A real-estate broker quit his job to flip houses for a living and has made millions - see the before and after photos

Flipping houses is riveting reality television for some. For others, it's a living.

Thomas Bayles quit his job as a mortgage broker at the tail end of the financial crisis to become a full-time flipper. He buys the ugliest houses in desirable neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles, pours money into renovations, and sells the properties for a handsome profit within a few months. Bayles has flipped over 16 abandoned homes and hoarder-havens in his career.

Flipping houses is an increasingly popular side-hustle in the US. Last year, 5.7% of all home sales were flips, according to Attom Data Solutions, a national property database.

Bayles shared some before-and-after photos with us to show that even the grittiest dwellings have unlimited potential - with a little TLC and a lot of cash.