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Bill Sharp

There's a lot to consider when investing in real estate - Flipping, or Renting a Home.

There's a whole lot more than simply getting qualified for a loan, finding an agent, scheduling a home inspection and closing the deal.

You're putting all your trust in information given to you by people you really don't know and hope they are truly professionals.

I am very old school and think that you must be in charge and responsible for your actions.

The physical condition of the property, be it obvious or not can and will affect your investment.

Read more

There's a lot to consider when investing in real estate - Flipping, or Renting a Home.

There's a whole lot more than simply getting qualified for a loan, finding an agent, scheduling a home inspection and closing the deal.

You're putting all your trust in information given to you by people you really don't know and hope they are truly professionals.

I am very old school and think that you must be in charge and responsible for your actions.

The physical condition of the property, be it obvious or not can and will affect your investment.

This course will teach you the minimum steps to obtain as much information about the property as possible.

This course covers the exterior of the home.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objective

You will learn the necessary steps to obtain information from tax records, looking at one house and discovering what conditions could monetarily affect your decision to proceed with the transaction.

Syllabus

Summary

Introduction

The Lot Inspection Process

Observing Lot Condition

Read more

Investigating The Swimming Pool

Exterior House Observations

A Closer Look At Potential Problems

Observations - Rear Of The House

Right End And Front Of House

Garage

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on the physical condition of properties, which can significantly impact investment decisions and returns
Teaches how to gather information from tax records, which is a crucial step in property investment due diligence
Examines potential problems with a property's exterior, which is essential for estimating repair costs and project feasibility
Covers the exterior of a home, which is only one aspect of property assessment and may require additional courses
Requires learners to be responsible for their actions, which may not be suitable for those seeking comprehensive guidance

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Reviews summary

Practical exterior inspection for investors

According to learners, this course provides practical, actionable steps for inspecting the exterior of a property before investing. Students found the course to be clear and easy to follow, offering valuable insights specifically focused on the outside of a home. Many appreciated the targeted approach on areas like the lot, swimming pool, and different sides of the house, enabling them to spot potential issues that could impact value. While the course is generally well-received for its specific focus and clarity, some students might find it basic if looking for advanced details on structural issues.
Explanations are clear and easy to follow.
"Everything was explained very clearly and made sense."
"I found the course content very easy to understand and absorb."
"The way the information was presented was simple and clear."
Concentrates specifically on the home's exterior.
"I appreciated that the course focused solely on the exterior; it's a critical first step."
"It's good that this course breaks down the exterior inspection process in detail."
"The focused approach on the outside areas like the garage and rear of the house was very helpful for me."
Offers actionable steps for property inspection.
"I found the steps for inspecting the lot condition very useful."
"This course gave me practical things to look for when checking the exterior."
"I learned specific steps I can immediately apply to property inspections."
May lack advanced detail on certain topics.
"I think the course could go into more detail on specific types of damage or materials."
"While clear, some topics felt a bit brief, and I wanted more depth."
"This is great for beginners, but intermediate investors might find it too basic in some areas."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Flip it or Rent it - Exterior with these activities:
Review Property Tax Records
Reinforce your understanding of how to interpret property tax records to identify potential issues affecting property value.
Show steps
  • Locate online resources for accessing property tax records in your area.
  • Review sample property tax records and identify key information fields.
  • Practice interpreting tax record data to identify potential red flags.
Read 'Real Estate Investing for Dummies'
Gain a broader understanding of real estate investing principles to make more informed decisions about flipping or renting.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Real Estate Investing For Dummies'.
  • Read the sections related to property valuation and risk management.
  • Apply the concepts learned to analyze potential investment properties.
Read 'The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs'
Learn how to accurately estimate rehab costs to make informed decisions about property investments.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'The Book on Estimating Rehab Costs'.
  • Read the chapters related to exterior renovations and repairs.
  • Create a checklist of common exterior issues and their associated repair costs.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Follow Online Home Inspection Tutorials
Enhance your understanding of exterior home inspections by following online tutorials and learning from experienced professionals.
Show steps
  • Search for reputable online tutorials on home inspections.
  • Watch tutorials focusing on exterior inspections.
  • Take notes on key inspection techniques and potential problems.
Exterior Inspection Checklist
Develop a comprehensive checklist for inspecting the exterior of a property, ensuring no potential issues are overlooked.
Show steps
  • Research common exterior problems in your local area.
  • Create a detailed checklist covering all aspects of the exterior.
  • Use the checklist to inspect a property and identify potential issues.
Document a Property Inspection
Create a detailed report documenting the exterior condition of a property, including photos and descriptions of any issues.
Show steps
  • Select a property to inspect.
  • Thoroughly inspect the exterior of the property.
  • Take detailed photos of any issues or areas of concern.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings and recommendations.
Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity
Gain hands-on experience with exterior home repairs and improvements by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
Show steps
  • Contact your local Habitat for Humanity chapter.
  • Sign up for volunteer opportunities related to exterior home repairs.
  • Participate in volunteer projects and learn from experienced builders.

