Paper Flipping: Houses vs. Land

Paper flipping, also known as wholesaling, involves securing a property under contract and assigning that contract to an end buyer for a profit. If you’re new to wholesaling, paper flipping is one of the easiest ways to get started in real estate without ever owning the property. But when it comes to paper flipping houses vs. land, which one should you choose? Let’s break it down.

Paper Flipping Houses

Pros:

• High Demand: Residential properties tend to attract more buyers, especially in populated areas.

• Faster Turnaround: Buyers are usually looking for rent-ready homes, homes that need small repairs, or quick flips, so deals can move quickly.

• Plenty of Data: There are more tools available (like comps, rent estimates, rehab calculators) to help you evaluate house deals.

• More Financing Options: Buyers may have access to hard money lenders or other funding sources.

Cons:

• More Competition: Everyone wants to flip houses, so you might face more competition from other wholesalers.

• Inspections & Repairs: Even though you’re not the buyer, some deals fall through if inspection reports scare off investors.

• City Regulations: Many cities require specific licensing or permits to repair homes.

  
  

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Paper Flipping Land

Pros:

• Lower Cost: Land is usually cheaper to get under contract, which means less risk.

• Less Competition: Fewer wholesalers focus on land, so you may find more opportunities.

• No Repairs Needed: You don’t have to worry about property condition, plumbing, or foundation issues.

Cons:

• Longer Holding Periods: Selling land can take longer due to a smaller pool of interested buyers compared to residential properties.​

• Market Demand: Not everyone is in the market for vacant land, and its value can be highly location-dependent.​

• Harder to Value: Without comps or development plans, pricing land accurately can be tricky.

  
  

Which is Easier to Paper Flip?

If speed and demand matter most to you, paper flipping houses tends to be easier for beginners. There are more buyers, more tools to help you evaluate deals, and often quicker closings.

However, if you're looking for less competition and lower cost deals, paper flipping land might be your lane. It requires a bit more patience but can be less stressful since there's no concern about repairs.

Both paper flipping houses and land have their pros and cons. The best choice depends on your goals, your market, and how quickly you want to see results. Test both strategies and see what works best for your investing style!

The information in this article are of the opinion and experience of the author. Due diligence should always be done before investing in real estate.