Flipped Off

Flipping homes has never been an easy business, and since the collapse of the housing market it's never been more dangerous. Time is the new enemy as flippers race to rehabilitate properties before renovation costs climb too high and market prices fall too low. This is the type of risk that attracts Russell Hantz, the Master Manipulator from three seasons of "Survivor," where bold moves can make or break you, and the dollar bill is the bottom line. Throwing down cold hard cash on a house that you just viewed takes brains, intuition and a whole lot of guts. However, Hantz isn't working alone. Determined to be one of the biggest house flippers in Houston, he's bringing along his big brother, Shawn, as his project manager as well as the beautiful and savvy real estate agent, Kristen. The brothers butt heads more than a pair of rams in a staring contest but giving them some semblance of balance is Kristen, who isn't afraid to slap some sense into the Hantz brothers when their egos get in the way of making money.

Russell and Shawn team up with their old friend Boo as an investor and head to a real estate auction. In pure Russell style, the team shows up with a briefcase full of cash to scare off the competition. They score a new house for a great price in beautiful Houston Heights, but one whiff of the property lets them know they are getting more than they bargained for. As construction delays and costs pile up, Boo gets nervous about his money. Afraid he won't be able to finish on time, Russell puts it all on the line, betting his future on a drag race against his friend Boo.

As construction gets under way the boys gets a surprise visit from a local interior designer who is interested in purchasing the house, but only if they renovate to her exacting specifications. Shawn knows customizing the house could lessen its appeal to other buyers, but Russell smells money at the prospect of a quick sell, especially if he cuts broker Kristen out of the deal.

Russell and Shawn tackle a 3-bed, 2-bath while scheming ways to grow the company. Russell focuses on savings in the budget while Shawn dreams big, playing his own version of The Apprentice with their demolition crew and booking the brothers on a tour of a high-end office space.

Russell and Shawn clash over methods to grow their company.

Russell gambles on an expensive house expansion. Meanwhile, Kristen and Shawn clash over an outdoor-kitchen design.

In the Season 1 finale, Russell and Shawn renovate their parents' house while they're away on vacation in Italy.