Anyone purchased Armando Montelongo’s Real Estate Package?
Armando Montelongo, though the magic of Google Ads, is advertising his Master Home Study Course and Flip and Grow Rich Ebooks on the sidebar of this website. Several people have commented on the $997 package, but thus far I’ve not received a report from anyone who has purchased the materials.
If you’ve purchased this package, and would be willing to share your review, please contact mark at flipthislawsuit dot com.
The San Antonio Crew has been very effective in maximizing the return on their appearances on A&E. Their first episodes focused on their business website, Melina launched a site focusing on motherhood, and now Armando is focusing on sharing the lessons he’s learned in real estate.
Steve in Texas wrote:
It looks like some of the season schedule for “The Real Deal” is up at TLC, through May 28th!? Complete with episode descriptions and air times.
Posted on 17-Apr-07 at 11:10 am | Permalink
jaime wrote:
You’d have to be an idiot to want to be like Armando Montelongo. Whose stupid enough to give him $1,000.?The guy is a complete jerk & his career will reflect that. Let’s check back with him in the year 2027 & see where he is. You might be able to treat people like trash once, but they won’t be back. I can’t believe A&E waste tape on these fools.
Posted on 17-Apr-07 at 7:20 pm | Permalink
curt wrote:
I think its 100 not 1000. I bet its filled with pointers to a special section of his website that directs you to buy more crap.
Lipstick on a pig rehabs
Posted on 19-Apr-07 at 9:18 am | Permalink
Frances M. wrote:
Armando Montelongo is an idiot! I think that’s visible from the intro of the show. What with his “if you screw us well come back and find you and make you sorry”. Yeah, very business-like. It’s obvious Armando doesn’t know much about business and running a successful business.
Posted on 19-Apr-07 at 9:19 pm | Permalink
Ben wrote:
Actually Armando says “do not screw with us, do not stick a knife in our backs because we will come back and find you and get what we want”. You Guys get all worked up about the two shows, but we all know that Richard fist fought Armando and won.
Posted on 21-Apr-07 at 11:43 am | Permalink
Wes wrote:
Curt, there are 2 packages, so technically everyone’s right. Again, those guys are fools. He treats his wife like crap too, that’s bull.
Posted on 21-Apr-07 at 8:36 pm | Permalink
Chris E wrote:
I really enjoy all Montelongo’s episodes and would buy his package!
Posted on 23-Apr-07 at 8:11 pm | Permalink
Miya wrote:
I think that Armandos work ethics are great, he just doesnt take anyones crap.. otherwise he treats everyone fair and with respect, I watch the show almost religiously and I like the fact the it is a family business. There is a lot of people out there hustling trying to figure out how they can provide for their families for generations to come and he found his way so dont knock him.. learn something!
Posted on 25-Apr-07 at 11:48 am | Permalink
Sean wrote:
These guys remind me of Dave Deldotto, and Carlton Sheets. Dave Deldotto made almost all of his money off the sale of zero down packages. $200 million if Im not mistaken.
Most of the flippin” profit is in the purchase. If you buy it right you will make maoney. I think I can sum it up in 10 steps.
1. Spend a few hours each day or week treat it like a part-time job looking everyday for real estate deals., until you can afford to do it full time. Your full time job isnt all that bad once you have an outlet to do this. Your full time job helps you qualify for loans and makes you look more stable to lenders.
2.Make offers, you lose 100% of the deals you dont make an offer on. Dont listen to realtors. The law states they must present all offers. Dont over pay there is always another deal.
3.Find a hungry realtor that will work with you.
4.Find and use subs that will stick with you over the long haul. Did you ever notice how much time is wasted looking for subs?
5. Dont be a pig when selling a home. Take and work with any and all offers.
Usually the first person to look at it is the most interested.
6.Dont cut corners like Armando.
7.Pray about every deal. Seek advice from those that have success. Real Success, not what Armondo is doing.
8. Donate 10% of your profits to charity.
9. Get a used pickup, Sam Walton drove a used beatup pickup til he died. I drive 1994 Ford f-150 XL and I can afford to drive anything. Dont drive a Big SUV you look like a XXXX well, others will decide what you look like.
10.Set realistic goals. 1-2 homes per year in your first year is a realistic goal. As you are learning keep a journal and learn from all mistakes, we all make mistakes, learning from them is success….
Posted on 26-Apr-07 at 7:51 am | Permalink
Kenzie wrote:
I purchased the package and cant wait to get it if I can even be a fraction of Successful as Armando that would be great the Montelongos are great!
Posted on 29-Apr-07 at 2:39 pm | Permalink
Rob wrote:
DO NOT BY THE PACKAGE!!!! I paid (Like and idiot) $97.00 for the 5 volume book that he is advertising. It is worth $5.00(e-mail me for details). The think turned out to be only 13 pages and it only a teaser to the $997 package. STAY AWAY!!!
Posted on 02-May-07 at 8:31 am | Permalink
Chris in Austin wrote:
Richard Davis is a business man. Armando Montelongo is a piece of trash. Period.
Posted on 02-May-07 at 8:57 am | Permalink
Alex wrote:
One look at the Armondo version of Flip This House should be enough to tell you everything that is in his books:
Buy the worst house possible.
Push your contractors to lower the prices for their work as low as possible, and then threaten them until they lower them again and again. Promise them “future work”, but never deliver.
Do as little actual work on the house, and worry mostly about painting the walls nice colors and covering up any issues so they aren’t visible, but don’t resolve them.
Hassle your employees, cut every corner possible, and present a half-assed job.
The reality of house flipping is that it isn’t something learned directly from a book, but rather through experience of knowing what to look for, what to buy, and what to pass on.
I find it totally hilarious to see his ads in the google boxes on this site. I guess he has to make a living some way besides beating down his contractors.
Posted on 02-May-07 at 12:45 pm | Permalink
Jeremy wrote:
Hey rob, Curious about the details of that 97.00 dollar package. Can’t seem to find a way to e-mail you. Maybe you could e-mail me or post the details on the site before others get ripped off. Would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.
Posted on 03-May-07 at 2:42 am | Permalink
Rob wrote:
Sure Jeremy. I could e-mail you.Give me your e-mail address and I will contact you.
Posted on 03-May-07 at 10:26 am | Permalink
Jeremy wrote:
J_Brown1384@yahoo.com
Posted on 05-May-07 at 2:23 am | Permalink
kris wrote:
Like every other show on reality TV, if the guy or girl doesn’t have some sort of disturbing behavior about them, it gets boring to watch. That’s part of show biz.Even though it’s marketing the average joe, it’s still show business.
Posted on 06-May-07 at 12:16 am | Permalink
esion wrote:
Armando’s attitude towards flipping isn’t that much different than Trump’s. Trump tells you that if someone attacks you, you attack them harder. I look up to both men for different reasons. I’ve been considering the course, the $97 one that is, because I am curious about it.
Posted on 06-May-07 at 1:30 am | Permalink
Silvia Jones wrote:
I can not believe the program last night with the “cat house”. It seems that the only honest person there is David Montelongo. Armando fought his brother for being honest and telling him what to do? And he was right. Armando ended up demolishing almost everything anyways. I will not buy his system or watch him again. After last night I do not think I can trust him.
Posted on 06-May-07 at 10:29 am | Permalink
Potash wrote:
Re: The Cat House: copied from my post on another site (I really have bought and sold more than 100 houses in my life, but I do not sell or give advice) :
I hate this show because it is staged for dramatic effect. But I got a new DVR and decided to program the DVR to record a couple of dozen programs over the next week as an experiment. The Flip This House episode Saturday was one of the programs. After seeing that it was someone new, and not those clowns from Benchmark Realty (or whatever they are called), and that the house was in extraordinarily bad shape (cat, rat, roach droppings everywhere), I decided to watch it.
This is the house, 12906 Lone Shadow Trail in San Antonio, TX: http://san-antonio.housealmanac.com/home-86547.htm
This is the guy that did the rehab, Armando Montelongo:
http://www.armandomontelongo.com/
http://www.montelongohousebuyers.com/
The show had the usual Reality TV standards… a couple of attractive women, a false drama about meeting the scheduled opening house date, conflict between the partners, recreated sceens where it is obvious that there would be no camera person on site normally, a final price scorecard that failed to include holding costs, closing costs, and the costs of sale, and a final profit calculation which is based upon an alleged signed contract resulting from the first open house (accoridng to the Bexar County Recorder records Montelongo, aka 12906 Lone Shadow Trust, bought he property on December 8, 2006, but has not sold it yet) But the thing that irrated me more than anything about this episode was that this BS artist claimed to have bought and remodeled more than 1000 houses in the past 5 years. The first time he said it, I just assumed that he had meant that he had seen more than a thousand houses in the past 5 years, but he said it a second time!! There is no way this joker, even if you factor in that he is working with his brother and both wives, has bought more than a 1000 houses in the past 5 years. If your buying anywhere near that many houses you have to employe a dozen or more fulltime workers. He didn’t have any fulltime workers, in fact he was hiring contractors to do everything, and paying inflated prices because of the false urgency of the open house date.
I would be surprised if Armando Montelongo has bought and sold more than a dozen houses in entire life, it is clear to me that he used this show just to advertise his faux guru services. Too bad for Aramado Montelongo that he got his A$$ kicked by this house. The show says that he bought the house for $55,000, put $85,000 into it, sold it via an open house by his wife for $165,000, for a $25,000 profit. But the County records indicate that he paid $101,400 for it and hasn’t sold it yet. He most likely lost $30,000 on this property, unless he stiffed the contractors which is a good possiblity.
