Wendell’s Weekly Wins and Whiffs

Welcome to Wendell’s Weekly Wins & Whiffs — your front-row seat to the real estate rollercoaster, complete with high-fives and facepalms. Every week, I’ll peel back the curtain on life as an active investor: the triumphs, the flops, and the lessons that hit harder than a surprise plumbing leak. Whether it's a flip that exceeded expectations or a deal that tested my sanity, you'll get the real, unfiltered scoop to sharpen your own investing edge.

Author

Wendell Butler
August 28, 2025

🏆 This Week’s Win — A Creative Close!

Big milestone this week for Tide & Timber Ventures LLC — we successfully closed on a unique two‑for‑one project: a heavy fix‑and‑flip plus a new‑build on a newly subdivided lot.

Why is this deal special?

The fix & flip alone didn’t make financial sense — the renovation scope was simply too large. The breakthrough was structuring the purchase contingent on subdividing part of the land to create a second lot. That subdivision unlocks the opportunity to build a new single‑family home, making the entire deal both viable and exciting.

A joint venture built for success!

We teamed up with trusted partners in a joint venture that brings capital strength, construction expertise, and aligned execution under one roof. Together, we’re ready to tackle the transformation of the existing property while simultaneously planning a brand‑new home on the subdivided lot.

What’s next?

  • Fix & Flip: Renovate and stabilize the existing home with key structural, systems, and layout upgrades to maximize value.

  • New Build: Finalize site work and plans for a modern single‑family home that will elevate the neighborhood and maximize the potential of the property.

This is a win that proves the power of creativity, persistence, and partnership in real estate. We’re thrilled to get moving on both fronts and can’t wait to share progress as these projects come to life.

💨 This Week’s Whiffs –  The Wall That Talked Back

Closing day felt like a big win… until the first wall came down. Almost immediately after starting the demo on the fix & flip, we uncovered major structural issues hiding behind the drywall. The kind of issues you can’t pencil in ahead of time — and the kind that can quickly chew through a budget.

Why does this sting?

Fix & flips are always unpredictable. Unlike new builds, where costs are clearer and plans are set, flips carry the risk of hidden problems you can’t see until the demo begins. No matter how much experience you have, surprises behind the walls are part of the game. This one looks like it could eat up our entire 10%–15% contingency — and then some.

The silver lining…

The good news? We always budget contingencies, and this is exactly why. Even if this unexpected structural repair lowers our profit on the flip, the creative two‑for‑one structure of this deal gives us room to work with. The new build on the subdivided lot provides a spread that balances out the hit on the flip.

The mindset?

This isn’t a deal killer — it’s a reminder. In real estate, especially with heavy renovations, you adapt, get creative, and keep moving. Profit might dip on one side, but disciplined underwriting, proper buffers, and diversified deal structures keep the overall project strong.

Sometimes the walls talk back. This week, they did — but we’re listening, adjusting, and pressing forward.

🎯 TACTICAL TIP OF THE WEEK: Partner & Structure Creatively

In real estate, the right partnership and a little creativity in structuring can turn a dead deal into a winning one. Our recent close was a perfect example — the fix & flip didn’t pencil on its own, but by subdividing the lot and adding a new build, the numbers worked.

Here’s how to put this into practice:

  • Align with the right partners. Look for people who bring complementary strengths — capital, construction, project management, or local expertise. Good partnerships multiply capacity.

  • Think beyond the obvious. If a deal doesn’t work as-is, ask: Can it be subdivided? Can zoning allow an additional unit? Is there another highest and best use?

  • Structure to share risk and reward. Joint ventures, profit splits, or creative financing can make larger or more complex deals attainable without overextending yourself.

  • Build in optionality. The more exit strategies you can create, the more resilient the deal becomes.

The takeaway: Don’t write off a tough deal too quickly. With the right partners and creative structuring, you can unlock value that others miss — and turn “no” into “now we’re talking.”

🔦 FROM THE FIELD: The Foundation Reality Check

You think you’ve got a flip under control… until you open a wall and realize the house is standing on a shaky foundation — literally.

This week, as a demo began on our latest fix & flip, we uncovered serious structural and foundation issues that weren’t visible during initial walkthroughs. Cracks, shifting supports, and compromised framing quickly turned into a budget conversation. Unlike cosmetic updates, foundation and structural repairs aren’t optional — they’re deal-critical, safety-first fixes that demand immediate attention.

Why does this matter?

Foundation problems are the ultimate wild card in fix & flips. On paper, the numbers can look great, but once you discover hidden structural damage, your contingency gets tested fast. New builds, by contrast, give you clarity — you know exactly what materials, labor, and systems cost. Flips? They carry the constant risk of what you don’t know until the walls are open.

🎥 I broke down this exact difference between known costs in new builds vs. the unknowns in flips here: Watch the reel →

Pro tips:

  • Always budget structural contingency. Don’t just account for cosmetic repairs — build in a buffer for the unseen.

  • Inspect, but verify. Even thorough inspections can miss hidden damage. Assume there’s more lurking behind the drywall.

  • Prioritize safety and stability. Buyers will overlook dated finishes — but never foundation issues.

In our case, this repair eats into profit — but thanks to the creative two-for-one structure of the deal, we’ve got a spread that keeps the project solid. Experience tells us: foundations matter, and finding problems early is better than finding them late. →

🎤 FINAL WORD

Some weeks real estate feels like a victory lap; other weeks it feels like a surprise round of “What’s Behind That Wall?” This week reminded us that flips can reveal the unexpected — but that’s why we budget smart, stay flexible, and lean on strong partnerships.

The lesson? Control what you can: disciplined underwriting, realistic contingencies, and deal structures that give you room to pivot when surprises show up. The rest comes down to persistence, problem-solving, and a willingness to adapt without losing momentum.

Every project adds another layer of experience. Sometimes that experience comes with a win, sometimes with a whiff — but always with a lesson. Keep structuring creatively, keep budgeting conservatively, and keep pressing forward.

Until the next deal,