Thanks to popular renovation shows and our low interest rate climate, house flipping and renovation investment is on the increase, with buyers careful to choose properties that will offer worthwhile returns for the least amount of effort and cost.

So what makes a perfect flip or renovation investment property and how do you market the qualities that will attract these buyers?
Desirable locationA desirable neighbourhood is the most critical box to tick when buying a house to flip or renovate to invest. A desirable location could be a hot spot with rising or steady real estate sales, or simply somewhere people want to live – a nice street, close to good schools, within easy access to public transport, or situated in a safe family-friendly environment.
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘desirable location’ box (extracted from The Copy Cat Real Estate Phrase Finder):
STREET:

• A leafy street
• A peaceful street location
• A quiet street setting
• Located in a tightly-held street
• Premier cul-de-sac address
• Great location in a quality street
• Located on a wide, tree-lined street
• Occupying a peaceful street position
• Set in a much sought-after street

SUBURB:

• A blue chip location
• An enviable address
• Nestled in a popular locale
• Positioned amongst quality homes
• Situated in a friendly neighbourhood
• Situated in an exclusive neighbourhood
• In a sought-after neighbourhood
• Located in a top-notch suburb
• In a family-friendly community
• Set in an ultra-convenient location
• Situated in the upmarket suburb of
• The perfect location for busy young families
• Located in the up-and-coming suburb of
• It would be hard to over-capitalise in this enviable locale
• Positioned in an up-and-coming neighbourhood

AMENITIES:

• Conveniently located within close proximity to schools, transportation and eateries
• Close to all the action
• Conveniently set within minutes’ walk to village shopping and transport
• Easily accessible to the essential services of shops, schools and restaurants
• Every mode of transport at your disposal
• Excellent schooling facilities close by
• Located close to a full range of local amenities
• Well-located within walking distance to shopping hubs

Structurally soundTo maximise value and minimise cost, the ideal home for a flip or renovation project is in good workable condition, with updates and repairs that are affordable to fix and mostly cosmetic.
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘structurally sound’ box:

• Built to last
• Good foundation but screaming for attention
• Good structural bones
• Of solid brick construction
• Of sound structural condition
• Sound framework
• Structurally sound but cosmetically tired
• Sturdy but needs a facelift

PotentialIf you have a listing that is crying out for a makeover and it ticks some of the boxes above, effectively communicating its potential in the marketing narrative is more likely to move a buyer to inspect the property than simply listing its features.
Here are some non-specific phrase examples that relate to a listing’s potential:

• A huge opportunity for the savvy purchaser to capitalise on this rare offering
• A prime renovation opportunity
• Ample scope for creative enhancement
• An investment opportunity in a red hot location not to be missed!
• An opportunity for those with an eye for remodelling
• An under- capitalised property waiting for transformation
• Earn sweat equity quickly by investing in this doer-upper
• Embrace the spirit of DIY
• Exciting scope to renovate
• Generous scope for improvements
• Great fix and flip opportunity
• Huge potential but in need of a revamp
• Income & capital growth opportunity
• Limitless untapped potential
• Opportunities for cosmetic updating abound
• Raw, untapped potential
• Secure a home with unlimited potential in this property hotspot
• This house asks only for a surface makeover for modern, family living
• This property in original condition is screaming for a makeover
• This property offers excellent future potential
• This sleeping beauty wants to be woken
• This well-loved home is ready and waiting for a new lease of life
• This little gem requires a mini-renovation to make a comfy family home
• Well-maintained with plenty of potential

A suitable blockA usable block, off-street parking potential, level access, a sunny aspect, and established vegetation are desirable features for renovators. Tidying or improving an existing garden is much more cost-effective than a complete landscaping job, and a green, lush healthy garden is always something that captures the attention of future potential buyers or renters. If the block has a good sunny aspect, you can quickly maximise the property’s value with the simple replacement of a poky window with a larger one, creating a welcoming natural light-filled home, or by relocating a living area to take advantage of winter sun and summer breezes, creating atmosphere, comfort and appeal.
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘suitable block’ box:
ASPECT:

• Captures the morning sun
• Embraces a sunny aspect
• Receives natural light from all directions
• The aspect maximises year-round sunshine
• The perfect aspect allows natural light to drench the interior
• This property sparkles with sunshine

LAND:

• A sprawling back yard
• Ample off-street parking
• Boundless outdoor space
• Deep level garden
• Established gardens
• Generously-scaled back yard
• Large sunny backyard
• Mature gardens
• Safe off-street parking
• The front garden extends a warm welcome
• This home occupies expansive level grounds

Versatile layoutGood bones with space to extend, or a layout that will suit conversion to modern living is a big plus for astute renovators.
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘versatile layout’ box:

• A floor plan with plenty of flexibility
• A functional floorplan
• A versatile layout
• Big, old, classic bones
• Breathe new life into the old bones of this classic home
• Flexible design
• Floor space to burn – the rest is up to you
• Fluid layout
• Good bones and ready to be transformed
• Presenting a versatile floorplan
• The layout lends itself to easy remodelling
• This home is a textbook example of ‘good bones’
• With such a considerable floorplan

ValueSavvy investors are looking for good value in an area. They are looking for the ‘worst house in the best neighbourhood’ scenario, in which the property has nowhere to go but up in value, or a suburb they suspect is set to boom.
Here are some phrase examples for a listing that ticks the ‘good value’ box:

• A good buying opportunity for the savvy investor
• A great suburb at a great price
• A realistic price for this location
• Affordable and perfectly located
• Ample room for capital growth
• An enviable location for an affordable price
• An investment opportunity in a red hot location not to be missed!
• Buy now and ride the upward swing
• Income and capital growth – a great investment!
• This property is one of the last of its kind in this area
• Well-priced property

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