House Rehabbing Tips | Don’t Forget This 5 Ideas

When flipping a property, don’t forget these important rehabbing tips.

Sometimes, property rehabbing can be the most difficult part of the house flipping process. There are so many pieces to remember and so many variables that differ from house to house. Sometimes the rehab can start to take its toll, and you lose track of the whole purpose of rehabbing: making your house more attractive to potential buyers.

What you need to do is take a deep breath, step back, and look at the big picture. Spend a few minutes to read these cheap and easy pointers, so you can reduce your stress and optimize your profit. These rehabbing tips are often overlooked and can be incredibly valuable to know and use.

Rehabbing Tips: #1. Prevent Vandalism While You Rehab

The rehabbing of a property can often take multiple months to complete. This means that there are many nights where the home is left unoccupied and vulnerable to vandals.

Take a moment to imagine yourself as a vandal. Would you rather vandalize a property that has people living in it, or rather and abandoned one?

Most vandals know better than to vandalized an occupied house. Instead they will find a deserted house where they can spray paint, break windows and leave holes in walls without being bothered. Sometimes, they’ll even strip the copper piping and sell it for money.

Moreover, most insurance companies do not cover vandalism after the first month that a house is abandoned. Because of these reasons, you as a house flipper should always take the proper action to prevent your property from being destroyed.

Below Are A Few Tips To Prevent Vandalism:

-       Keep The Lights On 24/7

-       Change The Locks

-       Barricade Doors and Windows That Do Not Lock

-       Tell The Police That You Will Be Rehabbing The Property And Ask For Extra Patrol

-       Cover Windows With Drapes Or Sheets

Rehabbing Tips: #2. Light The House With Bright Lights

A common mistake many house flippers make is to inadequately light the interior. If you install the proper lighting, it will make the house livelier and show off its space. People do not want to live in a dreary, depressing house full of shadows and dullness.

When choosing the right lights, try to stay away from yellow bulbs. A bright white set of lights can really make a difference in establishing an upbeat mood.

This perhaps goes without saying, but always remember to change any flickering lights. A flickering light might make a potential buyer feel like he or she might get murdered, horror movie style, in this room rather than relax and read a book.

Above all, proper lighting is an inexpensive way to show off all of the expensive improvements and renovations that you’ve spent the last month or months making.

Rehabbing Tips: #3. Conform Your House

An easy way to make your house feel new is by installing matching fixtures. Things like doorknobs and door hinges are a start. In your bathroom you could match the towel racks, faucets, and shower head together. Some popular styles are brushed nickel and stainless steel.

You might also want to match the door, wall, and window trip throughout the entire house. You don’t want brown trim in one room and white in another.

In the kitchen, if you buy new appliances, make sure they are all the same brand and the same style. Don’t get an expensive stainless steel microwave and then cheap out on your dishwasher.

Finally, if you want to take your house to the next level, have matching flooring throughout the main floor of the house. A hardwood floor and really add a nice flow and make the house feel larger.

Rehabbing Tips: #4. Don’t Put A For Sale Sign In The Yard Until You Are Almost Done With Rehab

When selling a house, the outside appearance and curb appeal can often be the most persuasive way to get your foot in the door, and get the attention of the prospective buyers. However, if a buyer is driving around a neighborhood and sees a for sale sign outside of a dilapidated mess of a house, they might make a note to never return to that property.

Additionally, do not list your house with a picture before the front of the house is renovated. After all, the main photo is not going to be of the beautiful kitchen you may have finished. The potential buyers will instead see the outside of your house in whatever state it’s in.

And, since the exterior is typically one of the last renovations completed, your curb isn’t going to have much appeal until the rehab is almost done. Wait until you have an almost finished property before listing.

Rehabbing Tips: #5. Buy A New Mailbox!

You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s something that many house flippers forget. The mailbox is the first thing that the potential buyers will see when pulling up to your house.

It will leave some sort of initial taste in their mouths for better or worse. Don’t ruin their expectation of the rest of the house by leaving the old rusty mailbox from the previous owner.

You could even check out to see if there are any shops in your area that specialize in custom mailboxes.