House Flipping 101: What Makes a House a Good Flip?

Flipping houses is hard work and requires some skill in the field. If things aren't done right, that can be big trouble for you. Finding bargain deals before other real estate investors get them is a huge key to being successful as an investor. You should be creative and use some old and new systems to help you find the best deals in your area but first as a beginner, you need to know what to look for in a house to determine if it would make for a great flip project or not. Look for a house that has some hidden value along with certain core features. If the numbers don't work with one home then move on to the next one. Below we have listed four things you need to consider when you are searching for a great flip project.

1. Substantial Structural Complications

Fixing broken windows, replacing sheetrock, laying carpet, and fixing chipped paint are a great way to transform tattered houses into something great but beware of structural problems. Not only is it a lot more money to fix them but you basically will have to rebuild the house. A ragged looking house with no structural problems has more value than a great looking house with structural problems. For a more experienced investor structural problems can be a big plus when looking for a flip deals. For beginners though, avoid houses with cracks in their foundation and any serious environmental issues. 

2. Location, Location, Location

Location is everything when searching for a great flip because its a great detector of what the house will sell for. The market value or ARV (after repair value) will help you judge approximately how much money you can make from a house flip. You should try to find the worst looking house in the nicest neighborhood, this always makes for a great buy because of the look of the other homes you have a lot of room to increase the value in the bad looking home. You just need to make sure you buy low so that you can sell high but, not over the ARV, so be sure to leave room for a nice profit.

3. Surrounding Community

The neighborhood and surrounding community can greatly affect the value of a home. If the home is in A-1 condition but is surrounded by abandoned homes, heavy traffic, or power plants then this will decrease the value of the home. If the house is in not so good condition but is in a hot area, where there are shops and restaurants near, or a beach or lake front then this will increase the value of a home. The more desirable the area the quicker the house will sell. 

4. The Best School District

School district is a big factor to first time home buyers and home buyers with young children. Because of this you, need to focus on areas with not just good but the best school districts in the town. Great school districts greatly increase the value of a home and usually the surrounding communities are just as great to live in. Beware of houses located in bad school districts because they tend to have a negative effect on the markets value. 

If you’re looking for great flip deals to purchase or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

When is it The Right Time to Upgrade to a Bigger Home?

As technology advances rapidly and as families grow, the house you purchased just 10 years ago seems too small and too dated. You just visited your friends brand new house and that made you want a upgrade as well. No house is perfect, and any move requires organized planning and financial responsibilities, but sometimes it is the absolute best decision for your lifestyle. If this sounds like something you’ve been considering,  whether or not you should move, then these signs should help you decide if you need to move into a bigger space or not.

No More Space

You would be surprised that an additional 500 square feet can alleviate loads of family tension. You have already had to change your office into your child's bedroom and you have another beautiful baby on the way. When you have guests you would like to have a guest bedroom because your in-laws insist on having a bed when they come to visit. If this sounds familiar then you should consider a bigger home, our houses should accommodate our most basic needs, and space is a necessity. 

Useless Floor Plan

The layout of some homes are just useless, plain and simple. Especially when preparing for life changing events such as a new baby or an sickly relative moving into your space, you need an accommodating floor plan that suits all your needs. A bigger home can provide space for an in-law suite, entertainment suite—or a downstairs master bedroom, with easy access to a nursery.

Adding on is Impossible

It can be mush cheaper and less stressful to just add on to your house by taking out a line of credit but sometimes zoning or HOA regulations can prevent you from being able to legally build that extra bedroom or extend your kitchen and living area. Sometimes you may not have enough space on your lot to add to your house and in those cases you should consider moving to a bigger home.

Your Equity can Cover the Down Payment

Even if you’re packed wall to wall or stumbling over pets and your kids’ toys every day, don't invest in a new property if you can not afford to do so. You need to see if the equity that you have already built up in your home will be enough to cover the down payment towards the  purchase of a larger home. If the numbers aren't where they need to be it will still be good to know where you stand so that you can continue building equity and start a savings plan toward a bigger home. If you do have enough equity to cover a down payment on a bigger home then you should consider moving.

