Drawing from your industry expertise, what would you consider the average success rate for Fix-and-Flip investments, and which localities offer the most potential?

I have a close friend who constantly drives up to the white mountains so can definitely understand the draw.

Hey @Brad Roche - We do a significant amount of renovation loans (both Fannie May & FHA) here in Chicago and prefer the Homestyle loan only because it's less stringent on the borrow about what they have to repair, and they provide the general contractor a material draw at closing which helps the project start on the right foot.I thought the minimum down payment was 5%.

Here is some key information:Property recently hit the market and has 2 cash offers alreadyThe seller provided a pre-inspection report, which I shared with 2 different lenders, both think it may fail conventional financing due to potential structural and electrical issues (realtor thinks it could pass conventional)Seller has 100% equity but is behind on other payments (not sure of the urgency money is needed)This is my first attempt at an “investment” property so I’m new to thisI see 3 optionsMove forward with an offer using conventional loan pre-qualification-Not as attractive of an offer to the seller-Possibility that appraiser calls out structural/electrical issues that need to be fixed before closing, effectively causing financing to fail- Best terms and fewest loan fees for meUse a rehab style loan such as ChoiceRenovation-Even less attractive than a conventional offer to seller, but less risk of failed financing if appraiser calls out issues-Slightly worse fees and interest rates compared to conventional-Lenders tell me possibly up to 60-90 days closing in some cases, with red-tape for contractor requirements and draw schedules (sounds like the most hoops to jump through during rehab)Use a hard money lender-Most attractive loan option I can give to seller so I can compete-Much higher fees and interest rate for me-need to refinance into a conventional at the end of rehab (not familiar with seasoning periods but I think this is a factor as well)Which option would you do?

They found it out, andI had to go to the planning board and zoning board, hire an engineer and architect to make the fourth unit legal.In my opinion, the realtor should have verified the zoning, and if you used bank financing, it's pretty rare for the bank to miss it as well.You are probably going to have to hire an architect to draw plans and to get it approved as a triplex.I wish you luck.

@Phil SheltonYou would need a civil engineer to provide a drawing to get submitted to zoning and get a permit if it passes zoning is most common This also depends on the road - if it’s a state road forget it as it will take a year to get approved and cost a fortune - if it’s a local road process not as cumbersome but don’t expect this to happen quicklyIn some instances you may have to prepare sight distances etc to make sure it’s safe to add a curb cut

Shop LTV (or cLTV which is combined Loan To Value, basically your first mortgage and 2nd mortgage combined loan to value), rates, payment terms, time to close,  and draw period (how long you can go into and out of your heloc). 

-Rehab funds are usually held in escrow, which will require you to request draws. 2.

He hosts a number of great networking groups, all in MO now but as he said, they draw investors from IL too.  ...and he's my Cahokia expert / go-to guy!

With Chicago's new Express Permit Program, it's a bit easier to get permits for work that would have previously required architectural drawings.