Wholesaling - Fact From Fiction

Wholesaling - Fact From Fiction

Real Estate Investor · HI · Member since 2009 · 34 posts · 15 votes

Hello everyone,

I've been doing my research on Wholesaling for a couple of months now. I've been told that this is a great way to get into Real Estate with little money or no credit and not having to risk anything. Considering that I don't have a lot of money to spend, I would like to flip wholesale deals without using much money, or any money at all if possible. During my time of research, I've spoken with RE Agents and Realtors in hopes of getting their assistance. In doing this, I've come across lots of discourages comments from people. I've also spoke with investors who say that if you want to Wholesale, then just stick to FSBO. I'm not the kind of person to let a few unpleasant words stop me. So, I'm here to ask if some of you could separate the fact from fiction on some things that I've been told.

1. In order to wholesale an REO, you will need earnest money upfront ($500 and up).

2. When wholesaling, the banks will do everything they can to NOT pay the wholesaler.

3. To do any wholesale deal, even a FSBO, there's a chance that you'll need earnest money upfront ($500 and up).

4. There's no way to write a purchase contract to lower the amount of earnest money paid (to $10 for example) or to delay payment of earnest money.

5. You need to be able to show that you have the funds available in order to put a property under contract.

I would appreciate it if someone could offer me some solutions to these statements.
Thanks in advance.

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Specialist · Las Cruces, NM · Member since 2009 · 557 posts · 71 votes
17y

I second the answers above.

With that said, in no way shape or form should you let these answers slow you down. All it takes is a couple deals to get your marketing up and rolling.
As a matter of fact, you can partner up with another wholesaler or investor and have them fund your earnest monies in exchange for a split of somekind.

Good luck,
Jesse

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  • Real Estate Investor · Member since 2009 · 45 posts · 4 votes
    17y

    I probably can't answer all the questions and I certainly am not speaking from experience...but from what I have read myself.

    1. For an REO property, you will likely need $500-$1000 in earnest money.

    2. In order to flip the contract on an REO, there are only a few options that I know of. You can do a double closing, you create and sell an LLC or a do a land trust. The bank technically won't know or have any control over your fee. That will be between you and your buyer.

    3. The earnest money is between you and the seller. So, if you're talking to someone in a FSBO, as long as you're controlling the transaction, you help lead them into the amount of earnest money you will give. If you're dealing with a bank or owner with an agent, they will likely demand a certain amount.

    4. Basically, answer 3 above also applies here

    5. You only have to show proof of funds if dealing with REOs or likely a property listed with an agent. Again, if you're dealing with a FSBO, you control the transaction. You're there solving their problems, you lead them into what you want done. They are in no position to question rather you actually have the money to buy their house.

    Most of this again is just what I have researched myself and some of it may be incorrect. There are a ton of helpful folks on here and they will likely chime in if I am wrong...

    Good luck,

    Chris

  • Curt DavisBusiness Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Memphis, TN · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    17y

    1. Banks will ask for at least $1,000 or more/
    2. Not true, the bank is not paying you. All the bank cares about is selling the home to someone who will close.
    3. Yes
    4. You can do this if dealing with FSBO. If I was selling my home FSBO I would require you to have earnest money up front and I would ask for more than $10. How do think the home owner will feel when you dont sell the home and you have no EM down? Ethics comes into play.
    5. Banks will require you to have POF or a bank commitment letter.

    Hope this helps.

    Curt Davis - KAIZEN Realty538 Reviews
  • Atlanta, GA · Member since 2009 · 177 posts · 52 votes
    17y

    L.D
    I think I might be able to help you a little with your questions.
    1) When dealing with REOs you will likely need earnest money in the amount of $500 or more.
    2) The banks usually will not pay a finders fee or wholesale fee to anyone. Therefore you will need to use transaction funding which purpose is to provide you with funds to close on the front end. But you must have a buyer in place on the back end. This will ensure that you receive your money.
    Will Barnard and Rich Weese provide such funding here on BP.
    3) When dealing with FSBO it is much easier to negotiate earnest money.
    4)Again when it comes to REOs it wont be easy. But FSBOs anything is possible.
    5)This is true with REOs. The banks will require some sort of proof that you have the funds to close available. You should be able to receive this from your transaction lender. But when it comes to FSBOs, if you are a good salesman you should be able to create terms that are favorable to you.
    Hopes this helps.

    Also there are many articles, blogs and forum post that deal with wholesaling.

    Good luck.

  • Atlanta, GA · Member since 2009 · 177 posts · 52 votes
    17y

    Well L.D hope you got the answers you were looking for.

  • Specialist · Las Cruces, NM · Member since 2009 · 557 posts · 71 votes
    17y

    I second the answers above.