I was going to say that I would periodoically check Bankruptcy records in anticipation of a BK filing from him, but he filed Chapter 13 BK on 11/10/03 (03-32986), and he is still operating under the Chapter 13 plan!, in fact on 2/5/07 he filed a motion to modify his payment plan because he claimed his only income was from diability insurance and that he could only afford to pay $150.00 per month. And his Brother/Partner David is also still operating under a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy from 2003 (03-31980).
Posted on 07-May-07 at 10:30 am | Permalink
Kym wrote:
This is interesting to read. I am so glad I found this. Potosh: I, too, search the Public Records for more info. Not sure when Trademark did their flip, the “The House that would not sell: episode is still listed on their website. Now they never claimed to have sold it either. Armando does seem like a bit of a creep, and does not suprise me that they are in Chapter 13. I’m sure their money is coning from the show, and not houses.
Posted on 07-May-07 at 1:07 pm | Permalink
Janice wrote:
Last night on the Cat House episode it appeared to me that they (Armando and David) split. So are they still a comapnay together? I really like David.
Posted on 07-May-07 at 1:37 pm | Permalink
Adam wrote:
I purchased the $997 Master Course, and it\’s outstanding! I\’ve already put a house under contract. Armando\’s cd\’s and Workbooks are so easy to read and follow. He has helped me start my flipping buisness. That is what his program is about. He holds back nothing. I recommend for whoever is interested in this buisness, to purchase the course. It\’s a step by step tool guide on how to make money flipping houses.
[Webmaster\'s Note: This post was made at 6:52 PM from a computer having an the IP address 70.114.19.218, which indicates that it is a residential Time Warner cable modem in San Antonio, TX.]
Posted on 07-May-07 at 6:52 pm | Permalink
Stacey wrote:
I also have purchased the Master Course. I\’m reading and listening through it now. However, I will say I love the emails I receive from Armando. He really keeps my spirits high, and my mind in the right place. I\’ve learned there is a whole mindset that goes along with making money. There is no other program out there like this. It has everything in it.
[Webmaster\'s Note: This post was made at 7:00 PM from a computer having an the IP address 70.114.19.218, which indicates that it is a residential Time Warner cable modem in San Antonio, TX.]
Posted on 07-May-07 at 7:00 pm | Permalink
Gina wrote:
I love Armando and his wife Veronica. I\’m going to be purchasing his program this month! I can\’t wait!
[Webmaster\'s Note: This post was made at 7:02 PM from a computer having an the IP address 70.114.19.218, which indicates that it is a residential Time Warner cable modem in San Antonio, TX.]
Posted on 07-May-07 at 7:02 pm | Permalink
Flip This Lawsuit » Are Armando and David Montelongo in Bankruptcy? wrote:
[...] One of the commentators to another post pointed out that he believes Armando and David Montelongo to be in Bankruptcy. I’ve pulled the dockets and some important documents found while searching for “Armando Montelongo, Jr.” and “David Montelongo” at the Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court’s website. Please note, I have not confirmed that these two individuals are the Armando and David featured in Season Two and Three of “Flip This House”, but will be contacting the attorneys tomorrow to do same. These filings raise more questions than they answer, but I’ve decided to post them for those who have emailed me about the recent comment indicating the bankruptcies. At this point, the geographical and employment information tends to indicate that, while these people may share the same names as Armando and David Montelongo, they are not the same people. [...]
Posted on 07-May-07 at 11:47 pm | Permalink
Sean wrote:
Potash, Nice work on the research. Keep it up!
Posted on 08-May-07 at 6:51 am | Permalink
Sean wrote:
The best way to financial independence is build your on home, flip it every 2-4 years. Repeat.
Even Armondo’s biggest profit was on his primary residence. Also it is tax free profits, ask your accountant.
Posted on 08-May-07 at 6:55 am | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
Armando Montelongo is a highly incompetent developer and his book is of little or no value to anyone. I have been building/remodeling for decades, and what I see on tv is mostly repulsive. (you’ll notice you rarely see the same tradespeople because they don’t seem to want to work with him again.) I still decided to download the free first 6 pages of his book and give it a fair shake, but what I saw made me realize that I need to alert others that it is a ripoff.
Here’s why. In the very first pages, Armando claims to flip “20 - 30 houses per month”. STOP right there. Did you hear that? A house every day or 2. You’ve seen the show - every house takes a week MINIMUM and he barely makes it and that’s the only house he’s doing. Do you believe for a MINUTE that he does one a day? It’s a lie, I’d stake my name on it. Armando: prove me wrong - post the transaction records, before and after pictures, bills and contracts for a month in which you remodeled 30 houses. Until you do so, I say this highly unlikely.
Further, Armando claims to have bought “over 1000 houses in the past 5 years”. I say no way. Armando: post the transaction records for all 1000.
Now, I can go on and tell you that the techniques described in that first 6 pages are mostly useless, but what’s the point - you already know you’re being lied to, so why read any further? Armando says he never makes less than $20,000 per house and that he’s done over 1000 in the past 5 years, which means he made $20 million and now has a monthly income of $400-600K. If you had those numbers, would you be hawking an infomercial book to give away your trade secrets? Sorry Armando, but I say bullshit. Prove me wrong.
Bottom line: Montelongo is a flipper and flippers are to real estate what day traders were to the stock market in 1999: unskilled speculators who only make money when the market carries them. He’s in San Antonio, for Chrissakes - a house can be had for $30,000 there, how can anyone NOT make money?
Sorry Armando, but I’ve been at this for decades and have forgotten more than you’ll ever know, and I say you’re not legit. Please feel free to post the proof I have suggested and I’ll post a full retraction.
Until then, I suggest that no one should buy Armando’s book. If he wants to send me a copy free to review, I will be happy to read it and give a full review here for all to see. Otherwise, don’t waste your time or money,.
Mike
Posted on 08-May-07 at 11:09 am | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
What’s more, on Montelongo’s own website, on the first page he says he flips 30 homes a month, then on a page inside he says he flips 200 homes a year, which is 16 homes/month or 1/2 the other claim.
Here’s a tip everyone: When someone tells you 2 different figures, throw both out. As far as all available empirical evidence available shows at this moment, Armando Montelongo flips 1 to 2 houses per month. Again, I invite him to come on here (as we can see he already does from shill posts) and post evidence to the contrary.
Like they say, believe HALF of what you see, some or none of what you hear…
There are no shortcuts. Period.
Posted on 08-May-07 at 2:17 pm | Permalink
Joseph wrote:
I also have purchased the Master Course. I’m listening to it now while I wipe my rear-end with the pages from the book. It’s the most expensive toilet paper I’ve ever purchased and I’ll tell you that the sh*t really sticks to that sh*t. However, I will say I love the inspiration I receive from Armando. He really keeps my bowel movements regular, and my mind in the right place. I’ve learned there is a whole mindset that goes along with making BM. There is no other program out there like this. It has everything in it, plenty of good crap.
P.S. Now I know why we real estate investors have such reputation; people like Armando.
Posted on 08-May-07 at 4:18 pm | Permalink
Ellen wrote:
Armondo and his whiny spoiled brat wife are a disgrace to the Real Estate biz. Where’s Richard……… sniff sniff
Posted on 09-May-07 at 7:48 am | Permalink
Paul Broni wrote:
Gee, three “different,” gushing, pro-Armando posts in ten minutes from the same IP address. Clever.
[golf clap]
Posted on 09-May-07 at 1:32 pm | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
Yeah and, oddly enough, that same IP address browsed my website this afternoon…
Posted on 09-May-07 at 2:50 pm | Permalink
Liz wrote:
Rob- I would like to hear more about the 5 books by email that you bought. Please email me. Elizabethdunn@aol.com
I own a real estate club in California and we do alot of rehabs in other states. So I was interested to pass his info onto some of my members. They might learn something that I do not have in my vault. But if the kit is not worth the money, I would like more details.
Also if anyone else is doing this, needs help, support, and has homes, please email me also. I have investors who are rehabbing right now. Thanks so much.
Posted on 10-May-07 at 1:03 pm | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
Hey Liz, nice scam you got going there charging people $250 to join your club which appears to have no resources whatsoever. Way to go looking to further mine the wreckage of Armando’s scam.
People, THERE ARE NO SHORTCUTS! Save your $250 - you can learn FAR more at the public library or lounging in Barnes and Noble and can make more connections at a nice hotel bar or working for Habitat for Humanity, where you’ll also learn trades.
Ever hear what Suze Orman thinks of networking groups? The other people all need YOU more than you need THEM, hence it’s a waste of time and money.
QUALIFY anyone professing to be an expert or having the ability to assist you. This one is another ripoff.
Mike
Posted on 10-May-07 at 2:03 pm | Permalink
Joseph wrote:
Mike, nice job on the house. A little more upscale from what we do but I like what I saw. 4″ cans throughout?
Posted on 10-May-07 at 5:45 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
San Antonio is in Bexar County. Check out the Property Tax
Records and District Court (civil) for some interesting reading ; ) It’s available online, free.
Nice catch on the IP thing, Webmaster!
LOL
Posted on 11-May-07 at 3:04 pm | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
Joseph - thanks for the kind words. Good eye - those are indeed 4″ cans throughout (A few Halos and mostly Liton ICs)
Check in a few days for a whole bunch of new pictures as it just got staged the other day and is almost ready to list.
