First published 1986
Walter R. Borneman thought he had discovered the secret to wealth through real estate deals. Armed with enthusiasm and a handful of investment guides, he dove headfirst into the property market of the 1980s. What followed was a series of increasingly absurd mishaps that would make any aspiring mogul reconsider their career path. From botched negotiations with eccentric sellers to renovation disasters that drain his savings, Walter stumbles through one catastrophe after another. His attempts to flip houses become exercises in creative destruction. Each new venture promises redemption but delivers fresh humiliation instead. Walter's journey through foreclosures, difficult tenants, and structural surprises reveals the gap between real estate dreams and reality. This comic tale captures the universal experience of ambitious plans meeting stubborn facts.
Genres: humor, contemporary, non-fiction, comedy
Vibes: comic, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, humiliation
Period: 1980s
Paperback · Cordillera Press