You are Set for a Change

Buying your first home can be an emotional investment and accomplishment, even if you’ve outgrown the space, it can be hard to leave. Consider all the pros and cons of purchasing a larger home, what do you love about your house and the neighborhood, then think about how these things will change when you move. Buying a larger house can also change your social, geographical, and financial status. Family members may view you differently once you’re in a bigger home, friends may not visit as often if you move out to the suburbs or countryside, and you more than likely will have more expenses. More space can benefit your life in many ways, but be sure you’re ready for the other changes that come with a bigger home.

If you’re ready to make a move and are interested in purchasing or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

5 Key Members You Need on Your Real Estate Investing Team!

Creating wealth is a team sport, the most successful entrepreneurs have achieved wealth because they have a strong team to support them. You've heard the old saying "there is no I in team", this is true because an individual can't achieve what a team of experts can. With a great team you can work less but build more wealth. A good team should be diverse with experts that possess different skills as opposed to everyone being skilled in the same field and remember, you need to be a great leader to build a great team. We have listed the 5 essential members you need on your real estate investing team.

1. Realtor

A good real estate agent that is familiar with the way investors work is a must have. Find someone who is knowledgable about the legal laws in your area. You want to make sure they are not a typical realtor who understands you want to buy low and not at market value.

2. Hard Money Lender

Hard money lenders can be used to your advantage in real estate investing. One of the biggest advantages of hard money is the ability to borrow funds for renovation expenses. The ability to finance the purchase and repairs is key to doing a successful buy-fix-sell, and hard money is one tool that allows you to do just that. Hard money is not cheap, but it can be well worth the money for the purpose it serves. 

3. Closing Attorney

You need a good closing attorney or Title Company who has experience working with investors. The benefits of having them is to make your buying or selling experience run as smoothly as possible. Any potential legal problems will be solved before closing.   

4. Appraiser

A good appraiser can provide you with an accurate value of your home. They should also be able to make suggestions as to how you can increase the value of your home. Ask around to find a reliable appraiser.

5. Investors/Buyers

Finding buyers and investors to sell your properties to is a crucial part of your success. You can find investors who are looking to flip or fix in most city's. There are numerous ways in which you can seek out these investors to build a solid buyers list which include but are not excluded to posting ads in the newspaper, on craigslist, and at investment club meetings. You can market a deal that sounds too good to be true, and it can be, you just need those serious buyers to call you. You can let them know, "Hey, I just sold that deal but I can add you to my buyers list as I am always getting these type of deals". Without investors and buyers you can't make much money in investing.

If you’re ready to make a move and are interested in purchasing or want to learn more about how you can finance the deal or sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

Home Staging for Beginners!

If you are planning to sell your home, more than likely you have some serious questions on your mind: What repairs are needed? What should my asking price be? Do I need to hire a realtor? All of these are legitimate  and important, but they can make you overlook the little particulars, which are just as important. Staging your home if done correctly can attract potential buyers unlike anything else. Consider these factors when staging your home.

1. Reduce Your Furniture

Potential buyers want to see how spacious your house is, no matter if they are at a open house or looking at pics online they need to see space. With this in mind, you need to trim down on your furniture to create more space. Keep only the most useful pieces and store or sell the excess. We all have a tendency to accumulate more than we need overtime, but they should be gone when you stage your home.

2. Remove Personal Items

Potential buyers need to be able to picture themselves and their guest living and enjoying your house. This is hard to do if you leave your children’s art, family photos, and any other memorabilia out for them to see. Before you stage and show your home be sure to remove any mementos from your refrigerator and walls. This can interfere with buyers being able to imagine themselves in your home as it takes away from the spacious image they want, and it can add to the clutter. Blank, clean walls appeal more to buyers, so that they can visualize where they want their family photos or their huge flat screen television to hang. Don't forget the bathrooms: move all toiletries into a drawer, display only color-coordinated towels and a nice air freshener to appeal to that sense as well, box up any of your children’s bath toys, and make sure it is clean, clean, clean.

3. Brighten Up Rooms

Repaint any room that has dirty, dingy walls, and you may need to hire a carpet cleaner if you have stains anywhere. Light will wake up your rooms as well, so make certain that all of the your windows are spotless and gleaming, to allow as much sun to pass through as possible. Furthermore, keep the lights on all day when you have a showing, and replace any burned-out light bulbs. 