Best regards,
Mike
Posted on 12-May-07 at 8:26 pm | Permalink
Laura Neely wrote:
WARNING MAY 2007: I have found out from a friend of mine that Armando is going to be sued by a large number of people who are organizing a class action lawsuit and federal charges against Armando over this product which he advertised as a dvd course WHEN it really is NOT a dvd course whatsoever. It is an audio only course! Do not waste your time sending your money to Armando thinking this is a DVD course, you will be taken by Armando\’s scheme.
From watching his show everyone should see he is a con artist, now he has taken his scams to the public as well and committing the felony of false advertising, and this time he will not get away with it.
He is going to loose millions of dollars over this suit and mark my word he will not be one of the speakers for the Trump tour coming up. I know of insiders in the Trump organization who have become aware of Armando\’s falsehoods and very soon Armando will be notified that he will no longer be included in the Trump tour as Trump does not want to be associated with Armando anymore over this.
Posted on 15-May-07 at 2:59 pm | Permalink
Laura Neely wrote:
Also…
His sources do not know exactly how many fraudulent courses Armando has sent out at $1000 each, but certainly it could be in the tens of thousands, easily putting him in one of the
largest felony cases of false advertising in history.
Posted on 15-May-07 at 4:04 pm | Permalink
ibyprprty wrote:
what’s up w/ the divorce with children vs. armando and veronica in 2003?? lol guess they worked it out…..
I was checking out the interesting reading you mentioned Steve. :-)
Posted on 15-May-07 at 10:56 pm | Permalink
Maryann wrote:
I haven’t seen Armando’s stuff for sale, but you can pretty much guess that it’ll be crap. Like most other materials people are charging hundreds/thousands for. Does it make sense? No. I’m surprised there aren’t more class action lawsuits… I agree with the person who gave his 10 suggestions and I agree with the other person who suggested going to the libary. I would suggest joining your local real estate investing association and soaking up knowledge for free. Spend money on houses, not expensive toilet paper!
Posted on 16-May-07 at 5:23 pm | Permalink
Big Daddy Cool wrote:
What a bunch of idiots you all are. Get off this website and go make some fucking money you clowns.
Posted on 16-May-07 at 7:55 pm | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
I find it very telling that Armando has not even bothered to try to respond to the challenges posted here. I think it’s pretty clear just what he is at this point.
Posted on 16-May-07 at 10:26 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
ibyprprty,
LOL You found it! Re: 2003 ; )
Posted on 17-May-07 at 9:42 am | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
“Cast members from all three Flip This House temas under one roof!
WHO: Mike Huey, Michael Hellickson, & Than Merrill just to mention a few Nationally recognized speakers, who will teach you what you need to know first hand!
WHAT: For over two days you will participate in five extensive classes strengthening your knowledge and understanding of the various aspects of real estate investing.
You will learn everything from creative financing strategies and techniques to how to successfully negotiate purchases and sales to your advantage — plus a whole lot more!
WHERE: Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre,
Dallas, Texas
WHEN: July 27-29, 2007
Deadline for Registration is June 15th, 2007
SPEAKERS
• Michael Hellickson
• Mike Huey
• John Hyre
SPECIAL GUESTS
• Than Merrill
• Angie Wilford
I checked the price -$750.00 per person and I’m sure there’s a whole bunch of more stuff FOR SALE once they get you in the corner, er, I mean door ; )
It’s at tribeworkshop(dot)com. David Montelongo
Posted on 17-May-07 at 9:54 am | Permalink
sharon wrote:
I think it’s amazing my instinct told me to find you- you are a Godsend!!! I HATE being a chump- I’ll almost bought it! I would have hated myself.
Posted on 17-May-07 at 7:57 pm | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
The excellent news investigation of con artist Sam Leccima has made it fairly clear to me what transpired with Flip This House: After losing Trademark (and the jury is not, by any means, out on their legitimacy either, though they seem more legit than any of the other casts) the production company scrambled to find new casts to get back into production asap and did no due diligence on Montelongo, Leccima, or anyone else they featured. When making reality tv shows, this is just misrepresentation, but when the casts are selling products based on the false claims they made during the television shows, it becomes fraud and criminal conspiracy at the very least.
To be very direct, the casts of the current season of Flip This House never passed the smell test and it is now abundantly clear that they are all little more than criminal con artists using A&E to further their false credibility in order to defraud potential investors nd customers. A&E is now aiding and abetting criminals by airing the shows which feature these people, and I call on the network to immediately kill all episodes until full background and criminal investigations are performed on their casts. I encourage everyone else to do the same and BY NO MEANS should ANYONE buy products from these lying criminal con artists!!!!!!
This entire debacle disgusts me. People like Leccima and Montelongo belong in prison. Period.
Mike Voss
Posted on 18-May-07 at 3:36 am | Permalink
Lenise wrote:
Whoa! I am so glad that I found this website. I loved the Flipping shows for ideas only, and found that my favorite was Richard Davis. Those brothers were comical, but I watched for comic relief, especially after watching the one where they had a duplex that was CONDEMNED and they kept rehabbing it to sale to a *so called* investor. Anyway, I am glad for sites like this that show the truth to those who are out to make a killing in real estate… Watch out or you will become a victim.
Posted on 18-May-07 at 9:00 pm | Permalink
Bubu wrote:
Review of Armando’s 995 product:
He steels information from
1. Ron LeGrand’s Cashflow program which is actually the late Bernard Hale Zick’s product.
2. Bill Effro’s how to sell your home in 5 days (Auction is almost exactly the same, he adds in a “reserve” which is mentioned in the book)
3. Peter Conti How to negotiate information (I don’t know for sure on this, but the technique is similar)
I don’t know where he got his hard money lender information, it’s lame information.. go to google and type in hard money lender…
Also, the original website said it was 12 DVD’s it’s 12 CD’s.. I only purchased because I thought it would be 12 hours or so of video on how he does everything, not him reading a script that someone else evidently wrote…
Posted on 19-May-07 at 2:07 am | Permalink
David wrote:
Armando is a piece a sh*t and I hope he gets what it deserve!!!!
Posted on 19-May-07 at 1:42 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Anyone that buys this is sucking on Armando’s tail pipe. What worked then, doesn’t work now, the game, market, rules, and requirements have changed.
Those that can, do. Those that can’t,
talk about it (and sell it)
Posted on 19-May-07 at 11:18 pm | Permalink
FRED wrote:
JUST WENT TO THE LEARNING ANNEX HERE IN DALLAS OVER THE WEEKEND. WHAT A MARKETING TOOL TO MAKE MONEY OFF OF UNSUSPECTING FOOLS, IM GLAD I WENT TO IT SO THAT I AM NOT TEMPTED TO GO AGAIN. IF YOU GO FOR ANY OTHER REASON OTHER THAN COMICAL ENTERTAINMENT (BECAUSE THEY WERE PRETTY FUNNY) YOUR WASTING YOUR TIME. THE TITLE LEARNING ANNEX ITSELF IS MISLEADING TO BEGIN WITH, YOU DONT LEARN ANYTHING YOU YOU GET A SALES PITCH THE WHOLE TIME YOUR THERE. SOME PRESSURE YOU MORE THAN OTHERS AND SOME JUST MAKE YOU FEEL GUILTY LIKE YOUR A FOOL FOR NOT BUYING THEIR PRODUCT AND GIVING THEM YOUR MONEY AND BETTERING YOUR LIFE. IF I WANTED THAT I WOULD HAVE SAVED MY $100 BUCKS THAT I SPENT AND WATCHED INFOMERCIALS ALL NIGHT. IT REALLY WASNT A TOTAL LOSS, I GOT TO SEE DONALD TRUMP WHICH I AM A FAN, AND I GOT TO SEE ARMANDO MONTELONGO WHICH I THOUGHT I WAS A FAN OF BUT SAMETHING HE SOLD OUT AND IS SELLING THESE PACKAGES. HE CLAIMS TO HAVE DONE 1000 HOUSES FLIPPED AND WHATEVER ELSE BUT YEAH EVEN I COULD FIGURE OUT THE TIME FRAME AND THE NUMBER OF HOUSES HE HAS DONE DOES NOT ADD UP. THE WHOLE TIME WE WERE THERE EACH SPEAKER BASHED THE OTHER SPEAKERS ON HOW THEIR PROGRAM WAS BETTER AND HOW THEY DID IT EVERYDAY, THEY ARE REAL, THEY WERE NOT IN IT FOR THE MONEY OH REALLY SO WHY DONT YOU POST ALL YOUR INFO FOR FREE FOR ALL OF US TO SEE ON YOUR WEBSITE. NOT IN IT FOR THE MONEY,BS, $1000 PACKAGES, $2000, $4000, ONE HAD A HELL OF A DEAL FOR $5995 AND THATS A ONE TIME OFFER ONLY AND PEOPLE WERE JUMPING UP GIVING THEM THEIR CREDIT CARDS. IM JUST GLAD I DIDNT GET TEMPTED AND ALL I WAS OUT WAS $100. BUT I GOT TO SEE DONALD TRUMP SO IT WASNT A TOTAL LOSS. I WOULD NOT PAY $100 BUCKS AGAIN TO SEE HIM BUT HE SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED WITH LEARNING ANNEX CAUSE HE CLAIMS HE ONLY PUTS HIS NAME ON QUALITY THINGS THIS IS NOT A QUALITY EVENT ITS A JOKE ALONG WITH ALL THE SPEAKERS THERE TRYING TO MAKE QUICK BUCK ON PEOPLES DREAMS. IM GLAD HE DIDNT GO AND TRY TO SELL SOMETHIG TO US HE COULD HAVE BUT DIDNT ONLY ONE ALL WEEKEND NOT TO DO IT.HE WAS ENTERTAINING AND ACTUALLY STUCK AROUND AND ANSWERED SOME QUESTIONS LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD. HE KEPT IT REAL TOO DIDNT SAY ANYTHING NICE ABOUT CUBAN OR BUSH TO GET SUPPORT FROM THE CROWD KNOWING HE IS IN MAVERICKS AND BUSH COUNTRY. BUT HEY THATS HIM AND HE CAN DO THAT. HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH A WELL DOCUMENTED PROVEN RECORD THAT REALLY DOES HAVE SOMETHING WE COULD LEARN FROM. NOBODY THERE WAS HONEST AND WAS THERE TO REALLY HELP ANYBODY OUT OTHER THAN THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS. THEY COULD MAKE OUTRAGEOUS REAMARKS ON HOW MUCH LAND THEY OWN AND HOW CAN ANYBODY PROVE IT. FORGET BUYING THEIR STUFF DONT EVEN GO THERE AND WASTE YOUR TIME, LET ME SEE YOU PAY $100 TO GO AND SEE THEM SO THEY CAN SELL YOU THEIR CRAP, THEY SHOULD BE PAYING YOU TO GO AND SIT THERE AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL YOU THEIR CRAP. