The 70 Percent Rule in House Flipping
The 70 percent rule states that an investor should pay 70 percent of the after repair value (ARV) of a property minus the repairs needed.
Profit Margins in House Flipping
Experienced flippers target 10 to 20 percent profit of the ARV. A 10 percent profit is low and 20 percent is considered a "home run".
Tax Considerations in House Flipping
- Profits from flipping houses are generally considered ordinary income subject to federal and state income taxes.
- Capital gains taxes apply to properties held longer than a year.
- Depreciation deductions can be taken for the cost of improvements made to the property.
How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Flipping Houses
- The 70 percent rule states investors should pay 70 percent of the after repair value (ARV) minus repairs for a property.
- Experienced flippers target 10 to 20 percent profit of the ARV.
- Credit score matters less for flipping loans unlike regular loans. Most flippers target at least $25,000 profit per flip. 20 percent cash on hand of purchase price plus repairs is recommended before starting a flip. This helps cover unexpected repairs and ensures profit.
The IRS View on House Flipping
- Flipping houses is considered a business not an investment by the IRS.
- Trading profits from home flipping are considered a gambling activity and taxed at ordinary income rates, not capital gains rates.
- When you flip a house for profit within 180 days, it’s considered at zero cost basis for tax purposes.