Armando Montelongo Relocates to California?

Armando Montelongo frequently tells viewers that in 2001, he grew tired of being unemployed, living in his in-law’s garage in Southern California.  He and his wife borrowed $1000, packed up the car, and coasted into San Antonio on their last tank of gas, where he negotiated two months of free rent and sold all his furniture to buy groceries.

If the reports I’m receiving are to to be believed, he’s now back in California.  The California housing market can’t be an easy place for a flipper with the current state of lending, but with home prices on the decline in some markets, the move might produce interesting results. 

At the moment, I have very little information about the progress of his Theft of Services case in Texas - for failure to pay Reliance Appraisal Services for their work.  We’re working on collecting additional information on this matter.

We are unable to determine whether Montelongo is still associated with A&E’s Flip This House after this move, but will continue to report as this story develops.

Comments (69) to “Armando Montelongo Relocates to California?”

  1. I live in California and he commercials on the radio every day promoting a seminar and products. Personally I know better then to believe “how much money he has made” but I don’t believe others do. He notes that he was on TV and that is probably good enough for most people that he is credible.

  2. It appears that Flip This House is off the air. It used to be on Saturday night, but it has been replaced by The Sopranos. Even though Trademark was not on the show, it was entertaining to watch Armando and the gay Atlanta flippers.

  3. Look out California… This whale pile of blubber will try to eat you like a land shark! Beware of the tool!

  4. Also, if ANYONE has watched the show - they have seen how shoddy his repair work is… Does he really think he can do high ends? Imagine him thinking he can be Jeff Lewis… Installing pools, etc… hahaha Can’t even imagine… Armando’s inground would be a plastic kids pool dig a few feet in the ground…

  5. It’s actually on the air right now - my DVR is recording it as we speak (starting at 11am CST on 06/21).

  6. If you go to A&E’s web site at aetv.com and do a search for “Flip This House” in the upper right hand corner, the schedule that comes back shows two more episodes of the show with both airing on June 21st.

    One is Brent’s Big Break and the other is Veronica Saves the Day. There are other shows listed through July but no Flip This House shows. It’s possible that it is just not updated yet but doesn’t appear that way.

    Sharon
    http://www.babyboomeradvisorclub.com

  7. Well he’ll never cut it within about 50-100 miles of the coast. Too expensive in this market given his low cost approach to flipping. But…..

    I can see him in Fresno, Bakersfield, Sacramento and the “Inland Empire”. Plenty of his kind of places there.

    Of course will Armando be able to comply with tougher Builing Codes(IMHO than Texas) and little things like that?

    Big wake-up call for the big man from Texas if it’s true. I’ll be watching and hear him hype himself as usual.

  8. Considering that Irvine has some of the strictest building codes and code enforcement in the country and that the subprime lending industry has been obliterated from that city, it should take about a month before he’s run out of there on a rail too.

    He left TX because that town was dead for him. However, he’ll be going back there to serve his sentence just as soon as he’s convicted.

  9. I forgot, the gay New Haven flippers are also entertaining to watch.

    A&E is not helping the ratings of the show by changing the time slot of Flip This House. At least TLC has kept Flip That House on at the same time slot over the years. The important question is, has TLC given up on the Trademark show? It would be nice if someone from Trademark would let us know what is going on.

  10. Last I heard Trademark’s show was cancelled.

  11. So even after a month of the supposed date of court dates we still don’t know the outcome of either?

  12. I’m a licensed Realtor in CA…I would love for Armando Montelongo to walk into my office and ask me to look for properties for him. First I need to pull his credit cause he wouldn’t even have a chance of putting an offer on a house with-out a pre-approval letter. Sorry Armando you got have cash in the bank to buy houses in CALI, there is no 30k-90k homes unless you buying a crack house or a shack in Stockton, CA.

    I’m 24yrs old knocking out my requirements to become a broker, right now I’m studying to get into commercial Real Estate. NEVER IN MY LIFE I WILL EVER, EVER AND I MEAN EVER FOLLOW Armando Montelongo LESSONS, TEACHINGS,OR TAKE SIMPLE ADVICE FROM HIM.

    Mike Voss keep up the good work!!

  13. You guys need to get a life. Seriously. You devote your free time to a sad attempt of exposing somebody that most people don’t even care about. Pathetic.

  14. It is nice to see that GQ Lawyer was able to take the time, from chasing ambulances, to comment about Armando.

  15. word on the streets is AM showed up in Cali in a brand new black Cadillac Escalade. This affirms the fact that A&E leased and took back the Hummer H2 and Veronica’s (David’s old ride) CLK Mercedes. AM must be off the show otherwise he would be driving the Hummer out there in Cali.

