After we retired, my husband and I got into flipping houses as a way to keep busy and make some money.
We look for residences in upcoming neighborhoods that need some sprucing up.
He and I have always handled all of our own home improvements. We have the tools, skills and experience to handle the majority of the renovations without hiring professional help. He and I have no trouble gutting a kitchen and installing new cupboards, countertops and appliances. We have updated bathrooms with ceramic tile, whirlpool tubs and vanities. We often replace windows, put up new drywall and run new electric wires. We insulate, paint and make improvements to landscaping. The one area we stay away from is the heating and cooling system. Before making an offer on a house, we hire a professional HVAC contractor to check out all components for reliability, safety and potential longevity. We’ve seen how expensive it is to have a brand new heating or cooling system installed. An older air conditioner, furnace, boiler or heat pump that isn’t operating at peak capacity detracts from the selling price. Since we often move into the homes while we’re working on them, we have the opportunity to utilize all of the systems and prove everything is in good working order. We verify that the air conditioner can handle demand and maintain a comfortable temperature. We check that the heating system provides consistent comfort. We can then reassure potential buyers that the heating and cooling equipment will meet their needs, operate dependably and not drain their budget on energy bills.