Land Flipping: The Dos and Don’ts

Land flipping has been around for as long as real estate has: yet it’s suddenly getting a lot of attention.  Although the cost of properties with residences on them is sky-rocketing, there are still properties without buildings that you can find for less than five thousand dollars apiece.  That sounds wild, but many assume if you put the time and money into developing them, you could get a lot of money out of it.

You could get money out of it without even changing anything. So here are the top dos and don’ts of land flipping and what could make it the best or worst decision someone could make. 

What Land Should You Buy?

Buying land is the hardest decision to make in these situations.  Paying for the property is expensive, and one wrong move could mean that you’re wasting money that could be better spent.  Look at the land you’re considering, and then look at what’s going on in the area around it.  Is this within half an hour of a metropolitan area?  Do you notice a lot of new buildings springing up nearby?  Is there news of an industry moving close to the location?  If so, it’s a good idea to consider buying this property.

If, instead, there’s been flooding in the area, or it’s been on the market for years, and the towns near it are dwindling, this isn’t a good investment.  Treat the property the same way you would if there was a home on it.

Should You Develop The Land?

Flipping land lots is exciting, but many people get carried away and think they have to build a house on the property.  In some situations, this can be good; it can give you a higher return: but it’s important to remember that you have to invest a lot of one into a lot to make it habitable.  This is especially true if no internet, gas, electricity, or sewage’s run out to the property yet.  These could all make it nearly impossible to get ahead financially.

How Do You Decide How To Develop It?

Some properties would do better as commercial real estate, while others would do well turned into a residential space.  If you’re going to develop the land: it’s vital that you know what type of area this will be.  Failing to have this figured out could leave you with major losses.  Developing the land incorrectly could make it so that you put in a lot of work, only for it to have to be demolished and sold at a major loss. 

How Much Money Can Be Made From This?

Flipping land can be lucrative if done correctly. For example, if you bought a lot for five thousand dollars in an area outside of Houston, you could see that property value skyrocket since several industries are now moving into the room.  Property flipping means recognizing a trend earlier than most people and leaping on it while the price is still great.  If you can’t do this, you might find yourself making poor deals.

Can You Flip Completely Vacant Lots?

Yes!  Raw land flipping is the most cost-effective way to attempt flipping land for a living.  Buy the ground while it’s incredibly cheap, and once the property values have slid upwards, sell it for a major win without any investments.  At the minimum, you may have to clear a lot so that it’s ready for construction, but that can be done inexpensively and quickly.

What Should Tell Me to Buy or Sell?

Look at the current market of the area you’re in.  If the property values are heavily inflated, avoid buying that land.  A sellers’ market doesn’t last forever, and if that balloon bursts, you want to be able to afford to make your money back.

Land Flipping Is Not A Quick Way to Make Money!

Although it can be considered easy, you don’t have to do much too many lands: it’s not quick.  Land flipping requires a lot of patience and time to ensure that a property is selling at the best price available.  If you rush yourself and sell too soon, you could be losing out on a major price increase down the road.