Turnkey Nightmare with Morris Invest - Indianapolis

[Maria Dantas]

Hi there fellow investors!

We've done our first turnkey purchase with Morris Invest in Indianapolis about 6 month ago. A house in a C neighborhood near downtown, for about 50k. For this price the house was supposed  to be renovated and ready to rend. We had a hard time receiving photos of the process, and communication wasn't that good. Morris Invest gave the management part to Ocean Point, and things just got worse from there on, everyone is always too busy to come to the line, and calls are never returned. We got an email saying the property was still empty and they were having a hard time putting a tenant in place.

So we've decide to come by Indianapolis and find out what  was going on... as most of you can already imagine, things were much worse than we expected. When we drove by the house we noticed right away that it was the only house in the neighborhood that didn't have any work done in a looooooong time. It looked empty from the out side, so we try to get a better look inside, and that's when we noticed there is people living in the house, by what looks like they are probably squatting! I talked to a lady in her twenties, who said that they bought that house, then said they were actually leasing, and already living there for 8 months, then changed her story to "we are living here for 4 months". I was standing by her door and could feel the strong smell of weed coming from the house.

We called Ocean Point, but as usual everyone was too busy to come to the phone. I was outraged and wanted to visit their office in person, only to find out the address they have listed on their website its only for mailing, and they don't actually have an office for the public.

It's safe to say that we didn't do our due diligence enough with this one, and looking back we would've done things much different.

It's my first time going through something like this, and I'm not sure how to best handle this situation, what would be the best action in this case? If anyone has gone to something similar any tips or advises would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks in advance, 

Maria Dantas

[Matt R.]

[Paul Ewing]

They can block individual people from commenting on FaceBook so that won't last long.

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Matt R.:

Exactly I have also seen folks start a website dedicated to these issues.. although I suspect since they are lawyering up that the lawyers will rein this stuff in.

I like the ripoff report post just to state facts.. it goes to the top of google stays there and can never be removed.. or monkied with.

along with it gives Morris a chance to publically rebut if he so chooses.. ( which he probably wont) but still fair is fair 

[Matt R.]

Yeah Jay, there is a way to fight fire with fire and the same victim channel could be on youtube. That channel could pop up along side his videos. That might help idk. IMO BP inc. could be more proactive with some pinned post like they do for promos linking the fb and the youtube victim pages as they featured his podcast twice and appeared on his podcast I think compounding this investor disaster further. BP did remove the podcasts I heard but the investor damage was done already it appears. It kind of sucks there is not enough push back to counter his marketing machine yet. 

[Victor S.]

It's vital to not lose steam and keep the momentum going here! Use social media's power to your advantage and have them exposed. It's pretty apparent (to me) that the guy is either on it or knew about it in some capacity.

[Joel Wilmoth]

If Morris really has filed a complaint with the Indiana AG this is like the pot calling the kettle black.  The evidence I have witnessed clearly points to Morris and Morris Investment violating Indiana real estate laws selling and representing sales of properties for sale, in a commercial capacity, without a license.  

This was not a FSBO operation and that may be the way the AG gets to Morris and his liability in this mess. There are multiple former owners who sold properties back to Morris 6+ months ago but also signed non-disclosures so they are not talking. Morris knew he had an issue with OP a long time ago. He either chose to ignore it or he was wrapped tightly up in it.

He kept selling properties connected at the hip to OP long after buying back many properties from owners who were going to sue him for fraud.  

[Todd Burton]

We have many, many documents, written investor statements, written tenant statements, written past employee statements and quotes from Morris's YouTube videos that contradict any argument that they were not in this together and that both Morris and Oceanpointe had intimate knowledge of the total situation. There is absolutely no way Morris will convince the authorities that they did not conspire to defraud the investors. 

