Smarts, Ingenuity and A Modest Budget: What It Takes to Flip Homes Listed at 200K or Less

It’s not easy for a first-time homebuyer to find a renovated, turnkey home for $200,000 or less in the New Orleans area. Which is why Hilary Huffman has made that price point her bread and butter. A renovator, flipper, and stager who works with Rêve agent Ninh Tran, Hilary says this about her philosophy: “I love the challenge of going into a space and imagining what it could be — figuring out what you can do to save, salvage, repair, or breathe new life into it, rather than bulldozing the whole thing. Honestly, it’s a good bit of DIY, and I’m able to do a lot with a modest budget.”

Says Ninh of their relationship, “Hilary and I met years ago through mutual friends, before I became a real estate agent. But in October of 2018, she happened to be looking at a potential flip and saw my name on a Rêve | Realtors “Sold” sign across the street.” She was excited to reach out, reconnect, and get insight on the neighborhood, since she wasn’t familiar with the area. Ninh encouraged her to buy and then renovate to flip.

Hilary explains that she often branches out into areas that are less in-demand, to be able to list a renovated flip at under 200K. “Ninh is fantastic. Selling properties all over the city, he’s knowledgeable and responsive – it can be any hour of the day, and he gets back to me right away with the information I need. And as soon as I’ve staged a home and am ready to list, he takes it and runs with it. Each property we’ve done together has gone under contract in less than 24 hours with multiple offers.”

While every flipper has a particular strategy, Hilary’s willingness to understand a neighborhood and its marketability, her ability to make the numbers work, and the fact that she seeks feedback throughout the process — are things Ninh appreciates. But most importantly, states Ninh, “She has an amazing eye for staging which attracts interest and showings, and she cares that the buyers are happy with the end result.” While renovating flips, Hilary has recommended Ninh to neighbors who’ve struck up conversations with her about their own properties. Successfully selling neighbors’ homes near Hilary’s flips has given Ninh even more insight those areas, helping him properly price newly renovated properties like hers.

Ninh loves working with Hilary. “We have a mutual level of respect and trust. I’m constantly learning from her and happy to have a friendship alongside a great professional relationship. And we’re currently working to find her next flip!”

Stay tuned for Hilary’s next project, and check out photos from two of their recent listings: