Real Estate Wholesaling 101: Getting Started in the Business

Real estate wholesaling is rapidly gaining popularity among investors, and if you’re interested in entering the world of real estate investment, it’s a great way to start. If you’re just starting in the business, wholesaling can be a great way to begin making money in real estate. In this guide, we’ll explore what real estate wholesaling is and the basic steps to get started.

What is Real Estate Wholesaling?

Real estate wholesaling is the process of finding properties that have significant potential for profit and then selling them to other investors. Wholesalers don’t usually buy, fix up, or maintain properties themselves. Instead, they simply find undervalued, distressed or otherwise desirable properties, make an agreement with the sellers, and then sell the properties to investors or buyers they have already crafted relationships with.

Wholesaling requires very little money down and no real estate license. You only need to market a property and make a profit. You can start with little or no capital and learn about the real estate market while getting paid.

Understand the Market

The first step to successfully wholesaling properties is to understand the market. As with most businesses, success comes with understanding the needs of customers, the competition, and the trends. As a wholesaler, you’ll want to work in areas where there’s a great need for properties. Learn what properties are selling and what potential customers are looking for in a neighborhood. Once you know your market, you can begin to search for profitable properties.

Find Profitable Properties

Finding profitable properties is essential to the success of wholesaling. There are several ways to do this:

– Search online real estate sites like Zillow and Redfin for distressed, foreclosed, or bank-owned properties.

– Network with other investors in your area who are likely to know of potential deals.

– Check for public records, probate records, and other legal documents that indicate a property may be up for sale.

Once you find a property, you need to run some numbers to establish the potential profit and make an offer. This means estimating the property’s after-repair value, calculating repair costs, and then subtracting your expenses, which include your profit, holding costs, and marketing.

Know the Law

Wholesaling is governed by real estate law, and it’s essential to understand the laws that regulate wholesaling in your state. Although wholesaling may not require a real estate license, in some states, it may only be done by licensed real estate agents. Every state has different rules, and some require specific contracts or addendums for wholesaling transactions. Be sure to consult a lawyer before entering the field.

Build Your Buyer’s List

The key to successful wholesaling is having a strong buyer’s list that you can sell properties to quickly. You can start building your list by attending real estate investing clubs or network groups, online forums, or speaking with real estate agents. You can also advertise your business online to attract potential buyers.

Wrapping Up

Wholesaling is a great way to get started in the world of real estate investing. It takes very little capital, and the risks are relatively low. When you get started, research your market and search for properties that will bring substantial profits. Know the law and build your buyer’s list. With these things in mind, you’ll be on your way to becoming a successful wholesaler in no time.