Radar Blipping due to Flipping - Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 7

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 6 - February 4, 2026)

I realize not everyone wants to read about my past history. However, some have nudged me for more backstory, information that adds up, or is put down in a way they can use for themselves. And clearly, I’m happy to share more for those interested, enjoying the process of sifting through how the pieces of time unfolded and ended up fitting together.    

“Where do you start to fix up a house this bad?” or “How do you do it?” Those are easier questions for me to answer than, “How did you find your way onto television?” And lack of specifics can give the impression of intentional coyness. Which is the case for me since I imagine I’m most often doing people a favor being brief in answering TV questions. Rather than a dull road, that chapter of my life is hard to explain in a few short sentences.

In the early years of my renovating career, project visitors would sometimes ask, “Are you a flipper?” or if I “flipped houses.” Back then, my schedule and budget were tight, initially filled with full-time work and my attempts to save my first condemned property on the side. I was short on extra cash for cable and only took time for TV like the show Survivor, news, or something special like the Super Bowl. I’d even stopped watching This Old House because I was too busy. So, I was pretty much clueless, and these visitors started to bring me up to speed on flipping homes and different shows they saw about this.

The way I understood it, how I think I get it now, is that house flipping is a ramped-up schedule, high gear from day one. My way, salvaging what I can saves time and money in the long run, but it’s never seemed as if flippers being featured on TV operate this way. I really get into the history of my properties, the previous owners, additions, background things that I think help me make the most of what I’ve invested in. Hard core flipper schedules don’t allow for those sorts of time eaters. They’re sprinters and I suppose I’ve always been more of an endurance type of renovator. I’m mindful of how long it’s taking, but it’s a more methodical route, because for me, that’s been most practical long-term, big picture.  

I’m sure some flippers dipping their toes in the water, take it slower and try to save usable material along the way like I do. But twenty-five years ago, I could tell that the folks on television inspiring strangers to stop in and ask questions were a different breed than me, including their quantity of rehabs. I work steady on one project and most have taken longer than a year to complete. But the hardcore flippers seemed to be knocking out multiple projects per year. Production mode—Bam! Bam! Bam!

That's never been me. I don't believe I qualify as a house flipper. I think I've always been closer in approach to This Old House, even if my homes are more modest. And that just makes sense, because I really dig that show.

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 8 - Coming Soon)