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. ATLEAST A FREE LUNCH OR SOMETHING SANDWICHES WHERE $8 BUCKS THERE AND $2 FOR A CAN COKE. OH AND ON THE BOOKLET IT SAYS GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE, TONY ROBBINS AND DAVID BACH THEN YOU LOOK INSIDE AND IT TURNS OUT THEY ARE ON A MONITOR ONLY. HELL FOR THAT THEY COULD HAVE INCLUDE PRESIDENT BUSH AND JUST TELEVISED ONE OF HIS SPEECHES. UNLESS YOU LIKE BEING PITCHED FOR TWO DAYS, AND GIVING AWAY YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY, DO NOT GO!!!!!! IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO THROW AROUND LIKE THIS YOU MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT AND OTHER GUY WAS RIGHT “THEY NEED YOU MORE THAN YOU NEED THEM.” AND IF YOU DONT HAVE THE MONEY AND ARE PUTTING THIS ON YOUR CREDIT CARD OH YOU ARE SAD, YOU WILL BE PAYING FOR THESE PACKAGES THAT WILL BE COLLECTING DUST AFTER A FEW WEEKS FOR A VERY VERY LONG TIME. THATS WHEN YOU REALLY THING ABOUT THE 100 OTHER MORE IMPORTANT THINGS YOU COULD HAVE DONE WITH THE THOUSANDS FOR DOLLARS YOU GAVE AWAY LIKE TAKE CARE OF YOU FAMILY NEEDS.
Posted on 21-May-07 at 12:54 pm | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
It is interesting that either A&E or the production company had restructured the Atlanta cast before the news of Leccima’s criminal activity had become public - clearly they knew something in advance and took preemptive action. I had been wondering why they were structuring a show around this totally incompetent Angela girl, and now that is apparent.
The show has lost all credibility and, more alarmingly, is still running the Montelongo episodes despite the fact that it is clear that he is a con artist and the subject of pending legal action. Remember, the casts shot all this crap at least 4 months ago. Now, Leccima and Montelongo are suddenly hawking courses *just* before negative news breaks. The timing suggests they knew something and were scrambling to exploit their exposure on the show before it was too late. I suspect their casts were about to be quietly shelved.
I think it is time that someone post an online petition asking A&E to pull the show until such time as it can get the producers of the show to do proper due diligence on it’s casts. If they’re going to make a fake show for entertinment, then the casts need to be legally prevented from marketing products based on it and the show needs to run a disclaimer to protect viewers who might be enticed to invest with those castmembers. If they’re going to make a show that is supposed to be factual, then they need to verify the backgrounds of the casts and the projects depicted on the shows.
If A&E cannot do these things, then the show needs to be cancelled for the benefit and protection of the viewing public. We, thw viewers, should demand this from A&E. Making a show for entertainment value is one thing, but blurring the line of reality and then allowing criminals to exploit that distortion to steal from the viewing public is a crime and must be stopped.
I see that no new episode of the show got recorded in my Tivo this weekend - I hope that is a sign that A&E has pulled all episodes until such time as they can properly examine the show and it’s casts and issue an apology to the public. Until then, count me out as a viewer.
I have been approached more than once to be the subject of shows of this type and I have always declined because I don’t knock out projects in weeks and don’t do things to make good TV. It would be great if someone would do a reality show covering the many months it takes to follow a quality building crew as they construct a quality house….oh, wait, that’s been done. It’s called This Old House and has been running for 25+ years showing how things are really done correctly and without shortcuts!
Mike Voss
Posted on 22-May-07 at 8:51 am | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Mike Voss,
Nice post, Mike. The first season of FTH with Trademark was clearly ‘The Real Deal’, flipping a house in 2-3 weeks. They had the organization and in an appreciating market to do it.
They left and Departure Films and/or A&E decided to carry on with the ‘2-3 week flip’ formula in a soft market, and with those that clearly couldn’t pull it off even in an appreciating market probably. So, they cheated and got caught. ALL OF THEM
The newer ‘flip teams’? Yep, complicit, no doubt but it starts at the top and sh*t rolls down hill. A&E, Departure Films etc., IN MY OPINION ; )
What’s funnier than hell to me is they put the street address on the various ‘flips’. What, they think we can’t check property records online? LOL ; )
Posted on 22-May-07 at 11:09 pm | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
Steve,
Yeah, I suspect Richard Davis is having one hell of a good laugh right about now. The whole debacle makes a very strong case for Trademark having developed the show format since Departure/A&E couldn’t even *continue* it after they left. I’d settle in a hurry if I were them.
In don’t always agree with how trademark does things, but they *seem* to at least be a reputable and moral company that spends a lot of time helping their community. All of these other teams were fly-by-night come latelys who were just plain slimy IMHO.
A&E is in hot water and owes us all an apology and refunds to all those taken advantage of.
Mike
Posted on 23-May-07 at 12:27 pm | Permalink
Selena wrote:
Much gossip, in San Antonio. I manage a strip club here. Guess who was smoke marijuana and kicked out. Davd Montelongo. He and Armando frequently come by my club… I wonder when they work. What a great family foundation.
Posted on 23-May-07 at 7:57 pm | Permalink
islander wrote:
I found this site by accident…I’m glad I did…I was thinking about buying the 997 kit from Armando..his stats sounded impressive..
Let me tell you all this….I too, went to the Learning Annex in Boston(dec. 2006) within an hour we bought an “asset protection” kit for $2000 and then went to another seminar in NJ.
After NJ,then we were harrassed by a couple of different companies that sounded like great ways to make money…well one of the companies hooked us for $12,000 you read that correctly…
Now we are $14,000 MORE in credit card debt and feeling like fools…
I’m just so disgusted with the whole thing…I mean before we purchased we told them our financial history and where we are now…they said “You’ll make back this money in 120 days, if you follow how we do it!”
I must say that we do have a person that calls us once a week for a 30-45 min. information and discussion session and she is available to us through email as well. (We have 8 scheduled discussions with her and then we get a tax person to talk to…they still won’t tell us what the tax part is about…we don’t know how many sessions or anything…..
I’ve tried to get in touch with the “salesman” to find out about a refund..but he seems to be “in conference” all the time….he still hasn’t called me…
Well, I’m starting to ramble…but you get my point… anyone have a suugestion on how to get at least, some of my money back???
Posted on 24-May-07 at 1:44 pm | Permalink
islander wrote:
Selena,
you manage a strip club? you saw David and Armando smoking pot in your club??
I’m not sticking up for the Montelongo’s but…what’s that got to do with real estate flipping??
This is just spreading gossip.
Posted on 24-May-07 at 2:11 pm | Permalink
FRED wrote:
IM WONDERING HOW STRONG IS THEIR RELATIONSHIP (ARMANDO’S & DAVID MONTELONGO’S) THEY WERE NOT TOGETHER AT THE ANNEX I WAS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO DAVID WHILE DONALD WAS SPEAKING AND HE AND HIS WIFE LEFT WALKING OUT ALONE AND FLAGGED DOWN A TAXI AND LEFT. SOMEBODY WITH SO MUCH MONEY YOU FIGURED THEY WOULD HAVE ARRIVED IN A LIMO TOGETHER AND LEFT TOGETHER. IM WONDERING IS ARMANDO GOT THERE IN A TAXI TOO. I KNOW I WOULDNT OF IF I HAD MILLIONS.
Posted on 24-May-07 at 5:49 pm | Permalink
Daniel wrote:
Hello Mike V.,
I really appreciate all the informative comments you’ve made regarding Armando Montelongo. How can I contact you ?
Posted on 25-May-07 at 1:50 am | Permalink
Danielle wrote:
All I can say is that I feel VERY sorry for Veronica Montelongo for having married that piece of crap man.
The way that Armando treats her is DISGUSTING.
She needs to grow a spine and leave the loser. He’s a total con man with an ego LARGER than TEXAS!
Posted on 26-May-07 at 12:47 am | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
RE: David leaving in a taxi - doesn’t surprise me a bit. When you see Armando driving around in brand new hummers and Mercedes, you can be sure he’s all flash. I believe you Texans have a saying for people like this: “Big hat, no cattle” !!
