Hammerhead Capital Inc.
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January 2026 Newsletter - Hammerhead Capital Inc.

January 2026 Newsletter - Hammerhead Capital Inc.

Thank you for following along as we continue to grow and invest with purpose. Hammerhead Capital, founded by Wendell Butler, is a diversified real estate holding company focused on value-add opportunities across multifamily, fix-and-flips, land development, rentals, new construction, lending, and wholesaling. Our portfolio includes 45+ units across MA, NC, and SC, with multiple active projects underway. Hammerhead Capital is the sole owner of Flip Fuel Lending LLC and a part owner of Tide & Timber Ventures LLC, both fueling our mission to build long-term value through strategic, numbers-driven investments. We appreciate your continued support as we scale with discipline and purpose.

Wendell Butler
January 05, 2026

Hammerhead Capital Activity

NEW DEALS IN THE PIPELINE

In December, we submitted around 10+ offers and did not get any deals under contract, which is rare for us, but intentional as we shift focus toward tightening systems and preparing for a major scale up in 2026. We are still in negotiations with a few new deals, so stay tuned if those come around before the end of the year! Flip Fuel Lending has multiple loans recently funded and brought on a few new loan officers to help handle the growing demand. Tide and Timber Ventures hired a new transaction coordinator who is currently onboarding and we are now searching for a deal analyst to support our acquisition goals. I also hired a social media manager to revamp my personal brand and elevate the visibility of all the businesses. Across everything we are building, we now have ten employees, with more positions still open as we continue strengthening our foundation. The Charlotte market is competitive, but we are staying disciplined and focused on building the structure that will let us move faster and execute at a higher level heading into the new year.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Land Assignment Deal for Sale!

Our cold calling team locked up a strong waterfront land opportunity on Lake Wylie in Belmont, NC. The lot is build-ready in a custom home community with ARVs exceeding $1M. The perc test is back and came back good to go for a 3–4 bedroom home, significantly strengthening the deal. The price is now starting at $100,000 reflecting the cleared perc and increased certainty. We are preparing to bring this back out to buyers shortly.

If you want details on 8116 Bayview Ln, Belmont, NC, reach out before it goes live again.

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Mint Hill, NC Fix and Flip Listing Soon!

Our Mint Hill, NC fix-and-flip is officially complete and turned out great. With the new year here, we are preparing to list the property ASAP. The appraisal came in at $345,000, and our $52,000 renovation budget finished well under the original projection, pushing expected profit to over $80,000.

The project was fully funded by our passive private investors, and we are excited to bring this one to market and execute the exit. Keep a lookout for the listing photos!

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Charlotte, NC Fix and Flip and New Construction Underway!

We recently picked up a “two for one” project in Charlotte, a fix and flip plus a new build. What started as a $120,000 projected profit turned into a challenge with foundation issues, septic surprises, grading hurdles, and even driveway drama.

We’ve officially nicknamed it “Break Even,” because real estate has a way of keeping you humble. The good news is we have fixed the foundation and completed as many cosmetic updates as possible while addressing those issues. Now we’re full steam ahead to finish the renovation and get the cosmetic improvements rocking. On the new build side, we are officially approved to build, permits are secured, and we’re excited to see the home go up quickly. This project is fully funded, and we’re grateful to our passive investor partners for their continued trust and support. Every challenge brings a lesson, and we’re focused on finishing strong and delivering results.

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Charlotte, NC New Development Listing Soon!

This new build is officially complete and we are just waiting on the electrical provider to connect service. Once power is live, we will be listing ASAP. With an all-in cost of around $260,000 and an ARV north of $380,000, the deal remains very strong. The land was owned free and clear and refinanced into a construction loan to bring in outside capital.

This project is fully funded by our passive investor partners, and we are excited to bring it to market. Keep an eye out for the listing photos!

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Charlotte, NC Airbnb Going Live!

Our new house hack renovation is complete, with the property fully furnished and ready to go. We are just waiting on the installation of a hot tub, and then it will be going live in the new year. Once launched, we’ll have the Airbnb fully operational and generating returns.

This property is especially compelling because once we move out, both units can be rented, significantly increasing cash flow potential. We’re confident this will be a standout Airbnb and will be sharing the listing and before-and-after photos soon.

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Charlton, MA Multifamily - One Building Sold Second One Refinancing!

Two months ago, we sold the first building in our 7 unit property in Charlton, MA. After the second building fell out of contract, we decided to change direction and refinance instead of re-listing. With the refinance, all investor capital will be returned, and we will pull out around 25,000 dollars in pure profit with zero money left in the deal.

From there, we will hold the property long term. It will cash flow, the commercial space will stay rented, and we get to benefit from future appreciation. A true win win: profit back to us now, and a strong rental asset producing income for years to come.

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New Rock Hill, SC Fix and Flip Listed!

This flip is now complete and officially listed. The project went smoothly from start to finish, and here is a before and after video: Click here to view before and after video!

We acquired the property for 183,000 dollars, invested about 100,000 dollars into renovations, and are targeting a sale of $369,900. The deal is fully funded, and we are grateful to our passive investor partners for helping bring this project to life. Check out the listing here: Click here to view listing

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32 Unit in Lancaster, SC

The refinance is complete with a 5.75% rate on a 30-year term and a $140,000 cash-out, boosting cash flow and bringing all preferred returns current. Distributions began in March 2025 with projected returns of 8–10%. Since we haven’t received an offer that meets our target after listing at $2.7 million, we’ve decided to hold and continue stabilizing.

We plan to raise rents, add water and sewer back billing, partner with a nonprofit to cut taxes by over half, and work to remove flood insurance. If all is successful, investor passive cashflow returns could exceed 15%, far above our initial projections from rent collections. This strategy could also increase the property’s value by over $600,000—bringing investors close to doubling their initial investment in equity while continuing to earn strong cash flow, setting us up for either a profitable refinance or sale in the future.

