WiscoREIA Racine-Kenosha: Real Estate Nightmares & Horror Stories (12 Oct 2026)

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Real Estate Nightmares & Horror Stories

Every real estate investor has a story…

The contractor who vanished halfway through the job.

The “can’t-miss” deal that became a money pit.

The tenant nightmare that escalated overnight.

The flip that… well, flipped on you.

Every investor has a story—the deal that looked perfect on paper, the mistake that cost more than expected, or the situation that had you wondering, “How did I get myself into this?”

This October, WiscoREIA Racine-Kenosha is bringing those stories to the table for a Halloween-themed night of real estate horror stories, audience participation, and lessons learned the hard way.

We’re opening the floor for investors to share their worst deals, biggest mistakes, unexpected disasters, contractor nightmares, tenant troubles, and costly lessons. Whether you’re sharing your own horror story or listening to someone else’s, you’re guaranteed to walk away with valuable insights—and probably a few laughs along the way.

Come for the stories. Stay for the lessons. Leave with fewer nightmares of your own.

Join us this October to network with local investors, swap war stories, and discover why sometimes the best real estate education comes from the deals that haunt us the most.

Because in real estate, the scariest lessons are often the ones that cost us money.

WiscoREIA Racine-Kenosha Always Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the Month from 5:30 pm to 8:15 pm!

Host: Ray Thorsen & Ken Collins

Ray began his interest in real estate investing in 1999. His parents let him continue to live at home for free after he finished school, as long as he was saving his money. This allowed him to buy his first duplex, which he renovated, put tenants in, refinanced and bought another duplex. Today, that is called the “BRRRR” method. He continued to “House Hack” and “BRRRR” numerous times which led to experience in flipping houses, private lending, as well as, creative finance deals.

He always loves talking about real estate sharing what he has learned to do and what not to do. He also enjoys making business connections and learning from others’ trials and triumphs.

Outside of real estate, he loves spending time with his family. He is an aspiring wood worker, welder, and tinkerer. He likes to play golf, ride motorcycles, and go for cruises in the convertible with his kid.

Ken's journey began in the field of social work and psychotherapy, where he dedicated a decade to helping others navigate their personal challenges. Seeking new horizons, he transitioned into the tech industry, joining Hewlett-Packard. Over the next 24 years, he evolved from a Computer Engineer to a Global Project Manager, culminating in his leadership of the Global Sales Lead program, which under his stewardship generated nearly $1 billion in sales each year.

In 2016, Ken pivoted to real estate investing, initially employing the BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) method. Upon retiring from corporate life, he focused on creative deal structuring, mastering techniques like Subject-To (Sub2), Lease/Options, and Land Trusts. His portfolio includes over 50 Real Estate transactions in the last 8 years, ranging from mobile homes, single family and multifamily properties, showcasing his versatility and expertise in the real estate market.

Ken credits much of his real estate knowledge and sharpened skills to his active participation in the many WiscoREIA Madison education programs. Through joining their Coaching Program, completing the Blueprint course, and engaging in numerous educational opportunities including hands-on property tours and weekend training events from a variety of speakers sponsored by the REIA, Ken has continuously expanded his expertise in real estate.

Ken is renowned for his proficiency in lead generation and deal negotiation, leveraging a multitude of creative strategies to craft win-win scenarios in real estate. He now steps into his role as a coach for aspiring real estate investors, eager to share his knowledge and experience. He is always on the lookout for personal growth opportunities, being an active member of groups like Lifeonaire and the Generations of Wealth Mastermind group, which further fuel his passion for continuous learning and development.

With a life that beautifully blends family, community, technology, and real estate, Ken Collins is not just a coach but a mentor who understands the art of building wealth through real estate while maintaining a life of balance and fulfillment.

Make sure to bring tons of business cards as you will be meeting with people that you want to get to know!

Meeting Location:

Route 20 Bar & Grill

14001 Washington Ave

Sturtevant, WI 53177

Please enjoy food, drinks, and TIP YOUR SERVERS!

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Doors open early for Networking/Check-in

6:00 pm - 8:15 pm - Speaker Presentation

The meeting ends at 9:00 PM, but we’ll continue with an informal after-meeting for anyone who’d like to stay.

You can stay after the meeting as well to network! Remember to bring your deals!

Our doors are open to EVERYONE!

***Make sure to pre-register - We are now Cashless***

Click here to pre-register!

WiscoREIA upcoming events

WiscoREIA Racine-Kenosha: Real Estate Nightmares & Horror Stories (12 Oct 2026)