The roles
| Professional | What they do on a flip | Questions to bring them |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate agent | Finds properties, pulls comparable sales, handles listing and sale | What do finished homes nearby include? How is the market right now? |
| Appraiser | Gives an independent opinion of value, often for a lender | What features affect value in this area? |
| Home inspector | Reviews the visible condition of the house and writes a report | What needs a specialist? What is a safety issue? |
| Structural engineer | Assesses foundations and load-bearing changes, may stamp drawings | Is this crack serious? Can this wall come out? |
| General contractor | Runs the renovation, hires trades, often pulls permits | Can you bid on this scope? Who handles permits and inspections? |
| Licensed trades | Electricians, plumbers, HVAC and roofing contractors | What does code require for this work? |
| Building department | Issues permits and inspects work against local code | Does this work need a permit? What are review times? |
| Title company or attorney | Searches title, handles closing, issues title insurance | Are there liens or ownership problems? |
| Real estate attorney | Reviews contracts, disclosures and legal structure | What does this clause mean? What must I disclose? |
| CPA or tax professional | Advises on tax treatment and record keeping | How is a gain on this sale taxed for me? |
| Lender | Provides financing and sets loan terms | What happens if the project runs long? |
| Insurance agent | Arranges coverage for the property during work | Am I covered while the house is vacant and under renovation? |
Finding professionals
Referrals from people you trust are a common starting point. For any licensed professional, check the license with the right state board, and for contractors, ask for proof of insurance. Interview more than one person where you can. Ask how they communicate, how they handle problems, and what they need from you.
Checking licenses
Most states run an online lookup for contractor, real estate, appraiser and other professional licenses. The lookup usually shows whether the license is active and whether there are complaints or disciplinary actions. Building departments may also keep lists of contractors registered to pull permits locally.
Keeping roles clear
Each professional sees part of the project. Your agent is not your tax adviser, your contractor is not your engineer, and a website is none of them. When a question touches money, law, taxes or safety, take it to the person licensed to answer it.
Keeping a shared record
A single folder for contracts, permits, inspection reports, invoices and lien waivers helps everyone on the team. When you sell, those records answer buyer questions. When tax time comes, your accountant will ask for them. The glossary explains the terms you will see in these documents.