House of Horrors: The Legal Podcast For Real Estate Investors
Bonnie Galam
104 episodes
1 month ago
Zillow is facing a massive multi-state lawsuit after allegedly paying Redfin $100 million to exit the rental-advertising market — a move Attorneys General say could create a monopoly and drive up rental listing costs nationwide. In this episode, Bonnie breaks down what really happened, why the deal triggered antitrust alarms, and how this shift could raise your marketing costs, increase your vacancy risk, and squeeze investors from the top down. Whether you have two doors or two hundred, this...
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Zillow is facing a massive multi-state lawsuit after allegedly paying Redfin $100 million to exit the rental-advertising market — a move Attorneys General say could create a monopoly and drive up rental listing costs nationwide. In this episode, Bonnie breaks down what really happened, why the deal triggered antitrust alarms, and how this shift could raise your marketing costs, increase your vacancy risk, and squeeze investors from the top down. Whether you have two doors or two hundred, this...
Zillow is facing a massive multi-state lawsuit after allegedly paying Redfin $100 million to exit the rental-advertising market — a move Attorneys General say could create a monopoly and drive up rental listing costs nationwide. In this episode, Bonnie breaks down what really happened, why the deal triggered antitrust alarms, and how this shift could raise your marketing costs, increase your vacancy risk, and squeeze investors from the top down. Whether you have two doors or two hundred, this...
A $240 million luxury development in Hawaii, a world-famous baseball star, and a dream partnership that collapsed in chaos. In this episode, attorney Bonnie Galam breaks down how a high-profile real estate deal involving Shohei Ohtani spiraled into lawsuits and accusations of sabotage — and what every investor can learn from it. Whether your project is $240 million or $240,000, the same legal lessons apply. In this episode you'll learn: How star power can shift control of a deal overnight&nbs...
In this episode of House of Horrors, attorney Bonnie Galam dives into the jaw-dropping true story of billionaire real estate mogul Donald Bren, who publicly disowned his son with a cold, 12-word statement. But beyond the headlines, this episode explores a deeper truth: Sometimes, generational wealth isn’t the goal. Tune in as we unpack: The full backstory behind the Bren family falloutWhat to know about legally disinheriting someoneWhen real estate becomes a burden, not a blessingWhy “just le...
This one’s personal, Justin’s been a client of mine for years, and in this episode, we finally unpack the horror story we’ve been sitting on for two years. What started as a killer commercial deal turned into a sewer line lawsuit with a surprise twist… and a happy ending (yes, with beer). We talk due diligence, problem-solving under pressure, and lessons from navigating the unexpected. 👩🏫 In This Episode You'll Learn - Why your due diligence process needs to go beyond the checklist - How to ...
Frankie Dulli’s first deal with a partner looked like a textbook BRRRR win until the tenant moved in. From a cracked sewer line and a porta-potty in the backyard to unpaid rent, court dates, and an excuse involving kidnapping, this story has it all. If you’ve ever been tempted to skip a background check or sewer cam, let this episode stop you in your tracks. 👩🏫 In This Episode You'll Learn - Why tenant screening is non-negotiable - How to handle ongoing tenant drama without violating fair h...
This week on House of Horrors, I’m joined by Bob Lachance, a former pro hockey player turned investor who shares how he lost $150K on a knockdown rebuild in Greenwich, CT and what it taught him about trusting partners, doing due diligence, and not falling for “can’t-miss” deals. We also dive into a shady property management horror story and how Bob uses VAs to scale smart. 👩🏫 In This Episode You'll Learn - The hidden risks of joint ventures and handshake deals - Why legal costs aren’t alway...
A condo fire, stolen plywood, and insurance headaches this episode dives into the real-life horror stories behind small-scale development with Katie Neason. We talk about how she’s building a better Bryan, Texas while dodging disasters most investors never see coming. If you're thinking about stepping into development or scaling smart, this is a must-listen. In This Episode You'll Learn: - Why skipping an insurance claim might save you long-term headaches and cash - How material theft, rising...
In this episode of the House of Horrors podcast, attorney and host Bonnie Galam talks with John Todderud, a multifamily investor and syndicator, about a terrifying moment in his real estate journey—when he got a call that one of his properties was on fire. John shares how a simple cleaning mishap led to a fire scare, what he learned from the experience, and how it shaped the way he manages properties today. You’ll learn: How to safeguard your rental properties from fire hazards and implement ...
In this episode of the House of Horrors podcast, attorney and host Bonnie Galam talks with Kaydee Smith Myers, a former commercial real estate attorney turned part-time investor, about the challenges of real estate investing and how to navigate unexpected issues. Kaydee shares a series of unfortunate events she encountered in the past year, from tenant evictions and property damage to plumbing emergencies and insurance battles. You’ll learn: How to manage unexpected property maintenance and l...