[Alex Price]

Hi @Maria Dantas sorry you had to go through this. I approve everything that @Ellis San Jose said and will just add this. Just like you took a trip out there to check on progress after your spidy senses knew something was off, if you decide to invest out of state again then do this BEFORE sending a dollar. Make sure to go to the city, meet with the team, look at previous projects and get an assessment before investing. You'll be able to feel whether it's a go or not. 

[Todd Burton]

If any owners/investors reading this have knowledge or have been told they have tenants that were placed for or by Eskenazi Health or Eskenazi Hospital we need your help. Please contact me ASAP! Thank you.

[Genny Li]

Originally posted by @Alan Grobmeier:

@Ben Leybovich, I think we are in 100% agreement.

If it’s socal ppl @ 300k a year, why are they not going for safer & easier RE investments?  A lot of these stated returns are pie in the sky. 

 Because they maxed out their tax-advantages opportunities and real estate near them is a bad investment. And they’re gullible. 

It’s been my experience that no one who makes money telling you how to make money or taking money from you like this is both honest and competent. Competent people clear 500%, 1000%, plus of what the “gurus” in the same field make from their actual investments or products (vs the money they make selling to people who want to do the same thing). 

Anyway, you can do DD on $50k properties, but only if they’re really close to you or you have a good partner there.  If you have to fly to inspect, that needs to be a $5k per month and up rental. Otherwise it’s nuts. 

[Andy Rumple]

God bless those investors who really try to help people and do it the right way. May those who take advantage of others be caught in their own trap.

[Andrey Y.]

Originally posted by @Todd Burton:

If any owners/investors reading this have knowledge or have been told they have tenants that were placed for or by Eskenazi Health or Eskenazi Hospital we need your help. Please contact me ASAP! Thank you.

 Wow, this just gets juicier by the day..

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:

Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:

Originally posted by @Connie Walker:

Does anyone know where Morris / OP was getting these properties?  Was if from wholesalers?  If so, does anyone know who?  I'd like to know.

city tax sale  city surplus and of course local wholesalers just need to follow a few of the deeds backwards.. I know wholesalers that were feeding them the inventory that's why I have more than a passing knowledge of this.. Morris knew he had a problem long ago 

Do any of these wholesalers feel any responsibility in this whole thing? Knowingly participating in a scam? I guess they get paid and probably sleep well believing "not my problem". I wouldn't be surprised if they have resold the same house more than once. It would be interesting to hear if any Morris owners are getting yellow cards in the mail.

These wholesalers better be careful, because they could be brought down with Morris. I bet the same names start showing up if you dig deeper on this. 

everyone who touched this mess is vunerable to a Rico act either criminal or civil.  

[Costin I.]

@Jay Hinrichs What do you think of their May 8th blog posting and the update on May 11th? They also have a "statement" posted on May 1st.

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Costin I.:

@Jay Hinrichs What do you think of their May 8th blog posting and the update on May 11th? They also have a "statement" posted on May 1st.

 Don’t know never read them 

[Chris Nelson]

Holy mackerel, thanks to all of your posts on this topic. I recently had "the call" with one of the Morris Invest team members, and was about to pursue the process, so this is a time, and money-saver, for sure.   

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Chris Nelson:

Holy mackerel, thanks to all of your posts on this topic. I recently had "the call" with one of the Morris Invest team members, and was about to pursue the process, so this is a time, and money-saver, for sure.   

amazing they are still promoting new business with this carnage they have created.  in another thread one investor who SAID he talked to Morris personally said that Morris said that he was broke and could no longer buy any homes back...  again all hearsay 

[Shiloh Lundahl]

@Chris Nelson tell us your story. What led you to consider investing with Morris Invest, what lead to the phone call, and what lead you to this site and this thread?

