As the founding member of one of the best-selling R&B groups of all time, Boyz II Men, Nathan Morris is no stranger to hit songs. But now he’s hoping for a hit TV show. In a new DIY network four-part series, Hit Properties with Nathan Morris, he transforms an 8,200 square-foot dilapidated mansion in Orlando, Florida, into a luxury modern estate.
“On the business side, I’ve invested in some lucrative real estate deals, and, on the personal side, I’ve done some construction, renovating and designing,” said Nathan. “But I’ve never brought the two together in one project. This was my chance to do that — on a massive scale!”
Nathan, who has been investing in real estate for years, bought the mansion for $1.7 million. To make the most of his investment, he took on the role of foreman, managing all the projects from architectural redesigns to installing a resort-style pool complete with fiber-optic lighting to give the water a twinkling effect. The home is now on the market for $4.9 million.
During the series, Nathan got creative, repurposing materials and existing features to save money. “Look at the home you’re renovating with new eyes,” advises Morris. “Think about what you can adjust to give it new — like stone or brick that can be saved and updated by painting or staining as well.” Morris also had some of the old floors ripped out and sold them to a supplier for $20,000, which he then reinvested in the remodel.
His advice for first-time flippers? Be prepared to lose, says Morris, who has flipped seven homes so far. “The downfalls come a lot more than most people think. If you’re not prepared for the problems that could happen, you won’t be able to prepare for the success.”
For more of Morris’s money-saving tips and reno-tricks, flip the channel to the DIY Network. Hit Properties premiers Saturday, October 6, at 10:30 p.m. ET.
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This story was originally featured on October 5th, 2018.
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