In this episode of REI Deal Finders, I walk you through the exact criteria, tools, and local data you need to find profitable flip properties—especially if you're new or looking to do a handful of smart, high-return deals each year.

We break down the "Four F's" of flipping—Find, Fund, Fix, and Flip—and zoom in on the first (and most important) one: how to find the right properties in today's market. You'll learn how to use your local MLS, public data, and smart investing filters like school ratings, average sale price, and buyer demand to narrow in on the best areas and property types for flips that move fast and sell high.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Why flipping houses is still one of the most exciting entry points in real estate

[1:11] – The "Four F's" of flipping: Find, Fund, Fix, and Flip

[1:55] – Why data-driven decisions matter more than gut feelings

[2:16] – How to use your local MLS to determine the average home price in your market

[3:09] – What your max ARV should be—and why staying under the average sale price matters

[4:45] – Running the math backwards to find your all-in number

[5:57] – How to factor in repairs, financing, and profit to determine your purchase target

[7:18] – What $226,000 "all-in" could actually look like in multiple deal scenarios

[9:00] – Creating your buy box and asking the right people for the right deals

[9:44] – Using sold data to choose between 1-bed, 2-bed, or 3-bed homes

[11:08] – Why square footage often matters more than bedroom count

[12:27] – How school districts can directly affect flip potential and buyer demand

[14:23] – The "choose wisely" mindset: if you're only doing a few flips, pick the best ones

[15:25] – How to get support, training, and community from REI Deal Finders

5 Key Takeaways

1. Flipping starts with finding—the right deal makes or breaks the outcome
2. Always work backward from the ARV using real numbers and real costs
3. School ratings, square footage, and bedroom count all affect how fast a house sells
4. Stay under the average home price to attract the largest pool of buyers
5. If you're doing fewer deals, be more selective—don't chase just any opportunity

If this episode helped you better understand how to evaluate flip opportunities, be sure to rate, review, and follow the podcast—and share it with someone looking to do their first (or next) flip the smart way.

Let's go find that next deal.