[Chris Nelson]

To answer your question @Shiloh Lundahl I had watched various YouTube videos by a number of people, one of which was Morris Invest. He and his spouse have a very "inviting" way of presenting information, and obviously make you "feel" that you want to be part of the family, and their easy turnkey solution process. Granted, most of what they talk about, and teach, is good, useful information. Those of you who have seen their channel know that there are a multitude of topics presented. All of which, give you the feeling that aligning yourself with their team just makes sense, doesn't it?!?  Therefore, since they appear to know what they're talking about, and, they go over the top to, to say things that make you feel as though they have your best interest at heart, you're naturally led down that path. 

Later, I realized that the "endearing" way that they present their information, is basically a by-product of their both having spent years in television to begin with. I'm not saying that its all an act, I'm just saying that he is overly smooth in what he says, and how he says it. Followed by, and partnered with, his spouse, who provides an extremely effective one-two punch to their message. Again, I'm not casting stones at them, in fact, I enjoyed watching many of their episodes, because in reality, it does give you a feeling that "I can do this". 

In any event, after watching a number of episodes, I went ahead and scheduled their 30-minute call that they promote as your "next logical step". At the appointed time, I received a call from a Morris Invest team member, who turned out to be a guy from GA somewhere. The gist of the call was his asking me a few questions, and then his explaining their turnkey process, and concluded with his offering to send me daily emails with the property of the day, for which, if interested, I could send in a contract to buy it. So, for the next two days in a row, I received emails with the featured property of the day, each of which we're being sold for about $65K, as I recall. Actually, my first thought upon receiving those emails, was that they weren't in the $45K-$50K range, that I had anticipated. After those initial couple of emails, that is that last I heard from him. 

As for ending up on BP, as I mentioned above, I watched a lot of YouTube videos, one of which was Brandon's, and I was interested in what seemed to be a bit more genuine approach from him, as opposed to Morris Invest, or a lot of the others. So I began to watch more of his material, eventually ending up here on BP. My original interest from watching Morris Invest, was the turnkey, buy and hold, and BRRRR topics. So I am now here, and intend on having a better experience with BP going forward.

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Chris Nelson:

To answer your question @Shiloh Lundahl I had watched various YouTube videos by a number of people, one of which was Morris Invest. He and his spouse have a very "inviting" way of presenting information, and obviously make you "feel" that you want to be part of the family, and their easy turnkey solution process. Granted, most of what they talk about, and teach, is good, useful information. Those of you who have seen their channel know that there are a multitude of topics presented. All of which, give you the feeling that aligning yourself with their team just makes sense, doesn't it?!?  Therefore, since they appear to know what they're talking about, and, they go over the top to, to say things that make you feel as though they have your best interest at heart, you're naturally led down that path. 

Later, I realized that the "endearing" way that they present their information, is basically a by-product of their both having spent years in television to begin with. I'm not saying that its all an act, I'm just saying that he is overly smooth in what he says, and how he says it. Followed by, and partnered with, his spouse, who provides an extremely effective one-two punch to their message. Again, I'm not casting stones at them, in fact, I enjoyed watching many of their episodes, because in reality, it does give you a feeling that "I can do this". 

In any event, after watching a number of episodes, I went ahead and scheduled their 30-minute call that they promote as your "next logical step". At the appointed time, I received a call from a Morris Invest team member, who turned out to be a guy from GA somewhere. The gist of the call was his asking me a few questions, and then his explaining their turnkey process, and concluded with his offering to send me daily emails with the property of the day, for which, if interested, I could send in a contract to buy it. So, for the next two days in a row, I received emails with the featured property of the day, each of which we're being sold for about $65K, as I recall. Actually, my first thought upon receiving those emails, was that they weren't in the $45K-$50K range, that I had anticipated. After those initial couple of emails, that is that last I heard from him. 

As for ending up on BP, as I mentioned above, I watched a lot of YouTube videos, one of which was Brandon's, and I was interested in what seemed to be a bit more genuine approach from him, as opposed to Morris Invest, or a lot of the others. So I began to watch more of his material, eventually ending up here on BP. My original interest from watching Morris Invest, was the turnkey, buy and hold, and BRRRR topics. So I am now here, and intend on having a better experience with BP going forward.

as you probably realized this is all very well scripted and tried and true methods .. and is based in MLM.. tug at heart strings.. do it for the family  financial freedom all the buzz words.. 

