About the Show

Welcome to the wild, unpredictable, and utterly fascinating world of Zombie House Flipping on A&E! This show will take you behind the scenes of one of the most thrilling industries out there—home flipping. But these aren’t your average renovations. Each episode dives into the transformation of abandoned, neglected, and even downright terrifying “zombie” properties into stunning dream homes. It’s a high-stakes game of vision and hard work, and no one knows that better than Tampa’s own Dolmar Cross.

About Dolmar

Dolmar is a true success story. He’s a self-made real estate mogul who has flipped over 1,000 properties and built an empire from the ground up. He began his career as a balloon artist and is now one of the top players in the Tampa real estate market. Dolmar’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. But his story isn’t just about flipping houses—it’s about resilience, family, and helping others achieve financial freedom through his real estate education company, Real Advisors.

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Dolmar and discussing the secrets of his success. Learn more about the challenges he’s faced, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

How did you get started with house flipping? Tell us more about your mission and the overarching goal.

"When I first got into real estate, I was drawn to the idea of taking something broken and bringing it back to life. Zombie House Flipping is all about that transformation."

"The mission is simple: take the worst run-down, vacant, and dilapidated, forgotten about and left-for-dead homes in the neighborhood, bring them back to life, and turn them into something that adds value not just for future buyers, but for the whole community."

"The goal? To prove that no house is too far gone. With the right vision, strategy, and team, you can turn a zombie house into a dream home."

On Zombie House Flipping, you often deal with homes in various states of disrepair. What’s the most extreme situation you’ve encountered with a home, and do you remember how you tackled it?

"We’ve seen some crazy stuff! Houses covered in poop, houses with collapsing roofs, houses covered in different colors of mold, houses infested with rats, roaches and termites, houses where the foundation looks like swiss cheese and is about to collapse, and, of course, homes that have been completely taken over by nature."

"One of the worst was a hoarders paradise...a house with a combination of all the above...dog poop everywhere, cat urine, dead rats, roaches, all mixed in with the pile of mountain of trash all around (in the yard, inside the house and even in the attic)."

"At that point, it’s not even just about flipping a house. It’s a full-blown rescue mission. We had to bring in structural engineers, and reinforce and rebuild everything from the ground up. It was expensive, time-consuming, and honestly, a little terrifying. But seeing the transformation at the end is worth every headache...especially when it sells to an excited buyer who will enjoy the house for many years to come."

How did this years hurricane season effect the show? Is this your first experience with intense weather during renovation?

"In Florida, we have to deal with hurricanes every year. So, hurricanes are a real wild card in this business. This year, we had properties that were mid-renovation when storms hit. A few of our houses flooded TWICE after being hit by Hurricane Helene and Milton."

"One house flooded so badly it created a new lake in the front yard causing us to have to canoe from the road to the house. The hurricane caused projects to get delayed for months because of supply chain issues. It’s not my first experience with storm damage, but every time, it’s a brutal reminder that Mother Nature doesn’t care about your renovation schedule. The key is being prepared: proper insurance, smart budgeting for unexpected costs, and always having a Plan B."

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career as a home flipper that you wish you knew when you started? OR What’s the most challenging aspect of flipping a home, and how do you overcome it?

"The biggest lesson? Know your numbers and stick to them. When I first started, I was more focused on what looked good rather than what made sense financially. The biggest challenge in flipping? The unexpected. You can plan all you want, but once you start tearing down walls, you never know what you’ll find."

"Unexpected surprises force you to make budget-friendly decisions based on your budget. Sometimes you have to pivot and cut things from the original vision and plan. The way to overcome it is to build a cushion into your budget, expect the unexpected, and work with the right people who can solve problems fast."

How do you approach each new property? What’s your general thought process when deciding if a house is worth flipping?

"For me, it all comes down to the numbers and a bit of instinct. The numbers have to make sense first...purchase price, renovation cost, and after repair value (ARV) all need to align. Especially for funding purposes. But then there’s the gut check: Is this a house that can be saved and the math all work or is it better to tear down and build new? Does it have something unique like location, layout, and potential? If the numbers work and the opportunity is there, I’m in."

What are the key financial metrics you consider when determining if a flip will be profitable? How do you mitigate risks, especially with properties in poor condition?

"I always look at ARV (After Repair Value), renovation costs, holding costs, and profit margin. I like to see at least 25-30% margin to make the risk worthwhile. The biggest risk is underestimating repair costs. So I always overestimate. Every time I bend on this, it comes back to bite me in the butt. I also factor in time-on-market risk because every extra month costs money."

"The way I mitigate risks is by buying right. That's the biggest rule when it comes to real estate investing. You make your money on the buy and realize the profits on the sale. As long as you buy the house at the right price, you have room for unexpected issues and you're prepared in advance for fluctuations in the market."

How do you keep up with design trends and incorporate them into the flips? Are there certain features or design elements you consistently use to appeal to buyers?

"Trends change fast, but buyers still want timeless and functional. I keep up with what’s trending by working with our designers who go to industry expos, and pay attention to what’s selling fast. Right now, buyers love open floor plans, high-contrast kitchens, and smart home features."

"A few elements I consistently use? Light, neutral color palettes, statement lighting, and bold front doors—they give a house personality without scaring buyers away."

Flipping homes seems like a huge team effort. What kind of professionals do you rely on most in the process? Are there key traits you look for to ensure the quality of work on your projects?

"Flipping is a team sport, no doubt. You need engineers, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and solid contractors who do good work that you can depend on and trust. Most recently I've been working with a Private Provider which has been a HUGE help for our business too when it comes to plan reviews and inspections. Beyond the trades, I rely a lot on my internal team and a great real estate agent who helps analyze deals, price flips right, and get them sold fast."

"Because of the major challenges we deal with on each zombie house we tackle, we need team members with a key trait."

"The key trait I look for in my team? Problem-solving ability. They need to be able to pivot, adapt and solve issues on the fly."

How do you see the home flipping industry evolving over the next five years? Are there trends you’re excited about or challenges you foresee?

"Flipping is always evolving. In the next five years, I think we’ll see more tech-driven renovations like smart homes, 3D-printed housing materials, even AI helping with design decisions. On the challenge side, higher interest rates and inventory shortages could make it tougher to find good deals. But demand for move-in-ready homes isn’t going anywhere, so flippers who can adapt, stay efficient, and create high-quality homes will still win. The key is staying ahead of the game."