You've seen or heard of people who buy dilapidated properties at a huge discount, fix them up, and then sell them for a big profit. It's been the romantic dream for millions of people. How romantic is it really?

Most people who get in and do the dirty work say it's not that romantic at all - especially when they're cleaning out the mold, rat remains, or asbestos from an old property. And there's definately nothing sweet about finding unexpected structural problems that can lead to a big financial disaster. However, for those who know what they're doing, fixing and flipping properties can be a big money maker.

Just ask Than & Paul, the stars of A&E's Flip This House, and regular guests of the Real Wealth Show. They made their first million just 18 months after starting. This was a big turn around from their flailing restaurant business in New York City. They did the dirty repair work in the beginning, but soon realized that more money could be made if they systemized the process. They now have teams of bird-dogs (people finding the properties), contractors and marketers in place to do the work for them. Now they own the business, rather than letting it own them.