  16. Just a thought what if AM runs into the other A&E Flip team based in LA.

  17. Oh no Chris. Then that would mean you’d have to keep caring about him! You’d have to keep loggin onto this web site and looking for updates about what he’s up to. Your life would have to continue to be an abomonation if Armanodo gets another TV show…

  18. Scumbagoo Montelongo wouldn’t last a week buying/building/flipping or panhandling in Southern California (please, it’s not “Cali”). Trust me, we have planning and permitting requirements and people who think they can fly low and get away without them always learn the hard way and usually double the $$ way. This guy is the biggest sack of s*@t on two feet. I am sickened to hear that he is in California and if I find him in my city, he’ll high tale it back to texass so fast his b*%ch t*ts will spin in the cool ocean breeze.

  19. He won’t last in California. Armando’s wife even thinks his ego is out of control. I can’t believe people by this clowns products.

    http://www.armandomontelongo.com/news/?p=50

  20. He won’t last in California. Armando’s wife even thinks his ego is out of control. I can’t believe people buy this clowns products.

    http://www.armandomontelongo.com/news/?p=50

  21. post 18.. shannon, I can call it Cali. I’m a native. F Off!

  22. Shannon, lol calm down… Plenty of people call it Cali… From natives to non-natives, to rappers, to singers, to actors, to newspapers and reporters! lol No big deal!

  23. Anyone out west see the tool out and about yet?

    Any word on the lawsuitS?

    Any word on the tool being dropped?

  24. Before we ever saw one of AM’s shows we actually bought into his program. We are totally disappointed and none of his suggestions has worked for us. Is there anyone else, or does anyone know of someone who actually sued Armando for their money back and won? Or is anyone out there who is thinking about sueing him?

  25. Okay…mail comes today and guess what?? Free Invites from Armando and American Entrepreneur on how to “Flip and Grow Rich”

    Three “shows” all in the Silicon Valley area. Don’t think the big man will be there though, says “you will be trained by 2 of Armando’s personal mentors, who are self made millionaires”

    So dare I go? It’s all day..9am to 5pm and free lunch? What kind of BS do you think they will be serving for lunch?

    Says I’ll be Armando’s personal VIP guest!! How can I go wrong? A $249 dollar value!

  26. Grandson of Kong… How much are they asking for the “knowledge” lol hahaha?

  27. No cost but as the saying goes “No such thing as a free lunch”

    It’s 8 hours and not sure I can sit through all of that Armando ego, no matter who delivers it.

  28. they are just trying to fill seats to push the master course for 999.00.

  29. I saw some new episodes with the Montelongos in the a.m. on A & E. I think they are coming on at 11 a.m. on Saturday mornings. And I despise Armando!

  30. Just watched the new episode inwhich he helped Veronica’s sister and her husband renovate their home. I love watching the show.

  31. Can you believe this guy. I hope he doesn’t do this in cali.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqnJ7sGgG-0

  32. First… california is nothing but vastly OVERPRICED and OVERVALUED real estate. Dont be jealous that your 1 million homes cost 100k here in Texas.

    I live in a 3000 square foot brand new house. 170k. “cali” is for rich homos!

  33. Does not surprise me. After watching 2 shows you could tell that this man his his “team” was nothing but fakes. The way he talked to his contracts and threating them was not professional at all. If this man was an example of a professional, then let me deal with a crook. At least I would know who I was dealing with up fron.

  34. Does not surprise me. After watching 2 shows you could tell that this man his his “team” was nothing but fakes. The way he talked to his contractors and threating them was not professional at all. If this man was an example of a professional, then let me deal with a crook. At least I would know who I was dealing with up front.

  35. I can sum up everything Armando ever says on the show: “Money money money, me me me, cost me money, do it for free, me me me, b.s, b.s., b.s., this is why I flip houses, not for the weak at heart, money money money” I put him on mute most of the time. I love to see the properties go from freak to chic but can’t stand to listen to that empty-headed blowhard. He’s a great example of someone who talks constantly without actually saying anything.

  36. Deb,

    I like your style. That is a BRILLANT summation of Armando. That egomaniac deserves everything that he has coming to him.

  37. I know Armando is here in Southern California, he is working on my neighbor’s house which is estimated to be 1.6M and he wants to flip it for $500K

  38. “First I need to pull his credit cause he wouldn’t even have a chance of putting an offer on a house with-out a pre-approval letter.”

    Really? Friends of mine are realtors in Newport Beach CA and were just complaining the other day that they’ve had 20+ offers this year and only one closed because no one can get financing after they place the offer. You are obviously not really a CA realtor because you don’t have the facts straight.

