Fix and flips are one of the most popular entry points into real estate investing. They’re fast-paced, potentially lucrative, and accessible for both new and experienced investors who want to build capital quickly. At a high level, a fix and flip strategy involves buying a property at a discount, renovating it to increase value, and selling it for a profit – all within a relatively short timeline.
This article breaks down what fix and flips are, why they matter, how investors benefit, and the essential tools investors use to operate efficiently.
What Is a Fix and Flip?
A fix and flip is a real estate investing strategy where an investor purchases a distressed or undervalued property, improves it through repairs and renovation, and resells it at a higher price. The profit margin usually comes from three areas:
- Buying low because the property needs work.
- Increasing value through cosmetic or structural improvements.
- Selling in a market with strong buyer demand.
Most flips take place within 3 to 12 months, depending on the scope of renovation and local market conditions.
Why Fix and Flips Are Popular
1. Fast Return on Capital
Instead of waiting years for rental income to accumulate, investors can complete a project and collect profits in months.
2. Lower Long-Term Risk
Fix and flips don’t require long-term property management, tenant screening, ongoing maintenance, or exposure to decades of market fluctuations.
3. Strong Demand for Updated Homes
Modern buyers want move-in-ready properties. Investors who renovate older homes can meet this demand and command higher prices.
4. Opportunities in Any Market
Even during slower real estate cycles, distressed properties are always available – foreclosures, inherited homes, vacant homes, and properties in disrepair all remain strong flipping candidates.
Why Fix and Flips Matter in Today’s Market
As housing inventory tightens and buyers expect higher quality homes, fix-and-flip investors play a unique role in revitalizing older neighborhoods. They bring neglected properties back to life, increase local home values, and contribute to better community aesthetics.
Fix and flips also create high economic activity through contractors, suppliers, inspectors, lenders, and real estate agents – making this strategy an important part of the housing ecosystem.
Tools Investors Use to Succeed in Fix and Flips
Successful fix and flip investors don’t rely on luck. They use data, technology, and systems to find deals, manage renovations, and track numbers.
Real estate investors rely heavily on some named platforms as you will see, that is why it is important to see articles such as Dealmachine vs Propstream, with REsimpli being a strong contender if not the best option for fix and flip investors.
1. REsimpli (All-in-One CRM for Real Estate Investors)
REsimpli is the top platform for investors who want a streamlined fix-and-flip operation. Instead of juggling multiple tools, investors get everything they need in one place.
Key Benefits for Fix and Flip Investors:
- Pull motivated seller lists and identify distressed properties.
- Skip trace leads for free, saving hundreds to thousands per month.
- Call or text sellers directly through the platform.
- Use Driving for Dollars to find off-market properties in disrepair.
- Automate follow-ups with drip campaigns so no lead slips through the cracks.
- Track repair costs, timelines, and KPIs inside a unified dashboard.
- Use AI Agents to answer calls, follow up with leads, grade calls, and highlight high-priority opportunities.
For investors flipping multiple properties per year, having everything inside one CRM reduces chaos and increases profit per deal.
2. PropStream (Property Data & Comps)
PropStream is a popular property data platform with nationwide coverage. Investors use it for:
- Comparable sales
- Property characteristics
- Pre-foreclosure data
- Liens and ownership history
It’s useful for underwriting deals and understanding potential ARV (after-repair value).
3. DealMachine (Driving for Dollars App)
DealMachine helps investors locate distressed properties while driving through neighborhoods. It’s known for:
- Easy photo capture
- Automatic mailers
- Route tracking
Driving for Dollars remains one of the most reliable ways to find neglected homes to flip.
4. Contractor Management Tools (Jobber, Buildertrend)
Renovations require organization. These tools help investors:
- Manage contractor schedules
- Track project timelines
- Store receipts and invoices
- Monitor renovation budgets
Keeping a project on schedule is critical to protecting profit margins.
5. Hard Money Lenders
While not a software tool, access to capital is essential. Hard money lenders offer:
- Short-term loans
- Fast approvals
- Funding for purchase + rehab
This allows investors to scale without waiting for personal funds to free up.
Final Thoughts
Fix and flips continue to be one of the fastest ways for real estate investors to build capital, learn the business, and scale their operations. When done correctly, they offer high upside, short timelines, and a clear process for turning distressed homes into profitable assets.
And while experience matters, the tools you use determine how efficiently you can find deals, manage leads, track repairs, and close more profitable flips.
For investors who want data, automation, marketing, follow-up, and management in one system, REsimpli stands as the #1 all-in-one solution for fix and flip success.
