Most people watch house flips on TV. Scott Durham figured out how to own the deal in real life.
In this episode, Junaid sits down with real estate investor and coach Scott Durham, who went from a $10/hour hotel job to flipping houses and building a repeatable system for wealth. Scott pulls back the curtain on his first flip, how he almost priced himself out of his own deals, and the simple math he still uses today to know—within seconds—if a property is worth the risk.
If you’ve ever binged HGTV, scrolled past “before and after” photos on Instagram, or told yourself “I just need to learn a bit more before I start,” this conversation will hit hard. Scott exposes the real numbers behind TV flips, why “research without action is just entertainment,” and how ordinary people with no construction background can step into real estate with the right mentors, community, and mindset.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How Scott went from hotel front desk to top agent to profitable flipper
- The exact back‑of‑the‑napkin formula he uses to spot real deals fast
- Why overthinking and underestimating costs both kill beginners—and how to avoid both
- Creative ways to fund your first flip, even if you don’t have the cash
- The mindset + community shifts that turn a one‑off flip into a real business
Timestamps
- 00:00 – From $10/hour hotel job to real estate insider
- 03:39 – The first flip: clueless with contractors, $50k in profit
- 07:08 – What HGTV never shows you: the real costs of flipping
- 11:10 – The simple formula Scott uses to know if a deal is worth it
- 16:00 – “I don’t have the money” – funding flips with other people’s cash
- 20:29 – Surviving fear, 2008 scars, and the mental game of real estate
- 27:20 – Scott’s one piece of advice if you’re on the edge of your first deal
Guest Links – Scott Durham
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real.scottdurham
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Junaid Ahmed is a multi-passionate creator, storyteller, and home studio architect who believes your voice can change your world. As the host of Hacks and Hobbies, he dives deep into the journeys of people turning passion into purpose — from garage inventors to global entrepreneurs.
The podcast began as a simple idea: record honest conversations about side projects, creativity, and the hustle behind the scenes. Years later, it’s become a movement — showcasing the real, raw, and inspiring stories of everyday innovators.
Whether he’s building pro-level studios or geeking out over podcast gear, Junaid’s mission is clear: help people show up with confidence, clarity, and character.
🎧 New episodes weekdays. New perspectives in every story.