Daniel, you can email me at info@hyperion1.com Best regards, Mike
Posted on 26-May-07 at 1:25 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Angie Wilford has been scrapped as a ‘Guest Speaker’ from the Montelongo’s Real Estate Workshop. This was scrubbed on the web site within the last few days.
http://www.tribeworkshop.com/
Is A&E going to pull the plug on her too?
Close, Mike. It’s ‘All hat and no cattle’ ; )
Posted on 26-May-07 at 3:18 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
This was changed as well…
“Cast members from A&E’s Flip This House will be at the event! All of whom will be available to answer any questions you may be dying to ask!”
It WAS…
“Cast members from ALL THREE of A&E’s Flip This House teams will be at the event! All of whom will be available to answer any questions you may be dying to ask!”
Posted on 26-May-07 at 3:22 pm | Permalink
boyson wrote:
I just saw the episode where the contractor “stole” the cabinets out of the house they were remodeling. I wonder if the stole the cabinets are cashed them in because they were owed money?!?!
No police, no follow ups, makes me think this is a civil and not a criminal mater.
Posted on 26-May-07 at 9:42 pm | Permalink
boyson wrote:
I recall another episode where one of the Montelongo women (cant remember which one) picked up a couple of California investor at the airport and wisked them away to a duplex closing IN A LIMO.
I could understand if they were closing on a multi lillion dollar deal, however, this duplex was in a ROTTEN neighborhood (AKA ghetto) I was also amused that Armondo called it “working class”… BUNK. I drive a cab for a living and I refuse to go into a crack infested area they rehabbed this duplex.
This should have raised red flags in my book that they splurged money on a limo for such a mickey mouse deal. I would have not have been impressed
Posted on 26-May-07 at 10:00 pm | Permalink
Laura Neely wrote:
UPDATE:
Mounting legal pressure upon Armando has forced him to now change his website where he had his false advertising which led to his major con.
Now he changed it to cds instead of dvds, so at least now fewer people will be conned.
If anyone doubts it was always advertised as dvds, the copies have been kept and will be used against him in the coming class action suit against him. Copies can also be found online now if you know how to go about that. Armando is going to pay very dearly for this major scam of his, mark my words.
Posted on 27-May-07 at 12:48 am | Permalink
boyson wrote:
I found the house the the Montelongo boys flipped on School street. According to Bexar County records:
They bought the house on May 3,2006 for 46,550 David Montelongo signed the document - recorded on book number 12108 page 947
They sold the sold the house FIVE MONTHS October 6, 2006 later to a Investor in San Antonio area for 53,550. Document signed by Armando Montelongo - recorded on book number 12447 page 1104.
I recall on the show they bought the house for 34,000 plus 11,000 for improvements and sold it for 70,000 dollars. And I was under the impression that this house sold quickly (less than a month). These numbers DONT MATCH!
I drove by the house and its the one featured on the show. It look great up front However, the thing need major foundation work and the roof is slightly warped looks like it about to colaspe in a couple of years.
Posted on 27-May-07 at 12:09 pm | Permalink
islander wrote:
I guess I’m too trusting….I assumed they wouldn’t need to inflate numbers on these shows and that the people on these shows were actual “experts”..
Posted on 30-May-07 at 10:29 am | Permalink
Gregory wrote:
I stumbled on this web site after wanting more information on the YouTube video I saw on Sam Leccima being a scammer. This thread has been very interesting to read.
I too was contemplating buying Montelongo’s course, but after reading his five free pages, I could tell that the writing of the books would not be great. Plus the following questions/red flags were raised:
1.) Why 5 ebooks? It’s an ebook! Why not just put all the information into one book? He’s doing that to make it sound like you’re getting more. Which probably means you’re not.
2.) If he is really making $20,000 per house at 20 to 30 houses per month that means he’s making between $400,000 and $600,000. Divide that by a 60 hour work week and he would be making between $1,666 and $2,5000 dollars per hour! Why in the world would anybody making that much money per hour need to sell a course? I figured because he isn’t making that kind of money.
My biggest problem was that was not giving out any information for free. At least the other FTH team of Than and Mike have free articles up on their web site. When you are that successful it doesn’t hurt to pay forward a little good will.
I am not going to buy anything from any of the Flip This House people.
It think A&E made a big mistake by not having a non-compete clause in their contracts. That way they would be able to prevent the teams from exploiting their publicity with crappy “courses” and then A&E would be able to put out a branded Flip This House course of real estate rehabs, for free.
Posted on 01-Jun-07 at 3:38 am | Permalink
Gregory wrote:
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the information you’ve been providing so far. I have a question for you. What’s your beef with flipping houses? Specifically wholesaling. That’s what I was planning to do because it seems to be the easiest way to get my feet wet in real estate.
I just started looking into real estate investing the past week and have found a ton of information online for free. I also went to the library and grabbed a bunch of books on the subject.
The bottom line is between Google, iTunes, and YouTube, there is way too much free information online to have to pay thousands for anybody’s courses.
Gregory
Posted on 01-Jun-07 at 4:11 am | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
Gregory;
Flipping is an illusion. The illusion is that someone can buy a flawed house for next to nothing and, with little or no knowledge of construction trades or contracting, spend very little money and add enormous value to that property and sell it for a huge profit in a matter of days. It isn’t that way.
Never has been, and never will be.
The fact is that I can drive down the street and immediately spot houses that were ‘flipped’. Why? Because, to the expert eye, the flaws are obvious. I have pictures of houses with lovely new paint and landscaping where the grade slopes 20% TOWARD the house and the stucco never dries. This house will fall apart in a year and have termites even sooner. Or the heavily improved house with only 1500 sq ft. that never sold because a competent builder would have added a 2nd story and another 1500 sq. ft. I can find problems with most houses built by experienced professionals, so the condition of houses that have been screwed around by amateurs is always appaling.
Check out a show on Discovery Home called Holmes on Homes and you’ll see what a real builder finds checking out the work of other contractors - many of them licensed. Then imagine stuff about 3 times worse and you’ve got the true condition of most flipped houses.
No permits, unlicensed tradespeople, and totally inexperienced owners acting as GC are a sure recipe for disaster.
As for wholesaling, the concept of getting great deals on houses and then reselling them is great, problem is it also doesn’t exist. LONG before a home of any value gets to the point of being available to the general public via auction, NOD listing, etc., professionals who know what they are doing have already known about it for a long time. If it gets to the pulic, they passed on it ofr some good reason. Now, if you’re in a very depressed market like San Antonio, there are some workable properties possible *if you know what you are doing and can inspect them yourself accurately*. However, here in LA, you will *never* get a shot at any easy money houses because professional experts have networks of people alerting them to anything good *long* before it ever hits the street. There is no free lunch.
So, in a nutchell, my problem with ‘flipping’ is that it’s bs. There are no quick, easy deals, and obody who has little or no experience in the trades ever turns out a quality product. When it comes to homebuilding, there is very little new under the sun in the past 30 years and certainly nothing has changed to make ‘flipping’ a viable prospect in any other than a rapidly ascending market, which no longer exists in most places.
Mike
Posted on 01-Jun-07 at 1:08 pm | Permalink
Shannon wrote:
For years, I have dreamnt of buying homes, adding value and selling for a profit. I am now in the position to turn my dreams into realtiy, BUT I did it the hard way. I went to college, and majored in Finance and Real Estate. I got a Broker’s license, and bought and sold other people’s properties. I managed properties for investors, etc. Now, after 4 years I am a Project Manager for America’s Luxury Builder I know the cost of labor and materials b/c I contract all my jobs. My bonus is tied into how profitable my homes are.
For those of you that think I’m bragging, you’re wrong. The truth is, in 1999 I saw a Carleton Sheets infomercial on T.V. My family bought the program for me ($400!) I went through the course, and was devastated to learn much of what he was teaching was based on assuming mortgages (almost impossible now), and other ancient tactics. Not only that, the course just seemed to gear me towards EXPENSIVE personal coaching, and seminar courses. Much like the Tribework Shops. I was crushed, and felt like a fool for buying into this crap.
I dedicated myself to learn about real estate, and since 1999 I have bought, sold, managed, developed and FINALLY invested properties. Like Mike Voss writes, there is no “Get Rich Quick” techniques in real estate investing, Period.
As far as these so called reality shows, my favorite has always been Trademark Properties. Even though you can tell on the Real Deal that some of the show is staged, I think Richard does a good job being honest about his dealings. Personally, I think the show was more interesting when he was on “Flip This House” season 1. The Real Deal also needs to goto HD!
Bottom line, if you buy right, do your homework and dedicate yourself to this business in a professional manner you can make some $$$$.
Best of luck to all of you.
Posted on 02-Jun-07 at 11:37 am | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
Well said, Shannon.
Reading your remarks reminded me of why I got into homebuilding and I think I should mention it so people can see how and why I got to where I am now.
When I was in college 20 years ago, (studying Computer Science) I did a lot of studying outside of school of things that interested me (yeah I was a bit of a dork) and learned 3 things that I never forgot: 1) 9 of 10 American millionaires (at that time anyway) made their money in real estate 2) a house is the most expensive thing most people will ever buy, sell, or own in their lifetime and yet 3) most people know close to *nothing* about houses.