  39. You are all losers. He is here and he is doing great. Too bad you all can’t make a buck, and you are mad he figured out how too. GQ realtor, please, your name is so stupid, and I highly doubt in this market you would turn away a customer. Why don’t you put your real name? Afraid the rest of us would see you haven’t sold a thing like the rest of the real estate agents in the past year? The rest of you, get off you @$$ and do something besides spread hate about someone you have never met. IT IS A TV SHOW!!!! IT IS HYPED UP FOR RATINGS!!!!

  40. AM is in the Silicon Valley promoting his “educational CD’s and Get Rich Seminars”, since I rarely see his show anymore, my intuition tells me He’s Run Out of Money! This should be great, I would like to see how he can possibly think the same system in Texas would work in California. Laws and Building Codes are stringent, obtaining financing is another struggle. Good,bad or no credit is not a reality. Good luck for what I can see he’s up to his ears in Pending Lawsuits……

  41. I went to watch a seminar where Armando Montelongo Spoke in San Francisco in San Francisco several weeks ago.

    It wasn’t too bad, but the list those guys purchased stunk; literally & figuratively.

    Looks as though everyone their was trying to get the $250.00 gas card he was hawking if you went to the seminar.

    I’m not even sure most of the people at the event could drive. One person pooped all over themselves and another urinated on themselves. They wanted the free gas card so bad they refused to leave. Choosing to sit in there Poop & urine.

    Another patron of the seminar kept messing with the lights turning them on and off repeatedly while the speakers were talking.

    Armondo was pissed but he managed to keep his cool. If it was me I would have got out the sniper rifle and started shooting these people.

  42. The American Entrepreneur invitation featuring Montelongo on the cover promises, “You’ll Receive $250 Worth of Free Gasoline Just For Attending!” What the invitation does not say is that in order to “Receive $250 Worth of Free Gasoline” you’ve got to spend $100 per month, to generate a $25 rebate. Go to FreeGasCentral for details.

    “This special rewards program will generate a $25 rebate for every $100 of your selected brand of gas that you purchase and submit the receipts for in a calendar month.”

    I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT W/ THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL. Voice: (916) 322-3360 or
    (Toll-free in CA)
    (800) 952-5225
    Fax: (916) 323-5341

  43. The American Entrepreneur invitation featuring Montelongo on the cover promises, “You’ll Receive $250 Worth of Free Gasoline Just For Attending!”

    What the invitation does not say is that in order to “Receive $250 Worth of Free Gasoline” you’ve got to spend $100 per month, to generate a $25 rebate. (Let’s see, 10 months.)

    American Entrepreneur and Montelongo require that you attend one of their all-day seminars before providing any details about their promise of “$250 Worth of Free Gasoline Just For Attending.” At the end of the huckster-like seminar American Entrepreneur agents hand out “vouchers” as they’re busy rushing everyone out the door.

    The “voucher” directs you to the FreeGasCentral.com website. And, then the messy details emerge.

    Some of the messy details: “This special rewards program will generate a $25 rebate for every $100 of your selected brand of gas that you purchase and submit the receipts for in a calendar month.”

    I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT W/ THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL. Voice: (916) 322-3360 or
    (Toll-free in CA)
    (800) 952-5225

  44. Could somebody simply go to the Bexar and Travis Counties Courthouses and check on litigation profiles and also
    pick up any purchase at the Bexar and Travis County recorder as see which homes where purchased either under his land trust or his companies? Where the homes in probate, in bankruptcy, in divorces, was there a homestead exemption on said houses or were they rentals? Has he documented his purchases of 20 or 30 cents on the dollar, reselling for 70 to 80n cents on the dollar?

  45. Could somebody simply go to the Bexar and Travis Counties Courthouses and check on litigation profiles and also
    pick up any purchase at the Bexar and Travis County recorder and see which homes where purchased either under his land trust or his companies? Where the homes in probate, in bankruptcy, in divorces, was there a homestead exemption on said houses or were they rentals? Has he documented his purchases of 20 or 30 cents on the dollar, reselling for 70 to 80n cents on the dollar?

  46. JThorley: pre-approval letters are basically worthless. Just because you have one, doesnt mean you will actually qualify for the loan you want. Thats why it took over 20 offers to find someone that could actually get a loan to go through.

