Audacious Flips and Renovations

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Comments

  • ayles wrote:
    Is someone smoking something in Ballard?? That Space Needle view must be from a ladder straddling the peek of roof with a telephoto lense.

    http://www.johnlscott.com/propertydetail.aspx?GroupID=56239407&ListingID=31060263&Sort=0

    Maybe my old eyes are weak, but I couldn't find the sq. footage of the house. It looks itty-bitty. The size of the lot is easy to locate, but not the living area. Humm....

  • Maybe my old eyes are weak, but I couldn't find the sq. footage of the house. It looks itty-bitty. The size of the lot is easy to locate, but not the living area. Humm....

    Not on Redfin Either.

    But it is on Zillow - 870 sq feet.

    MLS: 27194611
    7520 30th Ave NW
    Seattle WA 98117
    2 beds, 1.0 baths, 870 sq ft

    http://www.zillow.com/HomeInfo.htm?zprop=48889087

    I guess you can't blame them. If my house was 870 sq feet and I was asking $630k, I'd try to keep that a secret too. I'd also try to hid the fact that I bought the house back in May for $400,000.
  • $400K was too much even then. What on earth are they thinking??? Any lender who does even mediocre due diligence on the appraisal won't fund this puppy.

    I wonder if the sellers have an agenda that doesn't include moving this house, or maybe the Realtor(R) made a mistake when entering the asking price. There is something going on here that we don't know.
  • Never underestimate the value of a Travertine bath.

    From the looks of it, I think I have a Travertine bath too!

    What's a Travertine bath, and why does it cost $200,000!?!
  • The travertine is on the floor of the 2nd picture of a bath, where you can't see the shower/tub. Reminds me of the stainless steel laminate the "Designed to Sell" team (on HGTV) puts on old refrigerators and dishwashers.
  • I thought that one looked familiar
    This thread has gotten long enough we are now repeating things.
    femto wrote:
    Not jaw dropping, but I think still audacious:

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1257826

    Bought 05/18/2007 for $400,000
    Now on market for $629,000 (a 57% increase)

    At $409 per square foot this is now priced about 30% above the average in the area.
  • Ah yes, the sheik house!

    Here are two that really stick in my craw. I would have bought either of these earlier this year and LIVED in them, rather than immediately flip them:

    Case #1:

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1126527

    1413 25th Ave E
    Seattle, WA 98112

    last sale: 08/23/2007 $545,000
    now: $689,950

    Case #2:

    And this one really gets me, it's right in the neighborhood we need and I remember how fast the signs were down last year ~~

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1358985

    6319 Latona Ave NE
    Seattle, WA 98115

    last sale: 01/31/2007 $507,700
    now: $730,000
  • Check this out:

    7815 Stroud Ave N
    Seattle, WA 98103

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1375328

    Not really a flip or remodel but my god....

    Nothing like $749,950 ($417 a square foot) for a plywood townhouse in Greenlake. Did anyone tell this builder that you can buy a very nice upgraded free standing house for the same price (with actual land ). Brand new lising! and there are 3 more just like it. I bet they are going to see an army of people beating a path to that open house tomorrow.
  • femto wrote:
    femto wrote:
    femto wrote:
    I think this one meets the audacious criteria.

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... -id=997095

    Last purchase 12/01/2006 $401,000.

    On the market for $825,000, or $412/square foot, which is off the chart for Ballard homes. It will be interesting to see what happens with this one.

    56 days in and price now at $785,000. I'm guessing it's got another $135,000 at least to fall.

    105 days in and down another 50 grand to $735,000. I still predict no sale till it's in the mid 6's, or a bit lower if it takes too long to get there. Carrying cost on this can't be too fun.

    New listing, new price, finally through the $700K barrier (by $50). I make it about 164 days since first going on the market.

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1379897
  • I really don't understand how someone can decide that $50,000/year (PITI, after 20% or $150,000 down), to live in either of the two above examples is a good deal. Think about it- for $30,000/year LESS you could rent the same property, leave your $150,000 down invested, and have $30,000/year left over to spend on European vacations, nicer cars, private education for your kids, etc. WTF.

