Skin Deep Beauty — Real Estate Version
I’m working with a prospective Buyer currently who’s (politely) asked me not to show him any more “flips” — that is, homes that have been purchased within the last six months by rehabbers, cleaned up and (selectively) updated, and then put back on the 
market at a much higher price.
Based on the three flips I’ve shown him the last few weeks — not to mention my familiarity with the category generally — I can’t say I disagree.
(Too) Quick Profit
I’ve got nothing against rehabbers making a nice profit.
God knows, there’s plenty of housing stock that needs some (or a lot) of TLC, and plenty of Buyers who have neither the skill nor budget to tackle such projects.
Too often, though, the improvements such rehabbers make are only skin deep.
Short Cuts
So, the home will invariably have new paint and carpet, new light fixtures, refinished hardwood floors (if the home has them), and even new Kitchen counters and appliances.
What does that leave out?
Just the expensive stuff, like a new roof, windows, and mechanicals.
Or, if the windows are new, they’re cheap, vinyl ones.
While it may be unfair to tar all “flips” with the same brush, they really do seem to have a common look and feel to them.
P.S.: No doubt, a good part of the sameness is that all flips seem to be staged with the same cheap furniture, art work, and mirrors.