In this episode of the House of Horrors podcast, attorney and host Bonnie Galam talks with Sarah Weaver, a real estate investor and coach, about a heartbreaking experience she faced as a landlord: a tenant’s suicide. Sarah shares how she handled the shocking news, worked with the police, and supported others who were affected by the tragedy.You’ll learn:What to do if a serious crisis happens in one of your rental properties.Why having strong systems and policies in place makes handling emerge...
In this episode of House of Horrors, attorney and host Bonnie Galam welcomes Grace Gudenkauf, co-founder of the WIIRE Community (Women Investing in Real Estate). Grace shares her wild first-time landlord experience managing inherited tenants in a duplex. From 3AM toilet emergencies to family drama, hoarding, and a tenant moving out one box at a time on his mobility scooter, this story showcases creative problem-solving in property management. You'll learn:1. How to balance being compassionate...
In this week's horror story, real estate attorney Bonnie Galam dives into the ever-increasing crime of listing fraud. Bonnie also shares an interesting professional dilemma for semi-professional real estate investors. You'll learn:1. 5 ways to protect your listing2. Red flags to look out for in rental listings3. The way scammers get rentals to fall for their scams📲 Join 5000+ real estate investors, click here to subscribe to my free weekly memo🎙️ Have a horror story to share? Click here to ap...
In this episode of the House of Horrors podcast, host and real estate attorney Bonnie Galam dives into the world of mortgage fraud. According to recent studies, a lot of investors and lenders are playing fast and furious with their loan applications. In this episode you'll learn about:A fistfight at a closingThe illegal actions Fannie and Freddie Mac say are running rampant in the investing communityWhat changes to commercial underwriting to expect to see in the future📲 Join 5000+ real ...
In this episode of the House of Horrors podcast, host Bonnie Galam delves into the fraudulent schemes of Theodore 'Teddy' Miller, the so-called 'Wolf of West Virginia' who got people to invest hundred of thousands into properties he didn't even own.In this episode you'll learn:To anticipate securities regulations when investing passivelyHow to conduct due diligence on passive investmentsRed flags in "too good to be true" investment opportunities📲 Join 5000+ real estate investors, click here t...
In this episode, real estate attorney Bonnie Galam recounts the harrowing tale of Herbert 'Herb' Whalen, a fraudulent property manager in Indianapolis. Learn how Whalen's web of deceit led to massive financial losses for investors and discover essential legal tips to safeguard your investments from similar scams. In this episode you'll learn:The trust but verify method of engaging a property managerPractical advice for vetting property managersLeaning in during the age of quiet quitting📲 Join...
In this episode of the House of Horrors podcast, host Bonnie Galam, dives into an in-depth discussion on a harrowing case of contractor fraud involving a contractor who defrauded multiple homeowners out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, turning their renovation dreams into nightmares. In this episode you'll learn:Practical advice for vetting contractorsThe importance of written contracts Avoiding large upfront paymentsKnowing when to escalate disputes to criminal proceedings📲 Join 500...
Would you buy a property that had a residential tenant with a 30 year lease? I suppose there's a price for everything. To know the price, you have to know what your dealing with. In this episode you'll learn:Listing strategy with an "undesirable" tenantLegal options when inheriting a tenantThe legal steps to evaluate a tenant-occupied property📲 Join 5000+ real estate investors, click here to subscribe to my free weekly memo🎙️ Have a horror story to share? Click here to apply to be a gues...
In this episode, real estate attorney Bonnie Galam discusses the legal implications of tenants having emotional support animals, specifically focusing on unusual case of an emotional support alligator. She explains the difference between service animals and emotional support animals, and how the Fair Housing Act and ADA apply to emotional support animals in rental properties. In this episode you'll learn:What kind of documentation can you request from a tenant with an unusual service ani...
In this episode, Bonnie Galam discusses a real estate horror story where a developer built a house on the wrong lot. In this episode you'll learn: The absurd reason why the wrong property got a new house on it The two types of legal mistakes How to avoid making an expensive mistake like this when dealing with contractors📲 Join 5000+ real estate investors, click here to subscribe to my free weekly memo🎙️ Have a horror story to share? Click here to apply to be a guest...
You heard the buzz about WY, NY, DE LLCs, but what's the real deal with them? Let's pull back the curtain and reveal the truth about how these "special" LLCs actually work. 👻 Plus, you'll hear a horror story about shootings in AirBnBs.In this episode you'll learn:The three ways WY, NY, & DE LLCs *are* differentWhat these differences practically mean in terms of asset protectionWhat (if any) asset protection you NEED📲 Join 5000+ real estate investors, click here to subscribe to my free wee...
House of Horrors: The Legal Podcast For Real Estate Investors
Zillow is facing a massive multi-state lawsuit after allegedly paying Redfin $100 million to exit the rental-advertising market — a move Attorneys General say could create a monopoly and drive up rental listing costs nationwide. In this episode, Bonnie breaks down what really happened, why the deal triggered antitrust alarms, and how this shift could raise your marketing costs, increase your vacancy risk, and squeeze investors from the top down. Whether you have two doors or two hundred, this...
