The average gross profit on a flip, however, soared to $72,450, up from $61,684 in the first quarter of 2014. That is the highest profit since this survey started in the beginning of 2011, and is attributable to tight supply in the housing market, which is pushing prices higher faster. "The strong returns for home flippers in the first quarter demonstrates that there is still a need in this recovering real estate market for move-in ready homes rehabbed to more modern tastes, particularly given the dearth of new homes being built," said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. Flips are now giving investors an average gross return of 35 percent, but with prices higher, investors are discovering it's increasingly difficult to find properties that will make good flips. Certain markets are offering much better odds. "Markets with the combination of distressed inventory, affordability and demand that are yielding the best flipping returns include places su...