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 - February 9, 2026)

Renovating Takes Time... And That's Okay.

If you've seen any of the American Rehab Charleston or Restoring Charleston episodes, than you understand that I'm really into history.  We're at the end of football season and all the teams I pull for have been eliminated.  But the thing that holds my attention to the NFL's season finale in February is the historical ramifications.  As much as the action on the field, I know the history of the sport and that's significant in why I watch professional football.

I enjoy college football for a different reason.  There's still a historical element to my interest, but the action on the field is different, and for this fan better than the pro games.  College football is a little slower.  Not a lot, but enough that it's noticeably easier to see plays develop.  I like that.  Things happen so fast in the NFL and this leads to the propensity for significant injuries (which stinks), but it also makes it tougher to follow the action without instant replay.  

It seems like I'm off topic when I start writing about sports, but this is still about renovating old houses.  I've never considered myself a house flipper.  Flipping houses is a fast deal like the NFL action.  What I do when I renovate a Pig's Ear is a little different.  However, I think my approach is not just a better fit for my family and I, but it's also more practical for most people renovating a home of their own as a do-it-yourselfer serving in the role as their own General Contractor or Construction Manager.  In this way (in this football/rehab analogy) it's more similar to college football.  It's slower and you can see and understand things differently than in a flip that's laser focused on schedule and budget where you save time that costs money and along the way miss some valuable or worthwhile things.  

Just like I enjoy history, and the history of a sport like football, I also have a constant appreciation for the history of each of my properties.  For me, that's just part of the adventure of fixing up a house.  And not just the houses, but the neighborhood and the town.  I know some may see these things as distractions to the bottom line profit, but this is not a numbers game for me.  It's also a way of life and I'm thankful for this awareness.

I've seen how home rehabbing shows make the projects look easier than they actually are or more difficult (see Renovation Realities on DIY).  But since I've also renovated a few houses with the film crews I understand why and how the producers do it... and I get it (sort of).  A thirty minute or two hour house rehab on television is fun and can be inspirational, but it's not like the real thing.  That I do know for sure.  The real life, hand's on experience is so much better.  It's more exciting and more enjoyable in a different way, and sure it takes longer than a half hour.  But if your a DIYer, embrace the time it takes to complete your project.  Realize that it's part of the experience.  Savor it.  Appreciate it.  And make the most of this extra time.     

BTW - I'm cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles on Super Bowl Sunday, not just because they're the underdog (the Beagles), but because they've never won the big game before.

If Necessary, Just Slow Down  (May 3rd, 2012)