Getting started in San Diego — looking to connect with active flippers / GCs
Member since 2025 · 7 posts · 3 votes
Getting started in San Diego — looking to connect with active flippers / GCs
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Lender · New York City · Member since 2026 · 17 posts · 8 votes
5moYou’re approaching this the right way, especially for a market like San Diego.
At a high level, most people underestimate how tight flips can get there. It’s not just about finding a deal, it’s about controlling your basis and having a very clear understanding of costs before you close. Margins don’t leave much room for error, so the difference between a good GC and an average one can make or break the project.
If you’re already working with capital, the biggest thing I’d focus on is building a repeatable process. Lock down your numbers, get multiple contractor bids, and assume things will take longer and cost more than expected. The deals that work are usually the ones where the operator is disciplined on the front end, not trying to fix mistakes on the back end.
Also worth noting, a lot of successful operators in that market aren’t chasing volume. They’re being selective and only moving on deals where the margin is very clear from day one.
You’re asking the right questions though. If you stay focused on execution and keep learning from people actually doing deals, you’ll get up the curve faster than most.
4 Replies
- Lender · New York City · Member since 2026 · 17 posts · 8 votes5mo
You’re approaching this the right way, especially for a market like San Diego.
At a high level, most people underestimate how tight flips can get there. It’s not just about finding a deal, it’s about controlling your basis and having a very clear understanding of costs before you close. Margins don’t leave much room for error, so the difference between a good GC and an average one can make or break the project.
If you’re already working with capital, the biggest thing I’d focus on is building a repeatable process. Lock down your numbers, get multiple contractor bids, and assume things will take longer and cost more than expected. The deals that work are usually the ones where the operator is disciplined on the front end, not trying to fix mistakes on the back end.
Also worth noting, a lot of successful operators in that market aren’t chasing volume. They’re being selective and only moving on deals where the margin is very clear from day one.
You’re asking the right questions though. If you stay focused on execution and keep learning from people actually doing deals, you’ll get up the curve faster than most.
- Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 497 posts · 127 votes5mo
I like how you’re approaching this — focusing on execution over theory is where most of the real learning happens.
In my experience, especially in markets like San Diego, the deals usually come down to tight cost control, realistic timelines, and having the right people lined up before you even close. That’s where margins either hold or disappear.
Since you’re already working with capital, one thing that tends to help is having a clear structure for each deal upfront — funding, timeline, exit — so you’re not figuring it out mid-project.
I work with a few investors on the financing/structuring side for flips and small projects, so always interesting to compare how different people are putting deals together.
Are you mainly targeting cosmetic flips right now, or looking at heavier value-add projects as well? I would be happy to connect!
- Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes5mo
Quote from @Juan Esteban sola:
Hey all,
I’m based in San Diego and starting to get into the investment/remodel side - specifically flips and small residential projects.
I’m not here to “learn real estate” in theory. I’m actively trying to understand how deals actually work on the ground - costs, timelines, what breaks, what kills margins.
I’m working alongside an investor who’s open to putting capital into the right opportunities, so I’m approaching this from a very practical angle:
tightening cost assumptions, connecting with solid contractors and figuring out what actually makes a deal work here
I’m looking to connect with people who are already doing deals in SD -flippers, GCs, or anyone deep in execution. Not looking for fluff, just real conversations.
If you’re in the area and operating, would be good to connect.
Juan
San diego has a great REIA group that I recommend participating in. there you will meet a lot of people
7e investments53 Reviews- Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 0 votes5mo
Quote from @Chris Seveney:
Quote from @Juan Esteban sola:
Hey all,
I’m based in San Diego and starting to get into the investment/remodel side - specifically flips and small residential projects.
I’m not here to “learn real estate” in theory. I’m actively trying to understand how deals actually work on the ground - costs, timelines, what breaks, what kills margins.
I’m working alongside an investor who’s open to putting capital into the right opportunities, so I’m approaching this from a very practical angle:
tightening cost assumptions, connecting with solid contractors and figuring out what actually makes a deal work here
I’m looking to connect with people who are already doing deals in SD -flippers, GCs, or anyone deep in execution. Not looking for fluff, just real conversations.
If you’re in the area and operating, would be good to connect.
Juan
San diego has a great REIA group that I recommend participating in. there you will meet a lot of people
Great to hear this. I’m going to pop into their meeting tonight for the first time.
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