New to Real Estate · Houston · Member since 2026 · 80 posts · 63 votes
For wholesalers, I’m curious how detailed the repair estimate really needs to be before sending a deal to buyers. A rough number might be enough to get interest, but if rehab is off by $20k–$30k, buyers either retrade or stop trusting your deals.
So where’s the line? Do you give buyers a broad repair range, a conservative estimate, contractor input, or just let them run their own numbers?
For wholesalers, I’m curious how detailed the repair estimate really needs to be before sending a deal to buyers. A rough number might be enough to get interest, but if rehab is off by $20k–$30k, buyers either retrade or stop trusting your deals.
So where’s the line? Do you give buyers a broad repair range, a conservative estimate, contractor input, or just let them run their own numbers?
usually prefer conservative repair estimates with a buffer. It’s better to underpromise than overpromise. Interested to see what experienced wholesalers here recommend
Wholesaler · Charleston WV · Member since 2026 · 243 posts · 132 votes
3mo
I've found it's better to be conservative than overly optimistic. Buyers are going to run their own numbers anyway, but if your estimates are consistently realistic, your credibility grows over time. I'd rather lose a deal because I overestimated repairs than because I underestimated them. How are you currently coming up with your repair numbers?
Real Estate Consultant · Usa · Member since 2024 · 27 posts · 9 votes
3mo
If your wholesaling and send out lowball rehab numbers you will burn bridges quickly. The guys that were completely honest with me about the situation always got a return call. I think it's critical that you have solid numbers.
For wholesalers, I’m curious how detailed the repair estimate really needs to be before sending a deal to buyers. A rough number might be enough to get interest, but if rehab is off by $20k–$30k, buyers either retrade or stop trusting your deals.
So where’s the line? Do you give buyers a broad repair range, a conservative estimate, contractor input, or just let them run their own numbers?
usually prefer conservative repair estimates with a buffer. It’s better to underpromise than overpromise. Interested to see what experienced wholesalers here recommend
Coral Springs, FL · Member since 2018 · 474 posts · 105 votes
1mo
Building on Travis Goodwin's point (202 posts, 111 votes, Charleston WV wholesaler) about credibility growing over time with realistic estimates — and Jason Roberts's honesty point — I want to reframe the question slightly.
Repair estimate accuracy matters a lot, but most wholesalers have a bigger problem: they're spending weeks perfecting repair scopes for properties they never get under contract. The repair estimate is step three. Most beginners start at step three.
Here's what changed my deal flow: I stopped starting with properties and started starting with county data. Three public databases, same property:
1. Tax Collector — tax delinquent list (government says they can't pay) 2. Code Enforcement — active violations (government says the property is deteriorating) 3. Clerk of Court — probate, liens, or pending litigation (government says ownership is in transition)
When a property shows up on all three, you have something more valuable than a precise repair estimate: you have government-confirmed motivation. The tax collector says they're broke. Code enforcement says the house is falling apart. The clerk says the ownership situation is complicated.
Here's the part that connects to your repair question: code enforcement violation descriptions often specify the exact repairs needed — roof damage, structural issues, electrical hazards — with dollar amounts. You're not guessing $20k vs $50k anymore. The county already documented it.
But the bigger insight is this: when a property is on all three lists, the seller's problem usually isn't figuring out what repairs are needed. Their problem is they can't afford ANY of them. That's what makes them motivated. That's what makes them pick up the phone.
Travis asked "how are you currently coming up with your repair numbers?" — my answer: when possible, from the county's own code enforcement reports, not from guessing from the street. The violation notice literally tells you what's wrong and often what it'll cost to fix.
The order that works: county data convergence → confirmed motivated seller → property visit with county documentation in hand → THEN a repair estimate that's backed by government records, not guesswork.
Most beginners reverse it: they find a house, estimate repairs, try to find the owner, and hope they're motivated. When you start with three county databases pointing at the same address, you already know they're motivated before you ever call.
Ali, you're in Houston — Harris County has all three databases publicly searchable. The tax delinquent list alone is hundreds of properties this time of year. Cross-reference with code enforcement and you'll narrow it fast.