Skip to content

Let's keep in touch

Subscribe to our newsletter for timely insights and actionable tips on your real estate journey.

By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions
Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed People Followed Locations
Rehabbing & House Flipping
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

User Stats

912
Posts
107
Votes
Patrick Philip
  • FL
107
Votes |
912
Posts

Has anyone ever flipped a house that went wrong?

Patrick Philip
  • FL
Posted

Reason I ask is because I'm about to take out a HELOC to rehab a house. I am on the lists of many wholesalers. I know I have to check the numbers myself. But if they come back good and I get an inspection before I buy, WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

6,408
Posts
2,655
Votes
Brent Coombs
  • Investor
  • Cleveland, OH
2,655
Votes |
6,408
Posts
Brent Coombs
  • Investor
  • Cleveland, OH
Replied

@Patrick Philip, "if they come back good" probably has THE biggest possibilities for error. Think about it. Why has anyone EVER lost money on a flip? Answer: Wrong assumptions!

List EVERY possible expense. Now go back and look at the list. Did it allow for TOTAL replacement of underground pipes, and foundation replacement? Did it anticipate having to replace ALL the rafters and roof, because of termite damage that was only discovered after purchase? Did it allow for the home being discovered to have previously been a meth house? Lead paint? Mould? Unpermitted addition/s? Vandalism/theft during rehab? The economy going south? Interest rates rise/s? Shoddy contracting work? Poorly chosen "improvements"? Adverse decisions by the City?

Those are just a few things that can crop up. But like you say: what could go wrong?...

Loading replies...