True Confessions: When NOT to DIY in Real Estate

In today’s True Confessions with Your Trusted Real Estate Professionals, we’re getting real about something many of us take pride in — DIY projects.

I grew up in a family that believed if you can figure it out, you should do it yourself. That mindset has served me well in countless ways — from home flips and renovation projects to fixing a dryer that had nothing left to lose! Learning to solve problems, get creative, and take ownership of your work are incredible life skills, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

But… (and there’s always a “but”) there are a few things in real estate that you probably shouldn’t DIY.

Recently, we’ve been walking through our very first tenant eviction on one of our rental properties. We figured, “We’ve got this!” Colorado has a clear judicial process, step-by-step forms, and guidance for landlords. Why spend thousands on an attorney when we can follow the directions ourselves?

Six weeks later — after filing paperwork, waiting on court approvals, and coordinating with the sheriff’s office — we hit a roadblock. The judge approved everything, but the sheriff’s department rejected the eviction because they couldn’t confirm how many people actually live in the property. Turns out, that detail doesn't just have to match what's on the lease — it has to match the exact occupants. And now we’re back to square one.

It’s a hard (and expensive) lesson in humility.

If you’re a landlord or a real estate investor, hear me when I say this:
 Not everything is worth DIY’ing.

Some tasks, like legal evictions, have too much at stake — timelines, compliance, and people’s livelihoods. One small misstep can reset the entire process.

So, while DIY can absolutely save you time and money on certain projects, there are moments when calling in the professionals is the best investment you can make.

At the Reed Estate Team, we live and breathe real estate — from buying and selling to advising real estate investors. And the truth? Even we’re still learning. Because that’s what this business is — a constant balance between grit, growth, and grace.

If you’re considering investing in rental properties or navigating landlord challenges, we’d love to share what we’ve learned — the wins, the fails, and everything in between.

 Because success in real estate isn’t about doing it all yourself — it’s about doing it with the right team.