Is house flipping dead?

[Matt Shields]

I ask if flipping is dead, or at least dying? Here in the Phoenix, Arizona metro area, I have watched the margin on deals become slimmer and slimmer. During the past few years, television shows and seminars have flooded the flipping market with people who believe flipping homes is an easy way to riches. Trustee auction prices are near to what MLS prices are, and I cannot believe what people are paying, they are behind the eight ball from day one. Now the large corporate flippers like Offer Pad and Open Door have moved in sucking up deals, and Zillow (the 800-pound gorilla of the real estate world) just announced they are getting into the flipping business here. Phoenix seems to be the testbed for these companies before they expand to the rest of the country, so if you don't have them operating in your city you probably will soon. What are your thoughts?