We’ve all been there. You’re hanging out on a Friday, HGTV happens to be on TV, and you’re convinced you can flip houses on the side. Suggestion; start smaller.

Craigslist is essentially a forum of supply and demand, and thus ripe for a side hustle. Over the years of searching to add to my personal collection, I came to realize there are deals that are too good to pass up. I’ve noticed supply/demand correlations. One example is “broken” lawnmowers in the spring when people go to start it up for the first time, and she doesn’t turn over. Rather than tinker, they run to Home Depot because the lawn needs mowed.

I get it, we all want a new rig. So we have a dirty spark plug, and we’re ready to put the old Craftsman on the trash heap. People run out to Lowe’s, snag themselves a new mower, and throw the old one on Craigslist.

One person’s trash is another one’s treasure. Enter: your new side hustle. Fear not fellow human, these machines are simple and there are probably a few thou YouTube videos on how to fix them. Although my father is a mechanic, I am not particularly inclined to the mechanical engineering genre. I assume you aren’t either, or reading this post would be below your pay grade.

Typically on these carbureted, non-computer-controlled machines, the issues are very straightforward and someone has already figured it out for you and for some reason, posted their secret on YouTube. So snag those broken mowers, fix em up, and double your money for a few hours work.

There are just a few things to look for. Does the engine turnover when you try to start it? Ok then, there is money to be made! I once scoped out a mower with a friend that wouldn’t turn over. It had dirty battery connections. We scraped the connections with a wire brush, paid the owner his $150 (he was nice enough to honor his original price), and my buddy was off with 20 horses of riding mowing power for half the price (at least) of today’s new push mowers. Again, these machines are simple and just do a little bit of research on YouTube. Sounds like a lot of work? Not really. Don’t be one of the rest of the homo sapiens out there, assuming the path of least resistance.

So you get to your first buy, and you’re getting cold feet for shelling out your hard earned money with no guarantee this hunk of junk is flippable. Stay strong my friend. Regarding price, you shouldn’t be paying anymore than $50 for a push mower or $200 for a rider. Sounds low doesn’t it? Remember, the seller just bought a new rig and doesn’t have space for this hunk of junk that is as good as a paperweight.

Typically the machines only need a carburetor cleaning, air filter, fuel filter, and some elbow grease. All available on Amazon, like this. Just use your mower model in the Amazon search and the part number will undoubtedly pop up. Worst case scenario, it’s a head gasket, but even this change is spelled out step by step on YouTube by someone that did the legwork for you.

I was able to buy this girl (her name is Goldie), 22 ponies under the hood and all, for less than $200. I’m on my third season with her. When I decide to grab a new (read: used, too good to pass up Craigslist deal) rig, I’ll sell her for 500 greenbacks!

Happy Craigslisting, comrade!