Due Diligence Checklist for Off-Market Properties
A clean checklist to verify ownership, condition, and neighborhood risk before you lock a contract.
January 24, 2026·7 min read
Back to blogs
UnderwritingJanuary 29, 20266 min read
How to Underwrite a Wholesale Deal in 20 Minutes
A fast, repeatable process to price a deal, estimate rehab, and decide if it belongs in your pipeline.
EP
Elena Park
Acquisitions Lead
Start with the street, not the spreadsheet
Open with the block, not the numbers. A quick scan of the street tells you the true buyer pool. Look for consistent finishes, occupancy, and visible maintenance.
If the street is mixed or uncertain, your exit strategy should reflect that in pricing and timeline.
Pull tight comps and choose one anchor
Use a tight radius and recent sales. Pick one clean, obvious comp as your anchor and build around it.
If your anchor comp is a stretch, the deal probably is too.
Budget rehab by categories
Estimate major buckets first: roof, HVAC, kitchens, baths, flooring, paint, exterior. If a property needs two or more majors, the margin needs to be higher.
Add a modest contingency for surprises. Underestimating the first pass is the most common failure.
Set your exit and minimum spread
Decide who the end buyer is before you set price. A landlord and a retail flipper see value differently.
Define your minimum spread so you can say no quickly without second guessing.
Related Posts
Pricing Renovations: A Practical Budgeting Framework
A realistic way to build a rehab budget that holds up under real contractor bids.
January 16, 2026·5 min read
Contract to Close: A Timeline That Actually Works
A clean, realistic sequence that keeps deals moving without last-minute surprises.
January 9, 2026·6 min read
Want to share your experience?
Email us your story. We review the details and publish verified investor outcomes.