Ideas and tools to help seal the deal for fall fixer uppers
Updated July 29, 2019: Sometimes a vacant house just screams for a makeover. That’s when those fixer-upper ideas and house flipper fever start to take hold, capturing even the most cautious of us. Just slap on some paint, and voila—it’s ready to sell. Right?
It’s a little more complicated than that.
House flipper fever
According to Real Estate Worldwide, an estimated 250,000 people in the US look for fixer-upper properties to flip each year. Spring and Fall can be an especially busy time to home flip.
- Moving tends to be cheaper during the fall
- The weather is cooler—making rehab work easier—and everyone wants to be in their new digs before the winter holidays
- The possibility of much-needed off-season work for contractors may mean flippers can negotiate better prices
Fixer upper ideas and the tools to turn them into reality
Fixer upper idea #1: Move walls to open up the floor plan
Whether flippers do most of the work themselves or hire remodeling contractors, everybody needs quality tools to turn those fixer-upper ideas into reality. These kinds of tools are also ideal for a homeowner’s own remodeling needs.
It’s best to buy a house with a floor plan that works and that has a good foundation, roof, plumbing and mechanical systems. But sometimes the walls have to move or at the very least the drywall needs to be replaced. Make sure flippers have pro-grade tools with which to tear out, install and clean up!
Reality Check
Reality TV shows about flipping often don’t deal with budget pitfalls. Show customers you care by posting a thought-provoking, reality-check sheet that encourages potential flippers to think things through before committing to a purchase:
- Budgets can go out the window rather quickly, escalating costs and overpricing the fixer upper for the neighborhood, making it hard to sell
- Too-cheap upgrades can also make the house harder to sell
- First-time flippers should plan on flipping a cheap house into a nice one, rather than flip a nice house into a premium one
Fixer upper idea #2: Custom wiring
Existing wiring in a fixer-upper can be a mess. Or worse, the wiring is so unsafe that it can’t handle modern appliances. In those cases, an electrician needs to be called in. But speaker and intercom wiring is another story. If there is an antiquated in-house intercom, it can be updated. And for a higher-end flip—as well as remodeling projects—it’s a great time to install ceiling speakers for a home entertainment system!
- Music/communication/intercom retrofit systems
- Ceiling speakers
- Multimeters
- Fish tape or wire running kits
- Receptacle testers
- Wire strippers
- Wire and cable staple guns, with insulated staples
Fixer upper idea #3: Add new paint and hardware
Seasoned flippers never underestimate the value of new paint, new hardware and attention to detail. Bathrooms and utility rooms should be properly vented, and a smart door lock is a great selling point!
- Smart door locks
- Dryer vent kits and cleaners
- Rotary tools
- Palm sanders
- Paint tray kits
- Epoxy glue
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
For sale
Flips require work. Figuring out which fixer-upper ideas are doable with a particular house can be challenging.
Regardless of the structural or aesthetic need, the goal is to get in and out of that fixer-upper in under 3 months to generate a quick profit and avoid the slow, winter real estate months.
Therefore, help your flippers maximize job site productivity by selling them quality products. Check out all our tools, home theater, and custom install products on order.petra.com!