A 27-year-old personal trainer who quit to become a home flipper has transformed 8 properties in 2 years. See inside his latest project.

Dan LatuFeb 17, 2023, 16:49 IST

In total, the kitchen cost $20,000 to renovate.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

Michael Neuman, 27, and his fiancée Jacqueline spent $15,000 on a home-flipping course in 2021.
In a year and a half, they've completed eight flips in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio.

In August 2021, Michael Neuman felt like couldn't "advance financially" any further as a personal trainer.

Neuman was also looking for a career where he could primarily work from home, mostly to care for his newborn baby.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

So Neuman and his fiancée put $15,000 on a credit card for a 3-week home flipping course with influencer Jake Leicht, who broke down the steps and financing strategies to make a career in home flipping.

Neuman painted the brick exterior of this Philadelphia home, his eighth flip, gray based on recent sales he tracked in the neighborhood.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

So Neuman and his fiancée put $15,000 on a credit card for a 3-week home flipping course with influencer Jake Leicht, who broke down the steps and financing strategies to make a career in home flipping.

On his first flip, Neuman was able to turn a $112,000 profit on a three-bedroom home in Willingboro, New Jersey. For this current project, his eighth, he purchased a Philadelphia home for $190,000 and invested another $130,000 in renovations. It's now on the market for $414,900.

Neiman's first project was a "cosmetic flip," he said, whereas this Philadelphia renovation was far more ambitious.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

On his first flip, Neuman was able to turn a $112,000 profit on a three-bedroom home in Willingboro, New Jersey. For this current project, his eighth, he purchased a Philadelphia home for $190,000 and invested another $130,000 in renovations. It's now on the market for $414,900.

Neuman expected the Philadelphia project to take 20 weeks, but it stretched into 30. He said a key lesson he's learned is to not over-schedule your contractor in case mistakes come up during any step.

Neuman estimates he spent $5,000 on electrical installation and $10,000 on a new panel wire.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

Neuman expected the Philadelphia project to take 20 weeks, but it stretched into 30. He said a key lesson he's learned is to not over-schedule your contractor in case mistakes come up during any step.

Neuman said his best tip is to study recent sales in the neighborhood to determine what buyers want — and will pay for. Decisions like matching the kitchen backsplash to the island or making the faucet hardware gold came directly from what Neuman determined was currently trending with local buyers.

In total, the kitchen cost $20,000 to renovate.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

Neuman said his best tip is to study recent sales in the neighborhood to determine what buyers want — and will pay for. Decisions like matching the kitchen backsplash to the island or making the faucet hardware gold came directly from what Neuman determined was currently trending with local buyers.

The chaotic nature of flipping has been an adjustment for Neuman, who said he's gotten used to always being on call during renovations.

The $9,000 kitchen cabinets were among this project's priciest splurges, Neuman said.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

Neuman said he had to budget extra for unexpected costs and repairs that came up during construction, like a floor that ended up needing to be evened out.

Neuman estimates he spent $15,000 total on drywall for the Philadelphia flip.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

Picking trendy finishes can be as simple as a $200 rain shower head, which Neuman added to the bathroom. Black tiles are also very popular with current buyers, he added.

Neuman estimated that he spent $5,000 on new appliances for Philadelphia home.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

Picking trendy finishes can be as simple as a $200 rain shower head, which Neuman added to the bathroom. Black tiles are also very popular with current buyers, he added.

Neuman has hosted three open houses and dropped the price about $5,000 to $415,000. Given higher mortgage rates, he said, buyers are less willing than before to jump on a property the minute it hits the market.

Neuman also works with his broker, a former coworker from his the gym where he worked, to understand what buyers are looking for.Courtesy of Mike Neuman

Neuman has hosted three open houses and dropped the price about $5,000 to $415,000. Given higher mortgage rates, he said, buyers are less willing than before to jump on a property the minute it hits the market.

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A 27-year-old personal trainer who quit to become a home flipper has transformed 8 properties in 2 years. See inside his latest project.

In August 2021, Michael Neuman felt like couldn't "advance financially" any further as a personal trainer.

So Neuman and his fiancée put $15,000 on a credit card for a 3-week home flipping course with influencer Jake Leicht, who broke down the steps and financing strategies to make a career in home flipping.

On his first flip, Neuman was able to turn a $112,000 profit on a three-bedroom home in Willingboro, New Jersey. For this current project, his eighth, he purchased a Philadelphia home for $190,000 and invested another $130,000 in renovations. It's now on the market for $414,900.

Neuman expected the Philadelphia project to take 20 weeks, but it stretched into 30. He said a key lesson he's learned is to not over-schedule your contractor in case mistakes come up during any step.

The chaotic nature of flipping has been an adjustment for Neuman, who said he's gotten used to always being on call during renovations.

Neuman said he had to budget extra for unexpected costs and repairs that came up during construction, like a floor that ended up needing to be evened out.

Picking trendy finishes can be as simple as a $200 rain shower head, which Neuman added to the bathroom. Black tiles are also very popular with current buyers, he added.

Neuman has hosted three open houses and dropped the price about $5,000 to $415,000. Given higher mortgage rates, he said, buyers are less willing than before to jump on a property the minute it hits the market.