Some of Our Recent Projects

Charlotte, NC Fix/Flip Sold!

Our Charlotte fix and flip is officially sold, and we are happy to have this one off our books. We bought it off market, invested into upgrades, and had a strong appraisal, but delays with the subdivision process pushed our listing into a softer market and forced several price adjustments to stay competitive.

Even so, this project still worked out thanks to the new build opportunity created through the subdivision. Strong underwriting and multiple exit strategies turned a challenging flip into a long term win.

Introducing Our Team Members!

CLAIRE

Claire is our incredible executive assistant who consistently goes above and beyond to tackle any request. Her multitasking abilities allow us to focus on sourcing new deals and growing the business. From crafting this newsletter to managing website updates, scheduling, and communications, Claire is essential to our daily operations. Without her, we'd be lost. We’re truly grateful for her unwavering support and continuous growth!

IVY

Ivy is our talented marketing specialist who elevates our project updates, ensuring social media posts are polished, videos and photos are expertly edited, and our podcast is curated to perfection. Her contributions are key to shaping our brand and expanding our reach—without her, many of you wouldn’t know who we are. Ivy is an invaluable member of our team, leading brand management and keeping us engaged with our audience.

GAYLE

Gayle joins us as our new social media manager, bringing creativity, strategy, and a strong understanding of digital branding. She will lead the effort to grow Wendell’s personal brand and expand the online presence of all our businesses by managing content planning, editing, and platform optimization. Gayle’s ability to turn day to day operations into engaging, consistent content makes her a perfect fit for where we are headed as we continue to scale and increase our reach.

MELVIN

Melvin handles all bookkeeping across our businesses, ensuring our financials stay accurate, organized, and up to date. He plays a key role in keeping our books clean, managing monthly reporting, and making sure every transaction is accounted for. His attention to detail and consistency allow us to make better decisions, stay compliant, and keep our operations running smoothly. Melvin is an essential part of the team, helping maintain the financial clarity needed as we continue to scale.

Current Partnerships and Businesses!

Tide & Timber Ventures LLC is a partnership formed through months of successful collaboration between Wendell Butler of Hammerhead Capital Inc. and Brian Wolf of Wolf Dens & Dwellings LLC. The company focuses on fix-and-flip, new construction, and wholesale real estate properties and deals throughout the Charlotte, NC market. Built on the belief that long-term success comes from strong partnerships, Tide & Timber Ventures is positioned to execute efficiently and scale responsibly.

To learn more about what we offer, or to reach out directly, visit tidetimberventures.com

Flip Fuel Lending Born!

Flip Fuel Lending has been launched! A company built to provide investors with fast, reliable, and creative lending solutions to fuel their deals. We’re excited to grow this venture and bring amazing financing options to investors who want to scale their real estate businesses with confidence.

To learn more about what we offer, or to reach out directly, visit flipfuellending.com. We’re also hiring Loan Originators, so if you’re interested in joining a dynamic, investor-focused team, we’d love to hear from you!

Real Estate News!

Fix and Flip Market Update

Charlotte’s fix-and-flip/New Construction market in December reflected a continuing shift toward balance rather than the extreme seller’s conditions of past years. Median home prices in the area held firm near the $410K–$420K range, while homes were taking slightly longer to sell with typical days on market extending into the multiple-week range, giving buyers a bit more time to evaluate options and negotiate. Inventory levels expanded modestly, easing buyer urgency and creating a more competitive environment for sellers and investors alike. Demand for well-renovated homes remains solid, but higher interest rates and extended hold times are continuing to pressure margins—meaning disciplined investors who underwrite conservatively, manage renovation costs tightly, and remain flexible on exit strategies are capturing the best opportunities. Even in this evolving landscape, the December data shows that adaptive investors who stay patient and execute with precision are still finding profitable fix-and-flip deals.

Mortgage Rate News

In December, the U.S. mortgage market continued to show signs of stabilization. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate remained relatively steady in the low to mid-6% range, reinforcing the gradual easing seen toward the end of the year. While rates are still elevated compared to historical lows, the reduced volatility helped restore confidence among buyers, investors, and lenders alike. This consistency has allowed market participants to underwrite with more certainty and plan transactions with fewer rate-driven disruptions. Looking ahead, industry forecasts still point toward a slow downward trend over the next couple of years, which could open the door for refinancing opportunities and increased transaction volume. Overall, December closed the year with a sense of cautious optimism, as the lending environment continued moving toward greater stability and predictability.

Podcast Spotlights!

I recently joined the podcast The Real Estate Lens by Ryan Richards as a guest, where we dug deep into my journey from corporate payroll sales to full time real estate investing. We talked about what it really takes to scale a business, including building the right contractor network, establishing systems, delegating effectively, and staying disciplined in competitive markets.

If you want to hear how I think about deals, growth, and long term vision across Hammerhead Capital, Flip Fuel Lending, and Tide and Timber Ventures, this episode gives you the inside look. From Payroll Sales to Full Time Real Estate Investor with Wendell Butler

New Charlotte, NC Networking Events Loading!

Welcome to The Hive: CLT Entrepreneurs Network — a curated community for ambitious investors, founders, and builders in Charlotte.

Here, real estate pros, startup founders, lenders, and service providers connect to share deals, spark partnerships, and scale together. While rooted in real estate, we welcome innovators from all industries ready to collaborate and grow.

We host monthly meetups and want to do quarterly mastermind getaways—mixing business with connection and strategy. If you're in the Charlotte area and haven't joined yet, check out the group below and plug into a network built for bold thinkers.