What is Fix & Flip?

The Fix & Flip strategy refers to buying, upgrading and selling real estate within a short period of time with the goal of making a profit.

The process begins with finding an undervalued property to buy and renovate. After the upgrading measures are completed, the property is sold on the market at a higher price.

So Fix & Flip is:

• Buy a cheap property
• Upgrade them cost-effectively
• Sell profitably

Buy Fix & Flip property

The first step in implementing a fix & flip strategy is to find and purchase a suitable property. Remember to do a thorough assessment of the building’s fabric to understand what kind of renovations are needed to increase the property’s value and get a realistic estimate of the selling price.

Here are some tips that can help you with this process.

Search undervalued real estate

These can be properties that are in poor condition or whose owners need to sell them quickly. Nevertheless, when choosing a property, pay attention to its location. The location is decisive for the subsequent selling price.

Use of online platforms

There are many online platforms that make it easier to find suitable properties, such as social media platforms or apps and online markets. Also, private contacts can be an ideal way to find lucrative properties for the fix & flip strategy.

Build a network: Brokers, craftsmen & Co.

Making contacts with brokers, craftsmen and other professionals in the real estate sector is very helpful to be informed about possible offers. Here you can simply use online platforms or contact private individuals.

Maybe your uncle knows someone who has renovated a bathroom cheaply before.

Secure funding & capital

Make sure you have enough capital to renovate and sell the property you buy. Many fix & flip projects fail due to insufficient capital. Generous planning of costs and financial resources is therefore very important.

Fix & Flip offers the possibility to finance them. You can find out how that works here:

• Fix & Flip Financing

After the purchase of the property comes the important step of upgrading.

Fix & Flip property upgrade

Upgrading the real estate is the real work. Here you must pay attention to a detailed planning of the work. With the planning you can better estimate expenses for costs and time. The goal of the revaluation is to increase the value of the property by effective measures, in order to achieve profit. With redevelopment, renovation and modernization measures, these goals can be achieved.

In the following article, you will find out exactly what you need to pay attention to, what work is involved and what costs you will incur:

• Fix & Flip property upgrade

Fix & Flip property for sale

The last step after upgrading the property is selling it. This step ultimately leads to your profit, which is why it is important to choose the right approach here.

First, you should have your property appraised by an expert, such as architects or realtors. They will give you a range in which you can set your selling price.

You can see how such a profit calculation looks like in this article:

• Fix & Flip Cost Accounting

Also interesting! Fix & Flip taxes differ depending on the legal form chosen.

Conclusion. Fix & Flip & Capital Increase

If you find a cheap property, the Fix & Flip strategy is a profitable way to invest in real estate. However, you must keep in mind that the strategy can also be associated with risks, such as unforeseen renovation costs or difficulties in selling the property.

High risk but high reward

In summary, the Fix & Flip strategy, when executed efficiently, contributes quickly and effectively to your capital increase. You must make sure that you are well prepared and understand the risks before starting with this strategy.

For detailed information, check out our partners’ Fix & Flip guide:

• Fix & Flip Real Estate

Is the purchase of an electric vehicle worthwhile? Advantages and disadvantages

The range of electric cars does not come close to that of full-fuelled petrol or diesel cars. They are generally still more expensive than the combustion engines. Charging also presents the consumer with problems time and again.
But: electric cars already have many advantages that cannot be dismissed.
Driving pleasure through faster and more powerful acceleration, guaranteed free travel in all environmental zones and, of course, a clear conscience – although the environmental balance of e-cars should be viewed in a differentiated way. After all, not only does the electricity have to come from somewhere, but raw materials such as lithium for the batteries also have to be obtained first.

Supposed disadvantages?

• A major disadvantage is first of all the difference in price, even though electric cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles are increasingly converging in price to those with comparable combustion engines. This is mainly due to the high cost of high-performance batteries.

But: Since 19.02.2020 there is a subsidy of up to 6.000€ for the purchase of an e-car.

• The charging infrastructure in Germany also leaves a lot to be desired. Charging in public places is being greatly expanded, but it is still quite expensive compared to the price to be paid at the private electricity connection. Many car owners also do not have the necessary infrastructure at home to charge at a wall box, for example.

