How To Flip Houses In Wyoming: Step By Step (2024)

With a population resting somewhere in the neighborhood of 581,381, Wyoming is the least populous state in America, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It is worth noting, however, that despite the lack of people living in the Cowboy State, there may be no better time to learn how to flip houses in Wyoming than now. As it turns out, Wyoming has the twenty-third-highest foreclosure rate and the shortest average foreclosure timelines for homes foreclosed in the first quarter of this year, according to ATTOM Data Solutions' latest Foreclosure Market Report. 

With the unique convergence between an average foreclosure rate and the speed at which foreclosures are closing in Wyoming, local home flippers may have an easier time landing a deal than their counterparts in other states. That, combined with a median home value lower than the national average, suggests Wyoming has potential for new investors.

As a result, we have developed this guide to teach you how to flip homes in Wyoming, including:

• What Is Flipping Houses?
• Wyoming House Flipping Statistics
• How To Flip Houses In Wyoming (7 Steps)
• How To Find Houses To Flip In Wyoming
• Do You Need A License To Flip Houses In Wyoming?
• How To Flip A House In Wyoming With No Money
• Best Cities To Flip Houses In Wyoming
• Final Thoughts On Flipping Homes In Wyoming

*Before we begin our guide, we also invite you to view our video on How To FLIP A HOUSE For Beginners (Step-by-Step). Host and CEO of Real Estate Skills, Alex Martinez, & Stan Gendlin share how to flip a house from start to finish as a beginner! 

Together, Alex & Stan have completed over 1,000+ house flips. What you learn in this video will give you the confidence and guidance to successfully complete your fix-and-flip project!

What Is Flipping Houses?

Flipping houses is a real estate investing strategy involving buying and reselling real property for a profit. However, as its name vaguely suggests, flipping houses is more nuanced than buying and selling real estate.

For starters, “flipping houses” refers to the speed at which real estate investors can figuratively fix and flip their deals from one owner to another. The faster a deal can get done, the more money an investor stands to make. Perhaps even more importantly, the sooner a property sells, the sooner a new deal can be struck with the proceeds from the old one.

Secondly, reselling the home for profit requires improvements to the property. Working within a strict budget, investors will rehab and fix the property. The goal isn’t to spend as much money on the house as possible but to make the home slightly more appealing than those buyers will compare it to. That way, when the time comes to resell the home, investors will have attracted the most buyers without spending too much money.

Ultimately, investors will look to sell the house for more than they invest. According to ATTOM Data Solutions’ year-end 2022 U.S. Home Flipping Report, the average flip resulted in a gross profit of $67,900 last year. At the same time, the house-flipping industry had its most active year in nearly two decades.

“407,417 single-family homes and condos in the United States were flipped in 2022. That was up 14 percent from 357,666 in 2021, and up 58 percent from 2020, to the highest point since at least 2005,” said the report.

Wyoming House Flipping Statistics

Learning how to flip houses in Wyoming starts with understanding the local market. In particular, the data and statistics will dictate how everything transpires, including home flips. Consequently, inventors need to familiarize themselves with today’s most important Wyoming house flipping statistics, including:

• Average Home Value: $329,800
• 1-Year Appreciation Rate: 6.1%
• Median Days To Pending Sale: 20
• Median Listing Price: $325,200
• Homes For Sale: 1,059
• Foreclosure Rate: One in every 10,067 households
• Population: 581,381
• Median Household Income: $68,002
• Unemployment Rate: 3.5%

*All Wyoming housing market statistics are as of the second quarter of 2023.

How To Flip Houses In Wyoming (7 Steps)

Learning how to flip houses in Wyoming is as simple as following the seven steps outlined below:

1. Find A House-Flipping Mentor
2. Research The Local Housing Market
3. Find & Analyze Distressed Properties
4. Raise Capital To Fund The Deal
5. Close On The House
6. Renovate The Property
7. Resell The House

1. Find A House-Flipping Mentor

There is no reason to start flipping houses in Wyoming alone. Instead, look to enlist the services of a mentor who can achieve what you hope to accomplish. Their expertise will go a long way in setting the foundation for your entire career. A great mentor will offer insight, support, and guidance in an industry where each is invaluable.

