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 
• How partnership agreements can protect or hurt your 
• How to plan for early exits, forced removal, and loss of power

If you’ve ever thought about partnering up, whether though a syndication or something smaller… this one’s for you.

📌 Join the Solid Foundation Community

👩‍💼 Work with my law firm

Connect with Bonnie Galam on Social Media
🌍 Website/Blog - https://bonniegalam.com
📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bonniegalamesq⁩  
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bonniegalamesq 

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

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 fallout
• What to know about legally disinheriting someone
• When real estate becomes a burden, not a blessing
• Why “just leaving the kids the rentals” can backfire
• Proactive strategies to protect your legacy and your peace

If you’ve ever thought about passing down your real estate… or not passing it down… this one’s for you.

📌 Join the Solid Foundation Community

👩‍💼 Work with my law firm

Connect with Bonnie Galam on Social Media
🌍 Website/Blog - https://bonniegalam.com
📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bonniegalamesq⁩  
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bonniegalamesq 

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

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 deal with unexpected post-closing issues without sabotaging your deal
- The surprising value of neighborly relationships in commercial real estate

📺 Subscribe to my Youtube channel

👩‍💼 Work with my law firm

Connect with  Frankie D'Astoli on Social Media
🌍 Website - https://www.dwellsafenj.com/
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justin__eaton/
📺 YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@dwellsafeinspectionsengine903

Connect with Bonnie Galam on Social Media
🌍 Website/Blog - https://bonniegalam.com
📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bonniegalamesq⁩  
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bonniegalamesq 
📱TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniegalamesq 
💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniegalam 

⌚ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:12 Meet Justin: Client, Investor, Structural Engineer
01:00 Justin’s Real Estate Journey
02:00 The Killer Deal That Sparked the Story
03:20 How the Commercial Property Was Sourced
05:00 Sewer Trouble Begins
06:50 The Neighbor’s Discovery
08:00 No Survey, No Easement—Now What?
10:00 What Happens When a Pipe Runs Through Someone Else’s Basement
12:00 Legal Strategy and Rerouting Options
4:00 The Court Process and Final Settlement
16:00 Post-Lawsuit Surprise Call
17:40 Relationship with the Neighbor Today
18:30 Total Cost and Construction Headaches
20:00 County Road Permitting and Logistics
22:00 Tenant Impact and Timeline
23:00 Final Thoughts on Due Diligence
25:00 Bonnie’s Take on Legal Process and Lessons
27:00 Cash Reserves and Risk Management
28:00 Justin’s Real Estate Evolution
30:00 Transition into Laundromats
33:00 Favorite Asset Class?
36:00 Keeping the Growth Going
37:00 Book Recommendation: Am I Being Too Subtle?
38:30 Final Thoughts and Contact Info

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

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 housing
- The real cost of small mistakes in your rental systems

📺 Subscribe to my Youtube channel

👩‍💼 Work with my law firm

Connect with  Frankie D'Astoli on Social Media
🌍 Website - https://www.dastolisdojorei.com/
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/frankiedastoli_rei/
📺 YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@frankiedastoli

Connect with Bonnie Galam on Social Media
🌍 Website/Blog - https://bonniegalam.com
📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bonniegalamesq⁩  
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bonniegalamesq 
📱TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniegalamesq 
💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniegalam 

⌚ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:13 Meet Frankie Dulli
00:46 Frankie’s First BRRRR Deal with a Partner
01:30 Deal Numbers and the Refi Strategy
03:00 The Tenant That Changed Everything
04:36 Skipping the Screening Process
06:07 Major Sewer Line Backup
07:20 Emergency Permits, Porta-Potties, and Delays
08:38 $18K Bill and the Insurance Denial
10:01 What Caused the Pipe Crack?
11:13 Why Sewer Cams Are Now a Must
12:01 How It Destroyed the Tenant Relationship
13:06 Missed Rent and Growing Tensions
14:26 Filing for Eviction
15:20 In Court: Promises and Payment Plans
17:02 Temporary Resolution—Then More Problems
18:26 Neighbor Complaints and Weed
1

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

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 always worth the fight
- How to properly hire and vet virtual assistants

📺 Subscribe to my Youtube channel

👩‍💼 Work with my law firm

Connect with Bob Lachance on Social Media
🌍 Website - https://revaglobal.com/
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/revaglobalva/
🎥 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/trainedvirtualassistants
📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@REVAGlobalCareers

Connect with Bonnie Galam on Social Media
🌍 Website/Blog - https://bonniegalam.com
📺 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bonniegalamesq⁩  
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bonniegalamesq 
📱TikTok -  https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniegalamesq 
💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniegalam 

