Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

Latest Episodes:

163: The Road to Becoming an Unlikely Real Estate Investor with Grant Francke Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

Sometimes, it's the W2 job that convinces you to pursue a different career—one that offers time freedom and the ability to control your income.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes investor Grant Francke to the show. Grant is the author of "The Unlikely Investor: A Path to Financial Freedom Through Real Estate. He began investing in real estate while still working for the railroad, and Grant quickly caught the bug, spending a lot of time learning more about the industry. It ultimately led him to quit the W2 railroad job and become a full-time real estate investor.

Jonathan and Grant explore Grant's exposure as a kid to real estate investing through his dad, how he found his "why," and how he was ultimately able to leave his railroad job to invest full-time. Grant shares why it was important for his wife to be on board with him in this venture, how his W2 helped them kickstart their investing, and how he used seller financing to fund his first few properties following his first duplex. Grant shares when he began to create systems and processes, the importance of building relationships in your local community, and why he likes keeping his portfolio local. You'll hear how he began transitioning into larger multifamily properties, the role of educating himself with podcasts and books in growing the business, and why Grant believes he waited too long to hire an assistant.

Successful real estate investors can come from any background, and Grant Francke is setting that example for his children and others as he builds an impressive portfolio in his community.

In this episode, you will hear:

Grant Francke's path to real estate investing and why he decided to do it differently than his dad
Finding your "why" and building systems and processes around it to scale
When Grant left his railroad job after he started investing
The importance of a spouse who's on board with real estate investing
How W2 income helped Grant and his wife start investing in properties and their first investment property
What he had to do to finance his next few properties and how it led to creating systems and processes
Doing your due diligence and building relationships in your community for local deals
Why building relationships is the most important part of real estate investing
The benefits of keeping your real estate portfolio local
Grant's transition into larger multifamily properties versus duplexes or single-family assets
Involving his family in the business and how podcasts and books helped him take the business to the next level
The role real estate meetups had in showing Grant what was possible
How clustering locally helps him identify good investment properties and offers credibility
Scaling at a reasonable pace, staying in your lane, and knowing your why
Hiring someone you trust to free up even more time

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If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at https://zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com/podcast/163/ to download it.

Supporting Resources:

Grant Francke's website - GrantFrancke.com

Find Grant on Facebook - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561247135104

Connect with Grant on Instagram - instagram.com/grant.francke

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

162: Unique Strategies For Short-Term Rental Profitability with Michael Chang Aug 08, 2024

Show notes

What if you didn't have to buy your own property to turn it into a short-term rental investment?

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Michael Chang, co-founder and partner at TrustBNB Vacation Rentals and TrustBNB Capital. Michael is a New York-based investor who owns and operates a portfolio of short-term rentals in Philadelphia and the Tennessee Smoky Mountains. He is an expert in using arbitrage for short-term rental properties. Michael shares other non-traditional investing methods while outlining how location and your experience level meet.

Jonathan and Michael begin their conversation by exploring Michael Chang's experience as an immigrant to the U.S. as a child and his first exposure to real estate when his family bought a home. He shares how he and his wife began real estate investing with short-term rentals in Queens, New York, using arbitrage. Michael explains the benefits of jumping into the investing waters and using trial and error to determine what works for your business. You'll hear Michael's buy box requirements for arbitrage, his competitive advantage in Philadelphia, and the value of flexibility as an investor. Finally, Jonathan and Michael delve into the specifics of his Smoky Mountains properties, revealing the impact HOAs have on them, how the market there has shifted, and his tips for new investors who want to use arbitrage in their portfolios.

Michael Chang makes a strong case for arbitrage if you've ever considered short-term rentals but aren't sure if you want to jump in with purchasing your own properties.