Even mentors who charge for their guidance can be a worthwhile investment. The knowledge they impart and the ability to avoid costly mistakes can’t be underestimated, and their worth cannot be measured solely by a price tag. Education is critical in this industry; having a mentor can significantly accelerate your progress.

When seeking a mentor in Wyoming, don’t hesitate to take your time and vet candidates thoroughly. Specifically, look for someone whose style aligns with your goals and values. Remember, if you are going to make a career out of this, you’ll want to ensure you are doing it the best way you know how.

Read Also: How to Start & Grow A Real Estate Business | The (ULTIMATE) Guide

2. Research The Local Housing Market

Along with finding a house-flipping mentor, new investors will want to get acquainted with the best resources available. Here’s a list of some of the most trusted resources regarding the Wyoming real estate market:

• Zillow Housing Data Research
• Redfin’s Wyoming Housing Market Overview
• Wyoming Real Estate & Property Data
• Wyoming Real Estate Commission

3. Find & Analyze Distressed Properties

Finding and analyzing a distressed Wyoming investment property doesn’t have to be intimidating for first-time investors. There’s a “rule” specifically designed to make things easier: the 70% rule. While not perfect, the 70% rule does help determine whether or not a deal is worth pursuing. 

Here’s how the 70% rule works: First, determine a subject property's after-repair value (ARV) by comparing it to “comps,” or similar, nearby homes. With an idea of how much other houses in a given neighborhood are selling for, investors can land on a ballpark figure for how much their home will be worth.

Next, multiply the ARV by 70% and subtract the estimated repair costs. This calculation gives you the maximum allowable offer (MAO). In its simplest form, the MAO is the highest price you should pay for the property if you want the deal to be worthwhile.

It is crucial for anyone learning how to flip homes in Wyoming that the 70% rule isn’t comprehensive and shouldn’t replace proper analysis. However, it does give new investors a good starting point.

Read Also: How To Find Distressed Properties To Buy

4. Raise Capital To Fund The Deal

It is beneficial for house flippers to raise capital from outside sources, even if their financial situation awards them the luxury of funding their deals. If for nothing else, using personal capital ties up all your funds in a single deal, and the lack of liquidity limits flexibility. On the other hand, using other people's money promotes scalability and increased optionality.

While private and hard money lenders may charge upwards of 15% in interest (well above traditional banking institutions’ rates), they are still the preferred source of funding for home flippers because of their short-term duration and the speed at which investors can acquire them.

5. Close On The House

With the money in hand, investors need to move quickly and close on the property by following a few simple steps:

• Investors and homeowners will negotiate the terms of a sale until an agreement can be reached. A purchase and sale agreement is written and signed when both sides come to terms.
• A title search will confirm the chain of ownership and that no discrepancies will arise at a future date after the property is sold.
• While not all that common with investment properties, the investor may choose to have the property inspected. At the very least, they will mind due diligence and walk through the home to know precisely what they are buying and that there are no surprises.
• Important closing documents—like the settlement statement, deed, and other legal paperwork—are prepared, reviewed, and signed.
• The agents in charge of the transaction will gather all necessary documents, collect and distribute funds, and ensure all the paperwork is done correctly.
• After completing the paperwork and checking for accuracy, the overseeing agent will disburse payments to the appropriate parties. Following the transaction, the deed and new chain of title are recorded at the local Recorder’s Office.
• In Wyoming, real estate attorneys must offer a title opinion to issue title insurance and should also prepare closing documents such as deeds.

6. Renovate The Property

The goal of flipping a home isn’t simply to make the best product possible; it’s to make it without going over budget. As a result, investors are tasked with making budget-friendly renovations and fixes that simultaneously add the most value to the property.

Perhaps even more specifically, most investors will aim to make the subject property the best home on the block, but only by a slim margin; that way, they can increase demand without spending unnecessary money.

According to Remodeling Magazine, the renovations with the best returns in Wyoming are:

• Electric HVAC Conversion: An electrical HVAC conversion will recoup about 114.5% of the original cost.
• Fiber-Cement Siding Replacement: Replacing siding with fiber cement will recoup about 107.4% of the original cost.
• Garage Door Replacement: Replacing a garage door will recoup about 99.7% of the original cost.
• Manufactured Stone Veneer: Adding manufactured stone veneers will recoup about 96.7% of the original cost.
• Vinyl Siding Replacement: Replacing siding with vinyl siding will recoup about 92.9% of the original cost.

