in my head. I was thinking of writing a letter that details all the major concerns and then moving on and not letting this become a time suck before even having it under contract.

Any and all advice appreciated. Thank you!