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Wholesaling real estate isn’t a cushy 9-to-5—it’s a grind. But for those who learn how to flip contracts fast, build real networks, and chase the right kind of leads, it can be a six-figure business. So how much can you make wholesaling real estate? That depends on your hustle, market, and systems. But here’s the truth: you can go from broke to $100K+ your first year—if you treat this like a real business.
Let’s break down what wholesaling real estate really pays, what it takes to earn more per deal, and how to scale from side hustle to full-time wholesaler.
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Real estate wholesalers find off-market properties—usually from distressed sellers—and assign those deals to cash buyers for a fee. You don’t need a real estate license, and you’re not buying the property with your own money. You’re flipping real estate contracts—not houses.
Wholesalers live off the assignment fee, which is the difference between what they contracted the property for and what the end buyer pays.
Example:
Wholesaling real estate is often the gateway into full-blown real estate investing. It teaches you how to analyze deals, understand market value, and negotiate under pressure—without needing huge capital upfront. Many real estate investors start as wholesalers to build cash, gain experience, and then transition into buying properties for rentals or flips.
If you’re planning to level up in the real estate investing world, mastering wholesaling is step one.
Anywhere from $0 to $500K+. No cap. Your income potential depends on:
New wholesalers can expect $5K–$10K per deal. If you can close 1 deal a month, you’re looking at $60K–$120K per year. Push to 2–3 deals monthly and you’re in the $200K–$300K range.
Some wholesalers working with a larger investment firm earn a fixed real estate salary or commission. But solo operators keep more per deal and scale faster and save money.
Yes. But don’t expect to coast.
You’ll need:
Wholesaling is front-loaded with a steep learning curve. But if you stay in the game, sharpen your negotiation, and master your local real estate market, it pays off fast.
Here’s what your annual income could look like:
Annual Goal | Avg Fee | Deals Needed |
|---|---|---|
$50,000 | $10K | 5 deals |
$100,000 | $8K | ~12 deals |
$250,000 | $10K+ | 2–3 deals/mo |
Want a $250K year? Then treat this like a business, not a side gig.
In wholesaling, you don’t need to own the property—but you do need to control it. That’s where real estate contracts come in. These contracts legally bind your deal with the seller and allow you to assign it to an end buyer for a profit.
Make sure you know your contracts inside and out. A poorly written real estate contract can kill a deal—or worse, land you in legal hot water.
One of the best lead sources in wholesaling? Absentee owners—property owners who don’t live in the homes they own. These folks are more likely to sell at a discount, especially if the property is vacant or in bad shape.
Use skip tracing and direct mail marketing to reach absentee owners. It’s one of the most effective strategies for finding off-market properties with high profit potential.
In most cities, $8K–$12K per deal is the sweet spot. In hot markets with high property values, wholesalers can earn $15K–$25K—or more.
If you're stuck making under $5K per deal, your strategy needs work. Focus on:
Your market value knowledge and negotiation skills are your money-makers.
Your time availability directly impacts lead flow, follow-up, and closings.
Your geographic location makes a huge difference.
Don’t want to drive for dollars in your city? Go virtual. Close deals in high-volume metros while you work from home.
If you don’t know a property’s market value, you’re just guessing. And guessing kills profits.
Every good wholesaler needs to understand how to comp properties accurately. That means checking local real estate market trends, comparing nearby sales, and knowing how to price a deal for your cash buyers.
When you know your numbers, you control the deal—and the wholesale profit.
You can start wholesaling real estate with $0, but having $200–$1,000 helps. You’ll spend it on:
You don’t need your own money, a license, or perfect credit—just hustle and strategy.
Wholesale real estate is about controlling the contract—not the house. Unlike flipping, you don’t fix up the property. You find distressed properties, negotiate a deal, and flip the paper to a buyer.
It’s lean, fast, and scalable. The key is working with highly motivated sellers and having cash buyers ready to close.
Want more deals? You need wholesale real estate partners. These include:
Build relationships, create win-wins, and your deal flow will explode.
Want long-term wealth? Do JV deals with flippers or landlords. Build equity or get a cut of the backend.
Finding off-market properties is the lifeblood of your business. Use these effective strategies:
Don’t wait for deals to come to you—go hunt them down. The better your marketing strategies, the higher your income potential.
Here’s how to get to your first $100K faster:
🔥 Find More Deals
🔥 Automate Everything
🔥 Delegate to Scale
Systems bring consistency. Consistency brings closings.
Use automation to follow up faster and more often—most potential buyers need 6–8 touches before they commit. The more you track and tweak your process, the bigger your wholesale profit margins get.
And when you’re not buried in admin? You can focus on finding the next wholesale property and negotiating the best price.
Most wholesalers fail because they chase every deal. Successful wholesalers build systems, master market conditions, and track everything.
They:
If you want a success story to tell, act like a pro from day one and invest the right amount of effort and much money into your craft.
Absolutely. Thousands have done it.
The catch? You have to stay consistent and build your pipeline. More importantly, your reputation.
You’re not applying for a job—you’re building an empire.
It’s not glamorous, but it pays. And the income potential? Unmatched.
There’s no "average salary" in this game—only what you earn per single deal and how many deals you close.
Whether you’re closing deals from your laptop or meeting sellers at vacant homes, your earnings in this business are directly tied to the amount of action you take and your potential income.
So if you’re wondering how much real estate wholesalers make a year—the answer is simple:
As much as you’re willing to hustle for.
🔥 Want access to our deal breakdowns, marketing scripts, and step-by-step wholesaling playbooks?
👉 Grab the Property M.O.B. Total Access Pass and unlock the exact tools used by top wholesalers to scale to six figures and beyond.
