Flip This House exposed: The “unreal” side of reality TV
This is not exactly important real estate news but I couldn’t resist writing a small snip about this story.
It seems that the popular A&E reality program, “Flip This House” has run a number of episodes which amount to nothing more than a sham. Featuring self proclaimed “real estate developer” Sam Leccima, the episodes represent his renovation projects as having been sold for huge profits. As it turns out, most of them haven’t actually sold and at least one of them wasn’t actually renovated.
To make matters worse, it’s clear that Sam Leccima is the target of a number of civil suits from prospective investors who trusted him to invest their money wisely. One gentleman claims to have lost $100,000 to the smooth talking television celebrity.
A&E claims to have no knowledge of the sham and they have pulled all episodes which feature Leccima from their re-run schedule.
Thanks to Doug Quance for the heads up on this bit. Doug is an Atlanta based agent who has been on top of this home town story since October of last year when he noticed some of Sam’s sold properties were still listed for sale.
I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions. All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.
Follow our daily updates on Twitter @SaskatoonHomes.
Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Saskatoon Real Estate
12 comments so far. We'd love to hear your thoughts.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:24 AM
I’ve long suspected that those flipping shows were mostly BS, now we know. Sure hope too many folks didn’t run out and try flipping just because of people like Sam Leccima…
April 7th, 2009 at 9:25 AM
sdude, even Sam Leccima, when confronted said, “it’s a television show!”
April 7th, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Go figure! TV makes it all look so easy and profitable. Those shows create a false sense of reality.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Hi Maureen, I’m amazed that they’ve become as popular as they have. There must be two dozen “sell this house” shows on the air now, and you’re right, they all make it look pretty simple to make a fortune.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Some of the more reputable ones will end the show w/o having sold the property. It’s sort of a let down but more believable.
All of this makes sense, though. I always wondered how some of them could sell EVERY house EVERY episode.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Carrie, I would think that the sale is probably pretty important to the long term success of these shows. Perhaps they need to shoot more episodes and hold some back until they actually sell. I’m sure though that there would be some conclusions which are less than impressive. There must be the odd one that completely bombs and sells at a loss, but then that would be equally educational, interesting and “real.”
April 7th, 2009 at 9:27 AM
TV shows are not real? Reality shows and real are an oxymoron, no doubt about it.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Kristal, I suppose you want me to believe that Gilligan wasn’t actually “stranded on a desert isle?”
April 7th, 2009 at 9:28 AM
He wasn’t?!?!?!?
Next you guys are going to try to say WWE wresting isn’t real.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Awe Carrie, now I’m really confused. Sports too? Did the Ducks really win the hockey game last night or is it all a big sham?
April 7th, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Great post – I’m a big fan of the show, and I can’t believe they would have such a massive coverup. I really enjoyed the first season a lot more anyway.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:29 AM
disappointing as I came across this site to learned more about flipping ironically inspired by the bogus show