First Time (Potential Buyer) Seeking Advice on House Flipping in Charlotte, NC

First Time (Potential Buyer) Seeking Advice on House Flipping in Charlotte, NC

Member since 2024 · 5 posts · 3 votes

I recently came across a property through an agent with attractive numbers for a house flip. We have had brief discussion regarding general Q&A information, and proceeded to provide an ARV price range that would be very attractive to me.

Because of this, I am much more inclined to proceed and heavily consider this purchase. For me, I am a little hesitant because I would be in a situation where I would be trying to secure traditional lending (which should be very feasible given credit scores & what $$ amount I am pre-approved up to from my banks), meaning that I assume I would be forced into using my first-time homebuyer loan incentives. I'm not too hung up on this, because the margins still appear very attractive (from what the agent speculated ARV). my hesitancy stems from a lack of experience and direct steps/plan of action to take on a property I like.

I am now at a big of a standstill, and I am here seeking advice on next steps. I have yet to complete a walk-through of the property and see what renovations may be needed (potential for HVAC and interior, but from my understanding the roof and windows were replaced within the last 7-8 years). I am not terribly concerned with networking to find reliable contractors for renovation work. My agent also mentioned resources that could be of assistance for that. What should my next move be if I am looking to push forward with this deal? What further analysis should I be honing in on and key factors/metrics/info that may be providing inaccurate numbers?

I am looking for advice from seasoned house flippers, both in my local market and otherwise with a track record of success; or even with sound wisdom that can be applied to this potential deal. I am also curious about when/how an attorney/legal involvement comes into play with this. Lastly, I am extremely open to working with investors, or obtaining private funds as well. 

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  • Freddy AlbanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2020 · 74 posts · 33 votes
    2y

    Hey Michael! Sounds like you're in an exciting spot with this property. If you're considering leveraging hard money lending (HML) for this flip, it could be a strong alternative to traditional financing—especially since HML is quicker to secure and designed for investors aiming to flip properties fast.

    With HML, you're typically looking at covering a significant portion of both purchase price and rehab costs, which keeps more of your cash free for other expenses or emergencies. It's all about those margins, so once you get that walk-through done, focus on nailing down your numbers for rehab. HML lenders want to see a clear path to profit, so ensure your ARV and rehab estimates are solid.

    For next steps, definitely prioritize a detailed inspection to confirm HVAC and interior needs. Contractors can give you ballpark quotes on the spot, which will tighten up your budget. And as far as legal—an attorney becomes essential once you're ready to finalize terms with either an HML or private lender to make sure everything's secure.

    Hope this helps!

    Freddy Alban - Realtor516 Reviews
  • Freddy AlbanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2020 · 74 posts · 33 votes
    1y

    Hey, congrats on finding a potential flip—it sounds like you’re on the right track! One thing that could really help is creating a detailed scope of work before committing. This ensures you have a clear picture of what repairs are needed and helps avoid surprises during the rehab. It’s great that you’re pre-approved, but I’m curious why you’re leaning toward traditional lending instead of hard money, especially for a flip? Hard money can give you more flexibility and faster closings, which are often needed for investment deals. If you want help structuring a scope of work or exploring different financing options, feel free to reach out—happy to offer insights!

    Freddy Alban - Realtor516 Reviews
  • Lender · TX · Member since 2024 · 308 posts · 197 votes
    1y

    You're on the right track! Start by scheduling a walk-through to assess the property and confirm renovation needs. Bring a contractor to get accurate estimates for your rehab budget. Double-check the ARV by comparing recent comps in the area to make sure the numbers add up.

    Run your numbers again with all costs (purchase, rehab, holding, and resale) to confirm the margins are solid. If you're considering private funding or investor partnerships, now’s a good time to explore those. An attorney can help review contracts, especially if private funds or partnerships are involved.

    You’ve got this—good luck with your first flip!

  • Member since 2024 · 5 posts · 3 votes
    1y

    I have no qualms with hard money lending, but I need to learn more about the process and structure to these for typical deals so that I am more comfortable and in a position to reduce my personal risk and risk to investors as much as possible. Of the conversations I have had with people discussing hard money lending, some seemed opinionated in that the high interest rates and terms were enough to scare them off. I would love to connect and pick your brain a little more to understand structure of these loans! 

  • Freddy AlbanBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2020 · 74 posts · 33 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Michael Challenger:

    I have no qualms with hard money lending, but I need to learn more about the process and structure to these for typical deals so that I am more comfortable and in a position to reduce my personal risk and risk to investors as much as possible. Of the conversations I have had with people discussing hard money lending, some seemed opinionated in that the high interest rates and terms were enough to scare them off. I would love to connect and pick your brain a little more to understand structure of these loans! 

    I see hard money lending as just part of the cost when doing these kinds of deals. If I add up all the lender fees and my holding costs—like points, origination fees, and interest —I can figure out how much profit I’ll make and what my maximum offer should be. Even though the interest rates are high, it’s a great tool for people who don’t have all the cash to do a fix-and-flip. 

    Another cool thing about hard money lenders is they work like a safety net. They look at the deal closely and won't lend you money unless the deal makes sense, so it helps you avoid bad deals. Speak with couple hard money lender there are plenty lenders that are local and knows the market. Let me know if you need few HML's

    Freddy Alban - Realtor516 Reviews
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