    With that said, in no way shape or form should you let these answers slow you down. All it takes is a couple deals to get your marketing up and rolling.
    As a matter of fact, you can partner up with another wholesaler or investor and have them fund your earnest monies in exchange for a split of somekind.

    Good luck,
    Jesse

  • Real Estate Investor · HI · Member since 2009 · 34 posts · 15 votes
    17y

    Thanks for the feedback. Getting a "cash" partner sounds like the best thing for now.

  • Real Estate Investor · GA · Member since 2009 · 43 posts · 22 votes
    16y

    What is your business background, LD?

  • Real Estate Investor · HI · Member since 2009 · 34 posts · 15 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Michael Perry:
    What is your business background, LD?

    My background in the Real Estate Business or Business In General?
  • Real Estate Investor · GA · Member since 2009 · 43 posts · 22 votes
    16y

    I guess both, LD. Just trying to get to know a bit about you!

  • Real Estate Investor · HI · Member since 2009 · 34 posts · 15 votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Michael Perry:
    I guess both, LD. Just trying to get to know a bit about you!

    Real Estate is something I just got started in about 4 months ago. Business in general, I've done freelance graphic design for almost 8 years now. I'm also a contract Security Officer.

  • Real Estate Investor · GA · Member since 2009 · 43 posts · 22 votes
    16y

    LD...I'm an active buyer in the ATL area. I'm happy to help you any way I can.

    My number can be found on my profile, here or at Facebook.

  • Real Estate Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2009 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    16y

    Great Information. I'm also a newbie, reading and researching to do wholesaling properties, especially interested in virtual wholesaling. I've done a lot of reading and researching and want to get started. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

  • Rental Property Investor · Palm Bay, FL · Member since 2009 · 511 posts · 290 votes
    16y

    LD...the posts above have given some great answers, but I do have something to add....

    One way to get around the earnest money deposit with REOs, which seems to be an obstacle for you (as it was/is) for me, is to do one of two things:

    1. Specify in your contract that you will give the earnest money 3 days after your offer is accepted and contract is executed (which will give you time to find a buyer) and you won't feel like your money is tied up for no reason....

    2. Specify that you will give your earnest money deposit AFTER your inspection period (usually 5-10 days). I speak from experience, I have done this successfully. Sometimes the bank will ask for half of the deposit when the offer is accepted, and the other half when your inspection period is done.

    Again, I didn't get this from a book or a "how to"...I've done this myself and have been successful. Remember, you are the buyer, so you can negotiate your terms as well.

    Good luck!

  • Will BarnardPro Member
    Moderator
    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    16y
    Originally posted by Priscilla Z:
    LD...the posts above have given some great answers, but I do have something to add....

    One way to get around the earnest money deposit with REOs, which seems to be an obstacle for you (as it was/is) for me, is to do one of two things:

    1. Specify in your contract that you will give the earnest money 3 days after your offer is accepted and contract is executed (which will give you time to find a buyer) and you won't feel like your money is tied up for no reason....

    2. Specify that you will give your earnest money deposit AFTER your inspection period (usually 5-10 days). I speak from experience, I have done this successfully. Sometimes the bank will ask for half of the deposit when the offer is accepted, and the other half when your inspection period is done.

    Again, I didn't get this from a book or a "how to"...I've done this myself and have been successful. Remember, you are the buyer, so you can negotiate your terms as well.

    Good luck!
    #1 should work each time. I have this in all my offers to banks on REO properties, not because I wholeslae or don't have the cash, but because I certainly do not want to have tens of thousands of dollars floating out there. This is a typicla and standard statement in an offer and the banks should not ever have an issue with it.
    It takes a day or two to get to yoru bank, order the certified check and next day air it to the bank, so 3 days is certainly within reason.
    Item #2 - I will not argue that is may have worked for Priscilla in some cases, but I will point out that this is a huge red flag to the bank. It tells them that you have no money and that you are not a real serious buyer. In order to have a good success rate at offers accepted, you need to make them stronger than most and that means LARGE EMD's, and few to no contingencies. Aksing to not put up $ until after the inspection will rarely (if ever) fly here in CA.

  • Real Estate Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2009 · 43 posts · 6 votes
    16y

    Great discussion on wholesaling REOs. I agree that EMD and no contingency cash offers allow you to buy at lower prices. Find a broker who understands what you do and will allow you some flexibility on timing of the supplying the EMD. If you are wholesaling the property I would not recommend putting more than $1,000 EMD on the property just in case your "buyer" can not perform. That will limit your maximum risk on the transaction.

    I think the challenge in todays market of wholesaling is actually finding strong buyers with funding that can close fast and reliably. In the past there were tons of buyers with easy access to funding from hard money lenders, etc. A lot of the past hard money lenders have now gone out of business or just closed up shop.

    Jim Ingersoll

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