Bird-Dog vs Wholesale Fee Calculator
Compare bird-dog finder fee vs full wholesaler assignment fee. Bird-dog $500-$5K passive, wholesaler $5K-$30K with contract control.
| Deals/year | — |
| Bird-dog gross | — |
| Wholesale gross (success-adjusted) | — |
| Wholesale costs | — |
| Wholesale net | — |
| Winner | — |
Bird-dog fees ($500-$5K) pay you for sourcing leads to investors. Wholesale assignment fees ($5K-$30K) require contract control and execution. This compares earning paths for new investors.
Bird-Dog Mechanics
Find motivated seller. Pass lead to investor (paid finder's fee at closing). Zero contract control, zero execution risk. Best for new investors learning lead generation without legal exposure.
Wholesale Mechanics
Put property under contract (purchase agreement). Assign contract to end-buyer for assignment fee. Profit = end-buyer price − contract price − closing costs. Requires legal compliance (state-by-state).
Risk Profile Comparison
Bird-dog: zero earnest money, zero contract liability, low fees. Wholesale: earnest money risk ($500-$5K), contract enforcement liability, legal compliance burden, marketing cost. Higher reward justifies risk.
Legal Considerations
Some states (OK, IL, AZ) require real estate license to wholesale. 'Assignment of contract' wholesale typically legal. 'Double closing' may avoid licensing in restrictive states. Consult RE attorney before operating.
Last updated May 2026. Sources: REI Lawyer Resources, BiggerPockets Wholesaling.