by Candice Spivey | Spivey Building Co.
Stuff I Learned the Hard Way While Flipping Homes (So You Don’t Have To)
Let me just say this: flipping homes will humble you. Fast. What starts as a fun design project can turn into a “why am I scraping paint off brand new floors at 11 p.m.” kind of situation real quick. Over the years, I’ve made every mistake in the book—some more than once (okay, more than twice). So here’s a list of lessons I’ve learned the hard way. I’m sharing them so your flip can look like a dream without the nightmares.
1. Take the Window Stickers Off (While You’re Still on the Ground)
New windows? Great.
Leaving the giant manufacturer sticker on them? Not so much.
It’s like wearing new jeans with the cardboard tag still hanging off—totally ruins the vibe. Those stickers might seem harmless until they’re baked on and two stories up. Save yourself (or your crew) the ladder trip and just peel them while you’re down there. Your photographer and future self will thank you.
2. Protect Your Floors From Paint. For Real.
You know what’s not fun? Scrubbing tiny white paint specks off brand new black LVP.
No matter how careful your painters swear they are, paint will find the floor. Take the time to cover them properly. Otherwise, you’ll be on your hands and knees with a scraper muttering things you shouldn’t say in front of clients.
3. Remove the Hairnets From Your Smoke Detectors
Yes, those little red plastic covers. They’re temporary.
No, they do not belong in your listing photos.
Somehow they end up being the star of the ceiling shot, and not in a good way. They’re distracting, they’re bright, and they scream “unfinished.” Pull them off before your final walkthrough or photo day.
4. Landscape Before the Finish Line
Landscaping is not a throw-it-in-last-minute kind of thing.
Grass needs time to grow. Plants need time to settle. Do it early so the yard looks established and intentional by the time you go live. Because let’s be honest—if the outside looks rushed, buyers assume the inside was too.
5. Final Cleanings Matter (More Than You Think)
If your cleaner is in and out in under an hour, they didn’t clean.
You want baseboards wiped, grout haze gone, cabinet shelves dusted, and floors vacuumed with actual vacuum lines. Don’t skip the inside of drawers, under sinks, or inside closets. Buyers notice everything—and so should you.
Bottom Line:
Flipping a house is all about the details. These aren’t major design decisions, but they are what separate “That house looks nice” from “I want that one.”
I’ve made enough of these mistakes to know better—so now you can too.
Don’t wait until picture day to realize you left a red cap on the ceiling.
And if you ever want to talk flips, finishes, or the best mop for post-construction cleanup… you know where to find me.