The House Flipping Bible
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About Flip Thy House

This site is a hands-on look at the world of house flipping and real estate investing as a whole. Follow along as I delve into the world of flipping houses, home renovations, managing rental properties, wholesaling, short sales, and other REI topics.

Current and Past Projects

The Larry House
Purchased: 02/2009
Purchase price: $6,700
Status: Currently renovating

The Creek House
Purchased: 03/2009
Purchase price: $38,000
Status: Renovated and sold for $128,000 on 11/11/2009

The Wee House
Purchased: 12/2008
Purchase price: $9,500
Status: Renovated and rented at $525/month

The Stuck in the '50s House
Purchased: 10/2007
Purchase price: $84,000
Status: Renovated and sold for $150,000 on 06/2008
The Tattoo Parlor House
Purchased: 3/2007
Purchase price: $60,000
Status: Renovated and rented at $850/month

Featured Site

Patio curtains buying guide
 
  • And He Emerges Finally From Distant Circles of House Flipping Hell

    (10)
    Posted on September 1st, 2009SethThe Creek House, The Larry House

    So, umm, yeah. Hi.

    I’d apologize for the pages here going dark for so long, but sometimes you get what you pay for. Ditto to not responding to snarky, gleeful emails about my implied demise or demands for updates about the progress of the Creek House, etc. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

    My own snark aside, man, it’s been a rough few months. I finally finished up the Creek House yesterday, with only a few tiny odds and ends left, and signed all the paperwork with our realtor to list it and hopefully get the damn thing sold.

    As far as catching up on where I’ve been the last few months and what happened with the project, well, it’d take a novel, but the short version is that I had to pull our contractor off the job when I got back from Vegas July 15th and basically finish all the remaining work myself. I’d expected to come back from Vegas to a finished house but the reality couldn’t be further from that, as not only did my contractor try to bill be basically three times what he should have, but tons of work was still unfinished.

    Pretty disappointing, and demoralizing in many ways, as the budget was already about 10% over what I’d hoped for, so not only were juicy profits swirling down the drain, but I was suddenly faced with absolutely busting my butt over the next month and change to get it finished myself, as that was the only way I could hope to still show any sort of profit on the job.

    So that’s basically what I did, and where I’ve been the last few months. Add to all of that the fact that I’m basically working two other full-time jobs at the moment, and free time and motivation to update these pages was pretty lacking.

    But I managed to get through it, and I’m still here, and will get a post up shortly with before and after photos of the Creek House as well as all the gory details about blown budgets and potential profits (ha) and all that good stuff.

    And, against every fiber of my being that wants to never own a house again, I’m starting work on the Larry House, as the redemption period from the tax deed sale has expired, so it’s all mine to start messing with.

    On the bright side, at least the kitchen of the Larry House is in perfect, move-in condition:


    No, seriously, that really is the kitchen sink in Larry’s House, and not the most disgusting image I could find on Google Images.

10 Responses to “And He Emerges Finally From Distant Circles of House Flipping Hell”

  1. Seth, you are hilarious! First of all, its great to hear from you again and glad to hear that you’re alive and kicking. Congratulations on getting the work done on this house even though its not how you wanted to get it done. Oh…and that pic of Larry’s kitchen is a crack up..for real. LOL!

  2. My previous comment that was probably one that you were referencing as snarky, and it was meant to be more tongue in cheek. I definitely don’t revel in any demise of yours, fact is I enjoy reading your posts and missed them. I used to read your poker blog and enjoyed that one as well.

  3. Marc,

    Naah, you weren’t the one I was calling out for snark, as I appreciate your comments and was referencing some random emails that I’d gotten the last month or so.

  4. Larry House = Shallange!

    Good luck.

    TripJax

  5. Welcome back, I’ve been reading your blog for a while and it’s a good one. Looking forward to learning a thing or two.

  6. Hey welcome back!

    I just went onto the MLS and found the MLS listing for The Creek House and it looks great. By far your best rehab yet!

  7. If anyone wants to see the photos of the Creek House here’s the link:

    http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/418-N-Blanco-St_Lockhart_TX_78644_1112294778

    I really like what you did with the bathrooms…again by far your best flip yet!

  8. Wow that looks great.

  9. Look like Seth sold the creek house! I just check the MLS and its not there anymore…

  10. Seth - Can you post pictures of your flips (before and after) on your blog? Alexander is right, the MLS listing isn’t there anymore. I think it would benefit you (and everyone else) if we could see pictures of your flips right here on your blog.

    I’ll be back in hopes to find some pictures to go with your words. :) Cheers.

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