Demo To Dollars
Demo to Dollars is your go-to podcast for real-world, how-to strategies for flipping houses, delivered in fast, focused, no-fluff episodes you can actually use.
Hosted by Ed Mathews, real estate investor and President of Clark St Academy, this show cuts through the noise to give you the exact tactics Ed and his team use in their flipping business every day.
No theories. No hype. No gatekeeping.
Just practical lessons to help you find deals, estimate rehabs, raise capital, and close flips like a pro.
Whether you’re working a full-time job, starting from scratch, or scaling your operation, each episode gives you one actionable insight to move your business forward in 5 minutes or less.
Think of it as your daily blueprint for building wealth, one flip at a time.
Demo To Dollars
These 5 Smart Moves Turn Outdated Houses into Instant Equity
We reveal the five strategic home upgrades that can instantly add $50,000 or more in appraised property value without requiring excessive renovation budgets. These equity multipliers create maximum impact by targeting what buyers and appraisers truly value.
• Finishing attics or basements can add substantial square footage and value ($30,000+ equity for a $10,000 investment)
• Bathroom renovations create outsized returns because buyers pay premiums to avoid living through these remodels
• Complete interior painting resets the entire feel of a home and signals move-in readiness
• Strategic kitchen refreshes (painted cabinets, new hardware, upgraded countertops) create the perception of a total renovation
• Curb appeal improvements create critical first impressions that influence the entire buying experience
Thanks for listening to Demo to Dollars. See you tomorrow.
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Bathrooms are all about perception. Swap in a new vanity, modern fixtures and tile the shower surround instead of leaving that cheap fiberglass. Add a fresh toilet and new flooring and suddenly the bathroom feels like a spa. Ever sat in your car scrolling through Zillow and thought, man, if I just knew where to start, I could flip one of these. Yeah, we've been there too. Most people who want to flip houses never even start, not because they're lazy, but because they don't have the blueprint. Well, that changes today. If you give us five minutes, we'll give you real-world flipping strategies that actually work. No fluff, no theories, no gatekeeping, just real how-to information for you to apply today. Welcome back to Demo, to Dollars, your no BS flipping playbook, one tip at a time. I'm Ed Matthews.
Jess Carter:And I'm Jess Carter. Today we're digging into the upgrades that don't just make a house look nice, they create massive jumps in appraised value. We're talking about the moves that can add $50,000 or more in equity instantly.
Ed Mathews:These are the five equity multipliers. Hit them right and you'll stack real value fast without having to overspend One. Finish the attic or basement.
Jess Carter:Let's kick it off with livable space. If you can legally finish an attic or basement, do it. Adding square footage is the fastest way to force appreciation. Just keep in mind, appraisers pay attention to above-grade square footage when they're running their numbers. If the basement's a walkout, that helps, but an attic is usually going to add more value. That helps, but an attic is usually going to add more value.
Ed Mathews:Totally, I recently finished a 400-square-foot attic for around $10,000, and the appraisal jumped by $40,000. That's $30,000 of equity created basically overnight. But remember ceiling height, safe access and egress windows have to be up to code or it won't count and it's going to get you in trouble 2.
Jess Carter:Upgrade the bathrooms. Yep bathrooms Buyers are ruthless here.
Ed Mathews:Outdated plastic surrounds, old vanities, crusty faucets all of them destroy value. Bathrooms are all about perception. Swap in a new vanity modern fixtures and tile the shower surround, instead of leaving that cheap fiberglass. Add a fresh toilet and new flooring and suddenly the bathroom feels like a spa.
Jess Carter:And here's the kicker it doesn't have to cost $20,000 or $30,000. For $8,000 to $12,000 in upgrades you can add $40,000 to $50,000 in appraised value. Buyers will pay a premium for done bathrooms because nobody wants to live through that remodel themselves. Third, full interior paint, Fresh gray walls, clean white ceilings, bright trim.
Ed Mathews:It makes a houseeffective way to reset the entire vibe of the house.
Jess Carter:Kitchens sell houses, but you don't always need to rip them out.
Ed Mathews:Exactly Paint the cabinets, add new hardware, drop in quartz or granite counters and finish with a nice subway tile backsplash. Buyers will walk in and think brand new kitchen for under $10,000 in your costs. That translates to an easy $40,000 or $50,000 in resale. Five curb appeal punch.
Jess Carter:Last but not least, curb appeal. First impressions matter more than anything.
Ed Mathews:A new front door, shutters, fresh mulch, trimmed trees, maybe even power wash the siding if it needs it. It's not glamorous, but when the buyers pull up and they say, wow, you've already won, if they're emotionally hooked at the curb, the appraisal tends to follow.
Jess Carter:So those are the five upgrades that force fast equity Finished space bathrooms, paint a kitchen, refresh and curb appeal.
Ed Mathews:Nail two or three of these on your next flip and you could easily be staring at an extra 50 grand in value without breaking the bank.
Jess Carter:That's how you build real wealth flipping houses.
Ed Mathews:Thanks for listening to Demo to Dollars. See you tomorrow. Thanks for listening to Demo to.
Jess Carter:Dollars.
Ed Mathews:See you tomorrow.
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