All Forum Posts by: Jennifer Shuler

Hi Ben, 

Welcome, my husband and I are part-time investors working on going full-time.  We started out around the Stanwood area and did two flips in Camano Island and love that area!  We have done 4 flips in about 4 years and are starting a big flip next week.  Don’t worry about living in your flip, that’s what we have done so far.  We have a busy week right now but feel free to contact me as we are looking to network with more local investors.  We also have a great broker in Stanwood who has been invaluable to us!  She is an investor and extremely good to work with.  I would be happy to pass along her name, she has many good resources for flippers.  Good Luck!

Hi, can anyone give me suggestions on programs or systems to use for keeping better track of rehabbing projects and records?  My husband and I are working on our fourth rehab and I am terrible at the paperwork aspect, which I know is so important.  I'm looking for something that I can handwrite and carry around. The day planners seem way too small and bulky.  I also have a quicken cd but haven't really used it.  Any good inexpensive record keeping classes online?  Thanks!

Just my opinion, but my husband and I live in Washington state where it is really a seller's market right now (very low inventory). We are working on our fourth rehab.   I personally think there are always good deals to be found.  You just have to look harder and think creatively,  as our mentor tells us, start looking under blackberry bushes....we do a lot of driving and card writing to potential sellers.  You might have to look farther out but you should be able to find something.  

Thanks for the post Jonathan,

We haven't been looking yet as we have been so busy gutting and remodeling this current house.  I just run into a realtor who is also an investor with 13 properties and she has offered to set me up with more information and resources on private lenders. I am always amazed how often I seem to find information just by telling people what I'm doing when I am out and about. (this realtor was actually sitting next to me at a nail salon)  we started talking about the current flu season and somehow we ended up connected about real estate.  Networking is so important even if it is difficult to start.  lol.

Thanks for the comments. We used the FHA rehab to get started. We are now looking to move past those.

Good Morning,

I am looking for information on how to finance a flip without conventional financing. Currently we are using a FHA rehab loan to flip. We will have this house on the market in May but want to learn more about how to obtain private financing so we can get in and out of our next flip much faster. Currently we are doing all cosmetic work ourselves but want to switch out to a contractor for much of the next so we can get 2-3 flips after May. We have found a great flipping area for starter homes in our area and want to jump on them soon. Also need more information on how you can obtain financing for more then one property to get passive income. just don't understand how to qualify for more then one loan when using as rental income. Thanks.

Thanks for all the replies.  We are going to be okay on the Capital Gains.  Thanks for the advice!

As a new investor and currently taking bids for a 203k streamline loan, I didn't go with the undercut bid for a septic system. I looked at the quality of the written estimate as well as the "feel" I got from talking to the companies.  The company that came in much lower on our septic bid was bashing the other bid and didn't itemize as well as the other bid so I went with the higher bid because I had more confidence in the job being completed properly.  I think as an investor, while I want low bids, I also will question why the lower bidder is criticizing other bids.  I want to work with companies that have a lot of confidence in their work whether it is the lowest bid or not. 

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to encourage all the new investors like myself to keep pushing yourselves. My husband and I began reading BP and joined a local REI club back in September 14". We listed our home in Dec. 14' (3 months later) to raise capital for another flip and we close in 4 days! ($51,000 net profit after just 3 years). We are now purchasing a HUD for $98,200 with a 203k streamline loan and will rehab and flip after the required 1 year stay. We are also looking to obtain private money later this year to flip at least one more this year. Quite a roller coaster ride but definitely worth it! My advice is definitely keep reading and learning and not be afraid to ask many "stupid" questions. Surround yourself with positive, experienced investors and keep going out of your comfort zone. We never thought we could actually find a way to make this happen but meeting an experienced investor/realtor at a local REI meeting was who encouraged us to sell and pull out equity to start. We also found another amazing realtor with over 39 flips of her own who has been our incredible mentor. There are people who can really help you in this business so make sure you keep looking until you find the right one! Don't give up!

Hi Bill,

I hope you find some answers. I am a beginning investor in the Stanwood area.  I am starting to mark upcoming auctions to attend so I can watch and hopefully learn too.  I think you just have to get out there and make contact with the people showing up and ask questions!  Good Luck!