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Justin & Katie Keisler

Hickory, NC - Flip vs. Rent?

It’s impossible to channel surf without seeing at lease a dozen shows about “flipping” houses! But before you “flip out” on flipping, consider the pros and cons of flipping vs. renting.

Both flipping and renting are excellent ways to build wealth. The main difference between the two is whether your are looking for “quick cash” from a flip, or whether you seek to build equity through the long-term ownership of renting your property.

The first step of a flip is to purchase a home in need of some minor repairs, at a bargain price. Once the offer has been accepted, it is wise to develop a timeline by which to adhere to after closing. After closing, the real work begins! Ideally, the changes you make to the property will be primarily cosmetic, and will require very little structural changes. Paint, fixtures and appliances are very basic improvements that make a substantial improvement to the house. The measure of success in a flip are simple – the bottom line of profit when the home sells! Be aware of the risk that the property may not sell immediately. It is always wise to use a Realtor to help you choose which investments are most likely to sell in your neighborhood.

Purchasing a property for renters is going to be quite the opposite from flipping. Instead of a property that is attractive to buyers, you will be looking for properties that are clean, priced well, and have the necessities. While having rental property can be quite profitable, it is also more work than more people realize. You must be a landlord who can maintain the property to keep it in working order, collect rent, and occasionally evict tenants.

So the question is, in the Hickory market, what seems to be the safest choice? It’s impossible to say for sure. The fact is, all this media frenzy about flipping houses has got a lot of people into some serious financial distress! New investors watch these shows and become inspired to buy and flip – after all, it looks so easy on TV! However, in the end, while they may have planned on flipping their investment, they have no choice but to rent it out. Whatever your decision is, we advise you to use the services of a Realtor who understands the Hickory market and can help you during your investment.

Valdese, NC Community Overview


Valdese, NC is a community located in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, unique by their heritage and proud of their rich and diverse culture.


Valdese is a place where a walk down the flowered brick sidewalk on Main Street takes you back to your childhood when worries were few and summer days seemed to last forever, where you can sit on a bench and watch the world go by...


But just as Valdese is rich in history, it also boasts a number of exciting industries and businesses whose products are shipped throughout the country and around the world.


Valdese strives to maintain this balance between capitalism and tourism. While we offer many career opportunities, Valdese can still provide the type of community suitable for growing up or growing old.

To view properties for sale in Valdese, NC email us at info@keislerrealestate.com or call (828) 291-5311.


Valdese, NC Official Website

Check out the official website of Valdese, NC!

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Valdese Tourism

Planning to visit the area? Take a look at the Valdese Tourism website to see if you want to drop by!

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Historic Valdese

Take a look at the scenic and timeless "Historic Valdese"

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Hildebran, NC Area Information


The first brick schoolhouse (building on left) was built in Hildebran in 1917. It remains a part of the present building, but has had several additions during the years. No electricity was available until the early 1920's. The auditorium was lighted for night programs by several gas lanterns.


The first addition to the school was in about 1923, an auditorium with additional classrooms on the second floor. The original auditorium was converted to classrooms.


The first commencement was held in 1919. By 1925 the graduating class had increased to fourteen members.

A wooden structure was built in the 40's to be used as a lunchroom. It later became the schools first gymnasium.


In 1957 more land was purchased and a new primary ("main") building was constructed (building on right). In 1959, a new auditorium was added with band and classrooms. A new gymnasium was added in 1965.


The Official Hildebran Website

Learn about the little town of Hildebran!

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Hildebran Tourism

Take a look at the Hildebran Tourism page

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Hildebran FAQs

Check out some of the most common questions about the town of Hildebran.

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Hildebran, NC Links

Take a look at these Hildebran links and online resources!

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Longview, NC Area Information


The legend is that the Town of Long View was thought to have been named by Sam D. Campbell a prominent contractor and real estate dealer who helped build the old Piedmont Wagon Company factory building in Hickory.


The story goes that one day while standing at his former home where the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company building is today, Mr. Campbell gazed down the Southern Railway track toward Hickory and remarked, "It's a long view." The name stuck.


There has been some confusion as to whether Long View is one or two words. "Longview" one word, is commonly used today in connection with the town. However, as of March 8, 1907, Section 1 of Chapter 430 of the original charter ratified by the North Carolina General Assembly in an act to incorporate the Town of Long View in Catawba County states:


"That the Town of Long View, in Catawba County, is hereby incorporated by the name of Long View, and said town shall be subject to all the provisions of law now existing in reference to incorporated towns."


According to original charter, Long View when dealing with the town name is two words.

In the early 1980s the people of Long View wanted something to separate them from their Hickory neighbor. Though the town received mail with the Hickory address, the town had its own police and fire departments, as well as, a town hall and a board of alderman. To satisfy the need of a separate identity, the Town of Long View decided to adopt its own town seal. The end result of a town wide contest was the seal to the right.

The first mayor to Long View was Daniel Morgan and the alderman consisted of John Carrier, Frank Lock, and Marvin Morgan. Mayors that followed were John D. Morgan, F. A. Lock, R. M. Barnhill and many others. The current mayor is Norman Cook.

Longview, NC Website

Learn more about this historic town.

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Longview Calendar of Events

See what's going on in Longview this month!

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Longview, NC Webcam

See LIVE what is going on in Longview right now!

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Longview Recreation Center

The Recreation center is a great place for all recreational activities! Check it out!

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Statesville, NC Area Information


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Statesville, North Carolina is home to two of North Carolina's most unique and exciting festivals, The CrossRoads PumpkinFest and The Carolina BalloonFest. These two festivals combined feature great entertainment, food, arts and crafts, hot air balloons and of course flying pumpkins.

Beyond festivals Statesville is also home to numerous attractions and activities including Historic Downtown Statesville, Lake Norman, NASCAR, Fort Dobbs, golf, outlet shopping, unique local cuisine, arts and culture, museums and even gem mining.

Statesville also serves as a gateway destination to the North Carolina Mountains, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Hickory furniture stores or even the nearby Yadkin Valley Wine Region...find it all close by in Statesville.

Statesville may still be best known for it's location at the intersection of Interstate 77 and Interstate 40, but after spending a few days in the area, you will discover why Statesville is more than a crossroads

Statesville City Website

Learn more about the wonderful town of Statesville, NC!

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Statesville Visitor's Center

Welcome to Statesvile, NC! Dive into this website learn all about Statesville and our surrounding communities!

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Things to Do in Statesville, NC

What is there to do in Statesville? A ton! Check it out!

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Calendar of Events in Statesville

Take a look at our busy calendar of events in Statesville, NC!

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Map of Statesville, NC

Get a better idea of where Statesville is!

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