If you have followed along on our flip house journey, you know that I have shared every flip on our blog, Instagram, YouTube, and more. Since sharing, I have received many questions about various aspects of the process, and today, in this post, I want to share how to find a house to flip. I want to share what to look for, the reg flags that should send you running, and how to get started in general.
Before we get into this post, I want to make something very clear: I am not a tax, legal, or financial professional. Everyone’s situation, budget, and goals will look different. It is not a one-size-fits-all. You should always talk to your trusted professionals before taking the first step.
What I can do is share our real experience of flipping houses over the years without a TV crew, working full-time jobs while doing it, without massive budgets, and without an editing team making it look glamorous and perfect. Just real people doing real projects and figuring it out one decision at a time.
And since I have received a lot of questions about how to find a house to flip, I wanted to break it down in a blog post that you can reference any time you need it.
Flipping to Sell vs. Flipping To Rent: Does The Right House Look Different?
Yes, and no.
Everything in this post applies if you want to flip a house to sell or flip a house to rent, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
If You Are Flipping to Sell:
- You are prioritizing resale value and not long-term investing.
- Look for neighborhoods with strong comps and fast-moving properties.
- Kitchen, bathrooms, and curb appeal matter even more.
- Your buyer often wants move-in-ready.
If You Are Flipping To Rent:
- You are prioritizing cash flow and long-term maintenance costs.
- Look for areas with strong rental demand and not just resale value.
- Usually, you are looking for durable materials over what is trending right now.
The good news?
The way you find a house to flip is the same. The difference comes down to:
-
- What you renovate
- How you budget
- Who your end customer is (buyer or renter)
Where To Start When Trying To Find A House To Flip
Finding the right house to flip is 90% of the battle. Your profit is made (or lost) the moment you buy.
-
Start With Online Listings To Gain Knowledge
When you are learning how to find a house to flip, online platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com can be used to learn a lot. Things like:
- How long do houses sit on the market
- What price ranges move quickly
- Which neighborhoods are rising
- What types of homes are in demand
The secret is consistency. Check daily, save searches, and set alerts so you are the first to know.
PRO TIP: Homes that have great bones but need cosmetic updating are the sweet spot. You always want to look for those.
-
Build Relationships with Local Realtors Who Understand
Not all relators are created equal, and some don’t understand how to find a house to flip. A lot of them are working with and want to work with retail buyers and not investors. It is important that if you are going to work with a relator that you have one who understands your goals and how the investing “system” works.
You want a relator who:
- Understands what kind of fixer-upper you are looking for.
- Understands after after-repair value
- Recognizes a deal quickly
- Moves fast and communicates well
The bottom line here is that if you are going to work with a relator, you want one who is going to work their tail off for you because the deals that you are looking for will go fast, and a lot of relators will snatch them up themselves when they see them come in. Make sure your relator is not interested in investing themselves and very much interested in working hard to get you in front of those great deals and perfect candidate properties.
-
Drive Neighborhoods
One of the most underrated ways to find a house to flip is by driving around. Drive neighborhoods that have what you are looking for. Take different routes to places to frequent.
You are looking for:
- Overgrown yards
- Drives and walks that haven’t been shoveled in the winter
- Exteriors that need attention
- Mail piled up
- Vacant homes
You can search for the owner and address for where to send a letter in the county or city records. This is the old school way my dad used to do it, and I would help him do and it is effective. We found our first and 4th flip this way.
-
Talk to People (word of mouth is EVERYTHING)
TELL EVERYONE! Your friends, family, mail person, hairstylist, neighbor, etc. The more people who know, the more people will remember your name when they hear about a potential property. You want everyone to know you are looking and interested in doing this.
We have found a few of our flips through word of mouth alone.
-
Auctions and Sheriff’s Sales
We have never done this, and I don’t know that we would, but I wanted to add it here because some people have luck this way. I don’t know much about how these work, but I do know that they can be risky. They are usually done with no ins[inspections, strict timelines, and sometimes cash only. I would advise you to watch a few before you ever participate and talk to people who have done it this way.
-
Look For This Combo
When you are searching for a house to flip, you want one that has good bones + ugly cosmetics. That is the sweet spot. That is gold. You can take on big problems, but they eat into your budget fast. If you are new, cosmetic-heavy flips are a lot safer.
-
Know Before You Go
Before you even look at a property, you need to know:
- What your max purchase price
- Your timeline
- Your risk tolerance
- If you are selling or renting
Learning how to find a house to flip isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy, consistency, and knowing what to look for. Once you understand the patterns, it will be easier for you to recognize potential flips and good deals.
We are by no means experts on the process, but after nine flips, we have had a ton of experience both in renting and flipping to sell. I love helping when I can. I hope this blog post answers some of your questions, and if you have any follow-up questions, please leave them in the comments.
If you want more details, stories, and a deeper dive into this topic, tune into the podcast episode HERE.
PIN THIS POST!
If you liked this how to find a house to flip post, you will also love these:
Budget-Friendly Bathroom Makeover In Flip House
1 Comment