House of Horrors: The Legal Podcast For Real Estate Investors

Bonnie Galam
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Are you a real estate investor who wants to make sure your investments are a blessing not a curse? The House of Horrors Podcast can help you protect your properties without losing your sanity. Learn from lawyer and landlord, Bonnie Galam, as she breaks down real estate horror stories so you can avoid them and to help you build a solid foundation for your portfolio. In her straightforward way, Bonnie offers a mix of actionable steps to help you grow and tough love she knows you need to hear to check yourself before you wreck yourself. Find out more at bonniegalam.com/podcast

  1. 12/01/2025

    103. Zillow's Rental Monopoly Meltdown

    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 is a must-listen. In this episode you'll learn:  Why relying on a single listing platform puts your business at riskHow to diversify your advertising strategy before prices changeWhat KPIs to track to detect rising vacancy costs earlyRESOURCES: Get Bonnie's free weekly newsletter, The Weekly MemoClick here to watch the free legal workshop to legally protect yourself now!CONNECT: Bonnie on InstagramBonnie on FacebookBonnie on YouTubeBonnie's Law Firm, The Galam Firm 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

    14 min

  2. 10/24/2025

    102. Shohei Ohtani Luxury Syndication Gone Sideways

    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 powerIf 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

    14 min

  3. 10/17/2025

    101. The Real Estate Billionaire That Just Disowned His Heir

    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 leaving the kids the rentals” can backfireProactive strategies to protect your legacy and your peaceIf 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

    13 min

  4. 04/24/2025

    100. Post-Closing Title Surprise with Justin Eaton

    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

    41 min

  5. 04/17/2025

    99. BRRRR Gone Bad with Frankie D'Astoli

    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

    31 min

  6. 04/10/2025

    98. Lost 6 Figure Deposit with Bob LaChance

    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

    27 min

  7. 04/03/2025

    97. Development Disaster with Katie Neason

    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

    38 min

  8. 03/03/2025

    96. Protection through Property Management with John Todderud

    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

    25 min
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5
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Are you a real estate investor who wants to make sure your investments are a blessing not a curse? The House of Horrors Podcast can help you protect your properties without losing your sanity. Learn from lawyer and landlord, Bonnie Galam, as she breaks down real estate horror stories so you can avoid them and to help you build a solid foundation for your portfolio. In her straightforward way, Bonnie offers a mix of actionable steps to help you grow and tough love she knows you need to hear to check yourself before you wreck yourself. Find out more at bonniegalam.com/podcast

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