4. Create a Ambiance

It is not recommended that you be in your home during an open house, but you can—and should—create a nice atmosphere and vibe before you leave. Consider playing some light music quietly during the open house. Several homeowners like to leave fresh baked cookies in the kitchen for potential buyers to munch on. This fills your home with wonderful smells, that remind buyers of home and attracts them on a sensory level, but this isn’t necessary, and it can have the opposite effect to potential buyers with allergies.

If you’re ready to make a move and are interested in purchasing or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

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10 Ways to Increase Your Homes Value!

Prices for housing may have dropped in your area, but there are some smart ways to help increase its value. You don't have to spend tons of money to get a better price for your home. Here are 10 ways you can increase your homes value!

1. Flower Power

Brighten the entryway of your home with a nice floral oasis. A lush, colorful flower garden is a perfect way to dress up the front exterior of your home. Nothing is more inviting and intriguing to the eye than fresh, splash of color.

2. Bright Front Door

Your front door should be the centerpiece of your homes curb appeal. A bright color or weathered wood front door is a great selling point for potential buyer's. If the front of the house has character, the buyer thinks the inside will have some unique qualities as well. Most homes these days all look similar and having a bright door will stand out amongst the bunch without being too overbearing. 

3. Brick Entryway

Brick pavers as well as additional flowers along the walkway will also increase the curb appeal of your house. The combination of texture and color increases interest from potential buyers. 

4. Charming Foyer 

The foyer is the first thing people see when they walk into your house so make it a memorable space. Tile or marble flooring, along with upgraded lighting is a definite eye catcher and this will help increase the value of your home.

5. New Light Fixtures

Bright, modern light fixtures help to highlight a rooms features as well as create a more current look and feel. Don't go too extravagant with your selections, simple classic choices are best and they should be in place before the first showing. Make sure the light fixates you choose are up-to-date, they should match the rest of the decor and style of the house, and make sure the size is right, it should not overpower the space.

6. Rich Colors

Use rich colors with a wide appeal and tone down with neutral colors in the furniture and decor or vice versa. A fearless combination of colors and design styles can set the tone for the rooms in your house. Bold colors are more memorable than the traditional neutral tones on walls just be careful not to make thing appear tacky. 

7. Replace Old Hardware

Quick updates such as new faucets, mirrors, sinks and toilet seats are pretty easy to install and can go a long way in your bathroom and kitchen! Don't underestimate what these few touches alone can create!

8. Refresh Your Kitchen

The kitchen is still considered the heart of the home and a kitchen can make or break the sale of your home. Replace old appliances with more energy-efficient ones and preferably stainless steel. You don't need to get a whole new cabinet system, which can be expensive, you can simply repaint and replace the knobs on your existing cabinets. These small touches too can make a big difference.

9. Inviting Backyard

Create a backyard space made of entertaining, so potential buyers can visualize good times there. Consider adding a fire pit, deck, swing, stone walkway, and improve the landscaping. If there is an existing deck clean it up and make it look brand new. 

10. Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring can provide a huge boost in value when added in the living and dining areas. Hardwood flooring in all the rooms however will provide an even greater boost in value. Hardwood floors are very easy to clean and maintain because stains and dirt do not stick to it. The color remains the same for longer periods of time and people with allergies are less bothered by hardwood flooring. 

If you’re planning to purchase or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

5 Ways to Find Motivated Sellers!

Finding good real estate deals is not easy in this market. Like most businesses you need customers to drive it. The key to getting great real estate deals is having a bountiful supply of motivated sellers. Finding motivated sellers can be a task, it requires marketing, advertising, salesmanship, and consistency. We have listed 5 ways to find motivated sellers!

1. Out-of-Town Owners

This method is one of the most overlooked methods when looking for great bargain deals. Out-of-state owners are great targets because they typically have one or more problems to deal with which include the house getting vandalized, or paying on 2 mortgages due to vacancy, if the house is listed, it is hard to sell because they are not present to make it appealing to potential buyers, they have a problem tenant, the property needs repairs but they can't oversee the renovations, or they have invested into a no good property manager. All of these reasons and many more make out-of-state owners great targets for your marketing campaigns.

