From Problem Property to Profitable Deal: A Real Estate Investing Opportunity Others Overlooked
Daniel Tromello
You’d think after all these years, Daniel Tromello, Founder and CEO of REsolve Real Estate Solutions, would stop being surprised by how messy some real estate deals get. But every now and then, a property comes along that even he has to step back and ask—how is this going to work?
This was one of those deals.
It had everything that makes most investors run the other way—squatters, legal confusion, an absurd asking price, and a history no one wanted to touch. Several investors had already taken a look and passed, unwilling to deal with the complexities.
But REsolve doesn’t back down from difficult real estate investments. They specialize in turning overlooked properties into investment opportunities. Where others saw nothing but risk, they saw a deal waiting for the right structure.
So how do you make an impossible deal work? How do you navigate the risks that send most investors running? This article breaks down the exact steps REsolve took to get this deal across the finish line—what they saw, how they structured it, and why the best opportunities are often the ones no one else wants.
Some properties sit on the market because they need work. Others sit because they come with baggage no one wants to unpack. This one had both.
For months, this property bounced around "For Sale By Owner" websites, passed from one hopeful investor to the next, but no one could make the numbers work.
Months before REsolve stepped in, Daniel’s team had already walked this property. At the time, it was too uncertain—too many unknowns, too many roadblocks. They moved on.
But then the deal resurfaced. This time, a trusted real estate agent brought it to Daniel, and for the first time, the real sellers—the trustees of the estate—were involved. Unlike before, they were ready to listen.
Most investors had the same thought—too complicated, not worth the effort. But for REsolve, this wasn’t just about the property itself. It was about understanding the moving parts well enough to turn it into a real estate investment opportunity.
Before making an offer, Daniel needed to evaluate the full scope of the deal.
The biggest challenge wasn’t just figuring out the numbers—it was figuring out who was actually in control of the sale and how to get to the closing table without further complications.
This wasn’t just a property problem—it was a people problem. And in real estate investing, understanding the human element can be just as critical as understanding the numbers.
Some squatters had been there for years. Others had moved in after the previous owner passed away. Under California law, squatters' rights vary depending on how long someone has been in the home, their legal standing, and whether they had established tenancy.
Squatter laws in California can be complicated. If someone has occupied a property long enough, they can legally establish tenancy, making eviction a legal process rather than a quick removal. Some cities require relocation assistance payments to tenants even when they aren’t legally renting. REsolve had to approach this carefully to ensure the new buyer wouldn’t be stuck with a legal battle after closing.
Instead of escalating the situation with immediate eviction notices, Daniel took a different approach—he talked to them.
Getting the squatters out wasn’t as simple as offering money or filing paperwork. Some had utilities in their name, had been living there for years, and had built entire routines in the house. Others were professional squatters, moving from property to property, knowing exactly how to game the system.
Daniel spent weeks on the ground, visiting the property multiple times, piecing together the situation, and figuring out what it would take to clear the house.
The more Daniel knew, the stronger the position for negotiation.
With a plan in place for the squatters and a price that made sense, the next step was deciding the best way to profit from the deal.
REsolve had two options:
Originally, REsolve considered keeping the property, investing in a full-scale renovation, and turning it into a high-value rental property. But after evaluating the holding costs, legal risks, and carrying expenses, they decided against it.
Instead, they leveraged their network of cash buyers—investors already comfortable with complex properties—and moved the property as-is to a buyer who could take on the work.
A deal like this doesn’t come together without the right connections. Real estate investing isn’t just about finding properties—it’s about knowing the right people who can move on them.
That’s why having a strong investor network is one of the biggest advantages in this business. Not every investor is comfortable taking on a property with legal complications, squatters, or title issues, but the ones who are? They move fast, and they know exactly what they’re looking for.
REsolve didn’t just find a buyer—they found the right buyer.
Because of those industry relationships, the deal was closed, the trustees got their sale, and another investor secured an off-market deal that most wouldn’t touch.
These aren’t the kinds of transactions that happen by accident. They happen when you have the right people in the right room, ready to act when the right opportunity comes up.
Some deals require months of work, others need a fresh coat of paint. But the toughest deals require something else entirely—strategy, patience, and knowing how to get the right people to the table.
Most real estate investors are drawn to easy, predictable deals—the ones that fit inside a neat box. But in the realm of real estate investing, the best opportunities are often the ones that look like too much trouble.
This property had all the reasons to fail—legal confusion, pricing issues, squatters, and a history that made it a challenge to market. But REsolve operates in the deals others pass on. The deals that require creativity, patience, and a willingness to do the work others avoid.
For agents, investors, and property owners alike, the biggest question isn’t always, "Is this deal worth it?" Sometimes, the real question is:
"Is this a bad deal? Or is this just a deal waiting for the right person to figure it out?"
