ORLANDO, Fla. — Action 9 investigated a celebrity house flipper who brought seminars to central Florida, promising big-money buying and selling homes.
The seminars were free, but consumers felt hustled when they had to spend $1,500 to get the house-flipping details.
Six years ago, Armando Montelongo starred on A&E's "Flip This House," showing viewers how to buy a home low and sell high in months.
Montelongo and his real estate company spent weeks in central Florida selling home flipping secrets. In an Orlando hotel, Action 9 found a couple dozen people attending a "free seminar."
Joe Lamica said he was attracted by Montelongo's brash success on TV in 2012.
"He seemed very successful and very knowledgeable," Lamica said.
The free seminar was just a sales pitch for Montelongo's actual flipping techniques and that three-day training cost $1,500.
Lamica paid the price.
“Were you taken?” asked Action 9's Todd Ulrich.
”Absolutely. No question,” responded Lamica.
A third week-long seminar would cost $30,000.
According to Lamica, in his seminar, there was no real instruction, just generalities.
The company based in Texas has an F-rating at the Better Business Bureau.
“The consumers continue to complain that they do not get what they expected when they sign up for the program,” said Erin Duffner of the BBB.
Ulrich went to ask questions at the Orlando seminar.
“There’s a concern that you're selling seminars and not flipping houses,” said Ulrich.
“Well, you can talk to our media representative,” replied the Montelongo representative.
“Have you made money flipping homes?” asked Ulrich.
“Talk to our media representative," the man replied.
Three years ago, the Texas attorney general ended its investigation after Montelongo's company agreed to stop making false claims and issue prompt refunds without admitting guilt. It found he rarely attends the seminars, but buyers weren't told that.
Lamica regrets ever going to the seminar.
The company told Action 9 it stands by its training, saying it has served 1.2 million people and there were only 107 complaints, which have all been resolved.
WFTV
