How to Break Down the 70% Rule in Home Flipping
How do you know if a house is a smart investment or a good property to flip? You may be looking to acquire properties for your portfolio. The problem is it can be a struggle to identify good deals quickly. Read on to learn how the 70% rule will help you.
The 70% Rule is a Simple Rule of Thumb.
Investors and flippers should use the 70% rule to determine whether to buy a property. The rule states that you should only pay 70% of the after repair value of a home.
An example would be a $175,000 home that needs $10,000 in repairs. After repair, it would be worth roughly $200,000. A flipper or investor should only pay 70% of that. The total they should pay is $140,000 for the home.
This protects them from overestimating the value of the home. It also protects against downturns in the market.
Speculating that a property will increase in value can be very dangerous. Seasoned investors prefer to make money when they buy to minimize their risks. This also protects them in case they missed something.
Other Factors To Consider For the 70% Rule.
You should also consider a few other factors. Settlement costs, financing costs, and carrying costs take a large chunk out of the deal too.
Closing costs on a $200,000 property could easily be 2 to 5% of the property. This means it would be up to $10,000. Financing costs would likely be around $5,000.
You should subtract $15,000 from your offer price to account for these factors. Some sellers may not discount the whole amount. It is better to get some of these off the cost to protect your margins.
Exceptions to the 70% Rule
The 70% Rule is a simple rule of thumb for finding rentals and flips. It is only a starting point. There are other circumstances where you might want to ignore it.
One of these cases will be if you’re holding the property long-term. Then, you would not spend as much on renovations.
You would be more concerned about the cash flow. Getting a good deal would still be necessary. A better price will still allow you to get lower monthly payments. Lower payments will help you with cash flow.
Next Steps:
Take the time to determine your situation and goals. Are you looking to get quick cash? Other times you’ll be looking for steady returns over the long-term.
The 70% rule is a good rule of thumb. You should always be cautious with your repair and closing costs. It is a good starting place to protect your profits.
