A Billion-Dollar Bet on Home Flipping

Amherst Holdings, a large-scale single family landlord, has rolled out a subsidiary to buy and renovate houses for resale.

1 minute read

September 27, 2018, 7:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Charlotte Housing Development

American Spirit / Shutterstock

Taking advantage of a tight housing market, Patrick Clark writes, a wide field of companies is trying to make a profit by simplifying the home buying process. One of them, Amherst Holdings LLC, has launched a service called Bungalo Homes, "packaging a series of features it says can improve the experience of buying a home. The company is offering no-haggle pricing, listing homes for sale on its website and promising to sell to the first pre-approved buyer to meet its price."

It's also offering warranties, mortgages, and features to help buyer manage all the moving pieces. Bungalo's business model is essentially home flipping: it acquires and fixes up properties and resells them, betting that its platform will attract buyers who must otherwise "to shoot first and ask questions later."

In its main line of business, Amherst Holdings owns or manages around 20,000 single family rentals. Executives cite that expertise as a selling point for Bungalo, which launched this month with 25 renovated homes listed in Dallas and 10 in Tampa, Florida. 

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 in Bloomberg

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

People sitting and walking in plaza in front of historic Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners

How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

March 28, 2025 - Emily McCoy

Small, brightly lit bedroom with flowery sheets on single bed in supportive housing or nursing home.

A Year-Long Investigation On Permanent Supportive Housing

The New York Times reveals what’s working and what’s not in the cornerstone of Housing First.

6 seconds ago - The New York Times

Paved path with artesian fountain at end and tall trees arching over walkway with joggers and walkers in Savannah, Georgia.

Survey: US Public Spaces Not Meeting Community Needs

A lack of funding prevents many U.S. parks and public spaces from playing a more significant role in helping residents meet daily needs.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

Orange and white vintage-look streetcar on Market Street in San Francisco, CA.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024

The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

April 4 - San Francisco Chronicle