In this episode, we break down the 7 critical factors we evaluate before buying a flip—regardless of the market, neighborhood, or exit strategy. This is the exact checklist we use before making any flip offer, and it’s packed with lessons we’ve learned from doing this for over two decades.

If you’re trying to avoid costly mistakes, surprise delays, or deals that turn into dead weight, this one’s a must-listen. We share stories from past flips that didn’t go as planned, and exactly how to budget, inspect, and plan better on your next project.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – What this episode is about: the 7 things we check before every flip

[0:25] – Why you don’t want to flip next to a hoarder house

[1:13] – How one neighbor’s mess cost us two years of rent delays

[2:16] – Neighborhood red flags: crime, sex offenders, and neglected yards

[3:50] – How to budget for fences, landscaping, and visual barriers

[4:20] – Rental-heavy neighborhoods: flip them or skip them?

[5:08] – Rehab timelines: why speed and neighborhood trends matter

[6:00] – What delays gas, power, or inspections—and how to avoid it

[6:52] – Holding costs, contractor availability, and supply chain issues

[7:48] – Why you need a 15% cushion for unknowns

[8:04] – Coordinating trades and managing a reliable project schedule

[9:25] – Are you acting as the GC—or paying someone who is?

[10:17] – How to add value through layout changes and creative renovations

[11:39] – Turning formal dining rooms into master suites

[12:00] – Creative additions: patios, garages, and mini-splits

[12:36] – Checking the comps: how many, how recent, how similar?

[13:37] – What finishes and photos tell you about the local market

[14:30] – Days on market, pricing trends, and market timing

[15:00] – Your action step: pull a property and evaluate it today

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Always walk the neighborhood—don’t just look at the house.

2. Rehabs take longer (and cost more) than your contractor promises.

3. Plan for surprises—behind every wall could be termites or worse.

4. Don’t assume you can flip anywhere—comps and neighbors matter.

5. A 15% contingency and strong scheduling will save your profit.

Links & Resources:

• Tools mentioned: Zillow, Rentometer, MLS, Realtor.com

• More on our process: JayAndAnnieAdkins.com

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend, rate it, and leave a quick review. Every flip starts with a smart buy—use this checklist before you commit.

In this episode, we sit down for a strategy session about the bigger picture: where we’re going, why we’re focusing on Ohio, and how we plan to grow intentionally in 2025. We lay out our full business model—including flipping, long-term rentals, short-term rentals, and how we’re layering in our construction team, admin support, and boots-on-the-ground leadership.

If you’ve ever wanted to hear the inner workings of a real estate business as it scales—this is your inside look. From how we structure deals to how we delegate tasks, this is the blueprint we’re building right now. Transparent, strategic, and full of hard-earned lessons.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – What the “Masterplan of Ohio” really means to us

[0:57] – Reinvesting into infrastructure: construction, admin, systems

[1:38] – Our current business model: flips, STRs, LTRs, and project management

[2:11] – Using our own crews and how that changes our margins

[2:55] – Why 2025 is about intentional, controlled growth

[3:48] – Assigning leads and ownership across departments

[4:36] – Systems we’re using to manage more deals without more chaos

[5:23] – Building a pipeline of consistent leads through organic methods

[6:13] – Strategic use of project managers on-site

[7:02] – Why we’re focused on stabilizing internal operations before expanding

[8:08] – How new team members are stepping into leadership roles

[9:01] – Delegating with purpose: why we’re no longer doing it all ourselves

[9:56] – Final thoughts on scale, clarity, and planning forward

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Scaling starts with systems. If you can’t delegate it, you can’t grow it.

2. Organic marketing still works—especially when it’s consistent.

3. You don’t need more deals, you need better infrastructure.

4. Focus on one market, one vision, and build outward with clarity.

5. Put the right people in the right roles—and then get out of their way.

If you got value from this episode, take 30 seconds to rate, review, and follow The Real Estate Ride. It helps more people learn how to grow smarter—not just faster.

In this episode, we walk you through one of our most talked-about creative financing deals—where we acquired a house for just $10. That’s right. Ten dollars. No bank, no credit check, no traditional financing—and still a solid, cash-flowing property.

We break down the story behind the deal, the problems the seller faced, how we negotiated terms, and how we used our BRRRR Master Plan to turn this into a cash-producing rental. This is a real-world example of how creative real estate works, even if you don’t have a ton of cash or perfect credit. You’ll hear exactly what we paid, how we structured the deal, and what the end result looked like.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – Intro to the $10 house case study

[0:32] – No credit checks, no bank—how we got the property

[0:57] – The BRRRR Master Plan we use with our students

[1:49] – Overview of the deal structure and terms

[2:12] – What made this a “creative financing” opportunity

[3:16] – Property details: 3-bed, 1-bath, detached garage, B-class area

[4:05] – How a family connection led to this off-market deal

[4:55] – Why the seller didn’t want to deal with the property anymore

[5:47] – Seller concerns and how we addressed them (taxes, repairs, insurance)

[7:13] – Getting bank approval to take over the loan

[8:49] – Deferring $2,000 to closing instead of upfront payment

[9:06] – Our multi-exit strategy approach: flip, rent, wholesale

[10:16] – Light repairs and added equity: what we did and spent

[11:11] – Option to sell with a lease option tenant-buyer

[12:42] – Total costs, income, and profit breakdown

[13:14] – The lease option strategy and how we qualify tenants

[14:09] – Timeline: from acquisition to rent-ready in under 90 days

[14:54] – The A-Team that made this deal possible

[15:19] – Importance of title searches and legal review

[16:38] – How we use the MLS, Rentometer, and market tools

[17:52] – Why we built our own construction company (and why you don’t have to)

[18:57] – Our admin team and the systems behind our scale

[20:25] – How we market properties across multiple channels

[21:16] – Tools we use to manage leads and applicants

[22:07] – Invitation to join our real estate community

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Creative financing lets you buy without banks, credit, or cash—if you solve the seller’s problem.

2. Always have multiple exit strategies in mind before committing to a deal.

3. A strong team (title company, attorney, contractors) is essential to move fast and stay compliant.

4. Lease options can provide upfront income and a path to long-term profit.

5. Systems and tools are the secret to scaling without burnout.

   
   

If this episode opened your eyes to what’s possible with creative deals, please subscribe, rate, and share The Real Estate Ride. We’re here to help you take that next step—one smart deal at a time.