This struck me as a huge, multi-faceted paradox, and began my lifelong quest to learn everything about houses. (it’s still ongoing) As a kid, my parents had contracted to have houses remodeled and when I was 12 we moved into a big old house and did about 1/2 the work remodeling it ourselves, and my whole life I’ve found some odd familiarity and comfort in the smell of sawdust and construction adhesive. To this day, it just seems to be in my blood and other people who have the same affliction know what I mean immediately. It’s what I truly love, and it never gets old.
When I got out of college, I spent years working in the computer field and working on various projects I lived in - some in exchange for rent reduction, then later some of which I lease optioned ( a powerful tool that anyone with interest in RE should understand and use - it got me my start) Over time, I got tired of the almost universal unreliability of subcontractors and started to learn their trades myself so I wouldn’t have to rely on them. (remember - if you try to do something yourself and screw up, you can always hire someone to fix it and it’ll probably cost the same or less…) I spent time as a free apprentice, volunteered on Habitat for Humanity projects, and continually challenged myself to take on bigger and bigger projects. On my first house, I was hard pressed to repair an electrical circuit. On my last one, I ran every inch of wire, including the panel and service head. Along the way, I read and acquired a couple hundred books on different trades(which I refer to frequently) and literally watched *every* episode of every home improvement show ever aired at least twice, no joke. I’ve forgotten more than most people who call themselves builders will ever know, and yet I still consider myself to know very little. The more I know, the more I realize how little I know. The education is ongoing and a constant evolution. If you have the desire and the love for it, however, it never gets old. My worst day housebuilding is better than my best day working for someone else ever was, period! I hope everyone can enjoy it as much as I have and not get ripped off by the creeps out there looking to do no more than enrich themselves at the expense of others and give real housebuilding a bad name. All you need to know is out there, free or very inexpensively available, it’s just not available fast.
There’s an old saying amongst builders: Good, Fast, Cheap - pick any 2! When it comes to learning housebuilding and developing real estate, good and cheap is the route you want to take, so forget about fast because you can’t buy real enlightenment at any price.
Best regards,
Mike Voss
Posted on 02-Jun-07 at 1:53 pm | Permalink
RealEstateJunkie wrote:
Host of A&E’s “Flip This House,” Sam Leccima, Arrested for Fraud
http://www.shoutwire.com/viewstory/71574/Sam_Leccima_Flips_Out_Arrested_For_Fraud_For_Faking_Home_Renovations_And_Sales_
Posted on 02-Jun-07 at 3:09 pm | Permalink
RealEstateJunkie wrote:
Opps - just realized - maybe this should have been posted on the Samuel Leccima page under comments.
Sorry.
Posted on 02-Jun-07 at 3:15 pm | Permalink
southern girl wrote:
LMAO @ Armando or his wife posting #23-25 praising him! Guess they don’t know what a proxy is!
David Montelongo seems nice and honest enough but his brother is a different story.
Posted on 02-Jun-07 at 6:04 pm | Permalink
Tom wrote:
THe trademark people were fun to watch. I thought they were overall decent people. After that the show went downhill. The Atlanta shows were just garbage and the armondo shows - what a clown with his clown wife.
Anyone who thinks they are going to make money flipping in an inexperienced fool. Not Richard and trademark were not flippers - they rehabbed houses. Big difference.
Much like the dotcom mania this whole RE mania will bankrupt Armondo and many others.
Posted on 03-Jun-07 at 3:13 pm | Permalink
Chris wrote:
Well I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks the Montelongo’s are a joke! There show is good “fluff” for the brain. You need a good laugh now and again. As for Armondo’s CD, I hope that nobody else wastes there hard earned money on his crap. Mike has been right all along…”THERE ARE NO EASY MONEY DEALS” I should know, I’m a licenced carpenter and have been in home construction and renovations for 18 years. If you have the passion for houses like I do, you can earn a fair living, but you will NEVER be a millionaire at it!
Posted on 03-Jun-07 at 6:55 pm | Permalink
Chris wrote:
Just a further thought. If you ARE interested in trying your hand at house flipping remember this; DO NOT JUST CANDY COAT IT. Do more than just paint and carpet. Put yourself in the buyers shoes. Imagine that you are buying this house beliving it has been “renovated”, and once you move in, you find all of the mistakes that are going to cost you thousands to repair. There is something to be said for craftsmanship. Stand by your name, AND behind your work! Your reputatation will proceede you if you are known for poor workmanship! Good luck!
Posted on 03-Jun-07 at 7:13 pm | Permalink
Gregory wrote:
Hi Mike,
After further research, I think you are making an all inclusive overstatement by saying wholesaling \”doesn\’t exist.\” What further makes that evident is your contradiction in your same paragraph.
\”However, here in LA, you will *never* get a shot at any easy money houses because professional experts have networks of people…\”
Networks of people screams wholesalers or bird dogs or whatever the terminology. Point is that you nor anyone with the work ethic you have has the time to go out and find ALL of your properties on your own. You pay people to do that. Either in-house or network. So to say that wholesaling doesn\’t exist seems a bit much. I checked out \”Holmes on Homes\” and missed the first 15 minutes, but I got the idea. I also checked out \”Flip THAT House: Updated\” which takes place in the Los Angeles area. I saw episodes with homes in North Hollywood and Sherman Oaks. Those people, some 1st timers, took MUCH longer than 2 weeks, but they made a profit.
Your post is really telling. It seems that you love building homes. It is your life and you turn out top quality houses. I may have even seen some of your work first hand because I\’ve looked at some of those newly built / remodeled homes around Sherman Oaks Galleria. But I\’m not looking into wholesaling at this point to be a major homebuilder like yourself or Trademark Properties. I\’m looking to make some extra cash first and it looks as though wholesaling provides extreme flexibility. Then, once I get more hands on experience in real estate investing, I\’ll determine if rehabbing properties is right for me.
Anyway, it seems like you\’re not saying it can\’t be done. You\’re saying that people should just take more pride in the workmanship they do.
Chris, to say that \”you will NEVER be a millionaire\” from real estate investing is so far from being true. A large number of U.S. millionaires make money from real estate investing.
I was watching \”The Real Deal\” where Trademark rehabs their IT guy\’s house and at the beginning of the show Richard said that they now have 44 employees and did $250,000,000 million dollars in sales in 2006.
I\’d say that\’s pretty good.
Gregory
Posted on 03-Jun-07 at 9:29 pm | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
Hi Gregory - I guess I should clarify about wholesaling - what I actually meant is that it is like building in that it isn’t just a simple thing out there waiting to be done easily. Bird doggers is the correct term - when people know you are a builder and know your work is good, they bring deals to you. Many times, they become ongoing sources of such deals - people like BK trustees, financial advisers, realtors, etc. When you develop relationships with such people, then it is possible to find the properties which never get into the MLS, classifieds, etc. Great example: I helped a friend rebuild a house here in Sherman Oaks - we knew the owner from going to parties at his house for years - it was a piece of junk on a magnificent lot which is on a hilltop overlooking the whole valley. The guy got foreclosed on, but he was a lawyer and sued the bank and won and the property ust sat empty for 2 years while the battle went on (rare around here) At the end, he just wanted to sell it for what he owed on it, which was about 1/4 what the land alone was worth. Because my friend knew him, he got the first crack at it, and because he knew me, I inspected it and told him to get a written contract THAT DAY because it was a great deal and I didn’t trust the seller. A week later, the guy wanted to reneg and go try to get more money (he was slimy), but it was too late because my friend had an ironclad contract and had paid. We bought a $2MM+ property for $600K. We built a house for about $400,000 more and today it’s easily worth about 3.7MM.
That’s a rare example, but the moral of the story is that the general public never saw anything about that house (except in foreclosure listings, which are mostly useless like they were in this case) and my friend got it entirely because of his relationships with lawyers and a builder. (me) If someone is willing to take the time to develop the connections, there are definitely deals to be made out there (my friend could have sold that house the day he got title for over 2MM - John Salley was there the first day we saw it and wanted it BAD. To this day I don’t know who his connection was, but he had one!) If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, it can definitely be done. It’s just that, like building, the shortcuts people like Armando pretend to have don’t exist - it takes time and hard work. At least here in LA.
-Mike
Posted on 04-Jun-07 at 1:45 am | Permalink
Mike Voss wrote:
PS: RE: Flip That House - I know both the women who did the house in Sherman Oaks and the one in North Hollywood. While both did sell, Susan’s house took about a year and the work was not very good quality. Kelly’s sold faster, but it was even lesser quality. Susan still is a flipper and really hasn’t improved much quality or knowledge wise. She’s great at decorating and staging, but cuts many corners and doesn’t make any structural mods on any properties that I’ve seen. Kelly never flipped another house and washed out of Real Estate and moved home with her parents. That’s the reality of what happens to most flippers.
There WAS, however, one episode of Flip That House that had a builder who was fairly impressive - check out the English guy who did the craftsman style house - Paul I think was his name? He was talented - really nice work.
Mike
Posted on 04-Jun-07 at 1:55 am | Permalink
Chris wrote:
You’re right Greg, I guess I was a little over zelous in saying that you will “NEVER” be a millionaire in real estate. I was referring to all of the first time “house flippers” who belive they too can be the next overnight success story. Real estate is and always will be your best investment, as nobody is producing any more ground to build a house on. There is more to “flipping” than most new comers are aware of. Yes it is best to by property in a depressed market, but you must also analize the market shifts, and possible job growth. If you are planning to be the next success story, than get a mentor, and expect it to take time. Richard Davis did not get to were he is overnight. If you are in this just for a quick buck like Armando Montelongo, then you will not last in this industry!