However, car manufacturers are already finding solutions for this themselves. So you can recharge your Tesla at so-called supercharger stations, with the Model S or X even free of charge. Tesla is thus also increasing the range of its cars to around 500 km.

Advantages of electric cars: parking, special lanes & Co.

With an electric car you also enjoy many privileges:

• Free parking is already possible in many city centres.
• The permitted use of special lanes is also being discussed, in order to save electric car drivers from the daily traffic jams.
• Electric cars (no plug-in models!) are also exempt from vehicle tax for 10 years.

In terms of equipment, too, an electric car usually leaves nothing to be desired. As an electric car driver you feel like a trendsetter, the way to autonomous driving is much shorter than with combustion engines and gives you a futuristic feeling: the future is within reach!

The video summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of electric cars once again:

The best electric car models: Porsche, Mercedes & Tesla

Here we have summarized the best electric cars from Tesla, Porsche, Mercedes and Volkswagen.
Here you will also find everything you need to know about car investments.

The classic among the SUV e-cars: the Model X from Tesla

The Tesla Model X is the oldest E-SUV model on the market and still one of the best in terms of range. This model has been on the market since September 2015, the technical basis is the Model S from Tesla. The large-capacity car has room for seven passengers and with its two luggage compartments (the space under the bonnet remained free) more than enough storage space. The Model X is available with either one or two electric motors, so the car can be ordered with rear or four-wheel drive. Optionally, the Tesla X is even available as a performance version, which promises a particularly sporty driving experience.
With a range of up to 480 km/h, the Tesla X takes you a long way with a top speed of 250 km/h. From 0 to 100 in just 3.8 seconds, hardly any combustion engine can keep up. The Tesla X also achieves a 5-star NCAP safety rating – in all areas.
Probably the most exclusive feature of the X is its wing wing doors, which simplify access to the rear seats, open up even in the tightest parking spaces and set it apart from other models.

Fun fact: With the Dog-Mode even the four-legged friends are safe in the Tesla

Leave the dog in the car in the summer heat? Not a good idea. Yes, it is! That’s exactly what Tesla’s dog fashions do.
You can see how it works in the video.

The classic Porsche driving experience now also available as an e-car: The Porsche Taycan series

More than seven years after Elon Musk went to market with Tesla with the Model S, Porsche has now also brought out an electric limousine. And the top version is extremely fast – as you would expect from a Porsche.
The Porsche Taycan is available in three versions: the Taycan 4S, the Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S. The latter model makes it from 0 to 200 km/h in under 10 seconds, from 0 to 100 it takes only 2.8 seconds, which makes it equal to the Tesla X. The Taycan Turbo and the Taycan Turbo S also make it to a top speed of 260 km/h.
In the design, Porsche has stuck to its tried and tested successful concept: The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is puristic, expressive and timeless.
With this model, Porsche also follows its Purpose Design approach and does not compromise on the perfect interaction of the drive components.
The foundation of the Taycan is its powerful performance battery based on lithium-ion technology. The entire vehicle is built around this battery to ensure the expressive design of this vehicle. The battery is based on 800 volt technology instead of the conventional 400 volt technology, providing greater performance for charging and propulsion.

An SUV that looks like a sports car: The Mercedes EQC

The ECQ from Mercedes is the starting model of a whole family of electric cars. The basis is the Mercedes SUV GLC, which has advantages, like the driver assistance systems or the modern infotainment, but also disadvantages, because the ECQ cannot be a sophisticated electric car.
The storage space of the ECQ may not be as large as that of the competition, but it is still possible to attach heavy trailers to the Mercedes EQC, which is not the norm for electric cars. In the EQC there are two motors working and so the Mercedes accelerates from o to 100 in 5.1 seconds and can keep up with sports cars despite its size and weight. And it still offers the conformity of an SUV. In addition, the ECQ needs only 40 minutes at quick charging points and thus has a range of 429 to 454 kilometers.
Mercedes promises electric driving with the high level of safety of the Mercedes combustion models – and Mercedes keeps this promise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGT5ziMDJkw&feature=youtu.be

