Inman

Calling all ‘Flippers’

The Learning Channel is planning to teach its viewers something about real estate investment.

Creators of the “Property Ladder,” a new series for the cable channel that is set to air in early 2005, are looking for homeowners and home buyers from Bakersfield to San Diego who want to fix up houses to sell, Realtors who will serve as listing agents for the resale of the revamped homes, and Southern California homes suitable for fix-up and resale.

An experienced “flipper,” a person who has participated in turning around several fixer-uppers for sale, will serve as host. “This experience will be used to help guide our remodelers and keep them focused on the goal – creating a house that lots of people want to buy,” according to a casting call for the program.

“The novice real estate investors rehabbing these old houses will demonstrate how – with a few strategic design decisions, a little elbow grease, some laughter, tears, and even a sleepless night or two – anyone can do this, and maybe even have fun and make some money, too,” according to the description.

“We’ll redo floors, refurbish cabinets and remodel kitchens. We’ll add bathrooms, bedrooms and walls. We’ll build decks and change yards. And do everything that can add value to a house. Each episode will conclude with an open house showing off the amazing transformation, all leading up to, hopefully, selling the house for a whopping profit.”

The show will track each house from the beginning of renovation through the sale, and the turnaround time should be less than six months in order to be considered for the show, which will tape from July to January.

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