Why Your Tampa Flip Isn't Selling

[Stephen Dispensa]

The market slowdown isn’t news anymore—we’ve been seeing flips sit for months (sometimes years) now. Looking at current inventory, I see plenty of renovated homes that simply aren’t moving.

After years in this business, I can tell you: most flips that struggle to sell share the same problems. Investors miss key items during renovations, then try to list at top dollar. Buyers walk away because the house feels overpriced and unfinished.

Here are the biggest issues I see:

1. The Step Down

One of the most common complaints from buyers is a step down in the middle of a living or dining room. This comes from post-war homes where garages were built at slab-on-grade and later converted to living space—without raising the floor.

Buyers hate it.
The fix: remove the slab, infill with dirt, treat for termites, and pour a new slab. Cost is usually under $5,000, but the value add can easily be $25,000+.

2. Small Master Bathrooms

Most post-war homes in Tampa came with one shared bath and maybe a tiny master. Buyers today want a tub, a shower, and a double vanity. Too often I see $500k+ homes with pedestal sinks and closet-sized showers.

The solution: reconfigure. On about 90% of my flips, I create a wet room (tub + shower in one waterproof enclosure). It saves space, feels modern, and gives buyers that “spa-like” atmosphere they want.

3. Old Plumbing

If the home was built in the 1950s–60s, the underground plumbing is failing—period. Sewer scopes are now standard in inspections, and buyers are asking about it constantly.

During Tampa’s post-war boom, builders planted oak trees that thrive here but choke shallow sewer and supply lines. Almost every older property has root intrusion.

Don’t ignore it. Bite the bullet, open the slab, and replace the plumbing. While you’re at it, reconfigure your bathrooms for a better layout.

4. No Impact Windows

After the last few hurricane seasons, this should be obvious, but many flippers still skip it. Buyers want impact windows. Insurance companies want impact windows. They are a major selling point.

You don’t need custom glass—both Lowe’s and Home Depot sell impact replacement windows at reasonable prices. (Pro tip: Lowe’s Pro Desk offers bulk discounts.)

5. Layout Problems

It’s not just about open floor plans and LVL beams. Function matters. Ask yourself:

• Is the kitchen sink really best on the center island (where water sprays everywhere)?

• Wouldn’t buyers prefer it overlooking the backyard where they can watch their kids?

• Are you maximizing space with mudrooms, pass-throughs, and storage?

Don’t give buyers a reason to say “that’s weird.” Good layouts sell houses.

Final Thoughts

These are the recurring problems I see in flips that sit unsold. Since the market shifted, I’ve completed three major renovations—all sold at a profit. Yes, they took a little longer due to slower demand, but they were flawless. And flawless houses sell.

If you want your flip to move in today’s market, you need to deliver everything a buyer could want—not excuses for why something “couldn’t be fixed.”