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All Forum Posts by: Gee Williams

Gee Williams has started 4 posts and replied 21 times.

Post: I made the ONE rookie mistake I tried to avoid!

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7
Quote from @John Morgan:

@Gee Williams

If his communication with you is good, I’d wait a couple more weeks. But it sounds like he’s ghosting you on purpose, so I’d cut my losses and move on. This happens all the time in this biz. Just the way it is and hard to find decent contractors that won’t rip you off. This is why I always over pay my guy when in doubt. Time is money and I want my rehabs done quickly so I can rent it out and start making money off it. So when you find someone half decent, pay them well and don’t micro manage them like many of us cheap investors do. Lol


 LOL!!! I love this advice. Communication USED to be good but crickets this last month. So I think we need to cut our losses and move on. Praying that we find a good contractor to help us finish this project so we can be whole again.

Post: I made the ONE rookie mistake I tried to avoid!

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7
Quote from @Ray Hage:

@Gee Williams Sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, you will probably have to chalk it up to a learning lesson that cost you a few thousand dollars. It is not your fault that his mother has cancer or that he ghosted because of it. He could have always given back the money and quit the job (also terrible but not as bad). It is clearly an issue with morals imo. I would keep his tools and move on to find a contractor to finish up the work. Regarding getting your money back. If you can find him again, it would be worth suing and if he has assets, you can have a lien on them (I doubt he has any big money just sitting around)


 Thanks so much for the advice. I have been sick to the stomach about this...but I have heard this is more common than not. Very expensive lesson to learn, but at the end of the day, I need to get this house rehabbed and sold ASAP! 

Post: I made the ONE rookie mistake I tried to avoid!

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7
Quote from @Chris Seveney:

@Gee Williams

Is he licensed?

Do you have an executed contract?

If he is licensed you can file a complaint with the licensing board

Otherwise chalk this up as a lesson learned to hire licensed contractors and never ever pay cash.


 Yes, he is licensed. I will definitely look into reporting him to the board. Did not even know we could do that. Thanks for the advice! My husband loves paying for things in cash....so will definitely pass that message on to him for future reference. Thanks so much!

Post: I made the ONE rookie mistake I tried to avoid!

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7
Quote from @David M.:

@Gee Williams

So, this is Mar to July?  about 4 months since you started?  But, you say last bit of work was 1mo?  I would seriously cut your losses and move one.  While a sickness in the family is an extreme toll, Its still possible within a month to do the right thing and send some sort of short message to you, especially nowadays.

If he shows backup.. he should be ameniable to working out something, and understand that you had to move on since its been 1+ months since he has heard from you.  

Unfortunately, these things do happen.  You need to keep driving on and not wait for the "cows to come home."  Even if came back, you still really want him on your job?

Good luck.


 Yes, he has been on the job for 4 months but very little work done. AGREED, do not want to continue to work with someone who cannot even return a phone call, text, or email! I appreciate your inout. 

Post: I made the ONE rookie mistake I tried to avoid!

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7

My husband and I purchased our first flip in March after MONTHS of analysis, reading books, sitting in on master classes, watching podcasts, etc. I got the financing, used the BP calculators and finally purchased foreclosed home. We interviewed 3 contractors and decided to go with the contractor that provided references, and my husband actually knew him outside of RE. The first month went great. We paid for the materials up front and would pay a weekly draw every week after examining his work. However, in that first month some things came up that resulted in a change order. And he wanted change order money upfront! My husband gave him $5k in cash and now he has ghosted us! We have been calling, texting, emailing, etc. It has now been 1 month with no activity on the house, alhough he does still have his generator , dumpster, and other items in the house. We paid cash for the home by using a HELOC from our primary residence. I have now had to start paying the interest on the loan for a gutted house. The contract stated that the house was supposed to be completed by end of May. We are now in July. I will be happy if we can get the 8300 of supplies we paid for upfront and cut our losses. My husband wants to give him the benefit of the doubt and believes he will show back up and finish the house, because he did let us know his mom has cancer and is in hospice....I'm so frustrated and stressed out! I need advice from some experienced flippers: Should we cut our losses and move on with another contractor or should we wait another month or so and see if the contractor shows up?