Career center

Learners who complete Flip it or Rent it - Exterior will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Home Inspector
A home inspector provides crucial information about the condition of a property to potential buyers. This course, which teaches how to evaluate a home's exterior is beneficial to a home inspector. The course trains one to identify potential problems with specific exterior features, which is a core element of a home inspection. The course's focus on the lot and different parts of a house such as the swimming pool, garage, front, and rear of the house allows an aspiring home inspector to learn key areas to evaluate when examining a home's condition. The course will help a home inspector build a good foundation for examining houses.
Real Estate Investor
A real estate investor must be able to assess the condition of properties before making a purchase, and this course provides a framework for that analysis. This course, focusing on exterior home inspections, will help an investor gain key insights into potential issues that could impact their profit margins. The course allows an investor to better understand how to evaluate the physical condition of a property, make informed decisions about whether to proceed with a transaction, and determine how much the investment will require in future upgrades. The course teaches skills that are invaluable to success in real estate.
Home Improvement Contractor
A home improvement contractor needs to be aware of the condition of the properties they work on. This course provides a framework for identifying potential issues with the exterior of a home, which is essential for planning and executing successful home improvement projects. The course, focusing on the lot, swimming pool, garage, and other aspects of the exterior, will assist a home improvement contractor. The course develops key skills in the observation of properties.
Real Estate Developer
Real estate developers are responsible for finding viable projects, and assessing the exterior condition of a property is a valuable skill. This course, focusing on exterior home evaluation, will provide a future real estate developer key insights into the condition of properties, allowing one to make more informed decisions about development opportunities. The course teaches a real estate developer how to identify potential problems early on, which will help one assess feasibility and budget for a project. The course will help a real estate developer when evaluating investment opportunities.
Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent will find this course valuable because it helps them understand more about the physical condition of a property. A real estate agent must be able to understand a property inside and out. This course trains real estate agents to gain a key understanding of what to look for when evaluating the condition of a property's exterior, which will enable them to better advise their clients. The course's emphasis on the lot and exterior elements will help a real estate agent to identify potential problems that may affect a home's value or appeal, helping them to better negotiate.
Appraiser
An appraiser determines the value of a property, and considering its condition is a core part of that job. This course focuses on the exterior of a home, which is key information for an appraiser. Understanding the condition of a home's lot, pool, and garage will help an appraiser to accurately assess a property's value, making this course helpful to an aspiring appraiser. The course’s training helps identify factors that affect a home's valuation, teaching how to make crucial observations.
Building Inspector
Building inspectors must have a deep understanding of building structures and this course helps build a foundation for that. The course, which focuses on the exterior of residential homes, provides key insights into common issues that building inspectors must be able to identify. The course's focus on specific aspects of the exterior such as observing the lot, pool, and garage of a home, aligns well with the observations made by a building inspector. This course may be beneficial for a future building inspector.
Property Manager
Property managers often need to assess properties for maintenance and repair issues, and this course may be useful for an aspiring property manager. This course teaches how to examine the exterior of a home, allowing a property manager to identify problems early and plan for any maintenance needs. The course's concentration on the lot, swimming pool, garage, and front, rear, and sides of the house enhances the skills of a property manager, helping them to identify potential exterior-related issues that could impact the long term quality of the property. It also allows for better planning and management of repair budgets.
Property Acquisition Specialist