Read Also: Estimating Rehab Costs: (Ultimate) Investor's Guide

7. Resell The House

House flippers benefit from selling their renovated property quickly. It's common practice to start marketing the property to potential buyers while renovations are underway. Partnering with an experienced real estate agent is an intelligent decision.

A skilled agent can help determine an attractive sale price and accelerate the process. Real estate agents will cost more, but their services often help investors make money.

How To Find Houses To Flip In Wyoming

In the wake of the record appreciation, historically low inventory levels, and rapidly rising interest rates, finding a home to flip in Wyoming isn’t what it used to be. Nonetheless, investors still have plenty of places to turn to when they want to find their next deal. The most common places investors turn to when looking for houses to flip include, but are not limited to:

• Real Estate Agents
• The Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
• Foreclosure Auctions
• Public Records
• Direct Mail Campaigns
• Locating Distressed Homes

Do You Need A License To Flip Houses In Wyoming?

You do not need a real estate license to flip houses in Wyoming. Instead, anyone who has already learned how to flip houses in Wyoming can do so. That said, while investors don’t need a license to flip homes, they can benefit from having one.

With a license, investors will gain MLS access and an extensive network of like-minded professionals. The benefits can be significant, but they come at a cost. Licensed professionals must pay annual fees and keep up with industry standards, which means passing tests regularly.

Thinking about investing in the Wyoming real estate market? Join Alex Martinez at his FREE training to learn how to get started with house flipping and wholesaling!

How To Flip A House In Wyoming With No Money

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to flip a house in Wyoming without using your own money. While it is possible to fund an entire flip with cash from your existing accounts, investors should use other people’s money instead. In particular, hard money and private money lenders have become the preferred funding sources of today’s investors.

A hard money loan is cash awarded to investors from a private company specializing in asset-based lending. That means private money lenders will give investors the money they need to flip a house if they can present the lender with an attractive enough deal and prove they can get the job done.

On the other hand, private money originates from anyone with excess capital and a desire to invest it. A private money loan can come from a family member, an acquaintance, or any other contact with cash to invest.

Private and hard money loans coincide with high interest rates, upwards of 15% in some markets. However, in return for the high rate, investors receive a short-term loan that can be used immediately. The speed of receiving the money is often the difference between locking up a deal and losing it.

Best Cities To Flip Houses In Wyoming

Learning how to flip houses in Wyoming looks like a smart move in today’s market. However, investors can look even more intelligent if they focus on the cities with the most opportunities. That said, here are some of the best cities to flip houses in Wyoming:

• Cheyenne: As the capital of Wyoming and the state’s largest city, Cheyenne offers investors a diverse market with plenty of demand. However, the steady population growth, healthy job market, and strong economy are more important from an investor's perspective. Cheyenne's average home value is $352,603, an increase of 1.5% compared to last year. 
• Casper: The second-largest city in the Wyoming real estate market, Casper has only grown in popularity over the last few years. With a median home value of $270,751, up by 7.2% since last year. Much activity turned to Casper when the pandemic allowed an entire generation to work remotely. As a result, more people moved to Casper in search of affordable housing, and today’s home flippers are reaping the rewards.
• Jackson: With a median home value of $1,531,895, Jackson has a much higher price point than other cities in Wyoming. The higher price point is primarily attributed to the city’s proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Still, the popular tourist destinations offer high-end real estate flippers an opportunity.

Final Thoughts On Flipping Homes In Wyoming

Mastering the art of home flipping in Wyoming is a journey that requires dedication, hard work, and a wealth of knowledge. Each phase of the process, from identifying potential investment properties to executing profitable renovations, is crucial to your overall success.

While navigating these steps, it's beneficial to have an experienced mentor by your side. With their insights, you can make informed decisions that increase your chances of success in Wyoming's real estate market. However, having a mentor is just one piece of the puzzle.

At Real Estate Skills, we offer comprehensive real estate training and education tailored to every aspect of home flipping. Our resources provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to overcome challenges, make strategic decisions, and ultimately, achieve your real estate investment goals.

Don't navigate this journey alone. Join our Real Estate Skills community today and get the training, support, and mentorship you need to become a successful home flipper in Wyoming.