2. Fire-Damaged Homes

Fire-damaged homes offer great profit potential. If the building is deemed structurally sound or repairable and you are an experienced investor then I would say go for it. Usually fire-damaged properties are priced well below the market value which is what makes them nice deals. Do your homework first and be sure you consider all the expenses involved. 

3. Newspaper Ad

Newspaper ads can be costly but they can also be effective. Post "We Buy Houses" Ads in your local newspaper if your budget allows. Your ad can say something simple like: WE BUY HOUSES FAST FOR CASH (<-- thats your headline). The body of your ad should say something like…………………………………………….... 

                                     We are your local team of investors that buys houses

    in your area for cash. Any condition, Any situation, Any price. 

Please call for more details. 

(404)-220-7139.

4. Bandit Signs 

Bandit signs are those signs you see on the side of the street. Check your local laws about posting these up in your community. These are not as costly as the newspaper ad and can be just as effective if not more, especially if placed in the right area. The same type of ad would be written on the bandit signs as you would place in the newspaper ad. Use a big black or red marker and advertise that WE BUY HOUSES. This along with the newspaper ad will attract mostly motivated sellers.

5. Vacant Homes

When driving around take notice of vacant homes because they tend to make for motivated sellers and good bargain deals. Telltale signs of a vacant house include a unkept lawn, and old piles of newspaper, flyers, and coupons at the front door. These are excellent leads which are usually not listed on the market. Send the owner numerous letters to the house and try and find a current address at the tax assessors office or at the local post office to see if they have a forwarding address for the owner.

If you’re planning to purchase or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!

9 Tips to Attract Young Home Buyer's!

With the improving job market and lower interest on home loans, tons of young couples are looking to purchase their first homes!!! This fact is great news if you are looking to sell your house, but you need to be aware of what this new generation values in a future home as times are different. We have listed 9 ways you can prepare your old home to attract young potential home buyer's!

1. Use Daring Colors

Many studies have shown that young buyers like to see brighter, bolder colors as opposed to the more traditional neutral colors, that used to be standard way, when preparing a home for sale. This generation grew up watching shows like Trading Spaces, Extreme Makeover, and HGTV so they often expect to live in the same type of homes that they see on television, and bold walls can produce that effect without the high cost.

2. Rename Rooms

Dining and living rooms used merely for holidays aren’t appealing to young buyers anymore; they want to picture themselves and their guests making use of every room. If your home has dens and dining rooms, rename them home offices or extra bedrooms, and expound on which rooms would be best fit for entertaining guests.

3. Advertize Public Transportation

In your advertisements include which bus lines and different modes of public transportation are near your home, walkability is a big selling point for young potential home buyers.

4. Advertize Businesses in the Area 

Younger generations are fast paced and are always on the go, so, they want to live near where they want and need to be. Amenities and square footage are great aspects but having your home be minutes from grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques can be just as inviting!!!

5. Hardwood those Floors

Carpeting is often seen as dated and dirty and many young home owners prefer hardwood floors. Reveal and clean up the wooden floor beneath your carpet if it is achievable.

6. Update the Kitchen

The kitchen has always been seen as the heart of a home, and younger buyers appreciate kitchens like never before. A modern kitchen is usually on the top of the checklist for young buyers when house hunting. If it is in your budget, consider replacing countertops and updating appliances. This will increase the value of your property so you will get your money back and maybe more with the sale of the home. 

7. Update the Bathroom

Bathrooms are also at the top of the checklist for young buyers when house hunting. You can modernize your bathroom by changing the mirror, sink or faucet, painting the cabinets, and changing the knobs. Staging the bathroom can also create a modern look and feel!

8. Sow a Garden

Gardening is a cherished practice to younger generations in spite of the fact that most of them have never planted a tomato plant themselves. They do however want to be inspired and seeing a section in the back or front yard can help them envision themselves living in your home.

9. Revise Technology

Wifi is the way of the world and any young buyers will want to know that the home is able to meet their technological needs. Confirm that your home is prepared with basic digital capabilities by contacting your local utility companies to verify if Internet is available in your area. 

If you’re planning to purchase or want to learn more about how you can sell your house fast, simply fill out our Fast Response form or give House 4 Cash Buyer's a call at 404-220-7139. Our experienced real estate professionals would love to sit down and discuss your needs. One phone conversation can be life changing. We look forward to hearing from you!