Fix and flip investing has been a profitable game for real estate investors for decades, but standing behind every successful investor is an informed and well-armed broker. As a third-party originator, wholesale lender, or mortgage broker, you are the key to helping your clients secure the best financing, arming them with the proper tools, and ultimately helping them build their fix and flip business.
To succeed and deliver value to your investor customers, you must be knowledgeable and leverage the tools that guarantee success in this volatile market. With either new investors or seasoned professionals, these eight basic tools will help you provide improved service, improve efficiency, and boost client satisfaction.
1. Home Flipping Software for Smarter Decision-Making
All successful fix and flip start with accurate property appraisal. Investors need quality information to protect property values, repair estimates, and potential resale values. By offering your customers home-flipping software, you are giving them an edge they will need to make improved investment decisions.
How You Can Help:
- Recommend top home flipping software that provides accurate market comps and property value estimates.
- Use them yourself to pre-screen transactions prior to providing financing to customers.
- Make sure investors can grasp numbers in a deal, making successful flips (and repeat business by you) more likely.
Popular options: FlipScout, HouseCanary, and PropStream.
2. Contractor Bidding Platforms to Control Costs
The success of a flip will be based on the quality, speed, and price of the renovation. Investors generally have trouble locating good contractors who can deliver within budgets and timelines. You can refer your clients to contractor bidding websites that simplify the hiring process as a broker.
How You Can Help:
- Inform customers on websites that match them with prescreened contractors who are experts at investment property rehabs.
- Help clients estimate rehab costs more accurately, ensuring they don't overborrow or under-budget.
- Use these tools yourself to verify estimates and protect your customers from inflated contractor bids.
Popular options: BuildZoom, Thumbtack, and Bluebook.
3. Real Estate Investing Tools to Keep Deals Organized
An organized investor is a successful investor—and that's where real estate investment software steps in. From property management to monitoring deal flow, these programs allow clients to keep tabs on multiple flips.
How You Can Help:
- Direct clients to actual property investment software that records buys, spends, and timelines all in one location.
- Use these tools yourself to track deal creation and upcoming financing requirements, so you can expect to be able to provide lending solutions.
- Help customers streamline their process so they can spend their time building their business instead of chasing paperwork.
Popular options: REI BlackBook, DealMachine, and PropertyRadar.
4. Real Estate CRM for Client & Lead Management
A solid client relationship management (CRM) system is a game-changer for investors and brokers alike. Investors need to track leads, keep contacts organized, and stay organized—and you, their broker, can make it easier for them.
How You Can Help:
- Recommend actual estate-specific CRMs that allow investors to effectively manage buyer and seller leads.
- Use a CRM yourself to monitor client progress and automatically follow up so that not one deal is ever missed.
- Deliver value by providing guidance and insights into how to achieve the highest lead conversions.
Popular options: REsimpli, HubSpot for Real Estate, and Podio.
5. Project Management Software to Keep Renovations on Track
Success in fix and flip is dependent upon staying on time and under budget. Delays and unexpected expenses can devour profits, so project management software is an invaluable tool.
How You Can Help:
- Show customers how project management software can track renovation timelines, budgets, and contractor schedules all in one place.
- Assist investors to compare financing choices on approximate time frames so they don't run into interest-hungry extensions.
- Use these resources to stay up to date on client projects, so you can proactively offer more financing opportunities as needed.
Popular options: Monday.com, Buildertrend, and Trello.
6. Accounting Software for Smarter Financial Planning
Poor money management is among the largest pitfalls in real estate investing. Investors often have poor accounting systems in place, and this results in lost deductions and poor financial planning. Educating them on real estate-specific accounting software will assist them in keeping track of every dollar and making sound investment decisions.
How You Can Help:
- Recommend accounting systems that reconcile business bank accounts automatically and classify expenses.
- Inform customers regarding their profit margins, tax deductions, and financing opportunities through better bookkeeping.
- Utilize these tools to monitor your own pipeline revenue and commissions, where you can optimize your profits.
Popular options: QuickBooks, Stessa, and FreshBooks.
7. Marketing & Advertising Tools for Fast Property Sales
The faster a fix and flip investor can sell a property, the sooner they can move on to the next deal. With the right marketing and advertising tools, investors can reach more buyers and close deals faster.
How You Can Help:
- Educate clients on the best real estate marketing platforms, from MLS listing tools to social media ad campaigns.
- Recommend AI-powered marketing tools that optimize property listings and target the right buyers.
- Offer financing solutions that align with marketing timelines, ensuring clients don’t feel pressure from extended holding costs.
Popular options: Zillow Premier Agent, Canva for Real Estate, and Facebook Ads.
8. Legal & Contract Tools to Protect Deals
There is a tremendous amount of paper used in real estate deals, and errors can cost money. Legal and contract documents assist investors in making sure their transactions are solid and legal.
How You Can Help:
- Recommend contract automation software that simplifies purchase agreements, lease contracts, and financing paperwork.
- Ensure clients are aware of common legal pitfalls in fix and flip transactions.
- Use these tools yourself to streamline your lending agreements and ensure smoother transactions.
Popular options: DocuSign, Rocket Lawyer, and PandaDoc.
As a broker, your success is tied to your client's success. By leveraging the right real estate investing tools, you can help fix and flip investors streamline their operations, maximize profits, and keep coming back to you for financing.
Why Brokers Should Partner with RCN Capital
At RCN Capital, we understand that brokers are the backbone of real estate financing. That’s why we provide:
- Flexible Fix & Flip Loans tailored to investor needs
- Fast Approvals & Reliable Closings to keep deals moving
- Competitive Rates & Custom Loan Terms to maximize profits
- A Dedicated Broker Support Team to help you grow your business
Join the RCN Capital Broker Program Today!
By partnering with RCN Capital, you gain access to exclusive resources, dedicated support, and industry-leading loan products, which help you build stronger client relationships and close more deals.
Ready to take your brokerage to the next level? Connect with us today to discuss our real estate financing solutions and how we can help you grow your business.