How to Flip Electric Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Caleb Foster

6 days ago

2 min read

Updated: 3 hours ago

Fireplaces are the cold-weather version of AC units. When it’s warm, people want them out of the way. When the first cold snap hits, everybody wants one. Buy in the warm months, sell in the cold ones.

What to flip

Electric fireplace TV stands. These are the best ones. They’re furniture and a heater in one, and lots of people want them.
Electric fireplace inserts that slide into an existing fireplace or a built-in
Wall-mount electric fireplaces
Propane fire pits and fire tables for patios
Steel wood-burning fire pits

What to leave alone (when you’re starting out)

Gas fireplace inserts and gas logs. These need to be installed by a pro, and you don’t want to be responsible for a gas leak.
Wood stoves. They’re extremely heavy, and installation rules vary. Leave these until you really know the market.

Stick to things that plug in or run off a standard propane tank.

How to test an electric fireplace

Plug it in and turn on the flame effect. Make sure it lights up evenly (no dead spots or flicker problems).
Turn on the heat and make sure warm air actually comes out after a minute or two
Test every setting, including the thermostat and timer
Make sure the remote is there and works
Listen for a loud or grinding fan
Check the cord for damage

How to test a propane fire pit

Check the burner, igniter, hose, and regulator for cracks or rust
Connect a tank and make sure it lights and the flame adjusts
Spray soapy water on the connections. Bubbles mean a leak. If it leaks, don’t buy it unless you know how to fix it.
Make sure the lid, glass beads, or lava rocks come with it

Wood-burning fire pits are simple: check for rust-through on the bowl and make sure the legs and grate are solid.

Clean them up

Dust and wipe down the glass and housing on electric units
Treat TV stand fireplaces like furniture: clean, tighten, touch up scratches. See How to Flip Furniture.
Wire brush rust on steel fire pits and repaint with high-heat paint
Clean the burner area and glass on propane fire tables

When to buy and sell

Electric fireplaces: buy spring and summer, sell fall and winter
Fire pits: they move in the warm months, but cool fall nights are a great selling window too

See Seasonal Flipping for the full calendar.

How to sell

Show it turned on. A photo or short video of the flame in a dim room sells it. List the size, the heat output if it’s on the label, what’s included (remote, tank hose, cover), and that it’s been tested. For TV stands, include the max TV size and measurements. See How to Take Photos and Write Listings That Sell.

Set alerts for “fireplace,” “electric fireplace,” and “fire pit” in spring and summer. See How to Set Up Deal Alerts.