    Like the diamond cartel who has everyone thinking they need a diamond engagement ring, the Realtors have got the sheep thinking that ownership, at any cost, is the only accepted/legitimate way to live.
  • This ones a little bit different:

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1389966

    5002 3rd Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107

    Price: $999,950
    Purchased 4/21/2006 for $920,000

    So $80K gain in the past 1.5 years, probably unrealistic but not audacious. But check this:

    Purchased 7/07/2004 for $395,000

    395 -> 920 is a 525K or a 132% gain. That's pretty effin' audacious. Anyone who can more than double their money without bulldozing the lot and building a bigger house has pulled off an impressive flip. I'm afraid the buyer wasn't so lucky: You looking ahead to that 2 year OA resetting in a few months? I fear there's no greater fool to bail you out of this one.
  • This house just up the road from where I live. Had for sale up in july for roughly 2 days. Then the sign disappeared.

    I just zillowed and it sold on 7/3 for $411,000.

    The for sale sign cropped up yesterday and fliers state a new price of $569,000!!

    http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=48830747

    One thing I did notice over the last month or so was the small army of obviously immigrant labor that turned the place over in less than 2 months.

    Very unscientific observation with a couple variables... The flier box on this place has never been empty. Either the agent is always on top of the supply or nobody is taking them.

    Finally up on the MLS.

    http://www.johnlscott.com/PropertyDetai ... 673&Sort=0

    This house just saw its first price reduction. It has been reduced to $554,950.

    Down to $535k and on the market 149 days... this price reduction did not included a "reduced price" sign like the previous cut. That one ended up in my front yard after a windstorm. :)
  • This is not a flip but definately audacious.

    http://redfin.com/stingray/do/printable ... -id=334352

    For perspective you can get 5 acres with stick built home in Lake Stevens for less than 500K.
  • A mobile home on <3 acres in Lake Stevens for $1.4m! I don't care what it is zoned, that is crazy!

    Or maybe I'm wrong and it will sell on the 563rd day on the market.
  • That property on 30th has a new listing at $589k.

    http://www.johnlscott.com/propertydetai ... 592&Sort=0

    Yep, still a bad deal.
  • femto wrote:
    This ones a little bit different:

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1389966

    5002 3rd Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107

    Price: $999,950
    Purchased 4/21/2006 for $920,000

    So $80K gain in the past 1.5 years, probably unrealistic but not audacious. But check this:

    Purchased 7/07/2004 for $395,000

    395 -> 920 is a 525K or a 132% gain. That's pretty effin' audacious. Anyone who can more than double their money without bulldozing the lot and building a bigger house has pulled off an impressive flip. I'm afraid the buyer wasn't so lucky: You looking ahead to that 2 year OA resetting in a few months? I fear there's no greater fool to bail you out of this one.

    I have a feeling that the 2004 buyer did a major renovation, including turning a very nice 6000 sq ft yard into a 6000 sq ft brick patio :roll: and redoing most of the interior of the house... and suckered someone into paying $920k for it. There's no way a decent 5/4 would have only gone for $395k in '04 unless it was an in-family transaction or something.
  • That property on 30th has a new listing at $589k.

    http://www.johnlscott.com/propertydetai ... 592&Sort=0

    Yep, still a bad deal.

    Hey look! It's STI now, too. I'm telling you all -- even the most audacious homes are going STI right now. I hope they enjoy their sheik house. :roll:
  • pumpkin wrote:
    That property on 30th has a new listing at $589k. Yep, still a bad deal.

    Hey look! It's STI now, too. I'm telling you all -- even the most audacious homes are going STI right now. I hope they enjoy their sheik house. :roll:

    The old $40K off trick. Get's 'em every time.

    Actually I've seen several houses I've been eying in Ballard go STI and come off, a couple more than once. I think in this market no one wants to outright reject any bid, even low-balls , so protracted negotiations with multiple counters may be getting more common. If it does go through it will be interesting to see where the final price falls relative to the original cost + improvements + carrying cost. I fear the Ballard Flippopotamus is becoming an endangered specieis.
  • Zillow's neighborhood report for Ballard shows an 11.1% drop in the last 12 months and still dropping.

    http://www.zillow.com/real-estate/WA-Seattle/Ballard

    While I don't put too much stock in the "zestimate" for an indivual house - the neighborhood feature should be a pretty good indicator of trend across all sales.
  • It seems wonky to me, check out the cap hill page.

