How Flips Help People

[Sean McDowell]

Investment Info:

Single-family residence fix & flip investment in Columbia.

Purchase price: $36,000
Cash invested: $104,000
Sale price: $159,000

This was a lengthy transaction that started in June 2024 as a probate. We helped the seller through the process and the courts gave them permission to sell to us at the end of January 2025. The seller had great memories as a child in the house and more negative ones in the later years. We brought the seller back to the house right before we hit market to see it fixed up like in her youth. This business is about helping people. Getting her through a lengthy probate, giving her a look at her childhood past, getting a new home owner a well rehabbed house, and getting an eyesore off the local street.

What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

Helping the seller through a daunting process and giving them options.

How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

Driving for dollars. Seller agreed to a sales price knowing it wasn't legally binding until they were given permission to sell by the court. Got a Broker Price Opinion (BPO) from an aligned realtor to submit to the court.

How did you finance this deal?

Self-funded flip.

How did you add value to the deal?

The house was a 2/1.5 that had a pass-through den from the kitchen to hallway. The den had a closet and full-sized window. We closed the kitchen pass-through and made the unit a 3/1.5.

What was the outcome?

19% ROI and satisfaction of helping the seller, who still corresponds with us.

Lessons learned? Challenges?

When we began the process in June 2024, the local market was in slightly better shape than when we went to sale in June 2025. This produced a smaller profit, but still well worth it.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Rochelle Hicklin - Realtor