Fixer-uppers are all the rage right now. Nationally, searches for them have tripled since 2021, with buyers chasing that affordable “diamond in the rough” opportunity. Sounds great, right? A little sweat equity, some vision, and you’ve got yourself a dream home.

But here in Arizona? Things can get downright spooky.

The Rise of the Zombie Flipper 🧟‍♀️

Enter the “zombie flipper.” These are the folks who suddenly decide they’re investors because they’ve got a little cash or caught too many episodes of HGTV. They jump into the market with big dreams but little knowledge. Instead of breathing new life into old homes, they leave behind scary results — sloppy work, hidden problems, and houses that look picture-perfect until you move in.

These zombie flips haunt neighborhoods. Poor-quality workmanship doesn’t just disappoint buyers — it drags down property values. It’s the real estate version of a jump scare you didn’t see coming.

Wholesalers: Trick or Treat? 🎃

Wholesalers can be a mixed bag. At the Grandon Group, we genuinely enjoy working with true professional wholesalers — the ones who bring real deals, understand the market, and help connect the right buyers and sellers.

But there’s also the trick side of wholesaling. Too many wholesalers snatch up properties and blast them to their networks before they even hit the market. Everyone sees the buy price and the markup, creating artificial inflation. That kind of ghost-in-the-machine pricing pushes regular buyers out and warps the market.

The Flippers Who Do It Right 🏡✨

Now, let’s not bury all flippers six feet under. The pros — the ones who do this full-time and know construction, design, and trends — they’re the real deal.

Good flippers can turn a tired, outdated house into the star of the block. They see what’s coming in design — whether it’s farmhouse, sleek modern, or contemporary — and they craft spaces that actually elevate neighborhoods. These flips are treats, not tricks. They bring long-term value, improve communities, and give buyers a home they can be proud of.

What the Market Needs 🛠️

Maybe it’s time new flippers had an apprenticeship system. Learn the ropes from the pros before trying to raise the dead on your own. Because let’s face it — when flipping is done right, everyone wins. When it’s done wrong, you get zombie homes dragging down entire streets.

At the Grandon Group, we’ve seen it all: the good, the bad, and the truly frightening. And our advice is simple: beware of zombie flippers. They may look harmless at first, but their work can come back to haunt you.

So this fall, as you tour those fixer-uppers, keep your eyes open. Not every deal is a treat — some are a real estate trick in disguise.

For more information call The Grandon Group 480-276-2954 or check us out at www.THEGRANDONGROUP.com