Posted on 04-Jun-07 at 8:23 am | Permalink
J. Geils wrote:
Veronica is HOOOOOOOT. Her husband is….a used car lot’s worst nightmare.
Posted on 04-Jun-07 at 10:52 am | Permalink
darrell wrote:
Hey Mike and Shannon,
thanks for finally telling it like it is. another reason flips dont work in a market like san antonio is banks are not stupid. hey look at comps. we dont have a lot of cash buyers to skew the numbers.
I wrote all three news stations and even got on the phone with one of the writers of the express news to ask why no one has exposed these idiots and no one seems to care. When I asked why such a successful company was operating out of a converted garage in an 80K home in Dellview the express news writer admited to never meeting the Montelongos, only that she was contacted about the show and did a phone interview. I’ve checked just about every success story on the show and the only one that even somewhat holds water is Armandos personal home he sold in Hunters Creek. Which, by the way he had to use a realtor from a small company called pleasant realty. Ineresting since his older brother is married to a realtor. His older Brother Rick runs his fathers old company and according to his web site, has nothing to do with cast or its crew. Armandos house of cards is going to come crashing down soon, just like most con men. I was recently contacted by a man that called on one of my real estate ads who stated he was buying a home, owner financed by Armando but was being foreclosed on by the real note holder. Apparently Armando was not making the mortgage. This is called a wrap and with todays laws I’m not even sure if its still legal.
anyway great advice Mike, I’ll drop you line some time. By the way I took photos of Armados latest success that he claims to have sold for 165K in Universal city. the home in good shape would be worth maybe 120K. regardless, it was flooded, the fence falling down, the pool green and the interior still smelled. Also, the genius converted part of the garage.
ps- Richards show is great. if Armando did even a fraction of the homes he claims his staff would be something like Richards.
Posted on 05-Jun-07 at 2:31 am | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Shannon,
Discovery is rolling out HD to their ‘family’ of channels (which includes TLC) in September. So far Direct TV has signed on the rest won’t be far behind.
Discovery just announced this a few weekss ago.
Posted on 05-Jun-07 at 7:32 am | Permalink
Denise in N.C. wrote:
Wow, this is a great website and very informative. I am not a realtor or flipper, just an average working gal who is fascinated with home improvement. I have to admit that I found the Montelongo & Leccima espisodes of Flip this House entertaining. I assumed there was a certain amount of fraud in involved in these shows, as it appeared there was a lot of playing to the camera, and I couldn’t fathom that people would actually purchase houses that had only cosmetic fixes. But I didn’t realize just how much fraud was involved.
Can anyone explain to me why Angie is now a part of the Flip this House team? She acted as a real estate agent on the Leccima episodes and can be seen stating that she brokered the deal for Sam to purchase these homes and is shown placing a SOLD sign on one of homes — when in fact, it has been proven by GA county records that Leccima never owned/purchased the homes (as Angie stated) and nor did the homes ever sell (as Angie stated). Isn’t she just as fraudulent as Sam? And, if she is indeed a realtor, shouldn’t her license be revoked as well?
Last question, am I the only one confused by Flip this House and Flip that House :-)
Posted on 05-Jun-07 at 12:23 pm | Permalink
Todd wrote:
Denise,
Originally I was very confused between Flip This House and Flip That House. After watching many episodes of each, here is the difference. Flip That House is a 30 minute program that features a different person each time trying to flip a house. Flip That House airs on TLC. Their shows are taped in different parts of the country, although 90% are in Southern California. They have also done several in Las Vegas. Flip This House airs on A&E and is the show that Richard and Trademark Properties in South Carolina started. After the contract dispute with Richard, A&E recast the show with Armando & Crew, Sam & Crew, etc. It is a one hour show that follows the same people around from week to week. Flip That House is more normal, everyday people while Flip This House are the “professionals”.
I’ve read many of the comments on here and agree with what a lot of people have said. However, I do not agree with people on here saying that you cannot make money flipping houses. You can definitely make money in buying and selling real estate, ie…flipping. I can tell you first hand because I have personally completed four houses in the past year and have made a good and fair profit on every one. There is no big secret or magic formula. It is not a “get rich quick” scheme. It is hard work, pure and simple. To be successful, you have to invest time in looking for properties. You have to know your market cold! It takes time and you have to do your homework. One in 20 properties that you will look at might be worth flipping, based on the price, location, etc. When looking for properties, you need to search your local MLS daily as well as craigslist and other websites. It takes time and again it is work. I work a full-time job(and then some), but I try to find at least 20 hours per week to dedicate to my part time real estate business. My goal is to eventually be in the real estate business full time, but that is still a few years away.
By the way, I am not a believer in books, tapes, etc that “teach” you how to flip houses. The best way to learn anything is by participating. You can read books until you are blue in the face, but the way you really learn is by doing. If you want to flip a house; get your financing in order, get with a local realtor, and get to work! Just be prepared to see the 19 dogs(most of which will be overpriced) to find the one diamond in the rough.
Posted on 05-Jun-07 at 1:23 pm | Permalink
mtraininjax wrote:
Why is it that Angie, Marina and Veronica are so hot and have idiots for husbands? David, dump your brother, Veronica dump your hubby and find someone who appreciates you, and Angie, dump that idiot of a husband who can’t do construction to save his life.
Posted on 06-Jun-07 at 5:19 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
How come when you go to the Montelongo’s web site (Montelongo House Buyers) you don’t see any houses FOR SALE listed?
The only thing I see FOR SALE are CD’s, get rich quick seminars, and so on.
Where are the ‘25 houses a month’ they ‘flip’ hiding? ; )
Posted on 09-Jun-07 at 12:27 am | Permalink
Chris Bell wrote:
If my math is right, to buy and sell 1,000 houses in five years, a person would have had to buy 3 to 4 houses a week, which would be quite a challenge for a large scale company, much less Armando, and his brother. I am suprised that A&E, at the least, did not do a few public records checks, and a criminal background check to ensure the accuracy of the claims, and the background of the individuals being showcased on the series.
Posted on 09-Jun-07 at 8:21 am | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Montelongo’s…
“The Roach House”
254 Erskine Place
San Antonio, TX
On the show…
Paid $40,000
Rehab $17,000
Total ‘in’ $57,000
Sold $110,000
Profit $53,000
__________________________
Zillow $76,906 est worth
http://www.zillow.com/
Posted on 09-Jun-07 at 8:09 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Cut and pasted from the FTH board before they delete it. Heh
“Roach House”…
“Let me add more:
bought on June 6, 2006 for $66,500
sold to an investor in Blanco, TX on Nov. 10, 2006 for $68,000
Appraised by Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector for 2007: $70,100
There is NO WAY that THIS house sold for $110,000.
The construction time line/schedule, Armando and Veronica’s vacation (which occurred during the “cat house” filming), and the open house, were ALL STAGED!
And once again, another episode where the buying, selling, and possibly the construction costs, were OVER INFLATED!!
In light of the Sam Leccima scandal, I cannot believe A&E would continue to broadcast this show without checking out the facts.
Shame on you A&E!
PS. The Montelongo’s claim they flip 25-30 houses a month. Strange how the entire Montelongo crew spends nearly a month on this SINGLE project.
What about the other 24-29 houses they are flipping?
And strange that Armando at the open house talks about moving to the next (singular) deal.
PPS. Does it bother anyone that Melina and Armando are deciding how to market the house as if this was the first time Melina marketed a house?
I thought she was doing this for at least 3 years?
The more I see the Montelongo’s on FTH, it becomes painfully apparent that they are 3rd rate amateurs in the real estate business but they are 1st class liars!”
Posted on 09-Jun-07 at 10:09 pm | Permalink
boyson wrote:
I cannot understand A&E for letting this sham go on for this long.
It took me less than 5 minutes to do a background check on the Erskine house.
What will it take to realize that A&E has another PR train wreck in progress?
I also uncovered a questionable loan made to Armando on a house on Lemur Dr . According to loan documents filed with the county clerk, they have him listed as a “single man” - not married. No reputable lender would make such a mistake. Furthermore, they allowed a house on Basswood Dr go into foreclosure in April of this year.
Posted on 10-Jun-07 at 3:43 am | Permalink
Jeff wrote:
Fred,
I suspect the Montelongos are not what they seem.
However, don’t assume that “taking a taxi” is an indication of a lack of wealth. Many (most?) millionaires are NOT “flashy” and don’t take limos.
One of the reasons people get to be millionaires is that they don’t waste money on “flash” or “bling”.
Posted on 10-Jun-07 at 4:08 am | Permalink
Jeff wrote:
Mike V.,
I’m curious as to why you call San Antonio a “depressed” market.
While housing costs in San Antonio are well below what you will find in CA and certain portions of the east coast (for similar properties), it is a market where housing prices have risen fast in recent years. The market is slowing this year, but still increasing (unlike some of the “hot” markets on the west coast where prices are flat or falling).
Posted on 10-Jun-07 at 4:35 am | Permalink
boyson wrote:
Thanks Steve for reposting my message from the A&E board. Sure enough, A&E or the moderator removed my post:-).
Disappointed but not surprised.
A&E and Departure Films (the people who produce FTH) need to come to grips and face reality.
Removing my post only makes me wonder what other things have yet to be discovered.
Posted on 10-Jun-07 at 4:33 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
boyson,
Anytime ; ) I watched that episode like a hawk last night on a 42″ HD plasma (and a DVR) just looking for the street address. Got it! I’ll be doing the same thing with subsequent San Antonio reruns ; )
Posted on 10-Jun-07 at 4:58 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
And boyson,
Nice tag team effort last night …
1,2,3 TEAM!
