Flip for fun and profit

For years, there have been TV shows about competitive renovations, and you must have said to yourself at some stage, “I could do that.” Despite the ups and downs, the tears and the heartaches, the contestants always seem to come out in front: better for the experience, financially and spiritually.

The Block, for example, has been running for more than 15 seasons now, pitching four couples of mixed work and life experience against each other to renovate the worst apartments or houses imaginable over a 12-week period. Anyone who knows anything about renovating knows that 12 weeks would be a real push; however, with the magic of television, they manage it.

Australians have also binge-watched House Rules for at least seven seasons, following as six state-based couples renovate each other’s homes over the course of a week. With a real estate company sponsor on board, this show even gives us a before and after “valuation” to astound us with how much “value” the participants have added with their makeovers.

Is it even possible to renovate that quickly and add that much value to a property?

Let’s do a reality TV check for a moment. These shows are designed to a format, to generate ratings. The potential profit that contestants might make after renovating a property is part of the lure to get us to watch every week. It