MyFox
 

DaleRussell's Blog

by DaleRussell from Let's Be Real

Last Post 1 day, 1 hour Ago


More on Sam Leccima and Flip This House
May 14, 2007 | 4:09 PM
Category: News
Report This Post

This post has been edited by an administrator

If you enjoyed our  behind the scenes look at Sam Leccima on Flip This House, you may want to check out the following websites and bogs that delve into the world of reality TV.

I’d start with http://www.flipthislawsuit.com/. 

It is an amazing blog, written by third year law student Mark Lyon.  He follows a lawsuit by the developer, Richard Davis, who claims to be the man who created the Flip This House concept.

From there, I’d check out all of the following links for information on Flip This House or any other reality TV show you might enjoy.

 

Television Without Pity: 

 http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?
showtopic=3128626

The Real Deal (Richard Davis’ new show) http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?show
topic=3152573

IMDB   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0476041/

 The Real Deal - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0891422/

 Random Blogs: http://deliciouslocutions.blogspot.com/2007/05/flip-my
-heart.html

 http://www.popcasa.com/blog/?p=24

 http://lauraaxelrod.typepad.com/gasp/2007/04/42107
_the_real_.html 

 http://www.technorati.com/search/http://www.flipth
islawsuit.com/

You can also read about Sam Leccima on a variety of websites. Here are some I found:

www.ripoffreport.com/view.asp?id=224287

http://westsideatlanta.blogspot.com/

http://www.atlanta.bbb.org/commonreport.html?compid
=3003073

 

103 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 103
Page 1 of 6
1
2
3
 Last
TC2007
May 14, 2007 | 7:24 PM

I just wanted to know whether or not Angie was under investigation, because of her being the Realtor that claimed to have found the properties and sold them to the buyers?
ab5990109566
May 14, 2007 | 9:03 PM

I think it is funny how Dale Russell completely missed the story here... This is a story of mortgage fraud through "cash-out refinancing". Sam sells the homes (on behalf of his hard money lender Bluefield) to Buyers that promptly refinance the properties with bogus appraisals and pull all the cash out of them. Then they let the mortgage companies foreclose on them. Mortgage fraud is number one in Atlanta in the country and Dale completely missed this angle.
DaleRussell read my blog view my photos
May 14, 2007 | 9:11 PM

Not so fast ab...we go to air with the facts that we can prove. I am fully aware of the "cash-out refinancing" game and in fact did some of the first stories in the Atlanta market on the mortgage fraud scam you write about. Sam never sold these homes. He never owned them. This is a little different. These owners are desperate to sell and cut their losses. You are right about the mortage problem in Atlanta. It is a huge nigthmare.
ATLA
May 14, 2007 | 9:16 PM

You seriously need to talk to Angie and the others that are directly responsible for the transactions. It sounds like someone is upset at Sam and is pinning everything on him!
DaleRussell read my blog view my photos
May 14, 2007 | 9:20 PM

We hope to talk with Angie soon. As soon as we do we'll let you know. Keep your eye on the blog - I'll keep you up to date.
ab5990109566
May 14, 2007 | 9:21 PM

Sam didn't own the properties because his hard money lender (Bluefield) wanted to retain ownership. Sam doesn't renovate homes to look good on T.V., he renovates them to move them on to a new Buyer. Bluefield has had to foreclose on some ridiculously high loans in recent months. If Fulton County recorded it's deeds a little faster, you would see that Bluefield is conveying these properties to the next buyer with "owner financing" at inflated prices (with cash rebates) just long enough to get around the traditional mortgage companies' "seasoning" requirements at which point the "Buyer" can refinance the property and let it go back to the lender.
DaleRussell read my blog view my photos
May 14, 2007 | 9:23 PM

ab,
Seems like we need to talk. Why don't you email me at dale.russell@foxtv.com
I can keep it confidential.
ATLA
May 14, 2007 | 9:32 PM

You also need to think about moving 200 houses a year! It is impossible to satisfy everyone. When people invest money, there is a risk of losing it. That's why it's called investing! But, look at how many people have positively benefited; without a doubt more than those that are whining.
atlrazr2007
May 14, 2007 | 9:55 PM

I know Angie both personally and professionally, and all I can say are positive things about her. She is a hard worker, is extremely communicative, and remember that the real estate agent has nothing to do with the whole matter... the rule of "buyer beware" serves as the primary rule in real estate transactions; the buyer ultimately bears the liability.
Cozumel
May 14, 2007 | 10:26 PM

atlrazr2007,

Hogwash. So you're asking me not to believe my lying eyes? Angie was up to her eyeballs in this phony 'reality' show.
Tvshooter
May 14, 2007 | 10:52 PM

