Armando Montelongo, the charismatic real estate investor and television personality, gained fame through his appearances on the hit show “Flip This House.” The show, which aired from 2005 to 2009, followed Montelongo and his team as they bought, renovated, and sold houses for a profit. However, despite his initial success, Montelongo’s journey after the show ended took an unexpected turn.
Born on June 28, 1970, in San Antonio, Texas, Montelongo grew up in a modest household. He learned the value of hard work and determination from his parents, who were both entrepreneurs. Inspired by their example, Montelongo started his own business at the age of 14, selling pagers to his classmates.
As he grew older, Montelongo’s entrepreneurial spirit continued to flourish. He ventured into various business ventures, including a car wash and a landscaping company. However, it was in the real estate industry that he found his true calling. Montelongo began flipping houses, buying properties in need of repair, renovating them, and selling them for a profit.
In 2005, Montelongo’s life changed when he was approached by A&E Networks to star in a new reality TV show called “Flip This House.” The show aimed to showcase the highs and lows of flipping houses and the potential financial rewards. Montelongo, along with his wife Veronica and his brother David, became one of the main stars of the series.
“Flip This House” quickly became a hit, attracting millions of viewers who were fascinated by the process of buying, renovating, and selling houses. Montelongo’s energetic personality and his ability to turn a profit on each project made him a fan favorite. He became known for his catchphrase, “Armando, baby!”
During the show’s run, Montelongo and his team flipped numerous properties, making substantial profits along the way. However, as with any reality TV show, there were controversies and behind-the-scenes drama. Some viewers accused Montelongo of exaggerating his success and misrepresenting the reality of the house-flipping business.
Despite the controversies, “Flip This House” continued to be a success, and Montelongo became a household name. He used his newfound fame to launch various business ventures, including a real estate seminar program called the “Armando Montelongo Seminars.” The seminars aimed to teach aspiring real estate investors the strategies and techniques Montelongo used to achieve success.
However, as the years went by, Montelongo’s post-“Flip This House” career took a downturn. The real estate market crash of 2008 had a significant impact on his business ventures. Many of the properties he had purchased and renovated were now worth significantly less than what he had paid for them.
In addition to the financial challenges, Montelongo faced legal troubles. In 2011, he was sued by the Texas Attorney General’s Office for deceptive trade practices related to his real estate seminar program. The lawsuit alleged that Montelongo and his company made false promises and misled participants about the potential profits they could achieve through real estate investing.
Despite the setbacks, Montelongo continued to persevere. He shifted his focus to other business ventures, including a house-flipping software called “Flip and Grow Rich” and a real estate investment company called “Armando Montelongo Companies.” He also authored a book titled “Flip and Grow Rich,” which aimed to provide readers with insights into the world of real estate investing.
In recent years, Montelongo has made efforts to rebuild his reputation and regain his success. He has appeared on various podcasts and interviews, sharing his experiences and lessons learned from his time on “Flip This House.” He has also continued to host real estate seminars, albeit on a smaller scale than before.
While Montelongo’s journey after “Flip This House” has been filled with ups and downs, he remains a testament to the resilience and determination required to succeed in the real estate industry. Despite the challenges he has faced, he continues to inspire aspiring investors with his story of overcoming adversity.
In conclusion, Armando Montelongo’s life took an unexpected turn after his time on “Flip This House.” From his humble beginnings to his rise to fame, Montelongo experienced both the highs and lows of the real estate industry. While his post-show career faced challenges, he has continued to persevere and inspire others with his story of resilience.
