Furniture flipping is an easy way to turn a profit with very little upfront cost. All you need is an eye for spotting pieces with good bones, some elbow grease to clean and repair them, and a place to sell your refreshed finds. Here are some tips to get started with furniture flipping.

Vintage and retro pieces are always a good bet. Look for solid wood items from the mid-century modern era, as well as farmhouse and industrial styles. These hold up well and are very on-trend, so they continue to gain popularity and value over time. Check all drawers and doors to make sure everything is in working order. Minor repairs are OK, but avoid anything that needs major reconstruction.

Thrift stores, yard sales, and estate sales are great hunting grounds for flipping finds. Look for places that price by the item rather than by the pound. Check less obvious spots like church charity shops, as they often have high-quality donations. Negotiate the best price you can—you need to buy low in order to sell high.

Do some research to determine a fair asking price for the item in your local market. Check recent sold listings on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and eBay. Price on the higher end of the range for a desirable, vintage piece in excellent condition. Clean and polish the item, then take high quality photographs from multiple angles.

Advertise on the same sites where you researched pricing. Offer local pickup and delivery for larger items. Be open to offers for rare, sought-after pieces. Provide measurements and details about condition and any repairs made. Answer questions from interested buyers promptly and honestly.

Meet buyers in a public place if doing a local sale. Have them pay in cash or electronically before loading the item. For delivery, have them pay in full first before bringing the item into their home. Keep records of all sales for your taxes.

With some practice, you’ll get better at spotting diamonds in the rough and turning a tidy profit. The key is buying low, investing some effort to refresh and repair, then knowing the right formula to price and market your finds. Keep hunting and flipping, and soon you’ll have a thriving side business!