Tips for fixing and flipping: when is the best time to list a rehabbed home?

You’ve probably heard the words “fix and flip” a dozen times in the last few months. From the next door neighbor and the mailman to the guy at the grocery store, everyone seems to be talking about fixing up and selling property for a profit.

In recent years, fix and flip projects have taken the country by storm and their popularity continues to grow. Also known as rehab houses, this mode of real estate investing has attracted dozens and dozens of people, and despite the recent housing bubble, many people still seek out this particular livelihood.

However, home renovation is not just about repairs. There is more to fixing up and selling undervalued properties. To ensure that you will recoup the money you spent on buying and remodeling a superior fixer-up home, you should sell it to a buyer who will pay handsomely for the property. And the best way to reach potential buyers is, of course, to advertise your “product”.

Some novice rehabbers wonder when is the best time to advertise a rehabbed home. Is it after buying a superior home to fix up? Or is it while the repairs are ongoing?

According to experienced investors, you shouldn’t put a “for sale” sign in your yard right after you buy the property from its original owner. Always remember that first impressions are important when selling a fix and flip project. A potential buyer may be traumatized by seeing a home with a leaking roof, roach-infested cabinets, yellowed sinks and bathroom tiles, and crumbling walls. So you shouldn’t let a buyer see a fix-up home in its “pre-rehab” state.

Buyers inquiring about the property can distract workers, so it’s not exactly a good idea to advertise the property while the repair work is still in progress. Nosy neighbors, passers-by, and shoppers can also delay remediation work.

For example, buyer Jane Doe wants to see the bathroom in the master bedroom. However, a worker is still busy laying new tiles on the floor. Jane insists on her request and the worker has no choice but to take an unscheduled break.

Such a scenario is counterproductive. Therefore, if you want repairs to be completed on time, you need to ensure a smooth flow of work and the best way to do this is to advertise the property when the renovations are nearing completion. This way, your workers will stay focused and you will be able to get your profits on time.