Being physically involved in my remodel changed my life

Being physically involved in my remodel changed my life

Flipper/Rehabber · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 42 posts · 29 votes

Investment Info:

Single-family residence fix & flip investment.

Purchase price: $310,000
Cash invested: $58,873
Sale price: $413,000

This was the remodel that changed my life completely. I chose to be a part of every step of the construction and rehab of this project.... while still working my 40 hour a week "day job". I hired sub contractors for this entire project and paid them to teach me how to do every step.

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

I was interested in this deal because it was very close to my last fix & flip and I was hoping to use my high comp (highest in the neighborhood) for the sale of this house as well.

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

I found this deal on the MLS, put in a low ball offer and they accepted!

How did you finance this deal?

This was the last house I was able to finance with a traditional mortgage for an investment property before quitting my "day job".

How did you add value to the deal?

This was a complete remodel. I added value to the deal by removing a wall and raising the ceiling in the kitchen to really open it up to the great room. Installed brand new soft-close cabinetry throughout, Quartz countertops, new can lights, new flooring, new doors, baseboard and trim, new lighting and plumbing fixtures and tile surrounds in the bathroom. Really there wasn't much that wasn't replaced. I even had to pool re-plastered and painted the deck.

What was the outcome?

This one sold fast! This sold in 4 day.

Lessons learned? Challenges?

I learned A LOT with this one. I chose to hire all subcontractors and paid them to teach me how to do the majority of the work. I learned how to demo walls, remove popcorn ceilings, tile, baseboards, etc. I cut insulation, painted the entire house, and even how to wire can lights. I would work at the job-site and then rush home to change to make it to my day job. This project took twice and long and cost a lot. I made my lowest profit and the lessons that I learned were worth it all!

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Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2018 · 16 posts · 4 votes
7y

@Kara Beckmann That’s great! Congratulations!

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  • Real Estate Agent · Southington, CT · Member since 2008 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    @Kara Beckmann This is an awesome approach to learn the flipping buisness. Congrats on the first one being a success.

  • Rental Property Investor · South shore, MA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    Congrats on the successful flip,

    My first house I did most of the work myself, and hired out friends to do the jobs I couldn't handle. All while working a full time job too. So I know the stress involved! All the knowledge (and equity) I gained was well worth the hard work.

    Keep it up!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Matthews, NC · Member since 2019 · 198 posts · 239 votes
    7y

    @Kara Beckmann  Congratulations!  I admire that you took the initiative to be hands on and so dedicated to the whole process.  As a woman, I have surprised many subs by showing up with a tool belt.  I do much less of it now, but its nice that they can't get one over on me thinking I don't know what they are supposed to be doing!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 42 posts · 29 votes
    7y

    @Dutch Langley Thank you! Yes, exactly! The knowledge that I learned on this flip came in handy in the later projects that I took on. Contractors and subs were surprised that I was knowledgeable in many aspects of the construction and knew how to save money by doing something a different way. 

    It really is the best when you surprise the subs to help with demo and show up with your tool belt! 

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 42 posts · 29 votes
    7y

    @Brian Ellis Congrats to you too! It is really hard to understand the stress level of have a full time job while working full time at your flip before and after work unless you've been there and done it. I agree, it was well worth it! 

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 42 posts · 29 votes
    7y

    @Michael Noto Thank you! It took a few flips before this one to realize that I should really know exactly what should and shouldn't be done when it comes to construction so I wasn't taken advantage of. It was took twice as long, and cost more than I expected but completely worth it in the end with the knowledge that I walked away with!

  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2018 · 16 posts · 4 votes
    7y

    @Kara Beckmann That’s great! Congratulations!

  • Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    7y

    Hi Kara, looked up Beckmann House. More videos!

    The renovation trades are afflicted with toxic sexist, racist, and homophobic attitudes. We gain nothing out of it, we really, really don't. If you can be a voice to enable women to try doing these things by themselves and not feel it detracts from their femininity, you'd really be doing us a service. You've done this now. You know the physical difficulties. You know the big lie -- that you have to be a big strong guy to do this heavy-duty physical work.

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 42 posts · 29 votes
    7y

    @Sarah M. Thank you so much!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Scottsdale, AZ · Member since 2019 · 42 posts · 29 votes
    7y

    @Jim K. Thank you so much, I appreciate that! I agree, there need to be more women in this industry to feel empowered enough to get involved in their remodels... because it's true, you do not have to be a strong man to take down a wall!! 

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