Home flipping profits extend decline
Among smaller markets, Columbus, Georgia led nationally at 13.6% of all home sales, followed by Canton and Akron in Ohio at 11.6% and 11.2%.
With mortgage rate pressures continuing to shape homebuyer demand across the US housing market, these smaller Southern and Midwest markets remain active flipping zones where acquisition costs are still low enough to preserve investor returns.
A new analysis from Zillow found that newly built homes are selling for a lower median price per square foot than existing homes nationwide, driven largely by increased inventory and builder incentives in key Sun Belt markets.https://t.co/p9BiScqJaw
— Mortgage Professional America Magazine (@MPAMagazineUS) September 30, 2026
Where flip margins still reward the patient investor
Among large metros, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania posted the highest typical profit margin at 81.5%, followed by Buffalo, New York at 76.6%, and New Orleans, Louisiana at 75%.
Virginia Beach, Virginia and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rounded out the top five at 63.4% and 62.8%, respectively.
On the other hand, San Antonio posted a loss of 0.3%, while Dallas and Austin returned margins of just 1.8% and 2.8%.
