If you’ve toured enough homes around Westchester—Chappaqua, Briarcliff, Pleasantville, Armonk—you’ve definitely seen them: the “HGTV-style” flips that look fantastic online but feel a little suspicious once you’re standing inside.

Flipped homes can be wonderful opportunities. Many are done by professionals who take pride in their craftsmanship. But there are just as many that are rushed, cosmetic-only makeovers meant to capitalize on the market without real investment in quality.

As a buyer, you need to know how to tell the difference.

Here are the biggest red flags that a Westchester flip may not be as polished as it appears.

1. Mismatched Flooring and Sloppy Transitions

One of the fastest giveaways of a poor flip is flooring that changes unnecessarily from room to room—or transitions that look like they were cut with a garden tool.

Signs to look for:

• laminate next to hardwood

• three different wood stains on the same floor

• floors that slope or feel “spongy” underfoot

• transition strips that sit high or uneven

• baseboards installed crookedly along new flooring

Quality flippers aim for consistency. Rushed operators piece together whatever materials they can get cheapest.

2. Fresh Paint Covering Underlying Problems

It’s very common for flippers to paint everything—trim, vents, light switches, even hinges. They repaint to create a clean look, but sometimes it’s also to hide issues.

Watch for:

• bubbled or uneven paint (often hiding moisture)

• paint on radiators and outlets

• patched wall sections that still look “lumpy”

• freshly painted basements without addressing water intrusion

In Westchester, especially with older colonials and capes, moisture issues are real. Paint shouldn’t be used as a band-aid.

3. Kitchens and Bathrooms That Look Great—But Use Cheap Materials

A lot of Westchester flips install the same formula: white shaker cabinets, subway tile, quartz counters. It looks great in photos—but quality varies tremendously.

Red flags:

• cabinets with thin backing or flimsy hinges

• granite or quartz with poorly sealed edges

• vanities that wobble or feel lightweight

• tile that’s already cracking or uneven

• grout lines that vary in size

Turn a cabinet door. Open a drawer. Tap tile. You can tell almost instantly whether real money was invested.

4. Brand-New HVAC Units… Connected to Old Ductwork

A classic budget flip move: install a new furnace or condenser to impress buyers, but leave the original ductwork from 1965 in place.

This results in:

• poor airflow

• uneven heating/cooling

• ducts filled with dust or mold

• reduced efficiency

A good flipper updates the system holistically—not just the parts that photograph well.

5. Electrical Work That Doesn't Match Today’s Safety Standards

Many older Westchester homes need electrical upgrades. Bad flips cut corners here because electrical work is expensive and less noticeable than countertops.

Look out for:

• new light fixtures attached to old, ungrounded two-prong outlets

• missing GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens

• breaker panels that are outdated but simply “cleaned up”

• light switches that do nothing

• flickering LED fixtures (cheap wiring or low-quality drivers)

When builders cut corners on electrical, it’s usually a sign they cut corners everywhere else too.

6. The “Shiny Bathroom… With a 50-Year-Old Drainpipe” Problem

Bathrooms in flips often sparkle—but behind the walls, cast-iron drainpipes, corroded copper, and old supply lines are left untouched.

That means:

• you may face leaks after move-in

• low water pressure remains unresolved

• you inherit thousands of dollars in future plumbing replacements

A quality renovation replaces what you can’t see, not just what you can.

7. No Permit History

This is one of the biggest indicators of a sketchy flip.

If a home has a new kitchen, new baths, new HVAC, new electrical, or structural changes, but no permits on file with the town… that’s a problem.

Most Westchester municipalities:

• require permits for major work

• will flag unpermitted renovations at resale

• may require costly remediation

Before falling in love with a beautiful renovation, always check the home’s permit history with the building department.

The Bottom Line

A well-done flip can be a fantastic opportunity for a buyer, offering modern finishes and a move-in ready home. But a rushed or cosmetic-only flip can create expensive problems down the line—especially in Westchester’s older housing stock.

If you’re touring homes and want a second opinion, or need a realtor who knows how to spot the warning signs before you get emotionally invested, I’m always here to help.