  47. I attended the seminar that Armando’s team offered. there are 4 sessions, and each sells its own membership. The first two appear to be quite interesting and the speakers seems quite knowledgeable. The rest of two are boring. I did not buy any membership, because I cannot figure out if they are over-priced. But like others, I did get free lunch and $250 free gas voucher, that is conpensation for 8 hours sitting. Not bad, got some information and freebies. I think it is not so fair to question Armando myself, since I did not lose anything and don’t know enough about the membership. Hope some people in contact can come forward to talk about this later.

  48. I went to one of his seminars this past weekend and was sickened by his brash behavior and foul mouth. He promised free gas and people left with nothing unless they were willing to pay for it. Can we say “RIP-OFF”?

  49. I was invited as a guest to hear Armando speak in a seminar coming up in September. I’ve never attended a seminar that was 8 hours long - why so long?

  50. AM is bringing his seminars to the North San Francisco Bay Area in September, with three sessions scheduled in Santa Rosa, Napa, and San Rafael. I got an invitation which says, “Response to this conference has been overwhelming!”… What response? He just sent the invites out by BULK MAIL. And of course he still has the free gas offer. Am I going? I don’t eat rubber chicken, and I don’t get up early to hear some guy whose full of himself, so no, I’m not going… Anybody want my invitation?

  51. no need to go to county offices, the published reports out, membership basis, shows the info on these blogs to be accurate as far as am and relat.

  52. I purchased the package and was hounded to use their real estate experts to help us flip houses. Wanted to charge us a minimum of 16k to help us flip houses and kept hounded us to get started. It was borderline harassment. Now I am leary of them since they made it seem like we just had to use their experts. Hope someone else has been fortune with them.

  53. Where do I start first, do I get on the twit that thinks my name is stupid or the dude that thinks he knows something about real-estate financing, but really don’t know jack-shit about real-estate financing .

    Dana I would really like to know what special Ed teacher thought it was a good idea for you to use a computer and post your remedial ramblings on here to “try” clown me. In simple words Dana you don’t know nothing what you are talking about so just sit back and relax with your blues clues helmet and shut the fuc% up!!!

    JThorley wrote:

    “First I need to pull his credit because he wouldn’t even have a chance of putting an offer on a house with-out a pre-approval letter.”

    Really? Friends of mine are realtors in Newport Beach CA and were just complaining the other day that they’ve had 20+ offers this year and only one closed because no one can get financing after they place the offer. You are obviously not really a CA realtor because you don’t have the facts straight.

    Posted on 15-Aug-08 at 7:26 pm

    JThorley A pre-approval letter doesn’t mean nothing in this market with out proof that you are able to afford the loan, in all pre-approval letter is a brief look over your credit history, employment income, as well a rough amount of purchasing power that you do have if you meet the lenders full conditions after the underwriter looks over you financial background. so like Dana shut the fuc% up!!!

  54. His infomercial is on my TV right now. The channel is KRON in the SF Bay Area. He and his wife are promoting “free seminars” and his home flipping program. Like other programs, they give you little detail but boast how much money you will make. I keep my 10 foot pole handy for just such times.

    So, bottom line is he is “still” out there though I believe he is new in this area.

  55. I think most of you have dranked too much hater-raid. And your asses need to get a dam life! If am is doing good or bad; does it put food on your tables jack-asses? And all of you have convinced me, Yes to go ahead and purchase his amazing courses and other materials.It only works if you work it dead head asses.And most or all of you are sitting on your brains and complaining with your hands out wanting a free ride anyway.And you can blog me back, I don’t give a shit,because what you all eat don’t make me shit.But deep down all you know what you’re really are.Go to sleep and or day dream on that.Especially you California tampon drinkers.Love You All.

  56. Red Flag #1:
    The radio spots are fast-talked so fast - Montelongo mispronounces/flubs words.

    Translation: I am counting on that 1 out of 1000 of you suckers will part w/ $1000 for my obsolete info-since my flipping market is extinct! San Antonio is full of broke crackheads-Cali is wall to wall people -Oh…the humanity!

  57. Priscilla,

    English must not be your native language.

    Might I suggest you brush up on the English language and not worry about Armando or the people on this board.

  58. It’s hard to believe what a reaction this guy gets from all of you. He is trying to make a living and he is counting on people who don’t use their heads to purchase his stuff. As for his flipping business in TX I believe in doing business with integrity, but not everyone does (and everyone knows that)so shouldn’t the prospective purchaser take some responsibility here and make sure they aren’t being ripped off. As for AM’s move to California, he’ll find out soon enough he is in over his head and out of his league.
    Just some random but sane thoughts with no hostility towards any of the previous posts.

  59. how about this one i went toschool with am and it was in sa tx and his family owns a construction company there he is lying about his empty gas tank to his humble beginings he has always had his familys name and construction backing he f.o.s your typical real estate price hype.

