My 10 Worst Real Estate Nightmares

In this episode, Brad Johnson shares ten real-world real estate nightmares that show why rental properties are far from passive. Drawing from over $150 million of investment experience, he walks through costly mistakes, unexpected risks, and operational headaches that investors rarely see coming. Brad also explains why these experiences ultimately led him to shift toward more passive, income-focused investments. Book a Call Evergreen Capital info@evergreencap.com Connect with Brad Johnson Key topics: • Why real estate is often far more operationally intensive than investors expect • The hidden risks that can turn “passive income” into active problem-solving • How natural disasters can create unexpected repair costs and insurance battles • Tenant-related risks, from property damage to eviction challenges • Legal exposure and how small issues can turn into lawsuits • Infrastructure failures and environmental risks in real estate investing • The financial impact of rare but severe events like flooding and system failures • How employee issues and fraud can affect property performance • Why unpredictable expenses can erode returns over time • Why many investors eventually shift toward more passive income strategies Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:20 - Tornado Damage 01:10 - Unauthorized Dog Breeding 01:34 - Hoarding and Hazmat Cleanup 01:50 - Hurricane Scare 02:06 - The “Professional Tenant” 02:47 - Lawsuit Over a One-Inch Curb 03:14 - Lift Station Failure 03:48 - Ice Dam and Flood 05:03 - Employee Theft 05:43 - Massive Water Leak 06:29 - Why I Moved to More Passive Investments Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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My 10 Worst Real Estate Nightmares is an episode from The Alternative Investor by Brad Johnson.

This episode is 7:08 long.

This episode was published on Mar 21, 2026.

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