I don’t think it’s anyone’s “fault” but it does contribute to the affordability issue. It’s basically introducing a middle man into the industry that needs his own markup. It’s capitalism in it’s purest form. But also a form that has detrimental consequences to average people wanting to purchase a home. And, that’s where I start to believe it’s a form of malicious compliance to accept it as status quo.
However, the quality of work topic is a major issue and extremely common. It raises the cost of ownership going forward.
How is this different from the middle man at the grocery store who makes pre-made salads and sandwiches and soups, so that you don't have to?
People want to buy "nice" houses. But too many houses for sale need a lot of work done for them still. Enter flippers to make the market.
The average person does not want to buy a house and renovate it for a year while living in it so that they can save $30k. Most people don't have the skills, time, risk appetite, or desire. Let alone all 4. With 2.75% 30-year fixed rates, it's only a savings of $120/m.
I feel like your stance is coming from a place of theory, like you're pointing out econ 101 and theory of supply and demand. From that perspective, you're correct. Flippers are filling a need/void in the market. I get all of that. What's out of whack is the flippers profit and how much market penetration they have and how they are not actually improving properties. Sure they look nice, but behind the walls they actually screwed a lot up in the process of making it "nice." Things that will cause major issues down the road. If this was known, the "value" calculation turns into a risk calculation very quick. (Home inspections are mostly a joke by the way).
If capital is so cheap, why is there no convenient vehicle that allows the buyer to buy an ugly home and hire a contractor to fix it up before moving in? (Construction loans are a joke). The $300K house with $50K fixes now cost $350K which is the value that was added. The flipper added $100K of fake value. I don't see that as real value just because some sucker came and paid it. People overpay for houses even in hot markets, all, the, time. People are motivated by all kinds of things. They have time constraints, moving for a job, kids starting school, etc, etc and sometimes they just pay what they have to to get what they want. It doesn't mean it's right and having so much of people's income going towards a mortgage isn't good for anyone except the flipper. So while I understand they play a part of today's real estate industry construct, I feel like we'd collectively be better off without them.
When flipping reaches a high level of market penetration (eg. a majority of listings are flipped homes) it gets more perverse. The pricing is completely made up, borderline or outright collusion is taking place, and the prices do not reflect value. Housing is a need, so somebody is paying the price and thus meeting your definition of "value add" but it's not real.
> How is this different from the middle man at the grocery store who makes pre-made salads and sandwiches and soups, so that you don't have to?
It's not. But his prices likely reflect something reasonable. And if not, I have infinite optionality. Without optionality, it turns into the ballpark where a hotdog cost $15
> Flippers are filling a need/void in the market. I get all of that. What's out of whack is the flippers profit and how much market penetration they have and how they are not actually improving properties. Sure they look nice, but behind the walls they actually screwed a lot up in the process of making it "nice."
How is this different than Mercedes and BMW vs Honda and Toyota?
It's not like people are only allowed to pay more for things that you think are actually worth more.
People regularly spend lots of money on what many people consider waste. Why shouldn't they be allowed to do it on housing? New construction is just as rife with this problem, I think.
Houses are built with a ridiculous set of boxes that need to be checked by buyers. They are not built to be actual livable houses. They're built to be sold.
However, the quality of work topic is a major issue and extremely common. It raises the cost of ownership going forward.