Flipped and Burned: The Homebuilding Traps That Cost Me Thousands — and How You Can Avoid Them by Ted Hawkins is not just a theoretical guide. It is a raw, unflinching account of how a career forensic risk expert lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the homebuilding industry—and why you don’t have to. What began as a retirement dream turned into a cascade of disasters: fraudulent partners, stolen funds, structural failures, and legal dead ends. Hawkins made every mistake a first-time renovator makes. But this is not merely a cautionary tale. Inside, you will find the checklists, red flags, and contract clauses he wishes he had—before he signed. Verify first. Trust later.