4 Tips for Flipping Property for Profit in Missouri

Buying a Missouri house to resell is a business, not a hobby, and the people who lose money at it almost always lose it on the same three numbers: what the house really needs, what it will really sell for, and how long the money sits. Flipping property for profit works when all three are conservative and fails when any one of them is optimistic. Get bids, not estimates, before you close. Budget for the sewer lateral, the electrical panel and the roof, because in older St. Louis County stock at least one of them is usually due. Then check whether you can turn a profit flipping at that purchase price after commissions, carrying costs, insurance on a vacant house, and the two extra months the project will run over. Most people leave out the carrying costs and the overage, and those two together are the whole difference between a decent year and a bad one. If you are on the other end of this, holding a project that stalled and wanting out, that is a different conversation and a much simpler one. We buy unfinished houses as they sit, permits open and materials still in the garage, with no repairs required and no cleanout. See how we buy houses, or look at what other Missouri sellers have said. No pressure and no timeline from our side.

The idea of flipping homes has grown over the past few years, partly due to reality TV shows and partly because more and more people have fallen in love with the idea of getting their hands dirty, doing the work, and (if all goes well) turning it into cash for houses in Missouri. Before you dive in head first, you should make sure you understand exactly what you are getting into.

Know Your Market In Missouri

Real Estate Markets vary throughout the US. What is happening in your local market, might be different than what's going on in the country as a whole.

  • Are prices rising or falling?
  • What are new facilities and infrastructure is in the works?
  • What about the area that will attract buyers?

If you purchase a home in the area, does it make sense to hold and rent the property until prices rise even further?

Know Your Numbers In Missouri

Do you know what an ARV is? This is the value of the home after repairs and upgrades have been made. You need to figure out this number by studying the market and working with a contractor who can accurately price out what it will cost to fix up the home. You will also need to factor in the time it will take to complete the work and sell the property. While you are the owner, you will be the one responsible for the taxes, utilities, the mortgage (if you have one) in addition to the costs of materials, labor, and so on.

Know Who Your MO House Buyers Are

What are the demographics in the neighborhood? Are there families, retirees, outdoor lovers, or students in the area? What will they be looking for in a home? You will want to purchase a real estate that has features your leading demographic is looking for.

If you have young families buying in the area, focus on creating an open family room, or finish the basement. If you have retirees, make the home easily accessible and the yard low-maintenance.

Price To Sell The House In Missouri

Be realistic about what you can sell the home for. When you are calculating your ARV, don't inflate the price to what you hope to get. When flipping a home, you want to sell it QUICKLY! After doing your homework, you should know what homes are selling for in the neighborhood. Make sure you are listing your home at or slightly below these amounts.

Sell My House In Missouri

It is important to spend time thoroughly educating yourself and making sure you are aware of all market factors that will be involved. You should always strive to do a great job upgrading and repairing the home before deciding to sell your house in St. Louis, but make sure you are working with the right people so you can get the job done quickly.

If you are new to flipping and real estate investing make sure you work with professional Missouri home buyers like Chris Buys Homes in St. Louis who can guide you through the process so you don't end up losing a lot of money!

Are You Ready To Fix And Flip Homes In Missouri? Let Us Help You Get Started! Click Here Now And Fill Out The Form Or Call Our Office At (314) 334-1481!

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We buy projects mid stream, with permits open and work unfinished, and we do not ask you to complete anything before closing.
In St. Louis County, taxes, insurance at the vacancy rate, utilities and lawn care commonly run a few hundred dollars a month before any loan payment is counted.
Often, yes. Older clay laterals under St. Louis County homes fail regularly and a replacement can run several thousand dollars, so it is worth scoping before you buy or sell.

Founder & Real Estate Investor

Chris Kirshenboim is the founder of Chris Buys Homes, a trusted home buying company helping homeowners sell their properties quickly and hassle-free. With years of experience in real estate investing, Chris has helped hundreds of families navigate challenging situations including inherited properties, foreclosures, and homes in need of repairs. His mission is to provide fair cash offers and a stress-free selling experience for homeowners across the region.

Start Fresh

Don’t let your house hold you back

Get My Offer