Signs of a Hasty Flip

 5 Signs of a Hasty Flip That Turn Off Prospective Buyers

Hasty flips attract hasty buyers. Flipping homes is one of the fastest ways to make money in real estate. However, investors who buy homes and resell them quickly often run into trouble.

Here are five signs of a hasty flip that may turn off prospective buyers — leading to losses instead of profits.

1. Flimsy Materials

Hasty flips often use cheap materials that don't last long. If you can see that the walls or floors are made of particle board, for example, this is not a sign of quality construction.

A real estate agent with experience in flipping homes may be able to tell you if the materials used in your new home are sturdy and durable or if they will need replacing soon after purchase.

2. Fresh Paint That Doesn't Match

In a hasty flip, the paint job is often a rush job. The homeowner might have had an existing color in mind and ordered it from a paint store that was closing. Or maybe they were on a tight deadline and just grabbed some paint from the local hardware store.

Either way, if the color doesn't match the rest of your house or neighborhood, it'll turn off buyers — even if they don't know why.

3. New Carpeting That Doesn't Match

If you have new carpeting or new paint, that's great! However, if the carpeting doesn't match the rest of the house and the walls are painted a different color, this is a red flag for potential buyers.

If you are selling your home and want to make it seem like an upgrade, make sure you're using paint that matches the existing paint in your home. If you want to keep things neutral but want to add some flair, consider painting one wall a different color but keeping it toned down so that it works with what is already there.

4. Faded Paint

You may have thought your home was perfect when you bought it, but buyers know better than anyone else that nothing lasts forever when it comes to real estate — even high-end homes are prone to wear and tear over time.

One sign that your house might not have been maintained as well as you think: faded paint on walls and ceilings throughout the house. It doesn't take long for paint to lose its luster; if yours looks old and worn out after only a few years of use, what does that say about how long it might last?

5. Lack of Curb Appeal

The first thing that buyers notice when they pull up to a home is the exterior, including landscaping, paint colors and curb appeal. If you see that the exterior looks like it was put together in a hurry, it may be telling you that something is wrong with the inside as well.

While curb appeal is subjective, there are some things that can be improved to attract more buyers. For example, a fresh coat of paint on the front door and windows can make a huge difference. A new mailbox or front door mat may also be enough to make you stand out from the competition.