Teamwork is our trademark LOL ; )
Posted on 10-Jun-07 at 10:19 pm | Permalink
miami wrote:
LOSERS, STOP TRASHING PEOPLE, GET A LIFE. START MAKING MONEY AND NOT EXCUSES.
Posted on 11-Jun-07 at 11:17 am | Permalink
Justin wrote:
BTW, didn’t he and his wife get divorced a few years ago?
That would explain him applying for the loan as a single male.
Posted on 11-Jun-07 at 9:07 pm | Permalink
boyson wrote:
Justin:
They filed for divorce in April 2003, however, I did not find a divorce decree. Perhaps they reconciled and drop the petition.
Moreover, on Montelongohomebuyers.com website, Veronica’s bio says “…Nothing is more rewarding than the quality time she spends at home with her husband Armando and their son Armando Sebastian…”
Posted on 12-Jun-07 at 2:58 am | Permalink
boyson wrote:
correction, link to Veronica’s bio:
http://www.montelongohousebuyers.com/personal_info.html
Posted on 12-Jun-07 at 3:00 am | Permalink
Shannon wrote:
Good one Steve. I went to his website too, it appears all he is selling is get rich quick schemes. From what I read on this website, its all severly outdated information. Probably just more stuff trying to get you to goto more seminars, etc.
On a side note, I love this blog. When I’m having a tough day at work, I’ll come on here and just LMAO reading everyones posts.
Anyone gonna tune in to hear David Montelongo tonight?
Posted on 13-Jun-07 at 12:33 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Save your money. Richard Davis gives it up for free (video)
“The Number One Rule in Real Estate Investing”
http://tlc.discovery.com/beyond/index.html?playerId=203711705&categoryId=914140632&lineupId=987239221
Posted on 14-Jun-07 at 10:06 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Lifted from the TWOP forum.
Too funny! LOL
“Did anyone else notice on the TRIBE site that not only were David and Melina special guests, but Than Merrill is a featured speaker. Looking over this site and the one posted earlier for Than, it looks like they are all jumping on the get rich quick scams.
The “I’m so successful at what I do that I’m going to stop doing it and teach you how from the generousity of my little heart. Now cough up the bucks and buy my package.” Which actually means “I’m not making enough money doing this right now, so I’ll get you to pay me to teach you how to not make enough money either, as I laugh all the way to the bank.”
Posted on 15-Jun-07 at 9:24 pm | Permalink
boyson wrote:
Why is it that I hear Armando, Veronica, David, or Melina, I check to make sure my wallet is not missing, roll my eyes, or at a Amway sales presentation?
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 11:09 am | Permalink
the renters wrote:
have you all tried renting their houses
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 1:04 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Montelongo’s
“Condemmed”
508 W Baetz
San Antonio, TX
On the show…
Paid $31,900
Total “in” after rehab $63,000
Sold $120,000
‘Flipped’ in 21 days
______________________________________
Per Bexar County Records. The house is owned by…
BAETZ LAND TRUST
239 DALEHURST
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78201
Take it away, boyson! ; )
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 8:11 pm | Permalink
Marygrace wrote:
Can anyone tell me what is the situation with David? Have he and his brother parted company if so what is he up to?
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 9:22 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Montelongo’s….
“Condemned” (’The Burnt Duplex’)
508 W Baetz
San Antonio, TX
On the show…
Paid $31,900
Total in with rehab $63,100
“Flipped” and sold in 21 days for $120,000
______________________________________
Or not. Bexar County records show the owner as
BAETZ LAND TRUST
239 DALEHURST (Montelongo Real Estate Solutions)
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78201
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 9:57 pm | Permalink
Janelle wrote:
Steve, thanks for the link. Really good advice from him.
You know, I think they are both so full of themselves, but it makes for good TV ;)
They both have the only two flip shows I watch. The other flippers on “flip this house” bore me to tears.
I would be more apt to buy a book from Richard than Armando though. I like Richards team mentality and treating people well.
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 10:03 pm | Permalink
Eric wrote:
Wow! What an awesome website. I’ve been interested in flipping homes and found the Flip This Home episodes very entertaining. The first thing that struck me as odd was the ridiculous claim that Mr. Montelongo made regarding how many homes he flips a month. Something like 25 to 30. What an insult to the intelligence of your viewers. I already knew about the Leccima’s cause I live in Atlanta, but I did not know he went so far as to stage people. It’s so sad to see so many people fall victim to greed. Anyone interested in real estate investing should check out John T Reed. He has serious credentials and has a very informative website.(www.johntreed.com) God Bless to all.
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 10:08 pm | Permalink
Ryan wrote:
I loved the episode tonight when Armando was teaching “Mondo Man” how to flip houses. He explained that sometimes daddy has to yell at the contracters, but you also have to take care of them. So he shows up with a six pack cooler with a couple of waters and a couple sodas.
Yeah that makes it all better.
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 10:16 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
“Veronica Montelongo for Vice- president”
Too funny! The editors ‘fuzzed out’ the street address on this one. And no fake buyer either, instead, ‘asking price’. Although there was an alleged ’sale pending’
Too little, too late. Every tree I’ve barked up so far with this gang has had a cat in it ; ) Good luck trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube! LOL
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 10:22 pm | Permalink
Ron wrote:
Steve,
What is the website for Bexar county were you get all your info on the homes? I would love to read some of that!
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 10:37 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Re: “Veronica Montelongo for Vice- President”
Shameless plug for ‘Pella Windows’.
Although it looks like they’ve dropped
the “Added Value” phony premise they used in Connecticut with the “Burning Down the House” episode and the “Condemned” episode in San Antonio for ALCOA (aluminum siding)!
‘Product placement’ is one thing. Phony ‘infomercial’ garbage disguised as legitimate show content is another.
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 10:53 pm | Permalink
Derek wrote:
I have learned more on this one website than I have on any of the “Flipping” shows. Thank you. All of the links have led to some interesting reading. It is amazing what you learn when you “google” just a few simple words.
I was actually looking up the book that Armando was writing on tonights “Flip This…” episode and came across you guys……Interesting!
Needless to say, I no longer feel the need to look up his book!
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 11:06 pm | Permalink
Steve in Texas wrote:
Re: “Veronica Montelongo for Vice- President”
Also kind of funny, Armando shooting the windows out with his sling shot! Geeze,
can you say FOLLOWER? Keep watching
Richard Davis Armando, hey, you might learn something. And apparently, you already are ; )
Posted on 16-Jun-07 at 11:44 pm | Permalink
Brian wrote:
I was initially interested in picking up a copy of Montelongo’s book, but I found this blog, and now really have no interest in it.
It’s amazing what can be found with just a few keystrokes!
Thanks to everyone here for the good info, and hopefully A&E will get their act together, and yank junk like this off the air.
I guess that is where “reality” tv is going these days.
My skepticism grows on a daily basis!
Hopefully it helps me(and others) keep the money in OUR pockets!
Posted on 17-Jun-07 at 12:38 am | Permalink
bubba wrote:
armondo you gonna let these people bash you, respond tell us its not so, give us the real deal, a real man sticks up for himself, lets hear it, cant mess with peoples lives brother give it to us here, what do you say sir.
Posted on 17-Jun-07 at 1:01 am | Permalink
Valentino wrote:
Armando is the best illusion artist on A&E. Criss Angel is a close second but “are you ready”…for Armondo’s new book! My favorite illusion in the episode tonight is Veronica’s line to the window guys (who all had uniforms on and there company’s name plastered everywhere like they were part of a pit crew in a NASCAR event… anyway she says something like “Whoa you guys are professionals and work so fast with a beautiful product line” and then the window truck drives off into the sunset with a just another job for us, its what we do, kind of vibe going on, and one more final plug on the back of the truck to a fade out (it was really touching, I called my mother afterwards to tell her I love her). No way Armando payed 18 grand for the windows and doors, ITS ARMANDO! He turns everyone on that show into a puppet and still had time to write a book! Now thats magic :) Welp, I love the website. Best wishes to you all.
~Valentino
Posted on 17-Jun-07 at 2:15 am | Permalink
Ryan in South Texas wrote:
Back about 7 years ago I was working for my stepfather in Corpus Christi during the summer between college semesters on an old run down house that he purchased for around 30K. He put about 15K into beefing up the foundation, framework and remodling it completely. It took about 2 months to complete. He then sold it about 6 months later after living in it for a little while for 75K. I can see where you could make a very good amount of money if you could do a house every 4-6 weeks or so. I have always wanted to get into this, but do not really know where to start or what it takes.
Posted on 17-Jun-07 at 2:23 am | Permalink
rocky wrote:
this armando is a prick the way he treats people is sickening, like he is better than everyone else. especially the time he was sitting outside with his feet in that swimming pool drinking beer and trying patheticaly to make it look like he was having to force those contractors to work, what a piece of shit. I wonder just how many of those contractors have gave him an asswhooping?1000 houses = 1000 or more asswhoopins! LOL
Posted on 17-Jun-07 at 2:55 am | Permalink
Scott wrote:
I did some searching on http://www.taxnetusa.com/texas/bexar/list.php and found Armando Senior owns one property, and Armando Junior owns 3 properties and Armando owns 1. Isn’t his son Junior? How can a 9 or 10 year old kid own property? Also doing a check on Veronica, she has seven houses under her name…someone else see something wrong?
Posted on 17-Jun-07 at 2:59 am |