Buyer Beware the Flipped Home May be More Trouble than It's Worth

I often have buyers who say they want a move-in ready home with an all new kitchen and bathroom. During our search, these buyers are drawn to the flipped homes that offer the look they desire but come with hidden problems.

When looking at flipped houses, I usually find myself pointing out poorly designed kitchens with uneven floors and appliances installed without an outlet to plug them in to. Home flippers buy dilapidated houses, fix them up, and sell them as quickly as possible with the intention of making a profit. Buyers need to be aware of potential issues with a home and working with a Realtor® like myself will help you avoid buying a lemon.

Here are some general things to keep an eye out for while looking at a flipped home:

Heating & AC

If the home has an old furnace it's likely that it's at the end of it’s life expectancy. Often you'll find these old furnaces are creating high levels of carbon monoxide. It's also possible that the heating system was completely replaced. If so, great, but check the furnace’s blower fan for drywall dust. If the house is being sold during the winter, the AC may be very old and may not be functional. If the house is being sold during the summer, the AC is brand new and keeps the house very comfortable. 

Electrical

Most likely there is a brand new circuit breaker panel with a state electrical inspection sticker on it. Even the worst home flippers usually know better than to mess with the electrical as they don’t want their houses to burn down.

Plumbing

Most likely you'll find problems with drains. Nobody has lived in the house yet so there's no way of knowing about leaks and clogged drains. Running the water at the kitchen sink and checking the pipe under the cabinet usually reveals any issues.

Roofs

It's likely the shingles on the roof are in bad shape. You’ll find patched sections of shingles or shingles that are badly deteriorated and at the end of their life expectancy. Replacing the roof is an expensive project, but it won’t make the house sell for any more money, so flippers usually leave the roof alone if it’s not leaking.

Insulation

Flippers will not get a return on their investment if they install new insulation. In a flipped home you can find the insulation in the attic hasn’t been touched for a long time and is in need of improvement.

Windows

It's nice to see the original wood windows were replaced with vinyl inserts. However, I often see the old wood at the exterior, despite being freshly painted, is still rotting away.

Why buy a flipped house?

Not every flipped home has trouble lurking within. If you don't see any of these issues and love the home, get a home inspection. There are flipped homes out there that are in pristine condition and are certainly worth the buy. When looking, just be mindful of the condition of the exterior, roof, insulation, and drains. And always work with a knowledgeable Realtor® like myself who will guide you through the process and help you choose the right home for you.

Kristy O'Connor
Realtor®
Weichert, Realtors - Media
606 E. Baltimore Pike, Media, PA 19063
267.243.6434
KristyLOConnor@gmail.com