Affordable and yet fully equipped: The ID.3 from Volkswagen

The fully electric ID.3 is to be delivered from September this year. Thanks to the purchase premium for e-cars, the First Edition with 58 kWh battery capacity for 420 kilometers standard range will cost only about 32.000€, which is quite close to the price for a “normal car”. VW has especially thought of frequent drivers and commuters in its ID.3 and is planning a 77 kWh battery for up to 550 kilometers – VW would even beat Tesla with this.
The ID.3 can be driven like a normal GTI, thanks to the electric motor you can go from 0 to 60 in only 3.4 seconds. You can get to 100 in just under 8 seconds. The ID.3 is one of the most powerful electric cars, hardly audible in the city. The interior offers a lot of space and a greatly reduced cockpit (thanks to extensive voice control) ensures a minimalist design. The ID.3 also meets the safety requirements of its passengers with a red light warning lens.

Zero energy house simply explained: characteristic values & requirements

Zero-energy houses are small, building planning and energetic masterpieces. A zero-energy house is oriented in its standard value to the passive house. This means that it does not exceed the energy requirement of 15 kWh/sqm per year (regulation of the Passive House Institute Darmstadt) and also produces the consumed energy itself through photovoltaics and solar thermal energy.

This means that a zero-energy house is a completely self-sufficient entity and is not dependent on electricity purchases. Here is a summary of what a zero-energy house is all about:

• Energy demand <15 kWh/sqm per annum
• The remaining energy required is produced by the company itself
• Neutral CO2 balance

Features and technical details

The simple explanation seems very appealing at first and the question arises why not every house is built according to these standards. The reason for this is that, on the one hand, the completely self-sufficient house is unfortunately still an unachieved idea and, on the other hand, the technical and construction requirements are not so easy to integrate in old buildings.

Furthermore, depending on the season and location, even a zero-energy house is still dependent on electricity purchases. This unfortunately makes the title zero-energy house somewhat misleading. Nevertheless, the residents of a zero-energy house can look forward to a very low electricity bill.

Why are not all new buildings automatically zero-energy houses? Because zero energy houses also have certain disadvantages, which we will explain in more detail in the course of this article. In addition, the construction of a zero-energy house can be associated with higher costs than a standard house construction due to the additional installations that must be made in relation to the sustainability of the houses.

Tip. Are you looking for the perfect house, but don’t know if building or buying is right for you? Then take a look at our XXL Real Estate Guide! Here you will find interesting facts about buying, selling & Co. on the subject of apartments and houses.

Are you looking for the right house? Then check out our guide! Here you will find definitions, meanings and lots of information: House types from A-Z

Room layout and construction

What exactly can you expect from the room layout of a sustainable house and what restrictions arise in terms of rooms and room layout. However, we do not want to go too much into disadvantages and advantages here, as these will be discussed in the following section.

A big factor in the construction of zero-energy houses is to optimize the external surface in relation to the total volume of the house, which means reducing it to prevent heat loss. In addition, the insulation of zero energy houses is the be-all and end-all of the building. If the insulation is not optimized, the house will not serve its purpose.

Advantages & Disadvantages: Savings and risk of mold

What speaks for and what speaks against the zero-energy house? Are there any arguments against sustainable buildings? We will try to answer these questions in the following, so that you can decide whether such a sustainable home could meet your needs.

Advantages: Service charges, living space and windows

Many of the benefits of zero energy homes are obvious and have also been briefly touched on in previous sections. But there are a few more factors that help to make sustainable living palatable.

• Low power consumption
• Reduced ancillary costs
• CO2-neutral
• Large windows
• Optimized living space

Disadvantages: Cost, limitations and risk of mold

If you want to live in an environmentally conscious way, you have to say goodbye to the German ventilation culture, because the energy-efficient living options unfortunately come without opening windows. Instead, a ventilation system is installed that allows a regulated living air exchange, but keeps the temperature of the house constant.

• High acquisition costs
• Limited freedom in construction
• Danger of mould due to ventilation deficiencies

For whom is the zero-energy house suitable?

