Most people believe that real estate investing requires huge capital, perfect credit, and years of experience. But what if you could generate consistent cash flow without ever owning a property?
That’s where wholesaling real estate comes in—a powerful strategy that allows beginners to flip contracts for profit without needing a mortgage or massive upfront investment.
In this guide, Jeremy Beland, a real estate investing expert, walks you through the exact steps to close your first wholesale deal and start making money in real estate.
What is wholesaling?
Wholesaling is a strategy where investors find undervalued properties, negotiate a contract with the seller, and assign that contract to a cash buyer for a profit. You’re essentially acting as the middleman between distressed property owners and real estate investors.
✅ You don’t need to buy the property.
✅ You don’t need to fix anything.
✅ You don’t need a real estate license in most states.
Instead, you get paid a “wholesale assignment fee” for connecting the right buyer with the right deal.
Step 1: Finding Motivated Sellers
The key to wholesaling success is finding sellers willing to sell at a discount. These are often:
🔹 Homeowners facing foreclosure
🔹 Landlords dealing with problem tenants
🔹 People inherited properties they don’t want
🔹 Sellers with vacant or distressed homes
Best ways to find discounted properties?
1️⃣ Driving for Dollars – Look for run-down, vacant, or neglected homes in your area.
2️⃣ Direct Mail Campaigns – Send letters or postcards to absentee owners and distressed sellers.
3️⃣ Cold Calling & SMS Marketing – Contact property owners and ask if they’d consider selling.
4️⃣ Online Marketing & Social Media – Run Facebook or Google ads targeting motivated sellers.
5️⃣ Networking with Agents & Investors – Build relationships with realtors and wholesalers who can bring you deals.
🚀 Pro Tip: Always focus on solving the seller’s problem rather than just getting a low price. Wholesaling is about creating win-win situations!
Step 2: Analyzing the deal & making an offer
Once you find a motivated seller, you need to run the numbers to make sure it’s a good deal.
How to calculate a wholesale offer price?
The 70% Rule is a simple formula to ensure your deal is profitable:
💰 Maximum Allowable Offer (MAO) = (ARV x 70%) - Repair Costs - Wholesale Fee
Where:
✅ ARV (After Repair Value) = The property’s market value after renovations.
✅ Repair Costs = Estimated cost of fixing up the property.
✅ Wholesale Fee = The profit you want to make on the deal (usually $5,000 - $30,000).
Example Deal:
- ARV: $200,000
- Repairs: $30,000
- Wholesale Fee: $10,000
📝 Your MAO = ($200,000 x 70%) - $30,000 - $10,000 = $100,000 offer price.
If the seller accepts, you lock up the deal with a contract.
Step 3: Finding a cash buyers
Once you have a property under contract, it’s time to assign the deal to a buyer.
How to build a cash buyers list?
🏡 Attend Real Estate Networking Events & Meetups
📢 Post in Facebook & LinkedIn Real Estate Groups
💰 Reach Out to Local Investors & Flippers
📍 Use Craigslist & Real Estate Forums
🚀 Use Bandit Signs (“Fixer-Uppers for Sale – Call Me!”)
The more active buyers you have, the faster you can assign deals and the more money you can make!
Step 4: Closing the deal and getting paid!
After finding a buyer, you’ll sign an Assignment of Contract Agreement and send everything to a title company or closing attorney.
On closing day, the buyer pays the seller and your wholesale fee gets wired to you. That’s it!
💰 Common Wholesale Fees:
✅ $5,000 - $10,000 for small deals
✅ $10,000 - $30,000 for mid-range deals
✅ $30,000+ for large multi-property or high-end deals
🚀 Your first wholesale deal could happen in as little as 30-60 days!
Common wholesaling mistakes to avoid?
🚨 Overpaying for properties – Run the numbers carefully!
🚨 Not using the right contracts – Protect yourself legally.
🚨 Skipping due diligence – Always verify title & property condition.
🚨 Not having a buyers list – Build relationships BEFORE you lock up a deal.
🚨 Overpromising sellers – Be honest about your intentions.
✅ The best way to avoid mistakes? Learn from experienced investors & take action!
Is wholesaling right for you?
If you want to break into real estate investing with little to no capital, wholesaling is a great strategy. It teaches:
✅ How to find undervalued deals
✅ How to negotiate real estate contracts
✅ How to connect with cash buyers & investors
But remember—wholesaling is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It requires consistent effort, learning, and persistence.