California is a great environment for real estate rehabbers. Few statistics are available, but real estate specialists have made billions of dollars by buying homes in need of repair, sprucing them up, and reselling them.

Flipping a home is tough work. Aside from the research, the investment, and the construction, you still have to attract the right buyers at the right time! In an ideal world, a flipped home would sell itself and give you time to sit back and relax. Unfortunately, the real estate market isn't ideal, and you're going to have to take on a couple more tasks to stay ahead of the competition. The question that's on every investor's mind is: just how do you make your flip more appealing in today’s competitive marketplace?

The practice of flipping homes is gaining steam across the state of California and the United States. Prior to flipping your first, or your next project, there are a few things to consider. That’s why we have come up with seven reasons to use a small local contractor.

Like many Southern Californians this time of year, I was ready to book my annual trip to the mountains after repeatedly hearing radio ads for Big Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. In the past, my options in Big Bear Lake were limited to a few lodges and hotels that had websites or ran ads. Now, vacation rental websites like VRBO.com and AirBnB.com have forever changed the hospitality industry. Travelers can easily locate their ideal vacation rental property by going online and sorting through hundreds of privately owned and operated vacation rental properties. At Trust Deed Capital we are seeing more borrowers that want to purchase real estate in vacation destinations to take advantage of the new investment opportunities these new technologies create. Before you start making offers on that beautiful cabin in Big Bear or that beach bungalow on the Mission Beach peninsula in San Diego, here is what you should know about financing these types of properties:

Financing flip properties can be a very tricky proposition, especially with banks having tightened their belts since the housing crash.  Luckily, it is not an entirely lost cause.  While some of the more advanced methods might require significant capital, that doesn't mean that they all do.  

While recent market trends and media coverage have made fix and flip investing a more visible option for those looking to make money in the housing market, buy and hold strategies are a time-honored way of amassing wealth. If you are thinking of trying your hand at real estate investment, you may be wondering if a buy and hold strategy is right for you.

Home improvement shows on HGTV always involve making a tiny bungalow open concept and adding bathrooms. Installing engineered beams, replumbing a house, and knocking down walls require a licensed contractor and building permits. Some flips don't warrant that degree of investment and frankly are in good enough shape that modest cosmetic fixes will provide a generous return. These 8 renovations can be made without a contractor and offer a good bang for the buck.

Before we even begin, a facing-facts session is necessary. The prime days of fix and flip may be behind us. A decision needs to be made. Do you want put down anchor and wait for the next cycle to begin? Or do you want to rev your engine and search out unexplored territory? If you favor the second choice, come aboard, but keep it hush. You're about to learn of 5 less-traveled tips to find hot real estate deals before your competition.

You’ve found the perfect distressed property to fix and flip. You’ve done your due diligence. The price is right. The rehab is doable and can be done on a timely basis. The profit is just waiting for you.

Many advertisements from lenders make it sound simple to get into the fix and flip business. All you have to do is (a) find a fixer-upper, (b) buy it cheap, (c) fix it up quick, and (d) sell it fast for a great profit, right? Well, experienced real estate investors know there is a lot of ground between (a) and (d). There is an art, as well as a lot of work that goes into a successful fix and flip. Understanding what makes an ideal fix and flip house and then finding it isn't always easy. A borrower needs to do a good deal of research and get the right financing for the best deal.