Post: Challenges building team as a Real Estate Rookie

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7
Quote @Bob S.:

We do not give up our team members. This is our livelihood, not a part time gig .  I have 30 guys, and am always asked to provide their info, not going to happen. You want something done; it all goes through me. I do about 150k a month in reno/ repairs. Good contractors are like gold,

All the best 

@Bob S. - Understood. I certainly need to change my thought process and develop thick skin and not take it personal! Praying that I come across an amazing GC sooner rather than later so we can start growing our biz too! 

Post: Challenges building team as a Real Estate Rookie

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7
Quote from :

Hi @Gee Williams

It isn't uncommon for investors to not want to share their GCs information. If you are flipping at scale, losing a GC to another investor or just losing them in general can greatly impact their business. Good GCs are hard to come by in today's market, so it isn't shocking to read this. I wouldn't interpret it as selfish, they are just protecting their livelihood. I would try and JV on a deal with them and get the GCs info that way. That way you are bringing value too.

 Hi @Mark Munson - Thanks for the reply. This is all new to me. Coming from Corporate America where we collab on all things...it was a real shock to not get the requested info. Thanks for letting me see the investor's perspective on sharing resources.  I appreciate the suggested approach as well. GREAT INFO!

Post: Challenges building team as a Real Estate Rookie

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7

Hello All - I am a real estate rookie. I am on the tail end of finishing up my first flip that started in March. I have experienced some issues with our contractor, which I am becoming aware that contractor issues are more common than not. I recently read Bigger Pockets "How to Invest In Real Estate" and I listen to David Greene's podcast at least 2x a week. So I have been working on the task of building "My Team" as I plan to purchase 2 more properties to flip by the end of the year. I came across this investor that bragged about how good "their" contractor was. So I asked for their contact information. The investor stated that the contractor is "WAY TOO BUSY" on their projects so could not share their information. I was taken back from their response, because 1) I just asked for the contact information. I don't even have a job for the contractor to work on at this very moment  and 2) I  felt it was a very selfish response. Like my single email to contact the contractor would take away form the investor's project...so is this a typical reaction I should expect from seasoned investors, they like to hoard all of "their" team members? Or is there a more politically correct way for me to request contact information so I can network and build my team as I scale? Any guidance is appreciated!

Post: Contractor needed in Mobile

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7
Quote from @Julie Cooper:
Quote from @Gee Williams:
Hi Julie! My husband and I live in the Mobile area and purchased our first flip here. The contractor we selected has been challenging! He was supposed to be done yesterday and just told us he needs 6 more weeks! We are looking at purchasing another home that needs some work. Sounds like you are having a better experience remotely! Any contractor referrals you can provide is appreciated!

Understood. Good luck with your flips!!! Its definitely been a great process for learning. 

Gee, 
Congrats on your first flip! I will keep my ear out for other contractors. Ours is already stretched thin. He is doing two for us and is also working on some bigger projects. 

Good luck! Maybe we will cross paths!  


Post: Contractor needed in Mobile

Gee WilliamsPosted
  • New to Real Estate
  • Spanish Fort, AL
  • Posts 22
  • Votes 7
Quote from @Julie Cooper:

@Dylan Thomas Thanks for checking on me. Yes, I found a contractor! We finished that one and are almost finished with our second one. Just out of curiosity, do you happen to have any contacts for lenders for small mortgages? We were lowballed on our appraisal and I’m struggling to find a lender. 

Hi Julie! My husband and I live in the Mobile area and purchased our first flip here. The contractor we selected has been challenging! He was supposed to be done yesterday and just told us he needs 6 more weeks! We are looking at purchasing another home that needs some work. Sounds like you are having a better experience remotely! Any contractor referrals you can provide is appreciated!
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