7 Mistakes First-Time Flippers Make and How to Avoid Them How to avoid Mistake first time Flipeers

House flipping can be incredibly profitable—but only if you avoid the pitfalls that drain time, money, and energy.

Here are the top seven mistakes new flippers make and how to sidestep them like a pro.

1. Underestimating Rehab Costs

Beginners often assume cosmetic repairs are all it takes. But once you open up walls or check plumbing, surprises happen.

Avoid it by:

• Getting at least two contractor quotes
  
• Adding a 15 to 20 percent contingency buffer
  
• Using REsimpli to track all vendor expenses
  

2. Overpaying for the Property

If you buy wrong, everything else becomes harder. New investors fall in love with potential and ignore the numbers.

Avoid it by:

• Sticking to the 70 percent rule (ARV x 0.7 – repair costs = max offer)
  
• Running comps with REsimpli’s lead analysis feature
  

3. Hiring the Wrong Contractors

Working with unlicensed or flaky contractors is one of the fastest ways to lose money. Missed deadlines and budget blowouts are common.

Avoid it by:

• Vetting contractors through referrals
  
• Requiring detailed scope-of-work agreements
  
• Tracking contractor performance inside REsimpli’s vendor module
  

4. Not Understanding the Local Market

Flippers sometimes make renovations that don’t match the area—like luxury kitchens in entry-level neighborhoods.

Avoid it by:

• Touring local comps before finalizing your rehab plan
  
• Consulting a local realtor before buying
  

5. Skipping Permits

It’s tempting to avoid permitting to save time, but it often backfires during inspection or resale.

Avoid it by:

• Checking local permit requirements upfront
  
• Hiring a GC who handles compliance
  

6. Holding Too Long

Every extra month you hold the property costs you in taxes, utilities, loan interest, and opportunity.

Avoid it by:

• Sticking to a strict project timeline
  
• Using a CRM like REsimpli to monitor task progress and timelines
  

7. Ignoring the Selling Process

Great flips sometimes sit because the investor didn’t market or price it correctly.

Avoid it by:

• Staging the home if needed
  
• Listing with a trusted agent
  
• Pricing based on actual comps, not what you “hope” to get
  

Flip Smarter With the Right Tools

The most successful flippers use systems to manage their entire operation—from acquisition to resale.

With REsimpli, you can:

• Track every expense by vendor or job
  
• Monitor timelines with task management
  
• Analyze profitability deal by deal
  

Avoid costly mistakes and flip with confidence.

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