Flipping Out

Meet Jeff Lewis, a successful real estate developer coping with multiple neuroses and a staff struggling to keep up with his demanding expectations. In the first of six episodes, Lewis buys a neglected property that soon becomes more trouble than he bargained for, and he deals with an employee at odds with his overbearing nature. Through it all, Lewis looks to his personal psychic for guidance.

While Lewis's current home goes on the market, he must deal with an eccentric seller of another property who won't move out. He sends in his business partner to try and make things move along, but the former owner can't seem to let go of his home. More problems arise when Lewis's cat needs to go for acupuncture and he asks his assistant Stephen to take him to the vet. When the cat reacts badly to the procedure, Stephen is very upset and requests never to have to do that again. Lewis's second assistant Chris is asked to oversee the open house and Lewis is less than pleased with his performance. As always, Jenni, Lewis's executive assistant ever trying to keep the peace, comes to the defense of her husband Chris.

Lewis and his business partner, Ryan make a bet to decide who will move into a $4.5 million dollar estate, their biggest joint project to date. Lewis needs to increase his cash flow and therefore either he or Ryan need to sell the house they are currently living in. For Ryan, this is more difficult because he has a baby daughter and moving frequently is just not possible. Also, Lewis wonders if having another psychic perform his house blessings may lead him to a much-needed sale. As tensions mount, Lewis also has a very turbulent confrontation with his executive assistant Jenni.

Property-rich and cash-poor Lewis relies on his powers of negotiation to keep his projects afloat as he pits potential buyers against each other and struggles to keep his contractors in line. Also, a visit with Lewis's wheeler-dealer father, a successful Long Beach developer, reveals just how far the apple falls from the tree. Lewis's dad tries to persuade Lewis and Ryan to go in with him on some deals. Lewis quickly replies, "I see you four times a year and that's enough for me."

Lewis and his business partner Ryan prepare to move into their next homes, one more efficiently than the other. Ryan enlists the help of his brother and his mother for the move into the Nottingham home which is barely ready for the new residents. Also, Lewis, frustrated by his staff's incompetence and lack of support, debates cancelling their appreciation party. Moments before the party, Lewis is considering firing some of his staff. At the party, emotions are high and Lewis does something that leaves everyone shocked.