Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
Turn distressed properties into consistent profits without getting burned by bad deals, unreliable contractors, or market downturns.
Successful house flipping is about having the right system—one that helps you identify profitable deals, manage renovation efficiently, and sell properties quickly regardless of market conditions. When you know what to look for and how to execute properly, this "risky" real estate strategy becomes a reliable wealth-building vehicle instead of a gamble.
This highly-rated guide comes from an expert who has hands-on knowledge of flipping houses at scale. J Scott has transacted over $60 million in property nationwide—buying, building, rehabbing, selling, and lending across multiple markets and economic cycles. As the author of four BiggerPockets books with over 375,000 copies sold, J Scott gives you everything you need to build a profitable and efficient house-flipping business.
With this book, you'll master every phase of the process:
- Build your foundation: Set up financing, find the right agents, and establish your business structure
- Hone in on your market: Identify profitable neighborhoods and property types using tried and true analysis techniques
- Acquire profitable deals: Source on- and off-market properties through MLS, auctions, direct marketing, and wholesale networks
- Master the flip formula: Calculate renovation costs and profit margins with precision for any market
- Plan and execute the project: Create detailed scopes of work, budgets, and schedules that keep renovations on track
- Manage contractors: Build reliable teams, negotiate fair contracts, and avoid costly delays
- Sell for top dollar: Stage properties effectively and navigate buyer due diligence to maximize sale prices
Foreword
Introduction
Why Did I Write This Book?
20 Steps to Your First Rehab
Chapter 1: First Concepts
What is House Flipping?
Does Flipping Still Work in Today’s Market?
How Much Can I Earn Flipping Houses?
What About Taxes?
Are You a Contractor or an Investor?
Controlling Your Deals
Part-Time House Flipping
Chapter 2: Get Your Financing In Order
First, The Bad News
Types of Real Estate Financing
Summary of Financing Options
Your Financial Resume
No Cash? No Credit? Know This!
Some Other Tips to Successful Borrowing
What About Creative Financing?
Chapter 3: Find Your Real Estate Agent
What Kind of Agent Do You Need?
Becoming Your Own Agent
Your License As a Secondary Income Stream
Chapter 4: Where Should You Buy?
Determining Your Farm Area
Analysing Potential Markets
My Farm Area
Chapter 5: What Should You Buy?
Distressed Properties
Retail Properties
The Foreclosure Process
Property Criteria
Level of Renovation
Chapter 6: Who Should You Buy From?
Purchasing From Owners With Equity
Purchasing From Absentee Owners w/Equity
Purchasing From Owners Without Equity
Purchasing Banks Owned Foreclosures (REO)
Purchasing Foreclosures at Auction (Trustee Sales)
Which Type of Seller is Right for You?
Chapter 7: How Will You Find Deals?
The Acquisition / Marketing Grid
The MLS
Online / Auctions
Direct Marketing
Advertising
Internet Marketing
Bandit Signs
Wholesalers
On-Site (Trustee Sales)
Other Marketing Techniques
Chapter 8: The Flip Formula
The Flip Formula
Determining Sales Price
Calculating Fixed Costs
Your Profit
Estimating Rehab Costs
Chapter 9: Looking at Properties
The 100 House Rule
Start Looking For Deals
Deciding Whether to Make An Offer?
Using Price Per Square Foot to Pre-Evaluate
Chapter 10: Making Offers
State Contract vs. Custom Contract
The 5 Big Contract Components
Negotiating Tips
Chapter 11: Your Due Diligence
A Cautionary Tale
Due Diligence Tasks
Run the Numbers Again
What if The Numbers Don’t Work?
Purchase Checklists
Chapter 12: Create Your SOW
What is a Statement of Work (SOW)?
How Much (Or Little) Renovation Should I Do?
Over-Rehabbing
Under-Rehabbing
The 25 Renovation Components
Scope of Work: The Demo House
Chapter 13: Create Your Budget
Building Our Budget
Budget: The Demo House
Chapter 14: Create Your Schedule
Scheduling Components
Scheduling Rules of Thumb
Schedule: The Demo House
Chapter 15: Hiring Contractors
The Spectrum of Contractors
The Value of a Great Handyman
Creating Your Rehab Team
Finding Your Contractors
Your Contractor Paperwork
Employee or Independent Contractor?
Chapter 16: Managing Your Rehab
Chapter 17: Agent or FSBO?
The Value of a Good Agent
When To Consider "For Sale By Owner"
What About Flat Fee Listings?
Chapter 18: Staging
Deciding Whether to Buy or Rent Furniture
Top 16 Staging Tips
Chapter 19: Buyer Due Diligence
Preparing for the Buyer Inspection
Dealing With Inspection Issues
Handling Appraisals
Beware of Buyer Financing Traps
Chapter 20: The Closing
The Closing Process
10 Tips To Improve Your Closing Success