    http://www.zillow.com/real-estate/WA-Se ... pitol-Hill
  • femto wrote:
    Actually I've seen several houses I've been eying in Ballard go STI and come off, a couple more than once. I think in this market no one wants to outright reject any bid, even low-balls , so protracted negotiations with multiple counters may be getting more common.
    But it isn't STI until mutual acceptance; i.e. after all offers and counteroffers are done. The seller can't get out of the deal, so if it goes back on the market, that's the buyer's doing.
  • Markor wrote:
    femto wrote:
    Actually I've seen several houses I've been eying in Ballard go STI and come off, a couple more than once. I think in this market no one wants to outright reject any bid, even low-balls , so protracted negotiations with multiple counters may be getting more common.
    But it isn't STI until mutual acceptance; i.e. after all offers and counteroffers are done. The seller can't get out of the deal, so if it goes back on the market, that's the buyer's doing.

    I think femto is referring to buyers backing out or asking for concessions. In this market, inspections are the easiest way for a buyer to get out of a deal or force concessions.. Ask for the moon in terms of fixes or concessions, that shoots the deal right there. Done it myself (albeit 8 years ago!). 12-18 months ago, you pretty much had to waive inspection as a buyer.
  • check out this attempt at a flip/save

    Townhouse purchased 11/30/2005 for $459k (little more than 2 years ago)
    now on the market for $560k (for 93 days)

    http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=63925779

    also for rent, asking $2,500/month for a 15-18 month lease

    http://www.windermereseattlepm.com/view ... .php?id=96

    I rent a nicer, bigger T/H of the same vintage for $400/month less - in a better neighborhood

    I wish them luck with their fantasy price or rent!
  • deejayoh wrote:
    Markor wrote:
    femto wrote:
    Actually I've seen several houses I've been eying in Ballard go STI and come off, a couple more than once. I think in this market no one wants to outright reject any bid, even low-balls , so protracted negotiations with multiple counters may be getting more common.
    But it isn't STI until mutual acceptance; i.e. after all offers and counteroffers are done. The seller can't get out of the deal, so if it goes back on the market, that's the buyer's doing.

    I think femto is referring to buyers backing out or asking for concessions. In this market, inspections are the easiest way for a buyer to get out of a deal or force concessions.. Ask for the moon in terms of fixes or concessions, that shoots the deal right there. Done it myself (albeit 8 years ago!). 12-18 months ago, you pretty much had to waive inspection as a buyer.

    Don't forget the latest escape hatch, the 'neighborhood review'. In a non-Ponzi market, negotiations continue well into the STI phase. Femto's point is indeed relevant.
  • (I accidentally posted this in the wrong thread -- sorry!)

    "I'm on a roll now:

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1474042

    630 NW 48th St
    Seattle, WA 98107

    last sale: Aug 31, 2007 $384,950
    price today: $549,950

    Unbelievable. :shock:"
  • pumpkin wrote:
    (I accidentally posted this in the wrong thread -- sorry!)

    "I'm on a roll now:

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1474042

    630 NW 48th St
    Seattle, WA 98107

    last sale: Aug 31, 2007 $384,950
    price today: $549,950

    Unbelievable. :shock:"

    Nice basement, reminds me of Lestercorp's floor #7½... :roll: What is next? Drywalling crawlspaces and adding that to the square footage?
  • The upstairs rooms look short too. I think it is an artifact of their wide-angle lens intended to make the rooms look bigger.
  • deejayoh wrote:
    check out this attempt at a flip/save

    Townhouse purchased 11/30/2005 for $459k (little more than 2 years ago)
    now on the market for $560k (for 93 days)

    http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.htm?zprop=63925779

    also for rent, asking $2,500/month for a 15-18 month lease

    http://www.windermereseattlepm.com/view ... .php?id=96

    I rent a nicer, bigger T/H of the same vintage for $400/month less - in a better neighborhood

    I wish them luck with their fantasy price or rent!

    It's listed at $2375/mo, but that's still easily $500-600/mo overpriced based on the current market. Good luck with that one.
  • http://redfin.com/stingray/do/printable ... id=1504680

    12407 NE 140th St
    Kirkland, WA 98034

    Purchased 6/2007 for $218k.

    They tore down the garage to subdivide the lot and I guess they ran out money. The house still needs to be repaired from where the garage used to be.

    Asking $289k.

    :shock:
  • This has to be one of the weirder listings I've seen. Not even sure it's audacious.

    http://www.redfin.com/stingray/do/print ... id=1498493

    Sold 3 times in the last 2 years, each time at a lower price, then listed for significantly above its 2006 sale.
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