Flip or Flop

The best things about Tarek and Christina are that they are level-headed and realistic. You don't see them blowing up at their contractors, or overspending on their flips. They spend realistic amounts of money on their properties and renovations, and they encounter realistic problems. Unlike other shows, like Flipping Vegas, problems don't seem staged. And I love the fact that the show is only 30 minutes; one hour can be overkill for these types of shows. Other reviewers have said that the characters are "bland" but I disagree. I would rather that they be themselves rather than over-act for the camera. And I don't mind Christina's SoCal accent; she's nice to look at and she has a good head on her shoulders. Over all, Flip or Flop is an entertaining and efficient home renovation show.

I've watched this show for years and it was time for it to end! Christine was always such a downer. Especially after their divorce. She still wanted to do 'married' things like snide comments about Tarek's looks and pranking him. But it just wasn't cool anymore. And every house she would whine "worst house ever" or "this smells". Excuse me, isn't that the name of the flipping game? To find the worst house on the block, make it the best and make a big payday? All that being said, I would like to see Tarek doing a similar show on his on. Because his new show kind of sucks.

In the same way video shot containing failed offers and lost auctions would be edited out of the show, the show would gravitate towards footage containing the more complex and challenging flips because that will naturally bring more interesting content. When flipping houses, complexity and challenges usually result in a higher cost of repair so that should mean the net profit should be lower than one of their uneventful and unaired typical flips.

But this is not what we see. Instead, in usual reality TV flipping drama, we have Ken and Barbie fretting about losing money only for the final minute to show they actually made $50-$100K. Every time. This simply cannot be true and here is why:

In a number of shows they have mentioned that they have a number of other flips in progress simultaneously. The ones we see usually take 4-8 weeks to complete and net around $50-$100K. Also in a number of shows they try to make it sound as if they are stretched thin, borrow money from relatives, and act as if one unprofitable flip will force them into poverty. The only way this could be true is if they either lose money on houses we do not see or make a minimal amount on a typical flip. At any rate, I want to see that. I want to see why a house failed to flip profitably! I think that would be extremely educational and be a far more interesting show than one where we already know the ending!

It's like watching an episode of Gilligan's Island where they have a chance on getting rescued. C'mon, even if the show was airing new you know they aren't getting rescued.

I'm not some airhead socialist condemning someone their right to earn their profit, but I do want to see the truth in now successful these flips really are so that the faux financial drama that is put into the show at least feels real. The show where they asked Barbie's father for a $15,000 loan and then cut to break as we sat on the edge of our seats waiting to find how what happened is a bit much.

I love watching DIY and renovation shows to see before and after results. This show isn't bad. I understand some of the fake drama that is added to gain interest in viewers. I don't believe the auctions. It seems very staged by not so experienced actors. I have to say though, the thing that irritates me the most about this show is Christina. She has the personality of a zombie. When she is talking to the camera, it's very monotone and very valley girl like. For goodness sake, please pronounce your G's! Also, why on earth would you wear high heels and makeup to a demolition? The amount of mascara makes me cringe every time. As a couple, Tarak and Christina seem very unemotional. There is no arguments, no tears, no raising voices, no hugging, no nothing. Flipping houses would be an emotional roller coaster! There is ZERO emotion in this show! It's all about the money. Oh and please stop whining about how much something costs when you drive around in your multiple luxury automobiles. I'm all about being able to reap the benefits of one's own work but don't complain about a few thousand more spent on a flip when it's evident that it's a drop in the bucket for you. Enough of the fake drama! Give us the raw drama! Give us some emotion people! Please Christina, for goodness sake stop talking like Kim Kardashian and pronounce those G's!

After sampling several over-produced 1 hour house flipping shows that are typically padded with made-up story lines, bad acting and more hype than help, I found this show to be a breath of fresh air! It gives a lot of useful insights into the industry for buyer and seller alike. I'm a California native who would love to "go home" except for the cost of living. If I ever win the lottery or inherit a fortune from a secret rich uncle, I'd be there in a minute. Until then it's interesting to be reminded just how much more of a house I can get by choosing location wisely.

The show also serves to show just how much money can be saved through sweat equity. Although I've never flipped a house, I have fixed up old cars for resale. That experience has shown me how a little knowledge and a lot of initiative can pay/save big money! I see them doing a lot of the labor themselves, which is the not-so-secret secret of their success. Oh, to be young again!

I do have a gripe with the half-hour format of the show, and others like it. There's just too much story to cram into barely over 20 minutes after commercials! This show really could use a full hour time slot.