In this episode of the Relatable Oklahoma Realtors Podcast, we are joined by Stacy and Merle Stricker, as well as my longtime friend Kendra Sims. We catch up on our personal lives and discuss the lasting friendships we have maintained since high school. Moving on to our careers, we share that we currently work for an investor in the Tulsa, Oklahoma market. we manage and oversee the remodels of his properties, and also participate in selling real estate and flipping houses. we discuss the challenges of the current housing market, such as inflated prices and higher interest rates, which have impacted profit margins.
Despite these challenges, we continue to strive for successful flips by finding ways to adjust my expectations and reduce costs. We emphasize the importance of hiring experts for quality work and utilizing discounts when purchasing materials. We then delve into the difficulty of finding reliable contractors and subcontractors, and the importance of scheduling them in a busy market. we share my experiences with various workers and discuss how we have adapted my approach to working with them. We touch on the importance of having a reliable crew and the challenges of scheduling contractors when demand is high.
Next, we discuss the process of purchasing materials for our projects and the importance of being mindful of where and when we buy them. We share anecdotes of overpaying for certain items and highlight the need for strategic purchasing decisions. We also discuss the benefits of having a place to store extra materials and the cost-saving advantages it provides. With regard to the real estate industry, we share my experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field and the initial skepticism we faced. We assert my knowledge and skills in property repairs and discuss how we have earned respect through personal involvement in the work and continuous learning. we talk about the importance of location in flipping houses and emphasize that the neighborhood plays a crucial role in desirability and selling potential.
We then move on to discuss the unique advantage of having off-market properties and the challenges that being a realtor presents when it comes to potential properties. We encourage showcasing our work and making it known that we are in the flipping business. We also touch on the benefits of other realtors bringing us potential houses, particularly when there is an emotional connection to the property. In terms of financing and making offers, we discuss the importance of building relationships with local banks for financing deals. we share my experiences with different banks and how some were more strict or required more paperwork. we highlight the significance of having a good relationship with a lender for a smoother process. We wrap up the episode by discussing the challenges of paperwork and financing in real estate deals and the importance of proper tracking and organization.
We also share our contact information and encourage listeners to reach out through social media. We express our appreciation for each other and celebrate our successes in the real estate industry.