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Some of you will remember the story I told you about the first home I ever flipped back in 2020. I just saw that the home is coming back on the market. And honestly, seeing it pop up brought back all the feelings.
For those who followed along in real time, you'll remember the story. For newer readers, here's the short version: I worked for the developer of Desert Mountain back in the late '80s, and I've stayed connected to that community ever since. I've always believed those homes had incredible bones—they just needed the right touch to bring them back to life.
A past client of mine—a very talented designer who wasn’t a household name yet—came to me with an idea. He wanted to start breathing new life into some of the older Desert Mountain homes. Because he knew my history there, and that I knew how to get the right buyers’ eyes on a property, he asked what I thought. I suggested he pick up a tired home, and we’d document the transformation with a makeover video show. People eat those up.
The snag? He couldn’t afford to take on another house.
So what did I do? I took the plunge myself! You’ve got to understand the timing—it was the middle of one of the nastiest presidential elections I can remember, when half the country thought the world would end if the other guy won.
I was way out of my comfort zone. I had never flipped a home before, never filmed a makeover show, the world felt like it was on fire politically — and there I was, staring down my very first flip at almost a million dollars. To be exact, $960,000. It was either going to be the boldest move of my career… or the most expensive lesson I’d ever learned. If it blew up Debbie would leave me for sure. :(
But it was a good property. When you entered the home in felt like you were stepping back into 1990. The walls were full of drywall cutouts, the flagstone floors were thick and heavy, and the old southwest doors gave it away right away. The rooms were boxed in and dated, just waiting to be opened up. It had good bones but it was ready for help.
He went and did what he does so well and seven months later, we sold it for $1,990,000.
But here's what mattered more than the numbers: that project launched his reputation. It showed what was possible in Desert Mountain again. And it reminded me why I love what I do - because sometimes the best deals aren't just transactions. They're about connecting people who need each other, whether that's a buyer and seller, a talented designer and a community that needs fresh vision, or a great home and its next chapter.
The coming soon photos aren't out yet but here is what it looked like when we resold it: Loving Tree
Five years later, that home is about to write its next chapter. I can’t wait to see who takes it on—and what they’ll dream up next.
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