Property acquisition specialists use their expertise to purchase properties, and assessing a property is critical to the process. This course, focusing on exterior home inspections, may help a property acquisition specialist by allowing them to evaluate the condition of the lot, swimming pool, garage, and other exterior parts of a house. The course's systematic approach to inspection trains one to identify potential costly issues, allowing a property acquisition specialist to make informed decisions about purchasing a particular property. This will help one be more successful in property acquisition.
Land Acquisition Manager
A land acquisition manager must be able to assess the condition of a property before a purchase, and this course will help develop that skill. The course, which focuses on the exterior of a home, will give a land acquisition manager tools for understanding the physical state of a property, especially the lot, swimming pool, and garage. The course may help the land acquisition manager to identify potential problems, which informs land acquisition decisions based on the condition of the land and associated properties. The skills in detailed observation will be valuable for a land acquisition manager.
Insurance Adjuster
An insurance adjuster must be able to assess the condition of a property, and this course may be useful in developing that skill. This course, which teaches how to evaluate the exterior of a home, provides a framework for determining the extent of damage. The course's focused training in assessing the condition of the lot, swimming pool, garage and other exterior aspects of a home will help an insurance adjuster assess damage related to an insurance claim. The course develops skills related to making accurate assessments which will allow a future insurance adjuster to be more successful.
Construction Project Manager
Construction project managers require an eye for detail when evaluating projects. This course, focused on the exterior of homes, will help a construction project manager to understand the condition of a property before initiating a project. The course helps an aspiring construction project manager learn to identify potential problems early on, which allows for more efficient planning and resource allocation. The course's emphasis on the lot, swimming pool, garage, and other exterior components will be valuable when assessing the scope and cost of a project.
Construction Estimator
A construction estimator requires a keen eye for detail, and this course may be useful for developing this skill. The course, which teaches how to evaluate a home's exterior, provides an ideal foundation for analyzing the condition of existing structures before starting a project. The course will help an aspiring construction estimator in evaluating the exterior aspects of a property, identify potential problems that need to be addressed, and more accurately estimate the costs. This course’s training in observing a home's lot, pool, and garage, will promote success in construction estimating.
Renovation Consultant
A renovation consultant must be able to assess a property's condition to advise on the scope and cost of potential projects, and this course may be useful in developing this skill. The course's lessons on evaluating a home's exterior give a renovation consultant a strong foundation for assessing the condition of a home prior to beginning a project. The course will help a renovation consultant more accurately identify potential problems, which is important for estimating costs and creating renovation plans. The detailed look at the home's lot, swimming pool, garage, and other exterior features provides crucial information for a renovation consultant.
Facilities Manager
Facilities managers are responsible for the upkeep of properties, and this course may help a facilities manager evaluate a property. This course teaches how to assess the exterior of a home, including the lot, pool, and garage, and these skills will help a facilities manager perform inspections effectively, allowing them to maintain the property. The course focuses on how to spot potential problems before they become costly to repair. The course is a helpful reference for a facilities manager.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Flip it or Rent it - Exterior.
Provides a comprehensive guide to estimating rehab costs, which is crucial for successful flipping or renting. It covers defining a renovation plan, accurately budgeting expenses, and maximizing profits. This book is particularly useful for understanding the financial implications of exterior repairs and improvements, aligning perfectly with the course's focus. It serves as a valuable reference for making informed investment decisions.
Provides a broad overview of real estate investing, including flipping and renting properties. It covers essential topics such as property valuation, financing, and risk management. While not solely focused on exterior inspections, it provides valuable context for understanding the overall investment process. This book is helpful for beginners seeking a foundational understanding of real estate investing.

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