Blog
Fix & Flip Tips: Managing Your Contractors
If the first rule of success in flipping is to run your numbers accurately, the second -- a close second -- is to manage the job properly. And this is where a lot of rehabbers encounter challenges, as they coordinate with contractors and work to stay on schedule and...
DIY Your Fix And Flip Or Hire Help?
One of the most hotly-debated topics among rehabbers is whether to tackle repairs on your own -- the DIY route -- versus hiring the work out. Or a hybrid approach that combines the two. The reason for "controversy" is because the decision typically boils down to one's...
Maximize Your Floorplan To Boost ROI
When you walk around a potential fix and flip project, it's just as important to take note of the floorplan as it is to notice any physical deficiencies. A house needs to have a comfortable and intuitive flow and the space needs to feel right for it to appeal to...
4 Inspections To Never Skip
Whether you're negotiating directly with a seller or via their agent, inspections are one area with wiggle room and one in which you can distinguish yourself from other buyers. It can be tempting to skip inspections altogether, not only for expediency's sake but also...
What Is Universal Design And Why Is It Important For Your Fix And Flip?
If you are embarking upon a rehab project and already making a number of changes, how about considering Universal Design in your approach? In a building or house with universal design, the spaces are readily available and accessible to nearly everyone. Though it would...
5 Foolproof Steps to Screen Potential Tenants [Infographic]
Rental investments can be risky - especially if you don’t know how to properly screen your tenants. Evictions are messy and can take months or years; even if your tenant isn’t so bad you need to take drastic measures, less-than-ideal tenants can put a dent in your...
2019 Anne Arundel County Real Estate Report
[su_note note_color="#ffffff" text_color="#282828" radius="0"] Anne Arundel Demographics [su_row][su_column size="1/5"][su_icon_panel icon="icon: user" icon_color="#095566" icon_size="50"]573,235 Population[/su_icon_panel][/su_column][su_column...
ABL Team Spotlight: Meet Scott Davis
Scott Davis is Asset Based Lending’s Area Manager for Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, D.C., and Delaware. Having managed millions in assets with a nationwide territory in his previous role, Scott has perfected the art of delivering results in a fast-paced...
Debunking 6 Hard Money Loan Myths
True or false: the term “hard money loan” was coined because this type of loan is hard to get. The answer is: false. If a borrower has a good deal, the right documents in order, a well-prepared exit strategy, and enough cash to close, a hard money loan is relatively...
How to Line Up Buyers for Your Fix and Flip
The faster you can get from property purchase to sale, the more profitable your fix and flip will be. Time is costly for investors thanks to holding costs like loan interest, property taxes, and utilities - for each, the total amount you pay grows as time passes....
How to Fund Your Next Real Estate Investment: Banks vs Hard Money vs Cash [Infographic]
With so many options available for real estate loans, it can be hard for investors to decide what type of funding is best for them. Most people think of a traditional mortgage from a bank before anything else, but a conventional loan is not always the best option for...
Four Tips for Faster Flips
Time is a fix and flip investor’s worst enemy. The faster an investor can get from deal discovery to sale, the more profitable their business will be. Time hurts your bottom line thanks to: Loan interest payments Property taxes Utility costs Market fluctuations The...
2019 Prince George’s County Real Estate Investing Report
[su_note note_color="#ffffff" text_color="#282828" radius="0"] Prince George's Demographics [su_row][su_column size="1/5"][su_icon_panel icon="icon: user" icon_color="#095566" icon_size="50"]912,756 Population[/su_icon_panel][/su_column][su_column...
Real Estate Investing in Florida: The Best Cities for Flipping vs. Renting
When searching for the right location and real estate market to invest in, there are many factors to consider—availability, affordability, profitability, as well as economic strength and promise. With insight into Florida’s past, present, and future local markets,...
Why You Should Stay Local When Choosing a Hard Money Lender
With competitive deal terms and the ability to finance projects across the country, national lenders may seem like a viable lending option for some hard money borrowers. However, it is important to understand how many national lenders differ from their regional...
2019 Baltimore Real Estate Investing Report
What does Baltimore have to offer? A half hour from DC by train, Baltimore is a popular location for commuting professionals looking to save on living costs: Baltimore rent is 43% lower than rent in the Capitol City. Baltimore is also full of historical buildings and...
Proof Of Funds Letter 101
Purchasing an investment property is a process that requires a lot of important paperwork. In this post, we will break down everything you need to know about one of the first documents you should have on hand when beginning the investment process: the proof of funds...
How To Spot A (Potentially) Bad Deal Before It’s Too Late
Everyone who invests in real estate is after the same thing: a good real estate deal. Or a great deal. But a lot of factors go into making that happen, including no shortage of due diligence as well as some hard-won experience. But what’s just as important as the...
Intro To Urban Redevelopment Projects
Aside from the obvious benefit -- profit potential -- one of the most exciting aspects of flipping houses is the chance to take a rundown property and completely revamp it, creating for a striking before-and-after portfolio and the satisfaction of improving a...
Finding The Right Real Estate Agent For Your Investing Business
When you’re building a team for your investing business, one member in particular who can make an enormous difference is a real estate agent. Specifically, an agent who understands an investor’s needs. Often referred to as an “investor-friendly agent,” this person can...
Intro To Fix And Flip Terminology: Part 1
The fix and flip world is full of its own terms and lingo, from weird acronyms -- ARV? SOW? REO? -- to the technicalities of the renovation itself. As you research and then jump into projects, you’ll quickly pick up on the unique language of rehabs and real estate....
Tips For Estimating Rehab Costs Like The Pros
Are you wondering how to estimate and calculate rehab costs? The better you get at estimating rehab costs, the more successful you’ll be at flipping houses. And there’s a wide gap between those who are guessing and wishing versus pros who have an established and...
Renovate For ROI: Kitchen Renovations
You probably already know that a kitchen remodel is one of the best uses of your investment dollars. A minor kitchen remodel recoups 80.5% of its cost, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value 2019 report, which ranked it the third highest percentage among...
8 Tips For Attracting Top Tenants
Every landlord seeks that dream tenant: the one who pays on time (or early!), keeps the property spotless, and is respectful to neighbors. Tenants like this do exist, but it’s up to you to attract them. And you do so by putting in a lot of legwork up front,...
Renovate For ROI: Rehabbing The Bathroom
Of all the remodeling projects you undertake, an upgrade to the bathroom can provide the highest return on investment -- if done properly. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost vs Value report, you’ll recoup 67.2 percent of your cost on a mid-range bathroom...