Step 1: Get an Agreement on Paper

    Early in my rehab career, after I finished a project and was back on the prowl for the next, I circled back to a property that was still on the market after a span of several years. This place was on the rough side, ideal for me and ripe to be snatched up at a great price. It was a multi-unit property, an old home with garages that had been converted into apartments, and the owner had collected rent while waiting for the right buyer. I thought I was the one.

    This second time, I was ready to pull the trigger. However, an investor who was close with the realtor emerged and reached a swift agreement with the seller. These ole’ boys were more established and experienced than me, and it stung a little. Afterwards, the real estate agent made an effort to smooth things over by saying, "Thanks for being a gentleman about this." This felt odd. Perhaps he felt guilty or had concerns about legal exposure.

    This one that got away made me aware that if people realized a serious buyer was ready to close on a property, it could stir up interest from folks who had previously been uninterested. So, I began pursuing my properties more intently, which included getting something on paper as soon as possible to prevent others from derailing my efforts. And... I’ve never had a property bought out from under me again.

    When a property owner is represented by a real estate agent, this representative will help you document the process and agreement, the back and forth between buyer and seller. However, with an as-is property that’s for-sale by the owner, there’s a good chance there won’t be a realtor in the picture.

    If the sellers are suddenly nervous because you involve a lawyer too soon, then that apprehension could cause your deal to fall apart. The first step is to just get something basic on paper. Even though my state requires a real estate attorney to make ownership official, the initial agreement that I’ve always used has been a simple document that I wrote up without a lawyer.

    For this agreement to buy, fancy or overly legal wording is unnecessary. It just needs to be straightforward with dates, the sale price, and details that identify the property such as address and local property identification number. If anything conveys, like appliances or other things on site that aren’t attached, they should also be listed briefly to eliminate confusion. As you probably expect, the bottom of the page has a line for buyer and seller to sign and date. Like other agreements, if it’s on paper, then weeks down the road neither party can try to recall a verbal agreement when someone begins a heated exchange with, “Hold up! I thought we said…” 

    Even if you get this signed document in the hands of the closing attorney immediately, it still probably wouldn't stop the seller if they really wanted to bail on the deal. Yet it's worth mentioning that once my sellers have signed my one-page agreement, we’ve always cruised forward without issue. 

    Get the details on paper first, and then start working toward the closing.

Step 5: Transition from Buyer to Owner

           This step is a conscious shift from being an optimistic buyer to a legal owner.

           The seller showed up on closing day to sign and hand over the keys, so it’s official. Taking a risk on a house that no one else seems to want can feel like a gamble, yet I've always looked at it as a calculated risk. As owner, you’re now in position to get started and increase your odds of making this a profitable decision.

However, the wait is finally over, and it just got real. Investing in a major rehab project is exciting, but this moment of transition might make you anxious. The thing is, it’s too late, and you have too much work to do to have a panic attack.

If the plumbing and electrical systems are in working order, now is the time to get those utilities turned on. Some may prefer to make these arrangements before closing day, but even when this has been an option, I’ve waited until after the deal’s been done.   

Also, with ownership comes access to the interior. Take your pictures and video of the inside before you forget.

As the owner, you’re now entitled to anything remaining from previous inhabitants. If something good has been left behind on the outside, you can now move it indoors.  

Along with your rights, you now have responsibilities. For example, if you leave the place wide open and something were to happen, this could fall back on you, which is why you need to make the place secure. 

You can also start getting to work, and that means bringing in tools and equipment. It's obvious, but still worth pointing out, that if someone wants to get in badly enough, they will. That's why I don't recommend stocking the house with a lot of pricy tools and material on day one. I usually feel alright leaving behind equipment needed for interior cleanup and demolition, things like shovels, my sledgehammer, a wheelbarrow, ladders, and basic hand tools. 
            As far as materials in the first few days, I won’t have many until I’m through with demolition.

Congratulations! You’re no longer going to buy a house to fix-up or flip. It’s done. You’re the owner. You’re a rehabber. But if you’re an aspiring flipper, you’ll have to wait on that tag until you finish and sit on the other side of the table on closing day as a seller.

Time to get to work.

BREAKING NEWS: American Rehab House Arbor Hit By Delivery Truck

The Point of Impact

I have good news and bad news. 

Bad news first: On Saturday, June 11, 2022, the arbor we built in the Amer. Rehab Charleston was nailed by a delivery truck. However, the good news is; no one was hurt, it didn't take it all the way to the ground, plus we have some undamaged material to work with.

I'll admit, I'm disappointed... and frustrated since I have plenty of other things that need the time it'll take to straighten ;) this out. 

Stay tuned.    

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How To Get a Television Show

Filming the test reel for Amer. Rehab: Chas.

    People occasionally ask me for advice on how they can get on television, and with that comes curiosity about who I knew to get the cameras to come film me in action. Was it a relative? A family friend? Co-worker from the past? Former school or teammate? Was it an ex-girlfriend? The truth is, I had no previous connections or contacts in the TV industry.    

    The question about getting on television is common, yet I still don't have a super great answer or a recommended path. Oftentimes, I say: "Put yourself out there." The internet has made this easy, with plenty of ways to establish a platform to share your talent, wisdom, and passion. Think about what you're good at, and if it's something you love, then you're off to a good start. Next, pick a way to let others know about you. Writing is a great way to start, even if it's a few words or sentences to accompany a picture. People need to see your happy, smiling face, but elaborating with words will help them get to know you. Plus, writing is an excellent way to find your voice before you press the record button for a podcast or video.

    I started fixing up my first condemned home before house flipping shows were popular. Then people started asking me, "Are you a house flipper?" Many were excited to be meeting a real-life rehabber in person. Sometimes someone would say, "You should be on television." Home rehabbing is a dirty, tiresome process, so it was always nice to have some stranger drop in and say, "You should have your own TV show!"

    Eventually, I just grabbed the yellow pages, called the Home Rehab Dept. at Scripps Networks, told them a little about myself, and they sent out a crew the following week to get started with American Rehab Charleston... just kidding. You have to put yourself out there so the TV folks can find you. Can you go to them? I guess, but I don't know how that approach works. 

    Besides saving these houses that have been called pig's ears, I really enjoy writing. Starting this blog was a way to combine two things I really love. Besides the flipping questions and TV remarks, visitors would also often ask about how I turned my pig's ears into silk purses. "How do you do it?" they'd ask. "How do you save a house that's been condemned?" Blood, Sweat, and Pig's Ears became my way of teaching, sharing what I had learned while encouraging others to take on houses with potential, too good for the landfill. 

    However, I should say a bit more regarding my motivation to 'put myself out there." I've wanted to be an author for a good while. I'm already a writer, but I have a dream of being published. I had hoped that this blog might help me connect with a publisher or literary agent. Instead, it caught the eye of a television producer. So, as they say, while aiming for the stars, I hit the moon. I wanted to be in the bookstore but accidentally ended up on TV. 

    Finally, along with establishing a platform for exposure about you and something that's a major part of your life, make an effort to be positive while you do it. Trust me. This will open things up and allow you to be more productive. I have a tendency toward pessimism myself, so I'm mindful of this pitfall. Hope and optimism will get you where you're trying to go a lot faster than the alternatives.

    Good luck, and don't hesitate to circle back and let me know where to find you online... or on TV!    

Trent Fasnacht

bloodsweatandpigsears@hotmail.com