Diana Hill
Online Trading Academy
Really, what is Fixing and Flipping? Well, if we believed the TV shows – it should be easy to fix and flip a property with just a little unexpected drama. Fix and Flip, in my opinion and experience, has the biggest upside potential for an investor who wants sizable profits in the short term. With large profit potential comes risk, and the need for a strategic plan. It is also important to have insight into current trends and the hot things homeowners are looking for.
What Renovations are hot in 2017?
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Smart Technology is huge for 2017, and with the availability of wireless technology installation is much easier and cheaper. ROI is a bit hard to determine but should definitely increase the value of your fix and flip.
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Appliances are moving to “Matte” finishes instead of the shiny stainless look.
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Brass is making a comeback (as hard as it is for me to believe). It’s not shiny brass of the 1970’s; it’s a satin finish.
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Using furniture pieces as vanities for bathrooms. This gives a very custom look inexpensively.
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Big colors this year: Green (in many different shades) and taupe is the new neutral.
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Creating an inviting entry way in any home is a big must have this year.
Inexpensive Home Improvements to Increase Home Value
For a small investment and a little time, these updates can add value and appeal to your fix & flip.
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Paint the front door a contracting color and add new hardware. This can make the front of a home pop.
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Clean cabinets, replace all hardware and hinges. This might be time consuming but it can make a big difference.
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Touch up bathrooms by: resurfacing the tub, changing hardware and adding a framed mirror over the vanity.
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Mulch the lawn. If a lawn is patchy but worth saving get some organic mulch and use grass clippings to improve the appearance and health of the lawn.
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Renew grout – Re-grouting can be very time consuming and expensive. There are some great products at your local home improvement store, that with very little effort make old stained grout look new.
Green Home Improvement Projects
Although not necessary for most fix & flips (because the return on the investment is usually years down the road) there can be some value added for buyers.
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Solar Shutters – while blocking the sun they gather energy. They can produce about 500 watts of power per hour. This is equal to the power a computer needs to run all day.
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Solar Water Heater – There are several elements needed to correctly utilize a solar water heater: a small number of solar panels, solar water heater system and a back-up heater system.
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50-year roof – by using recycled rubber tires and other composite materials companies are making roofing that lasts for 50 years and has the appearance of shake or slate tiles.
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Car-Charging unit – as more and more vehicles are becoming electric this can be a huge value add for some households.
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Low water landscaping – creating attractive curb appeal with drought resistant plans and hardscape is green and cost efficient.
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Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD climbs to two-week highs beyond 1.1900
EUR/USD is keeping its foot on the gas at the start of the week, reclaiming the 1.1900 barrier and above on Monday. The US Dollar remains on the back foot, with traders reluctant to step in ahead of Wednesday’s key January jobs report, allowing the pair to extend its upward grind for now.
GBP/USD hits three-day peaks, targets 1.3700
GBP/USD is clocking decent gains at the start of the week, advancing to three-day highs near 1.3670 and building on Friday’s solid performance. The better tone in the British Pound comes on the back of the intense sekk-off in the Greenback and despite re-emerging signs of a fresh government crisis in the UK.
USD/JPY recedes to multi-day lows near 155.50
USD/JPY is pulling back sharply at the start of the week, slipping back toward the 155.50 area as speculation mounts that authorities could step in to rein in further Yen weakness. That narrative gained traction after PM S. Takaichi secured a landslide victory in Sunday’s election, stoking expectations of a tougher line in defence of the domestic currency.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD climbs to two-week highs beyond 1.1900
EUR/USD is keeping its foot on the gas at the start of the week, reclaiming the 1.1900 barrier and above on Monday. The US Dollar remains on the back foot, with traders reluctant to step in ahead of Wednesday’s key January jobs report, allowing the pair to extend its upward grind for now.
USD/JPY recedes to multi-day lows near 155.50
USD/JPY is pulling back sharply at the start of the week, slipping back toward the 155.50 area as speculation mounts that authorities could step in to rein in further Yen weakness. That narrative gained traction after PM S. Takaichi secured a landslide victory in Sunday’s election, stoking expectations of a tougher line in defence of the domestic currency.
Gold treads water around $5,000
Gold is trading in an inconclusive fashion around the key $5,000 mark on Monday week. Support is coming from fresh signs of further buying from the PBoC, while expectations that the Fed could turn more dovish, alongside concerns over its independence, keep the demand for the precious metal running.
Crypto Today: Bitcoin steadies around $70,000, Ethereum and XRP remain under pressure
Bitcoin hovers around $70,000, up near 15% from last week's low of $60,000 despite low retail demand. Ethereum delicately holds $2,000 support as weak technicals weigh amid declining futures Open Interest. XRP seeks support above $1.40 after facing rejection at $1.54 during the previous week's sharp rebound.
Japanese PM Takaichi nabs unprecedented victory – US data eyed this week
I do not think I would be exaggerating to say that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s snap general election gamble paid off over the weekend – and then some. This secured the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) an unprecedented mandate just three months into her tenure.
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