The rising prices in the housing market within the last year (in some cases as high as 10%) are a good sign for the economy, as well as for homeowners and investors hoping to make a profit. Since the bottom fell out of the housing market and decreased home values as much as 30%, home owners, realtors, and investors have been slowly recovering their losses. With these changes, the practice of house flipping is increasing the most it has since the 2003-2006 boom.
However, some experts are urging caution to potential speculators, otherwise known as “house flippers.” They predict that a full recovery of the housing industry is several years away, with the road still bound to be bumpy and unpredictable. The potential for house flippers to make a profit is increasing with the prices of homes, but so is the potential for them to go under. Other factors in the current economy, such as the low supply of new housing and low demand due to the ruined credit of hopeful homeowners, could be creating a “bubble” of false improvement that may burst if just one factor changes.
What is “House Flipping”?
Unless you’re an avid fan of the reality T.V. show featuring (somewhat) true stories of house flippers, you might not know what this term means. Basically, house flippers are people who buy up cheap real estate, improve its market value, and sell it for a profit. This is a type of speculation — the practice of making a risky but sometimes highly profitable investment.
During times when the economy drives the prices of real estate lower than usual, people who have ready available funds see an opportunity to make a little money, preferably as quickly as possible. This practice, also known as “buy low, sell high,” is familiar to investors and market watchers. House flipping is one of the privileges of a capitalist economy — anyone is free to seize this investment opportunity.
The Risks
House flipping seems like a pretty straight-forward guarantee of profit, except for one unpredictable variable: interest rates. As the interest rates rise, so do mortgage payments. Potential home buyers might re-think their decision if rates are higher than they can afford. This can leave house flippers stuck with a home they can’t sell and might not be able to afford themselves.
The Federal Reserve, largely responsible for influencing the interest rates on mortgages based on their release of cash flow into the economy, have been operating on a “loose money” policy while the job market is still recovering. But, they haven’t spelled out the exact conditions that will drive them to tighten up funds and consequently drive interest rates higher. The greatest fear of house flippers is the cruel twist of a lucrative investment turning into a personal financial disaster.
Like other Ponzi schemes, those who are able to quickly take advantage of low buying prices and interest rates are likely to profit, while those who jump in too late will miss the short window of opportunity.
The Rewards
Although many investors and financial experts see house flipping as too risky and uncertain of a return, there are others who have literally made a living by flipping houses because they know how to do it right. These people understand that house flipping is not a get-rich-quick scheme; it’s an investment that takes time, planning, personal effort, and patience.
Although you don’t have to be a licensed real estate agent or other professional to flip a house, it’s also not something you should jump into unprepared and uninformed. If you do your homework on the housing market, only tackle what you realistically can handle, and take plenty of tips and advice from experienced house flippers and investors, house flipping is a great way to improve your community, help people, and affect the economy at large.
Have you ever tried house flipping? Why or why not?
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I haven’t tried house flipping but I am definitely looking to get into real estate. I think some people get in way over their head with the flipping. I was always told if everyone is doing it, it maybe too late. I would buy a few to hold and rent and maybe try to flip a few to have cash reserves.
Basic rule of speculation is to never borrow money, no interest to pay, always use your own money. Then you know when you can sell at the best profit.
It’s definitely a good time to buy now, as house prices are at an all time low, but I think that if you do purchase a property now then there will be a significant number of years before you can see a major return on your investment. Personally I’d be tempted to buy now, rent it out and then sell in 8-10 years time when world economies have recovered somewhat. 🙂
I own rental property, but have never really considered flipping properties. Having to pay some sort of closing costs going in and going out hurts the deal for me, as does the potential of having a ton of money and time tied up in one deal that could go sour. I’m sure there are lots of people making good money off it, but I can’t think of how to make it work.
I would have to find a house that offered an extraordinary chance at profit to be tempted by house flipping. I wouldn’t want to be stuck with a house payment after the flip if it doesn’t sell quickly.
I think house flipping is interesting. If you can get a house at a really good deal, it would be a great way to make money.