Real Estate Renovation – What We Learned The Hard Way (And How We Turned Lemons Into Lemonade)

barad_zrien
Barad Zrien June 4
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Here’s a real story from one of our recent projects in Fort Worth, TX – more specifically, the Saginaw neighborhood.

It taught us one of the most painful (but important) lessons in real estate:

The team you choose can make or break the deal.

✅ The Deal Looked Great…

  • Strong numbers

  • Good comps

  • Rehab scheduled for 4–5 months

  • We were confident and ready to go

But there were two key mistakes we made at the start:

  1. We didn’t fully plan for all the permits and code requirements from the county

  2. We chose the wrong contractor – unprofessional and not experienced enough to handle the project

And then…
A neighbor called the county, and inspectors showed up.

They issued a stop-work order on the front door.

🚧 From Project to Problem

  • The inspector required us to tear down a bedroom addition that wasn’t up to code

  • We had to submit full architectural plans and re-apply for permits

  • Timeline? Crushed. Budget? Bleeding. Momentum? Gone.

But here’s where thinking creatively helped us turn the tide:

🧠 Thinking Like Entrepreneurs

If we had to tear it down and rebuild, why not upgrade?

We hired an architect, redesigned the layout, and got approval from the county to expand the home by 300 sqft!

We followed all the rules and did it right.

The result?
A larger, upgraded property with far better value – both for rental or resale.

🔻 But Then Came the Real Setback…

Our original contractor simply couldn’t handle the pressure from the county.

  • He failed inspections

  • Missed deadlines

  • Couldn’t meet the city’s evolving demands

  • Rehab costs kept ballooning

  • Interest payments, taxes, delays — the holding costs added up fast

Eventually, we realized:

This isn’t working. We need to cut losses and change course.

So, we replaced him with a pro we trust — someone who’s already delivered results on other deals with us.

Immediately, everything shifted:

  • County inspectors respected the new contractor

  • Inspections passed smoothly

  • Work resumed at a solid pace

  • We regained control of the project

🎯 The Big Lesson:

Don’t cut corners on contractors or partners.

It might cost more upfront — but it saves you time, stress, and real money down the line.

🏘️ Thinking About Flipping or BRRRR Deals?

I’ve seen plenty of what can go wrong, but also how to bounce back better.

If you want to partner on a deal or just learn how to avoid costly mistakes — let’s connect.

Drop a comment, share this post, or send me a message — always happy to help or collaborate based on real experience.

Categories: Entrepreneur of the Week – English
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