Lessons From Failed Flips with Tedman Cheng | Episode 36
Feb 6, 2025
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Tedman Chang, a real estate flipper based in Austin, shares his tough lessons from challenging property flips. He discusses navigating tricky market conditions and the pitfalls of contractor relationships. Tedman reflects on the emotional toll of investing, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a steady income during transitions. He highlights the complexities of renovations and the need for thorough market analysis to avoid costly mistakes, offering encouragement for others facing similar hurdles in their real estate journeys.
Understanding market dynamics and broader economic indicators is essential to avoid pitfalls in real estate investment decisions.
Thoroughly vetting contractors and having contingency plans are crucial to mitigate risks associated with renovation projects in real estate.
Deep dives
Lessons from Failed Flips
Real estate investments can be fraught with risks, as illustrated by the experiences of a flipper who encountered multiple challenges in his projects. One significant issue arose when the initial projected sale price of a flipped property was based solely on comparable sales data, without considering underlying market dynamics. Prices dropped significantly after listing, primarily due to rising interest rates and increased inventory from competing listings. This highlights the importance of not only trusting the numbers but also understanding the factors that influence them in a changing market.
Impact of Market Fluctuations
Market conditions can drastically affect the outcome of property sales, particularly in areas like Austin that experienced a surge in popularity during the pandemic. As remote work opportunities attracted many buyers to the region, the subsequent shift back to office commuting caused demand to wane, resulting in stagnant listings. The increase in active listings during this period created additional competition, meaning that properties that were initially desirable could become less attractive over time. This reinforces the idea that market timing and awareness of broader economic indicators are critical for successful real estate investments.
Challenges with Contractors
The flipper faced serious setbacks due to unreliable contractors, illustrating the potential pitfalls in hiring for renovation projects. A primary contractor abruptly left a project, leaving jobs unfinished and leading to permitting issues that delayed progress significantly. The time spent resolving these problems ultimately extended the rehab timeline and increased costs beyond initial estimates. This highlights the importance of not only vetting contractors thoroughly but also having contingency plans in place to manage unexpected disruptions.
Navigating Stress and Uncertainty
Dealing with the complexities of real estate investing can be mentally taxing, especially in times of market uncertainty and project difficulties. The investor shared feelings of stress and concern over the potential financial implications for himself and his partner as their situation evolved. Despite these challenges, there was a recognition that maintaining a steady income from a W-2 job provided a crucial safety net during turbulent times. This experience underscores the value of having financial stability while pursuing real estate ventures, allowing investors to navigate the highs and lows more effectively.
In this episode of the David Greene Show, Tedman Cheng shares his experiences with two challenging real estate flips. The conversation delves into the lessons learned from mistakes made during the investment process, including market analysis, contractor issues, and the importance of maintaining a steady income while investing. Tedman emphasizes the need for awareness of market conditions and the emotional toll of real estate investing, offering encouragement to those facing similar challenges. Podcast-The David Greene Show Spotify, Apple Podcasts Book a session with David: Help@DavidGreene24.com Ask a Question: DavidGreene24.com/ask Find me on the “minnect” app Real Estate University: SpartanLeague.com Join my Free Newsletter: Davidgreene24.com/textletter Finance Your Real Estate TheOneBrokerage.com Intake@TheOneBrokerage @theonebrokerage Free Textletter DavidGreene24.com/join STR Management STR@DavidGreene24.com Investor Retreat DavidGreene24.com/retreat Subscribe to The David Greene Show! Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-david-greene-show/id1755485708 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Nu6kCJTVzM2x2WsujqBOZ Submit your question for David: https://davidgreene24.com/ask Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nightmare Deals 02:51 Tedman's Background and First Flip 05:44 Challenges Faced in the First Flip 12:06 Lessons Learned from the First Flip 15:00 The Second Flip: New Challenges 21:08 Navigating City Permits and Contractor Issues 24:51 Reflections on W-2 Jobs and Real Estate Investing 29:48 Market Sensitivity and Future Outlook 34:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement real estate, flipping houses, investment mistakes, market analysis, contractor issues, financial stability, Austin real estate, property rehab, lessons learned, real estate investing
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