ARV — After Repair Value
The estimated market value of the property after all repairs are complete. Your entire wholesale deal is built on this number — use conservative comps, not optimistic ones.
MAO — Maximum Allowable Offer
The most you can pay the seller and still leave enough room for your fee and the buyer's profit. Formula: (ARV × buyer's discount) minus rehab minus your assignment fee.
Assignment Fee
The profit you make as the wholesaler — the difference between what you contracted with the seller and what your buyer pays you. Typical range: $5,000 to $25,000+ depending on the deal.
Buyer's Discount
The percentage below ARV that your cash buyer needs to purchase the deal. Most fix-and-flip buyers want to be all-in at 65-75% of ARV. Know your buyer's number before you make an offer.
Spread
The gap between what you owe the seller and what your buyer will pay. The spread is where your assignment fee lives. If the spread is too thin, there is no deal.
Motivated Seller
A seller who needs to sell quickly and is willing to accept below-market value. Common situations: divorce, foreclosure, inherited property, relocation, financial distress. Without motivation, wholesale rarely works.
Double Close
Instead of assigning a contract, you actually close on the property and immediately resell it to your buyer — often same day. Used when buyers don't want to see your fee or assignment is not allowed.
Rehab Estimate
Your buyer's cost to repair the property. As the wholesaler you need to estimate this accurately — if you underestimate rehab, your buyer loses money and will never buy from you again.