$4700 Profit on My First Quick Flip

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words about my first flip. For those of you who asked for details: I found the property in probate by accident. The deceased's last name was the same as that of an owner of an abandoned property. When I checked the death certificate, the deceased had lived at a property that was in a neighborhood in which I was interested. I left a phone message with the attorney listed. She never called me but the executor-to-be, the daughter, emailed me right away. We made a deal within a couple of days via email. We have never spoken. I got a signed purchase contract for $13,500 and thought I could sell it for between $16,000 and $20,000. It was liveable but needed re-wiring. Long story. It was totally dirty and full of the deceased's possessions. I did nothing to that house. Put it into escrow for $100. I advertised in the local paper and in a nearby large city paper. Got lots and lots of calls because, hey, how many houses in CA are advertised for $20,000? Told people to drive by, check it out and call me back. Showed it two mornings for about an hour each to about 4-5 people. Got low-ball offers. Also got an inkling that the money was to be made flipping it to an owner/occupant, not an investor. Went back to the seller and told her I wanted to change the contract to $11,500 because of the wiring work needed. She said ok via email in about five minutes. You gotta love a business that let's you make another $2K for the asking. I decide that the first person who offers me enough to clear $5K gets the house. This has been my job for the last two months and it's time for some cash. And it's 150 miles from home. Next person to see house happily agrees to $16,500. I was planning to close on it myself but both the buyer and I agreed that they would benefit from title insurance and I agreed to take a discount if they would buy my contract. And we couldn't get escrow company (was seller's choice) to agree to a double close. They actually had a policy against it. So, if buyers would pay all the costs I agreed to in the purchase contract and would close with my seller, I would take $4700.00. Signed the assignment today and got paid. It's SO MUCH FUN TO BUY AND SELL! Loved working with the seller and she loved working with me. Loved working with the buyers and they love their house and loved working me me. I know they can't all be like that, but what a great way to finally, finally find something that I can do and be totally me. My own opinion about the deal: I had a motivated seller and I did everything I could to make this process what she needed it to be. She wanted it to be done yesterday. And she didn't want to deal with the house in any way. I now understand the true value of a motivated seller. I bought it right. And I undersold it. Oh well, live and learn. Thanks again everyone. Sincerely, Kristine Poe (Kristine CA) [Return to Menu]