What is a Wholesaler

Wholesaling is a term used in real estate investing to describe the process of finding and contracting a property, then selling the contract to another investor for a profit. This can be a great way for beginners or those with limited capital to get started in real estate investing. Wholesalers typically find properties that need some repairs and are priced below market value, then sell the contract to an investor who will make the necessary repairs and either rent or resell the property for a profit. The wholesaler makes their profit from the difference between what they were able to negotiate with the seller and what they sold the property to the buyer. 

One of the biggest benefits of wholesaling is that it requires very little capital to get started. Wholesalers do not need to purchase the property themselves, so they don’t need to worry about financing or coming up with a large down payment. Instead, they simply need to find a property that is a good deal and negotiate a contract with the seller. This contract is then sold to another investor for a higher price, typically within a few weeks. 

Typically, the end buyer of the property will either renovate the property and sell it for a profit, commonly referred to as a Fix and Flip (read our article on What is a Fix and Flip), or renovate the property the property and hold it as a long term rental, commonly referred to as Fix and Hold. Either way, the end buyer prefers to focus their time on renovating properties versus taking the time to find opportunities. 

Wholesalers need to be able to identify properties that are priced below market value and have the potential to generate a profit. They also need to have a network of investors who are interested in purchasing these deals. This is where a hard money lender can be incredibly helpful. 

A hard money lender (read our article on What is a Hard Money Lender) is a private lender who specializes in providing short-term loans to real estate investors. These loans are typically secured by the property and are used to purchase and renovate properties that will be resold or rented out. Hard money lenders can be a great resource for wholesalers because they can provide the capital needed to purchase a property and make any necessary repairs. 

Hard money lenders are not traditional banks and are not subject to the same regulations. As a result, they can often provide funding much faster than a bank and with less stringent requirements. This makes them a great option for wholesalers who need to move quickly in order to secure a property. 

However, hard money loans can be more expensive than traditional financing options. Interest rates are typically higher, and there may be additional fees such as origination fees or prepayment penalties. As a result, it’s important for wholesalers to carefully evaluate the costs of the loan and ensure that they will still be able to make a profit after all expenses are taken into account. 

In summary, wholesaling can be a great way to get started in real estate investing with limited capital. However, it requires a lot of effort and an understanding of the market. Working with a hard money lender can provide the capital needed to purchase and renovate properties, but it’s important to carefully evaluate the costs of the loan and ensure that the deal will still be profitable. With the right strategy and approach, wholesaling can be a profitable and rewarding experience for investors.