House flip to buyers specification

[Adam Wise]

Has anyone had any success with pre-selling a flip and customizing it within reason to a buyer's specification?  The idea would be to act as the middle man to bring older homes/farmhouses to customers who desire the look but don't want to deal with the work.  I would keep the budget the same as a standard flip in case the buyer back out.  Any unusual request would have to be paid for upfront.  I would buy the house and do all repairs.  A retainer of 10% of the agreed upon purchase price would be collected up front.  The price of the house would be reduced by that amount if they do purchase the house.  If they back out, they would lose the retainer.

[J Scott]

Yup, we've done it a couple times.  Won't do it anymore...  Just not worth the headaches of dealing with demanding buyers who don't  know what they want...