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Worker installing electrical outlet during house flip renovation – part of Cody Chesner’s real estate flipping process.

How to Start Flipping Houses with No Money

Maria Tresvalles
Maria Tresvalles
May 13, 2025

How to Start Flipping Houses with No Money: overview

Quick answer: Want to learn how to flip houses and make real money doing it?

What this guide covers

  • From Wholesaling to Fix-and-Flips Real Estate Strategy
  • How Codie Started Flipping Houses with No Money
  • Quick Renovations That Make Big Profits
  • How Codie Raised Capital for Real Estate Investing

Want to learn how to flip houses and make real money doing it?

Codie Chesner flips 50 homes a year, and he didn’t start with tons of money or a big team. He used smart tips, trusted people, and worked hard. This blog shows how Codie built a house flipping business that works—and how you can do it too.

From Wholesaling to Fix-and-Flips Real Estate Strategy

Codie started out in wholesaling real estate. That’s when you find houses and sell the deals to other investors. But Codie didn’t stop there. He switched to fixing and flipping houses himself. This move let him use his strong skills in finding good deals and making friends with other investors.

Most of Codie's deals come from something called a pocket listing. That’s when a real estate agent knows about a home for sale but hasn’t listed it online yet. These sellers usually want to sell fast—like when someone inherits a house or is facing foreclosure.

He offers cash and closes deals in just 14 to 21 days, which makes him a favorite buyer for these situations.

How Codie Started Flipping Houses with No Money

He didn’t plan to become a house flipper. While working as a financial advisor, he met clients making money in real estate. That got him curious.

Then, during a spring break trip to Florida, he checked out some homes with his dad. His dad loves fixing things, and the two decided to try flipping a house together. They liked it so much, they started a business.

His dad helped with early projects and now handles special custom work. At first, they did everything themselves. Now they have a system that lets them do many projects at once, and his dad jumps in when needed.

Watch Codie in Action: See how he flips houses step-by-step and shares real tips that you can use to get started today.

Quick Renovations That Make Big Profits

Codie’s team works fast. Each house takes about 30 to 45 days to fix up.

Most projects cost between $60,000 and $80,000. They do things like:

  • Update kitchens and bathrooms
  • Install new flooring
  • Replace roofs or HVAC systems when needed

They use the same style and steps for most homes to keep things simple and save money.

Here’s a smart part: He only buys homes that he can get for about 70% to 73% of what they’ll be worth after repairs (called After Repair Value, or ARV).

That way, there’s room to pay for renovations and still make money—often around $72,000 per flip. He also works with partners who put up money in exchange for part of the profits. This helps him do more deals at once without using only his own money.

How Codie Raised Capital for Real Estate Investing

Believe it or not, his first flip happened by accident. He bought a home using a VA loan while serving in the Air Force. Later, he sold it and made a profit. That win gave him the confidence to explore more.

It wasn’t always smooth. A failed partnership early on taught him to be careful about who he works with. But he bounced back by sharing his story and wins online. That built trust.

Last year, he raised over $4 million from private investors who believed in him. His honest, clear communication makes people want to work with him.

Why a Good Construction Team Matters in Flipping Homes

Cody learned that having the right team matters. Bad contractors and broken promises cost him money in the past. Now, he runs his own construction company. This gives him full control and helps keep the work solid and on time.

His team includes:

  • Full-time workers (W-2 employees)
  • Part-time helpers (1099 contractors)

Everyone gets paid per job—not by the hour. That means they work faster and take pride in getting things done right.

Cody’s Real Estate Investment Plans for the Future

Even with all his success, Cody is still planning ahead. He wants to move into building new homes and investing in self-storage units. That way, he’s not only fixing and flipping but also creating long-term income.

He’s being smart about how fast he grows so he can stay in control.

What You Can Learn from Codie

He didn’t become a house-flipping expert overnight. He started small, made mistakes, and kept learning.

Now, he’s flipping homes faster and smarter than ever. If you want to try real estate investing, start by learning, meeting people, and taking your first step.

Just like Codie, you can build something big—one smart move at a time.

 

Related DealMachine resources

  • Real estate investing guides
  • Driving for Dollars
  • DealMachine plans and pricing

How to Start Flipping Houses with No Money frequently asked questions

What should real estate investors know about How to Start Flipping Houses with No Money?

Want to learn how to flip houses and make real money doing it?

How should investors use this guide?

Use the sections and examples in this guide as a starting point. Verify property, market, and local requirements before making an investment decision.

What tools can help real estate investors research this topic?

DealMachine helps real estate investors find property and owner data, organize leads, and manage outreach from one workflow.


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