How To Find CHEAP Houses To Flip (STEP-BY-STEP)!

One of my favorite moments is when a real estate agent flat-out says, “This one’s a fixer-upper.” Perfect—that’s exactly what we’re after. If you know how to find cheap houses to flip, it only takes a minute to pull up a distressed listing and have a motivated seller lead ready to call.

To flip houses successfully, you need two things: a property in rough shape and a seller open to negotiating. Distressed houses might have roof leaks, cracked foundations, outdated interiors from decades ago, or even a tilted floor that sends a marble rolling. These aren’t pretty homes—and that’s the point.

Because they’re in poor condition, these homes often can’t qualify for traditional financing, which scares off retail buyers. But for investors who understand how to find cheap houses to flip, this is where opportunity begins. We’re willing to take on the risk most people won’t—because that’s where the profit lives.

•  Why Identifying Sellers in Distressed Situations Gives You Negotiating Leverage

• The Day Zero Strategy: Track New Distressed Listings in Real Time

• The Old Listings Strategy: Target Fixer-Uppers on the Market for 60+ Days

• How to Call Listing Agents Like a PRO!

• Final Thoughts 

If you’re serious about doing your first real estate deal, don’t waste time guessing what works. Our FREE Training walks you through how to consistently find deals, flip houses, and build passive income—without expensive marketing or trial and error.

This FREE Training gives you the same system our students use to start fast and scale smart. Watch it today—so you can stop wondering and start closing.

Why Identifying Sellers in Distressed Situations Gives You Negotiating Leverage

While you can visually identify a distressed property, discovering whether the seller is in a distressed situation usually requires a phone call to the listing agent.

You won’t find “divorce” or “lost job” in the public listing description, but if you ask the right questions, the agent may share the seller’s motivation.

Common distress situations include job loss, urgent relocation, legal disputes, or the need for fast cash.

These circumstances create motivated sellers—exactly what we’re looking for in a deal.

The Day Zero Strategy: Track New Distressed Listings in Real Time

One of our favorite tactics is the Day Zero Strategy. Using Redfin as an example, filter for new listings that hit the market in the last 24 hours.

Review each property and identify ones that look distressed—mold, damaged cabinetry, overgrown landscaping, cracked tiles, or missing flooring.

From a batch of 50 new listings, maybe only 5 to 10 will be distressed.

That’s your goldmine. Speed is critical here—the goal is to be the first investor to call.

Often, being first means you can lock up the deal before anyone else even picks up the phone.

Remember, don’t waste time calling on beautifully renovated homes with quartz countertops and Viking appliances.

Focus on the handful that clearly need work.

Read Also: How To Flip Houses With $10k: 6 Best Strategies In 2024

The Old Listings Strategy: Target Fixer-Uppers on the Market for 60+ Days

Our second favorite strategy is targeting old listings—properties that have been sitting on the market for 60, 90, or even 120+ days.

These often signal one of two things: the property was overpriced or there’s an underlying issue, like litigation or repairs.

Time can kill or save deals. As weeks go by, previously unsolvable problems might get resolved.

Or you might step in with a creative solution, like offering a lease-back option to give the seller time to move.

These scenarios make old listings a great source of motivated sellers and distressed properties.

Read Also: How To Fix and Flip Houses For Profit (FREE CALCULATOR)!

How to Call Listing Agents Like a PRO!

How To Use Redfin Filters To Find Distressed Properties

Go to Redfin.com and type in your county, not just a specific city. Counties cast a wider net and give you more leads to work with. Once you're in your target area, adjust the filters.

Select "House" under home type, and make sure both "Active" and "Coming Soon" listings are selected. Then scroll down and select "Fixer Upper" under filters. Redfin’s algorithm will show properties with keywords or images that suggest the home needs work.

Once your list is up, sort from newest to oldest. This helps you act quickly on the latest opportunities. Look at each property’s photos for signs of distress—no flooring, cracked tiles, outdated bathrooms, damaged cabinets, or general disrepair. Check the description too. Phrases like “needs TLC,” “handyman special,” or “diamond in the rough” are green lights.

Read Also: Redfin Vs. Zillow In 2024: Estimates, Accuracy, & More

How To Talk To Real Estate Agents

Now that you’ve identified distressed properties, it’s time to call the listing agents.

The MLS usually includes their contact info—phone number, email, and brokerage. If you're using Redfin, Zillow, or Realtor.com and can’t find a number, Google the agent’s name to locate their contact details.

These aren’t cold calls. They're warm or hot calls. Why? Because agents only get paid when they sell a home. They want your call—especially if it’s an investment property that’s been sitting.

When you call, ask:

1. Is the property still active? You want to confirm it's not already under contract.

2. Do the online photos reflect the current condition? Sometimes they're outdated.

3. What’s the actual condition of the property? Ask the agent to describe it.

4. Are you open to representing my offer? If you’re unrepresented, the agent could earn both sides of the commission.

5. Why is the seller selling? Motivation matters.

6. What’s the activity level? Learn how many offers or calls they’ve received.

These discovery calls help you qualify the deal without wasting time. You’ll also hear if the seller is motivated, which gives you more negotiating power.

What To Do After The Discovery Call

If the property is still active, distressed, and the agent is willing to work with you, close the call like this:

“Thank you for your time. I’ll meet with my team, analyze the property, and let you know what we can offer to make this work.”

This lets you work smarter, not harder. Don’t analyze every deal that comes your way. Pre-qualify them with a quick call first. That way, you only run numbers on the most promising properties.

Final Thoughts

At Real Estate Skills, we use up to nine proven strategies to find, fix, and flip houses efficiently and profitably. If you want to leverage our tools, systems, and over 12 years of experience, check out our ProFix & Flipper program.

Visit www.RealEstateSkills.com/apply to speak with one of our expert advisors. Whether or not we work together, we’ll point you toward the best next step in your real estate journey and provide free resources to help you move forward.

And if you're ready to build a hyper-profitable wholesaling and house flipping business, check out our full training at www.RealEstateSkills.com/watch. Happy flipping!

If you’re serious about doing your first real estate deal, don’t waste time guessing what works. Our FREE Training walks you through how to consistently find deals, flip houses, and build passive income—without expensive marketing or trial and error.

This FREE Training gives you the same system our students use to start fast and scale smart. Watch it today—so you can stop wondering and start closing.

 *Disclosure: Real Estate Skills is not a law firm, and the information contained here does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before making any legal conclusions. The information presented here is educational in nature. All investments involve risks, and the past performance of an investment, industry, sector, and/or market does not guarantee future returns or results. Investors are responsible for any investment decision they make. Such decisions should be based on an evaluation of their financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.