🏠 10 Real Estate Lessons I Learned the Hard Way (So You Don’t Have To)

By Brian Steven Chayka

Founder, AITuner.ai

💬 Dedication

In memory of the time, energy, money, and credibility I lost during the 1990–1995 Edmonton real estate downturn. These lessons cost me deeply — now they’re free for you.

1. 🚨 Jump When the Ship Starts to Sink

Hope isn’t a plan. I waited too long to sell in 1990 — and paid dearly.

2. ❌ Never Violate Your Own Rules

Every time I broke my rules — buying blind, ignoring cash flow — I lost money.

3. 📊 Track Everything

No financial goal = no real control. I was flying blind without feedback.

4. 💸 Separate Business & Personal Accounts

Mixing them almost ruined me. Keep it clean.

5. 🏦 No Reserves, No Game

No cash means no breathing room. I ran out of both.

6. 🛑 Always Have a Stop-Loss

Write down your exit conditions before you buy. I didn’t.

7. 🧠 Greed Kills

It blurred my vision and cost me clarity.

8. 📉 Appreciation is NOT a Strategy

Assuming values will rise is just hope with lipstick.

9. 🔒 Only Partner When You Have Control

If you can’t steer the ship, don’t get on it.

10. 🧮 Only Play Where You’re Likely to Win

Focus on markets, properties, and deals where you’ve got an edge.

🧠 Bonus Lessons

• Past wins blind you — I thought I was invincible.

• Face the truth fast — Denial delays pain.

• Investments owe you nothing — Only your decisions pay you.

• Deferred maintenance is a silent killer — Fix it or sell early.

• Emotions ruin math — Stay logical, not hopeful.

🧩 Final Thought

Every scar became a lesson. And now every lesson is a tool — for you.

Let my pain become your profit.

— Brian Steven Chayka

🚀 Want to Avoid These Mistakes Entirely?

Today I help small businesses avoid these same traps using AI-powered financial tools and automation.

✅ Identify hidden risks

✅ Build smarter decision systems

✅ Automate financial oversight

👉 Book a Free AI Opportunity Assessment

Or email me directly: brianchayka@aituner.ai

Real Estate | AI for Business | Risk Management | Entrepreneurship | AITuner.ai