How Much Funding Do You Need to Flip a House?

by John Colby 12/11/2024

For many, flipping homes is lucrative. However, there are many costs associated with flipping a property, and it’s important to budget carefully for every detail. Here are the major costs to consider when determining how much funding you’ll need for a flip:

Down Payments

Just like buying a move-in ready house, buying a house you intend to flip will require a down payment. Depending on the terms of your financing and the total price of the home, the down payment will be your largest expense to plan for. Traditional mortgages call for about a 3% minimum for a down payment, but this amount can be much higher with other funding sources.

Financing Costs

Most financing options will include interest. Even though they might be very low percentage rates, they are a regular cost to factor into your budget. While regular mortgages may have low rates right now, the type of loans most commonly given to house flippers can have interest rates as high as 10%.

Homeowners Insurance

Even though you might only own the house for a short time, you’ll have to pay homeowner’s insurance. Most lenders require proof of a homeowner’s insurance policy as a qualification for approval, especially if the house is being used as collateral.

Taxes

Don’t forget about adding relevant taxes to your budget. The main ones to plan for are property and transfer taxes. No matter how long you own the property, you’ll be responsible for these taxes and should set aside adequate funding for the payments.

Renovations

The cost of renovations will probably be your second largest expense to budget for. Unfortunately, this can be the hardest part to estimate. To get the best viable idea of how much money you’ll need to set aside for renovations, consult a contractor, home inspector or both to create an estimate.

About the Author
Author

John Colby

I have lived in the Athol-Orange-Phillipston  area for most of my life. I graduated from the Athol-Royalston Schools and Boston College in 1973.  I have been an active real estate  Broker since 1973.. I have First hand knowledge of all the various aspects of working and living in our area.
For over 40 years I have  maintained a presence in the real estate market through building new homes while buying and selling all types of real estate. I offer first hand knowledge and experience to Buyers and Sellers in our unique market area . I also have a keen interest in Waterfront properties, land and income properties. We are also currently focused on bringing new businesses into our area including  Commercial , Mixed Use and Retail Development along the Rt 2 corridor including into the North Quabbin Business Park and the Greater Gardner to Athol-Orange areas.
   I will to give you the benefit of my training and experience and the most personal service and attention that you deserve.