Real Estate Investing: Is House Flipping A Profitable Investment Strategy?

Real estate investing in house flipping is considerably different in today's market. Not so long ago, house flipping was one of the more profitable real estate endeavors. Today, it takes a savvy investor to flip a house and make a quick profit.

In this type of real estate investing, distressed properties in need of repair are purchased under market value. Chances are you have seen television shows featuring real estate investors who purchase fixer-upper homes. They make repairs and renovations, than sell the house within a short period of time for a large profit. Although it isn't quite as easy as the shows portray, house flipping can be a rewarding and profitable investment strategy.

With the massive influx of foreclosures and bank owned properties, real estate investors have an abundance of potential investment properties to choose from. Although house flipping requires skill and money, it is still one of the most popular forms of real estate investing opportunities.

Since distressed properties can be purchased under market value, real estate investors have additional funds to take care of needed repairs. They can either personally make the repairs or hire subcontractors to perform the work. In addition to repairs, these houses oftentimes require renovations such as new countertops, flooring, household appliances and landscaping. Many who are new to the real estate investing game choose to take care of the repairs on their own; as opposed to hiring others to do the work for them.

A primary benefit of house flipping is repairs and renovations can be done during evening and weekend hours. This can be a downside for newbie investors as it takes away from their family time or personal activities. The point of house flipping is to sell the house for profit in a short period of time. Those who procrastinate about making repairs quickly end up losing their profits. After all, unless you pay cash for the house you will have to make mortgage payments while you are repairing the house. The longer it takes to sell the house, the less profit you earn.

While there is no guarantee to the amount of money you can make flipping houses, the average profit margin is between $10,000 and $30,000. If you purchase and flip four houses per year and earn $10,000 profit on each house, you can put an extra $40,000 in your pocket. Imagine what you could earn if you made $30,000 or more from each home. Before long, you could quit your day job and make real estate investing your full-time career.

House flipping is the perfect real estate investing choice for individuals who enjoy do-it-yourself projects. If you possess the skills to perform the work yourself you can save a tremendous amount of money. If you don't enjoy performing manual labor, there are many skilled laborers eager and willing to perform the work at a reasonable price.

In addition to offering high profit margins, house flipping offers the reward of transforming a run-down, neglected house into a beautiful home where a family can create life-long memories. Although house flipping generally requires substantial physical labor, the rewards are certainly worth the effort.

Real estate investing for the purpose of house flipping may or may not be right for you. Before you decide, take time to research your options. The Internet is a great place to start and can help you locate foreclosure or real estate owned (REO) properties. Many Realtors conduct real estate investing seminars, so check the real estate and Classifieds section of your local newspaper to locate seminars in your area.

Last, but not least, seek out private real estate investors who specialize in distressed properties. Many investors purchase bank portfolios at wholesale prices, which enable them to pass along significant savings to buyers. Oftentimes, these properties can be purchased for pennies on the dollar which provides buyers with instant equity.

If you do not have previous experience in real estate investing or house flipping, it is strongly recommended to educate yourself about the process before making an offer on any house. Doing so could save you a tremendous amount of time, money and frustration.