Angie's houses haven't sold either...Cherokee st house still for sale,listed with a different realtor.
As for Sam...he's right.It's a TV show and the producers were as responsible if not more for the way the show turned out.Complicit would be the word.
The producers knew exactly what was going on,and betcha they even had a hand in how things were done.
I watched all the FTH Atlanta shows,and never once thought there was anything resembling quality work.
I will say though,Sam and his cast were entertaining,which was the whole point of the show....not to advise,endorse,or teach real estate.Saying they sold a house,made money,or did work....never once in the show do they swear,sign affidavits or even say that it's all true.
The production company has no obligation to present the "truth"....only present a show that draws viewers.
No laws were broken by presenting fake sales,transactions or repairs.Doesn't mean that all the deals were legit,but as far as the show's presentation....."it's a tv show"
Sam should get a shirt with that on the front!
All in all though,it's a great look at what is presented as "reality" when in fact those shows....all of them...are heavily scripted.After all,why is a producer hiring landscapers if it's "real"?
Nice story Dale....now go solve the Jake Horton case. :)
jasonthegreat
May 14, 2007 | 11:01 PM

After watching the Atlanta version once, both Sams and Angies, I will not waste my time again. Angie and her husband are a joke, the guy knows nothing about construction.Angie acts like she's in charge or whatever but in the end the guys with the money have to come out and save the project. Of all the people in Atlanta doing this, we get them! I wouldn't expect anything less. Like when you watch the news and they take the most unlikely people and put them on T.V., not the smart well dressed or seemingly intelligent ones.
Cozumel
May 14, 2007 | 11:02 PM

Tvshooter,

I don't have a problem with 'scripted' to an extent. But not when it includes the buy, renovation, and sell price. Potential and current real estate 'flippers' watch these shows and we've been duped in this instance
DaleRussell read my blog view my photos
May 14, 2007 | 11:02 PM

Love the t-shirt idea. If they ever make it to the market, I'm in.
Cozumel
May 14, 2007 | 11:10 PM

Great piece, Dale! We need to get you down to San Antonio, STAT! ; )
DaleRussell read my blog view my photos
May 14, 2007 | 11:15 PM

Cozumel,

I'm always up for a road trip. Call my boss and tell him to send me! I'd love to look into their house auctions!
Tvshooter
May 14, 2007 | 11:17 PM

Coz,
Anyone investing in real estate that watches this show,these "flippers" and thinks,"oh this is what I should do" is in for a little of what I call "thinning the herd".
Real estate is not a field for broke people,and this is not a show that purports to show how flipping is done.
It's a character driven show,designed to get eyeballs to stare at the train wreck developing on screen,then at the last minute,victory is snatched from the jaws of defeat.
For that matter,they could have used actors(and looks as if at one point they did) to do the whole show.
tbone6812
May 14, 2007 | 11:20 PM

Yes, I am sure Angie is in on it and that is true her husband is a joke and neither of them know what they are doing. I am sure they are getting a good payday out of the show. NOt real estate. This is against real estate commision policy/law and she should have her license terminated also. This is fraud!!!
TnT2424
May 14, 2007 | 11:22 PM

Ab,
can you expand on the mortgage fraud aspect, i find that way more interesting than the reality tv angle. how is it working if Sam is never actually owning the property?
User_X
May 14, 2007 | 11:23 PM

I saw one of the first episodes of FTH with Sam, and I was suckered right in. I work on the finance side of Real Estate and see this day after day in Atlanta. Developers like Sam who claims to be investing in the community under false pretenses. In they end they leave abandoned homes, a long trail of foreclosures.
I met Sam around of the first of the year, and told him I had seen the show and expressed to him how happy I was to see a developer seriously working honestly, and professionally. I was repeatedly invited to several engagements with Sam, his wife and his company. I am so glad that I never took the business and networking opportunity further. I realize now that it was only to make use of my inside knowledge of Mortgage finance.
I always tell people involved in real estate to use caution when making new business contacts because of people like Sam. I see now that I need to take my own advice.



PS The real estate agent Angie is in on it too, in order for these flips to work, everyone from the loan processor to the Appraiser has to be on the same page
Page 1 of 6
1
2
3
 Last


Write your comment below:




DaleRussell

OK,since we are looking at Reality TV, then let's be real. I've been an investigative reporter in Atlanta since 1981. I rarely wear a jacket. Too hot. I love chasing crooked politicians. I hate surveillance stories. Too hot in the van. (See picture) My desk is a mess. I don't smoke. I do drink. I have a politically incorrect sense of humor and a little problem with authority. (I'm working on that) And, I never get my expense reports in on time.

Member Since: 2/14/2007


 

View All Photos


RSS: XMLWhat is RSS?