[Shiloh Lundahl]

@Chris Nelson Thanks for sharing your story. I always wonder how people get involved with Morris Invest and with BiggerPockets as well. I hope you have a great experience here on the site.  Feel free to reach out to to the members here. There is a wealth of information.

[Steve K.]

Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:

Originally posted by @Chris Nelson:

Holy mackerel, thanks to all of your posts on this topic. I recently had "the call" with one of the Morris Invest team members, and was about to pursue the process, so this is a time, and money-saver, for sure.   

amazing they are still promoting new business with this carnage they have created.  in another thread one investor who SAID he talked to Morris personally said that Morris said that he was broke and could no longer buy any homes back...  again all hearsay 

I get morris invest showing up in my "suggested ad" spot on facebook multiple times a week

[Amit P.]

Originally posted by @Shiloh Lundahl:

@Chris Nelson Thanks for sharing your story. I always wonder how people get involved with Morris Invest and with BiggerPockets as well. I hope you have a great experience here on the site.  Feel free to reach out to to the members here. There is a wealth of information.

He has been on a bunch of other people’s podcasts in addition to the BP show. While it maybe true that those presenters do not endorse or vet their guests, if you are able to get on so many shows, you automatically gain some level of credibility. In additional if have your own podcast and youtube presence that helps gain to credibility.  That's how I first heard of the company.

I spoke with one of their reps a while back (before reading all the stuff on BP).   There was a sense of unprofessionalism about the person I spoke to, hard to quantify, just a gut feeling. I then asked about any reference customers. His response was something like 'we had a few customers that acted as references but they got inundated with calls because so many people want our product so they don't want to do it anymore.' That helped me make my decision on whether to proceed with them or not. During that call I asked about inspections, appraisals…I suspect those are not the type of questions they want to hear because after the call I got one email and not heard anything after that. After that I did some additional searched and found BP forum……

From a search I did it looks like some of those other folks that hosted him on their show have taken those podcasts down.  Some still have it up (but maybe they are unaware of what's going on).

[Jay Hinrichs]

Originally posted by @Amit P.:

Originally posted by @Shiloh Lundahl:

@Chris Nelson Thanks for sharing your story. I always wonder how people get involved with Morris Invest and with BiggerPockets as well. I hope you have a great experience here on the site.  Feel free to reach out to to the members here. There is a wealth of information.

He has been on a bunch of other people’s podcasts in addition to the BP show. While it maybe true that those presenters do not endorse or vet their guests, if you are able to get on so many shows, you automatically gain some level of credibility. In additional if have your own podcast and youtube presence that helps gain to credibility.  That's how I first heard of the company.

I spoke with one of their reps a while back (before reading all the stuff on BP).   There was a sense of unprofessionalism about the person I spoke to, hard to quantify, just a gut feeling. I then asked about any reference customers. His response was something like 'we had a few customers that acted as references but they got inundated with calls because so many people want our product so they don't want to do it anymore.' That helped me make my decision on whether to proceed with them or not. During that call I asked about inspections, appraisals…I suspect those are not the type of questions they want to hear because after the call I got one email and not heard anything after that. After that I did some additional searched and found BP forum……

From a search I did it looks like some of those other folks that hosted him on their show have taken those podcasts down.  Some still have it up (but maybe they are unaware of what's going on).

if you want rentals you can just buy them right there in Tennessee  don't know why you would go out of your own backyard to buy the same product you can buy close to home ??? 

[Josh Dillingham]

Morris Invest has started showing up in my facebook ads lately.  I comment on the ads that anyone looking to do business with Morris Invest should read about investors experience with the company on biggerpockets.com...my comments are deleted within an hour...