In the Washington Post article, "The art and science of flipping a fixer-upper" a good argument can be made for diving deep into the things that make flipping a success. The article focuses on a major tenet of flipping, starting with an underdog, and ending with a star. Doing what most people would find difficult, flippers will often take a house that seems to be the worst on the block, written off by most, and with some simple but needed upgrades, increase the value dramatically.
Some may be asking themselves, can I really flip and grow rich in this economy? Well it's not an easy question to answer. While there is lots of money to be made in this current climate. There is certainly lots of money to be lost as well. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, mortgage rates are reportedly declining, a prime time to buy property. Money is cheap! However, it would also seem than banks are being more difficult to get money out of, so what's a flipper to do? Even Donald Trump is having difficulty in this market, with his Chicago condos, buyers are not following through on contracts. Remember to do your homework, look at every deal carefully, and ensure contracts are in order. Look for the best deal, for example RealtyTrac offers a nice forclosure search on their website.