⌚ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:21 Meet Bob Lachance
01:12 The $150K Knockdown Rebuild Mistake
02:39 Why They Put Down a Non-Refundable Deposit
03:39 Legal Fees and Trying to Fight for the Money
04:59 Why They Walked Away from the Deal
06:10 Real Estate Lessons from Losing $150K
07:15 Blind Faith vs Due Diligence
08:13 Lessons About Vetting Partners
09:20 Structuring Deals to Avoid Legal Messes
10:40 RIA Groups and the Illusion of Credibility
11:58 Jacksonville Property Manager Horror Story
13:12 How They Discovered the Fraud
14:46 When Litigation Isn’t Worth It
15:54 Virtual Investing Risks and Tips
16:30 How Bob Got Started with Virtual Assistants
18:18 Tasks VAs Can Take Over for Real Estate Investors
20:01 How to Use a VA for Branding and Lead Gen
21:00 Common Mistakes Investors Make with VAs
22:05 Non-Competes, Moonlighting, and VA Red Flags
23:20 Final Advice for Risk-Averse Investors
24:26 The Power of Playing the Long Game
26:06 Don’t Wait for Perfect Timing Start Today
26:39 Where to Connect with Bob
26:50 Outro and Legal Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

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 rates, and construction chaos wrecked a development timeline
- Why aligning your project with city goals is the smartest move investors miss

📺 Subscribe to my Youtube channel

👩‍💼 Work with my law firm

Connect with Katie Neason on Social Media
🌍 Website/Blog - https://www.katieneason.com/
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katiedevelops/ 
🎥 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RenovationWranglers/ 

Connect with Bonnie Galam on Social Media
🌍 Website/Blog - https://www.bonniegalam.com
👩‍💼 My Firm - https://www.galamfirm.com 
📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bonniegalamesq 
📱TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniegalamesq 
💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniegalam 
🎥 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bonniegalamesq

⌚ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:45 Meet Katie Niss: Small-Scale Developer in Bryan, TX
03:15 Condo Fire Horror Story
08:30 Insurance Considerations After Property Damage
12:20 Transition from Low-Income Rentals to Development
16:40 Challenges in Development: Material Theft and Shortages
22:10 Impact of Rising Interest Rates on Projects
25:00 Implementing Site Security Measures
28:15 Building Relationships with Local Authorities
30:45 Aligning Development Projects with Community Needs
34:20 Book Recommendation: Main Street Millionaire by Codie Sanchez
36:10 Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect with Katie

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

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 better safety systems.
• The importance of vetting property managers and ensuring they follow crucial tenant screening procedures.
• What to look for when selecting a property manager to avoid costly mistakes.
• How networking played a critical role in John’s growth as a real estate investor.
• Why hands-on experience is invaluable, but knowing when to step back and scale with a team is key.

📩Connect with John Todderud:

Instagram
Linkedin

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

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 large capital expenditures.
• The importance of tenant communication and strategies to handle non-payment or evictions.
• How to deal with insurance claims and protect yourself legally as a real estate investor.
• The pros and cons of using LLCs for asset protection and how to decide what works best for your portfolio.
• Insights into walkable real estate, historic properties, and housing development controversies.

 📩Connect with Kaydee Smith Myers:

Instagram
Linkedin

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

(TW: Suicide) 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:

1. What to do if a serious crisis happens in one of your rental properties.
2. Why having strong systems and policies in place makes handling emergencies easier.
3. How to stay kind to others and take care of yourself in tough situations as a landlord.

 📩Connect with Sarah Weaver:

Website
Instagram
Twitter/X
Linkedin

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC

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 with tenants while protecting your property and other residents' interests
2. Effective strategies for transitioning inherited tenants to new property management systems and policies
3. Why maintaining professional distance through property management software and business practices is crucial, especially as a young or new landlord

📩Connect with Grace Gudenkauf:

• Instagram
• WIIRE Community
• Checklist 

DISCLAIMER: Although Bonnie is an attorney she doesn’t give legal advice without a dually signed engagement agreement. All episodes of House of Horrors are educational and informational only. The information discussed here isn’t legal advice and isn’t intended to be. The information you listen to here isn’t a substitute for seeking legal advice from your own attorney

© 2021-2025 Bonnie Galam LLC | All rights reserved | Any use of this intellectual property owned by Bonnie Galam LLC may not be used in connection with the sale or distribution of any content (free of paid, written or verbal), produce, and/or service by you without prior written consent from Bonnie Galam LLC