  60. san antonio is not filled with broke crackheads, he never did any flipping on the north side of town, he ONLY did it on the side of town where NO ONE wants to live, then flips the houses and asked way too much for the house. Like the episode where they did the enitre block, those houses on the show say they sold, but they were empty, and as far as I know remain that way!

  61. Armando depended on the anything goes Sub-prime market to sell his houses, that thankfully has changed…… NO job… NO credit… No down payment… NO HOUSE !!!

  62. Yeah im no hater , if it work’s it works.
    I went the seminar to learn something
    that might impact my life,and yeah (FREE GAS) or so .There was some info i found
    interesting but was a little overwhelmed
    by alot of other offers .I feel it would have been more sensable to focus on one
    thing instead of spreading your self trying to learn so much info.I expected
    them to drop a $4000 progam which if you buy now will be only $2000 !!!!!
    But another and another..
    What really bothered me was offering
    people Gas money knowing every body would gladly appreciate it and give out
    FAKE gas vouchers.I could not even find this website…Go ahead google it ,it DOES NOT EXIST…. How can i do business with someone who Bullshits people?I didnt ask for a gas card , it was offered to me. WHY would someone ruin there reputation on something so petty.Not to mention there is no # to call and no address to mail to ,this gas voucher is Bullshit. In Polish(huj ci w dupe) if you know polish then you know what this means…

  63. The old saying still remains true today,’THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH’ and that
    also aply’s to gas as well

  64. I work for the company that sells these “coaching” programs for Armando and it is all BS. I have heard the sales people harass and “talk” some people into getting their credit lines raised to 32K so they can attend these seminars and “invest”. In addition, I have heard many sales agent LIE to the people they try to sell too. These “programs” make no one but Armando rich. Don’t believe any of it!!! It is all BS! email me if you’re still curious or don’t believe what I am saying. I HAVE PROOF! grundenguy@gmail.com

  65. My husband and I went to one of his seminars last night here in Burbank, CA. We needed the gas (card) and wanted to hear him speak in person. (We enjoyed watching the show)Armondo was not there and were trapped in a seminar two hours with a speaker before a break. The speaker a man named Lynn was ok but he insulted a few people including a very old man whos hearing aid was acting up. When he realized it was a hearing aid and not a cel phone he didn’t even apologize so much for the WIN WIN and I am here to help you. He never said the name of his company either. Then, after the break he said some guy named Wayne was going to speak on Tax Liens. No Armando at all. Very Deceptive.
    These kind of people can’t win for ever.
    I am glad we left and after reading the other posts I am not real happy that we ALMOST got duped buy A money hungry dope.

  66. Graphic artist:wrote

    I believe you bro, the company in question is based out of Utah. They have a very troubling record with the BBB. As a matter of fact, one of the top excutives and several coaches were on one of Armando’s espisodes.Episode:( Veronica runs a flip, while Armando is out of town). Not all the Gurus who use this company are of suspect character, a gentlman named ‘Bob Diamond” contracts these guys too. I spoke to one of Mr.Diamonds crew about this company, and i was informed they monitor these coaches very closely for quality assurance reasons. I believe Mr. Diamond should simply detached himself from these guys and use someone else. I belive, the New Haven group use another coachning group, they probaly did their homework before using the Utah group!! Guys, becareful out there, the Utah group will use heavy tactics to get your cash………

  67. Look of i think armando is a great person and i just dont see why yall hateing on him. I mean really, to tell the truth i wouldent mind working for him…i would love to have his smarts on how to flip houses in like 20 days and my at least 30000 dollors…in 20 days i think thats amasing

  68. Odd that there is so much negativity about a guy who teaches you how to make money in a failed housing market on a small budget. While I agree that his methods would not work in places like California, New York and affluent cities. They do however work in 90% of America. I am from Michigan and jobs are non existent but the housing market for selling 80k-120k houses is still strong especially when you can buy them for 20k-60k put anywhere from 1k-15k and cash out in a month. Say what you will but I worked with a crew that flipped houses for 2 years making $17/hr. Now I run my own business and crew and on average make $40+/hr and net over 100k a year at 25. I do not take any shortcuts so I do not follow this course to the letter but there are many stumbling blocks that first time flippers run into and usually end up trying to get the money back by cutting workmanship and materials.

  69. Ya’all need to get past the hatred and realize that it’s only a tv show. You have no idea how scripted the show is or isn’t. It was never intended to teach you anything but as purely for entertainment. At least the Montelongos were interesting to watch unlike the Conn. team that puts you to sleep.

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