A&E NETWORK'S FLIP THIS HOUSE RETURNS FOR A 4TH SEASON INTRODUCING NEW CASTS IN LOS ANGELES AND ATLANTA
PREMIERES SATURDAY, MARCH 15 AT 11 PM EST/PST
NEW YORK, NY, MARCH 8, 2008 � Flipping houses is the most tried-and-true way to make a fortune in real estate, but with the current slump in the housing market, the casts of A&E Network's series FLIP THIS HOUSE are facing hard truths and real panic as they return for a 4th Season. On Saturday, March 22nd FLIP THIS HOUSE will once again showcase returning casts in San Antonio and New Haven and brand new casts in Atlanta and Los Angeles as they flip houses for profit - buying, refurbishing, and re-selling properties - making lots of mischief and money along the way.
Tackling one of the most exciting aspects of today's high-stakes real estate market � the transformation of an eyesore into a profit-making beauty � A&E's hour-long "docu-soap" follows the travails of real-estate investors in New Haven, CT, Los Angeles, CA, San Antonio, TX, and Atlanta GA, -- where each boasts a team of characters that buys homes, renovates them in record time, then flips them for a profit. It sounds simple, but sparks fly and tempers are high before the fixer-uppers are ready to go back on the market.
PREMIERE EPISODE
LITTLE HOUSE IN THE HOOD � SAN ANTONIO CAST -- March 15 11pm ET
Armando Montelongo takes a chance on a run-down house in a low-income San Antonio neighborhood that has been hard hit by the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Falling home prices and reluctant buyers make for a tight profit margin for flippers.
With no room for error, Armando takes over every aspect of the renovation, enforcing an insanely tight budget and managing the subcontractors himself. Without his project manager, Brent, and contractor, Randy, to run interference, Armando quickly runs into trouble with disgruntled workers. Unexpected problems crop up and Armando fears he will not have enough money left to cover the basics � like bathroom fixtures. But cutting corners threatens to leave the Little House in the Hood on the market forever. Will Armando swallow his pride and ask for help?
SAN ANTONIO, TX
In San Antonio, Armando Montelongo heads up a family business, Montelongo House Buyers. Five years ago he rolled into town on his last tank of gas; today he is a hard-driving entrepreneur heading-up a hugely successful real estate investment firm. When faced with a renovation disaster, Armando follows the advice of his Tai Kwon Do Master and tells himself, "Yes, I can." Wife Veronica is a redheaded beauty with a quirky sense of humor and a killer sales instinct. Randy Burch is Armando's go-to general contractor taking on some of Armando's toughest renovation jobs. Sinking foundations, faulty electrical systems, and mosquito infested swimming pools are all in a days work. Add to that Armando's stingy budgets and Randy's got his hands full trying to work a miracle with every flip. Brent Holt recently returned to San Antonio after working on the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in New Orleans . Now he's Armando's patient and enduring project manager, who takes every chance he can to make fun of his demanding boss.
LOS ANGELES, CA
Rudy Martinez was born and raised in East LA and he's a driving force for change on this once tough side of town where investors feared to tread. Rudy and his team at Piedmont Financial are buying and selling three houses a month, making the area more valuable, and pulling in an average profit of $50,000 per flip. As a street savvy kid, Rudy never dreamed he would achieve this level of success � he started out renovating houses himself and still isn't afraid to get his hands dirty when he has to. Now, he's comfortable mingling with LA's A-list and turning on the charm to develop personal relationships that are good for business and for developing his community. Carlos Vazquez, Rudy's right-hand man and project manager, is the self-proclaimed "people's champ" of Rudy's team. It's Carlos' job to diplomatically keep everyone in gear while juggling the three key aspects of every project: the timeline, the quality, and the budget. Rudy demands, "super fast, super good, and SUPER CHEAP!!!" Of course, nailing all three is never considered practical and sometimes impossible. Mary O'Grady is an architect, designer and, most importantly for Rudy, a workaholic. She brings creative ideas and a fresh perspective to every eye-sore Rudy buys whether it is a small bungalow priced-to-sell or a large home on the trendy side of town. Her impeccable taste and strong opinions sometimes clash with Rudy's singular focus on turning a profit, but today's discerning buyers want more for their money and Mary's designs reel them in.
ATLANTA, GA
Peter Pasternack, CPA & Founder of Foundations Investment Group has his eye keenly focused on the bottom line and the future. He is responsible for the operational and financial aspects of Foundations Investment Group, as well as the company's long-term growth. Peter began his career at Price Waterhouse before moving to the banking industry where he gained over 20 years of experience. He's financed over 500 businesses, and knows firsthand why some ventures succeed and many fail. Even while the real estate market is in a slump and good deals are hard to find, Peter's know-how and money-making instinct keep him in the flipping biz. Brian Trow is Peter's partner and co-Founder of Foundations Investment Group. As a kid, Brian learned about industrial arts and woodworking from his Dad. Always a visual perfectionist, Brian eventually found a way to express his talents with home design and renovation. His ability to see a home's potential where others see a hopeless disaster allows Brian to create environments with the discriminating buyer in mind. No home renovation is complete until Brian is personally ready to move in. Candice Posey is an Associate Broker at Avenue Realty. She got her start in real estate when she bought her first house and sold it a year later at a $30,000 profit. An Atlanta native, she knows her market and her clients and has a natural instinct for what sells. She takes pride in her professional record for integrity and works hard to get the best price for her client, whether a buyer or a seller, every time. A former rock climbing instructor, she's not afraid to get her hands dirty - beyond brokering successful real estate deals, she happens to know a thing or two about tiling bathrooms and sanding floors.
NEW HAVEN, CT
After graduating from Yale University and playing for the NFL, Nathaniel "Than" Merrill decided to tackle the real estate business. A born leader, full of big ideas, Than saw money to be made flipping houses in New Haven, Connecticut. He called on his childhood friend, Paul Esajian, and together they created CT Homes. Paul is the construction expert and creative force behind all of their renovations. He persuaded his big brother, JD, to join the team as project manager. With his hands-on renovation expertise, JD knows how to motivate the construction crew and get the job done. Their latest recruit is Jeremy Black � a former Abercrombie & Fitch model with a head for numbers. Jeremy is Than's right hand man in the search for good investment properties. This model turned acquisitions expert still has a lot to learn � his good looks and easy smile may charm the ladies, but not Than and Paul. Lori Parks is in charge of sales. When the going gets tough and a wrestling match won't smooth things over, she shakes up the boys club with her feminine touch and a serious reality check.
Robert Sharenow and Andy Berg are the executive producers for A&E Network. FLIP THIS HOUSE is produced for A&E by Departure Films. Departure Films Executive Producer is Max Weissman, Series Producer is Elizabeth Tracy and Supervising Editor is Victoria Toth.
About A&E Network
Now reaching more than 96 million homes, A&E Network offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment; ranging from the network's signature Real-Life Series franchise, including the hit series "Intervention," "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," "The First 48" and "Criss Angel Mindfreak," to critically acclaimed original movies, dramatic series and the most successful justice shows on cable. A&E is the official basic cable home to the high-profile series "The Sopranos" and "CSI: Miami." The A&E Network website is located at www.aetv.com. The A&E Insider is located at www.aetv.com/insider. For more information and photography please visit us on the web at www.aetvpress.com.
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