Investor · Collierville, TN 38017 · Member since 2017 · 678 posts · 490 votes
12h
I wish I'd known that ugly and broken are two different budgets.
Ugly is cosmetic — paint, flooring, fixtures. Broken is systems — roof, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, foundation. I buy ugly houses in Memphis under $100K because the discount is real and the fix is predictable. I run from broken unless the numbers are stupid-good, because one bad system wipes out your spread.
My rehabs are 2/1 to 3/1 and 3/1 to 4/2 conversions. Adding a bedroom jumps ARV and Section 8 rent ($1,395-$1,950 for 3BR+). But I only do it when the bones are solid. Learn to tell ugly from broken on the walkthrough, and you'll stop blowing budgets.
Lender · Lakewood, WA · Member since 2021 · 76 posts · 28 votes
4h
That’s a great distinction, “ugly vs. broken” can make a huge difference in a rehab budget. Knowing what’s cosmetic versus a potential money pit before you buy can save a lot of headaches. What’s your go-to way of spotting those major system issues during the walkthrough?
Lender · Lakewood, WA · Member since 2021 · 76 posts · 28 votes
4h
Absolutely! draw requirements can have a big impact on how smoothly a project moves. Understanding the process upfront can help investors plan their cash flow and timeline better.