Do L.A. Flippers keep email lists of potential buyers?

Question

I'd like to get on some of these lists.  To be clear, I don't want to buy the names on the email list.  I want to get on the list myself as a potential purchaser & be notified whenever the flipper has finished their most recent property.  Thanks!

Kris Kahrs · Answer

Hi James--  All good ideas.  Steve Jones, one of our L.A. area flippers above, has a great design eye & also has an email list apprising his fans of his past, current & future projects.  It's a good example of what I meant, if you want to take a peek.  Thanks!

Kris Kahrs · Answer

Well, for me personally, I prefer flippers properties.  There are a couple in my area whose design I really like and so I follow their work.  They turn out a good, attractive, consistent product.  It's not like buying a home from a consumer.  A flipper product is a turn-key product.  I haven't thought about what value I provide an investor as a ready purchaser other than I am a self-selected buyer that already is familiar with the flipper's product & is interested in purchasing it already.  I think the free market would govern any deal we struck between us that it would be a win-win for both parties or else it wouldn't happen.  I don't have the power to make anyone sell to me.

David Faulkner · Answer

Hmm ... interesting. Flippers, wholesalers, vendors, lenders, GPs, etc. makes more sense for an investor to keep lists of since they may be doing doing volume and repeat business, but not as much with a retail buyer that does one RE transaction every 8 years or so. However, presuming that you know the ins and outs of due diligence and the escrow process, I suppose you as the buyer could reasonably negotiate down with the flipper from retail price to remove the RE agent commissions, staging, marketing, and additional holding costs that wouldn't be needed to sell direct to you and it might be in the flippers interest to keep a CRM type list of such direct buyers to avoid the longer RE agent MLS listing route. So, I could see value there ... is this what you're thinking or am I missing something else? I'm just curious since I had not fully  considered this ...

Kris Kahrs · Answer

Hi David--

Flippers, wholesalers & others tend to have a regular circle of go-to buyers, vendors, lenders, GPs etc.  It's easier to run your product past a targeted group that's already self-selected as opposed to the open market.  Many flippers keep lists of people who like their product and want to know when that flipper does their next product in case, that is the right one for them.  Since I'm currently in the market for a primary residence, it's easier for me to get on the flipper's email list to be notified of when they're done with the next flip than to go through the realtor system.  That's all.

James Wise · Answer

@Kris Kahrs

I'd recommend calling several of the bigger home remodeling companies in town. They may do a lot of renovations and have some inside info for you. I would also contact lumber yards and see if they know any home flippers in the area.

David Faulkner · Answer

I don't understand the question. Normally flippers sell their finished product retail on the open market. Their end product can be found on the MLS, Zillow, Redfin, realtor.com, etc. along with all the other retail listings. Are you saying you'd like to buy a turnkey property from a flipper before it hits the open market in hopes that you will get a discount or first crack to minimize open market competition (that will likely work in the flipper's favor today)? Basically, I either don't understand the questions and/or I don't understand the intent behind it of why you ask.

Kris Kahrs · Answer

I did!  Thanks a bunch Steve!

Steve Jones · Answer

I send out email blasts every time I have a home ready for market. Go to bettershelter website to sign up!