Don’t Flip Out Over Your “Flipped” House

Flipped houses have become very popular in the Grand Rapids area. The housing market seems to be calling for older homes with classic charm, but with fresh, new updates. This consumer longing has been answered by people who invest in run-down homes, then make the necessary repairs + upgrades, and sell it for a profit.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a rise in the number of flipped mid-century houses in the greater Grand Rapids area. And now, in the Byron Center area, we’ve even begun to see an influx of flipped houses from the 80’s and 90’s. We love walking through these homes and seeing what owners have done to keep the appeal but add the modern updates. It’s always an interesting experience!

But, in walking through many of these flipped homes, we’ve also come to see unfortunate patterns of poor craftsmanship ad DIY projects that leave us hesitant to encourage homeowners to make a purchase. As realtors, we want you to find the right home that won’t leave you sinking in the money pit for years to come. That’s why today, we’re going to give you some important information about what you should look for when you’re buying a home that has recently been flipped. Don’t flip out over your flipped house. Let us help you!

If you’re looking at buying a flipped home in Grand Rapids and Byron Center, go ahead and use this guide below to avoid some of the biggest pitfalls in purchasing a flipped home.

Don’t Flip Out Over Your Flipped Home

Do Your Research

Ask your realtor to find as much information on the flipped house as they possibly can. Additionally, try and find information about the people who flipped the home. You may want to consider whether the home has been flipped by a professional company or a single person. Is this the first home the owners have flipped? Are they professional craftsmen? What types of projects did they do and which elements are original to the home? Did they replace pipes, electrical units, etc? Or did they just do aesthetic upgrades to the home? The more you can find about actual work that was done the house and WHO it was done by, the better off you will be the long run.

Don’t Skip the Inspection

If you offer is approved on the home, make sure that you have an inspection done by a trusted inspection company. Because the home has been redone, you want to know exactly what kind of standing condition it is. Did the flippers make repairs the right way or will you have to go back and fix things? A professional inspector would be able to tell you all of the little and big things that are wrong with the house.

Get Down to the Nitty Gritty

Don’t forget to look at all of the small details of the homes. Small things like faucets, light plate covers, tiling and more, will eventually add up to a lot of money for homeowners to replace or repair. These small things are also signals that bigger mistakes might have been made as well. The more you are aware of the small elements of the home, the better idea you have about the big picture of the house.

Don’t Get Tricked By Charm

Just because everything in a flipped house looks new and fresh doesn’t necessarily mean that it is “good”. Don’t let the charm and swag of a flipped house trick you! Look beyond the first layer aesthetics of the home at the elements that really make a difference. For example, if the countertops and backsplash have been redone, check the area for any gaps or holes. These indicate that the job has not been done properly and will need to be fixed later.

Listen to the Experts

As you are walking through the flipped home, be sure to lean on the advice and input of your realtor. They will have more information and insight on the house. If there are any questions that you have, never be afraid to ask. If your realtor doesn’t know the answer, they can always find out. Let no stone go unturned when buying a flipped home.

If you’re looking to buy a flipped home in the Grand Rapids area, we advise you to reach out to us today. We would love to show you show properties nearby or answer any questions you might have about properties for sale.