Subtitled: Do You Really Have What It Takes to Do the Zero Down Infomercial Programs?
If you want to be a rehabber and make some "easy" and quick money when you grow up, let me show you what the infomercials don't tell you! The following series of pictures was taken from a house with good bones that could be purchased very cheaply to make a killing on resale. But, do YOU really want to go here? Do you have the stomach for it? The photos on the left were taken before 2000+ pounds of debris was scooped by shovel from the house. This is the first step. The second step is to get close enough to the stove, toilet, and other fixtures to remove them without becoming contaminated or throwing up.
BEFORE DEBRIS REMOVAL AFTER DEBRIS REMOVAL
And last, but not least. I dare you to remove that toilet so a new one can be installed!
This house is not the standard, but if one can look beyond the debris to the house's potential finished state, there is money to be made here. My mantra is "The uglier, the better". Because the seller doesn't want to deal with all that gross stuff the home will usually sell at a greatly reduced price. A 40 yard box and strong muscles can deal with the worst of the mess, leaving the rehabber free to plan and envision.
Pictures of the completed project can be found here.
So graphic, so true, so disgusting. Hire someone? Masks, gloves, overalls. These pictures are just gross. I think you made your point.
Miriam, The good thing was there was nothing "mushy" in the piles and amazingly no sign of roaches or rodents. It was all dust and paper and hard stuff. A flat snow shovel, a HEPA mask, industrial strength bags, "grody" work boots kept for these times only, cover for the hair, and strip at the door of your own home when you're done does the trick!
I love to show pictures like this to starry eyed wanna-bes so they get the message. I started real estate through the zero down infomercials, but it's not like they convey it on TV. The work is much harder than I ever imagined and I prefer to do traditional sales, but love taking out investors. They're business-like, know what they want, and work quickly and efficiently toward a purchase.
That is really disgusting. How much do people charge to clean places like that? It seems like you would need a HAZMAT team.
Here are some photos of houses I sold:
Hi Bonnie...As soon as I wake up tomorrow I'm going to start throwing away some things. That place looked scary.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Kathleen
BE this is very sobering. Just the before and after kitchen shots exhaust me. All I can say is you have done yeoman's work so far.
Boy if you saw that one you've seen it all. I've spent all week trying to get a very nice listing in order! I'm thankful I didn't have to deal w/a true fixer upper.
Tracy, Every so often one comes across one of these. Most frequently they are torn down even though the home itself is solid. People just can't see beyond the debris. I'll post after pictures when the owner gets done.
Wow that is totally discusting!!! I would never wish that job on anyone.