Can Fix & Flip Work Remotely From Abroad?

[Tibor T.]

Hi everyone,

I’m brand new to real estate and to this forum. I live in Switzerland and recently started researching U.S. real estate - specifically fix and flip - as a way to build capital and eventually transition into buy and hold for passive income.

I’ve searched the forum for similar situations but haven’t found anything that quite fits my setup, so here I am with my first post.

Since I’m not based in the U.S. and don’t have credit there, I’d be working with my own equity in a more affordable market - possibly Memphis, TN - but for now, my main question isn’t about location.

What I’d really like to know is:

• Can fix and flip work remotely if I build a strong, reliable team on the ground?
• Or is it essential to be there in person for every project - even in the long term?

I understand that flipping is a real job, not a passive hustle. I’m prepared to invest time and travel, especially in the beginning - but I also have a full-time job and can’t fly out for every project.

I’m also unsure whether foreign investors are welcome in the U.S. It’s important to me not to drive up property prices and to ensure that young families can still afford homes. We’re already facing this issue in Switzerland, and I’d like to avoid contributing to the same problem in the U.S.

Any thoughts, experiences, or honest feedback would be greatly appreciated. I’m just at the beginning of this journey and eager to find out whether this path is realistic, or just a daydream.

Thanks so much!

[Zach Lemaster]

@Chris Seveney thank you for the mention!

@Tibor T. Flipping homes (locally or remotely) can be a good way to build additional capital to buy rentals, if that is what your ultimate goal is.  That is exactly how I started when I ran out of down payments to use to finance rental properties.  However, as many others have mentioned, flipping homes requires an entire team that can take time to develop.  Flipping homes most certainly is more of an active way to invest (as you acknowledged), but there is also a fair amount of risk associated with that strategy, and it also requires capital to get started.  You can use lenders (hard money or banks) to help finance the flip, but those loans usually come with additional costs, higher rates, and shorter terms.  You can get yourself in a bind that could set you back years if the flip doesn't go as planned, takes longe than expected or you have contractors that don't manage the project appropriately.  That is the biggest risk I see with starting a new venture into flipping homes.

If you're ultimate goal is to own rentals, I would recommend trying to find ways to start with that strategy to better understand the market you are considering investing in along with building a foundation of rentals that doesn't solely rely on your flipping endeavors to fund the rentals.  There are also ways to buy new construction at steep discounts allowing for immediate equity that help kickstart your portfolio.  That is what we focus on at RTR.

Anything can be done with the right team in the right market.  My biggest advice is to really spend some time to have complete clarity on exactly what you are trying to accomplish and map out a plan that includes all the pros/cons and risks of each strategy.

For truly passive income, investing in diversified, secured notes is a great way to enter into the REI space with lower capital amounts as well. @Chris Seveney is the best in the business when it comes to this strategy and has the proven track record to stand behind.  We have many investors that own rentals and also invest in notes that are more passive.

Hope this helps!

-To your success!

Zach