The question of who should move into such a house is not so easy to answer, because an energy-efficient house always tends to offer the option of accessibility, especially if it is a new build, so the groups that can feel comfortable in this type of house are wide-ranging.

Families, singles, pensioners and co.: Building a zero-energy house?

Do you want to move into a zero-energy home, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you yet? Making the choice is really difficult, but in the long run, investing in energy-conscious living will definitely pay off in terms of cost. In addition, you’ll be an absolute pioneer when it comes to the house and housing market.

Sustainable housing options will become more and more in demand. Of course, this brings advantages and disadvantages for zero-energy houses. On the one hand, the loss in value due to aging is not quite as high, as certain standard values are already taken into account during construction. On the other hand, they require maintenance in places that other houses do not have.

In addition, progress in sustainable housing can be expected to be driven by political and popular interest, with new technologies overtaking old ones.

Source: Zero Energy House (Lukinski.com)

Energetic sustainable building: KfW Efficiency Houses & more

Zero energy homes have only existed in the real world, and not just on paper, for a little over ten years. But zero-energy homes are not the only players in the field of sustainable housing options. Environmentally conscious building projects are being viewed more and more positively by lending institutions and banks, and getting support is often tied to the planning of the building projects.

KfW efficiency houses, old buildings and zero-energy houses in comparison

In order to be classified as a KfW Efficiency House, a building must meet certain criteria. The better the house performs, the more favourable the loan options are. These criteria can be particularly interesting when building a new house. The requirements for a KfW Efficiency House consist of primary energy demand and transmission heat loss. These are the values for new buildings:

• KfW 40 Plus: primary energy requirement 40 % // transmission heat loss 55 %.
• KfW 40: PEB 40 % // TWV: 55 %
• KfW 55: PEB 55 % // TWV 70 %

The values are to be considered in relation to the reference building. Primary energy demand describes the amount of energy required to meet the energy demand. Transmission heat loss, the heat that is lost through walls, windows, etc.

We have also compiled the energy requirements of popular housing types so that you have an approximate reference for the energy consumption of houses at hand. The values are of course to be considered average, as a simplification has taken place:

• Partially renovated old building: 155 kWh/qma
• New building: 45 kWh/qma
• Modernised old building: 120 kWh/qma
• KfW Efficiency House 40 Plus: <25 kWh/qma
• Passive/zero energy house: <15 kWh/qma

Build or buy: Pros and cons of building a house

Now, after all this information, the question arises: should I rather build or buy such a house. Of course, this question must always be answered on a personal basis. How much time, effort and money can you put into your new home and, most importantly, what is on offer in the housing market? Are there perhaps already offers that meet your requirements, or do you have expectations that have not yet been fulfilled?

One factor that specifically favors building sustainable homes is the availability of good loan options for this type of home. If this is a factor for you, building a home here may even be more of an option than other types of homes you’ll find in our magazine.

Refurbishment tips: From old building to zero-energy house?

Turning a beautiful old building into a zero-energy house? Hardly possible. But nevertheless there are renovation measures that help to make the old building a little more energy efficient. For example, through new insulation in the roof and the general overhaul of the windows.

Double or triple windows reduce a building’s transmission heat loss, as does upgrading insulation. If you are really interested in improving your energy balance, you can expect to spend a little money. On the other hand, you’ll save money in the long run. In addition, loans for renovation measures that have a positive energy effect on the house can be obtained at good conditions.

Zero energy home setup: Brands, tips and tricks

The zero-energy house is usually equipped with an efficiently used area, but this also means that unnecessary free space is reduced and high rooms are avoided. So that you don’t have to do without style in your interior, we have summarized a lot of interior brands and their assortment for you and maybe there is also one or the other object for you. You can find the different collections here: Interior Brands Guide.

Low-energy house & passive house: energy-efficient living – features & comparison

The low-energy and passive house are also house types that enable energy-efficient living. We have presented the individual house types in separate articles and compared them for you. Energy-efficient living does not know only one solution, inform yourself here about the individual possibilities and find the perfect house form for you, with which you can live sustainably and energy-efficiently.

• Low-energy house
• Passive House