Lessons From Auction Mistakes with Tommy Loretz | Episode 37
Feb 13, 2025
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Tommy Loretz, a licensed real estate broker from California, shares his eye-opening experiences with real estate auctions. He recounts nightmare deals, including an unexpected garage purchase that was supposed to be a home. Misunderstandings about property parcels led to costly mistakes, altering Tommy's investment strategies. Through engaging anecdotes, he highlights the critical need for thorough research and local knowledge. Tommy also discusses innovative solutions for dealing with squatters and emphasizes building a strong network in the real estate market.
Thorough research and understanding of the auction process are critical to avoid costly miscommunications and unexpected property issues.
Learning from past mistakes in property acquisitions can significantly enhance decision-making and reduce financial burdens for future investors.
Deep dives
The Reality of Auction Purchases
Purchasing properties at auction can come with unexpected challenges, as demonstrated by experiences with foreclosure and tax sale auctions. One notable instance involved buying parcels that the buyer believed included a house, only to discover they had acquired a garage and a side yard instead. This misidentification stemmed from miscommunication within the county, where parcels were mistakenly split into separate auctions. Such scenarios highlight the importance of thorough research and understanding the auction process to avoid being misled about what is actually being purchased.
Unexpected Costs and Consequences
Participants in property auctions often face unforeseen financial burdens due to issues that surface after the purchase. One case involved a property where flooding occurred shortly after acquisition, resulting in expensive repairs for damages. Another buyer experienced the unfortunate reality of acquiring a lot where the building had been demolished by the city, rendering the purchase largely worthless. These examples illustrate the risks involved in buying properties sight unseen and the necessity for due diligence before placing bids.
Learning from Mistakes
Mistakes in property acquisitions can serve as valuable lessons for future endeavors in real estate investing. Buyers have discovered that failure to conduct proper inspections or gather sufficient information can lead to costly and frustrating situations. For instance, inexperienced bidders may neglect to verify the condition of properties, resulting in purchases that require significant rehabilitation or complete demolition. By acknowledging and learning from these missteps, investors can enhance their decision-making processes and become more successful in navigating property auctions.
Strategies for Success in Auction Investing
To succeed in property auctions, new investors are advised to start small and gradually increase their involvement as they gain experience. It is crucial to avoid investing all capital into one deal and instead explore multiple properties to diversify risk. Practical strategies include utilizing local inspection services to obtain on-the-ground assessments of properties prior to bidding. This approach not only mitigates risks but also builds confidence, allowing investors to move forward with informed decisions while minimizing the likelihood of repeating past mistakes.
In this episode of the David Greene Show, host David Greene and guest Tommy Loretz discuss the challenges and lessons learned from real estate auctions, particularly focusing on nightmare deals. Tommy shares his experiences with multiple properties he acquired through auctions, detailing the unexpected issues he faced, including miscommunication about property parcels, flooding, squatters, and properties that had been demolished. The conversation emphasizes the importance of thorough research, understanding the auction process, and learning from mistakes in real estate investing. 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 Real Estate Investing 02:06 Nightmare Deals: The Cleveland Garage Incident 21:00 Lessons from Multiple Auction Properties
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