Zombie House Flipping

Zombie House Flipping follows an innovative team of house flippers in sunny Orlando, Florida, who breathe new life into desolate properties branded as "zombies." Debuting on the FYI network in 2016, each episode tracks the crew as they battle the extreme challenges of converting derelict, rundown houses into appealing homes that could potentially fetch top dollar.

The crew is composed of four creative and enterprising personalities: Justin Stamper, the exuberant leader and real estate wunderkind, who is in charge of securing the abandoned houses; Keith Ori, a seasoned contractor, who undertakes the intense restorations; Duke Gomez-Schempp, the house designer and stager, responsible for bringing visual appeal to the homes; and lastly, Ashlee Casserly, the spirited real estate agent, who brings in the buyers and seals the deal.

In Zombie House Flipping, the focus is less on interpersonal drama and is instead centered around the actual process of flipping a house and the slew of issues that come with it. Each episode starts with the team scouting for suitable "zombie" houses in various neighborhoods. These houses, often in deteriorated condition, bear the scar of foreclosure during the housing crisis. The reference to “zombie houses” embodies the idea of bringing homes that have essentially been left for dead back to life. Interestingly, it reflects the resilience of both the market and the people who have committed themselves to aid in its recovery.

After locating the right property, they evaluate the degree of restoration needed to transform it into a desirable home. The early parts of the show involve discussions about expected budget, thorough inspection of the houses, and any unique challenges they might face. High-stakes financial decisions play a significant role in each episode, with the team juggling budget concerns and unexpected extra expenses, to ultimately come out at the end making a profit.

Keith Ori, the well-versed contractor, then steps up to face these challenges head-on. From removing hazardous materials to restructuring layouts and restoring structural integrity, Keith's grit and expertise in dealing with all sorts of damages makes him the backbone of the team.

While Keith handles the grueling renovations, it is Duke Gomez-Schempp who adds charm and elegance to these restored structures. Revealing an innate sense of design and style, Gomez-Schempp stages the renovated house to meet the tastes of possible buyers, aligning the character and aesthetics of the space with its location and the current market trends.

Ashlee Casserly then takes over to do what she does best: selling the house. Armed with her real estate acumen, she addresses potential buyers' queries and pitches the newly restored home, keen to fetch the best price in order to justify the blood, sweat, and tears that they've poured into the project.

The viewers get a rich behind-the-scenes look at all the intricacies of house flipping: the thrill of discovering a hidden gem, the financial risks, and the hands-on labor that goes into each project. Zombie House Flipping promotes the message that no house is too destroyed or abandoned to be beyond saving. As the team turns "zombies" into charming, livable homes, the show earnestly displays the spirit of second chances, not just for the houses, but for the neighborhoods they're in, and eventually the whole city.

Zombie House Flipping manages to blend business, sustainability, design, and camaraderie into its narrative, offering a unique take on conventional home improvement shows. It’s a testament to perseverance and transformation, where the outcast and abandoned get a shot at redemption, mirroring the resilience of the housing market and the people that strive to restore it. Whether you’re a real estate enthusiast, a design connoisseur, or just an average television viewer, Zombie House Flipping promises a perspective that’s as engaging as it is educative.