In this episode, you will hear:

Michael Chang's experience as an immigrant to the U.S. and his exposure to real estate when his family bought their first house
How he and his wife began real estate investing with short-term rentals in Queens, New York
Leveraging rental arbitrage to test the short-term rental waters
The benefits of jumping in and using trial-and-error to figure out what works for your rental business
Michael's buy box for rentals he's looking to arbitrage
The underrated competitive advantage he has in Philadelphia
Why a lack of amenities in arbitraged apartments isn't necessarily a bad thing
The value of flexibility as an investor and how that benefitted Michale with his Smoky Mountains properties
The impact of HOAs on short-term rentals
How the market has shifted
Michael's tips for using arbitrage in real estate investing

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Michael Chang on Instagram - www.instagram.com/michaelchangbnb

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhchang

Michael's TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@michaelchangbnb

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

161: Long-Term Wealth From Strategic Value-Add Multifamily with Mike Roeder Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Most investors begin their careers with one asset class in mind but quickly find their niches as they progress. Today's guest is one such investor.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Mike Roeder, co-founder and managing partner at Granite Towers Equity Group. Mike oversees operations, acquisitions, investor relations, and asset management. Additionally, he is the co-host of the podcast Keeping It Real-Estate and co-author of "4 Steps to Successful Passive Investing."

Jonathan and Mike begin their conversation by exploring the house hack Mike and his now-wife did in their early 20s that introduced him to real estate investing, how he landed in syndications through multifamily assets and scaling his portfolio, and why he decided to begin diversifying outside Minnesota. Mike shares how he slowly scaled, what his ideal value-add apartment complex and neighborhood look like, and how he caters to residents and offers access to amenities. Finally, Jonathan and Mike delve into what appealed to Mike about Nashville and Dallas-Fort Worth, the four steps to successful passive investing, and why passive investing still requires work.

Creating long-term wealth takes time, but adding multifamily value-add syndications into your portfolio can help you get there a little bit faster.

In this episode, you will hear:

Mike Roeder's first investment property as a house hack in his early 20s that caused him to fall in love with real estate
His path into syndications through multifamily assets and scaling the portfolio
Diversifying outside of Minnesota into other markets in syndications
Why Mike chose to scale slowly and now targets properties with 150+ units
Getting over the humps to offer a deliverable that will be attractive to investors
Mike's advice for finding the right mentor in your niche and who he chooses to help
His ideal value-add apartment complex and neighborhood classification preferences
Renovating apartments at lease turnover and the option he offers current residents
Catering to your residents and offering access to amenities
The factors that appealed to Mike about Nashville and Dallas-Fort Worth
The four steps to successful passive investing
Due diligence that must be performed on older properties
Why passive investing still requires upfront work on your part
Mike's advice for brand-new investors

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Granite Towers Equity Group website - www.granitetowersequitygroup.com

Find Mike Roeder on Facebook - www.facebook.com/michael.roeder.77

Mike's Instagram - www.instagram.com/mikejroeder

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/mike-roeder-6aa39b15

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

160: The Wake-Up Call to Lead a Life by Design with Paul Thompson Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

Sometimes, a moment of clarity can lead you down a different career path—one that's both a better fit for what you want in life and that offers new opportunities.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Paul Thompson, a bestselling author, full-time real estate investor, coach, hard money lender, and host of The Wake Up Call podcast. He is also the founder of One Call Capital.

Jonathan and Paul start by exploring what pushed Paul out of his comfortable W2 position and into a career in real estate investing. Paul shares one of the most common mistakes investors make, how his first property hooked him into real estate, and some hard lessons that led him to change his strategy. You'll hear how a layoff propelled him to pursue a larger portfolio, why you need to learn what you're good at and what to let go of, and the criteria he looks for in a first-time borrower as a hard money lender. Finally, Jonathan and Paul delve into Paul's preference for assets that provide residential service, how he remains focused on his end goal, and his advice for finding a mentor or coach without paying for an expensive mastermind or coaching program.

Paul Thompson has designed the life he wants after recognizing that the corporate world left him vulnerable to its whims, and with the right tools, you can do the same.

In this episode, you will hear:

Real estate's role in Paul Thompson's master life plan and the catalyst he needed to finally begin investing
One of the most common mistakes real estate investors make
Why you don't need to pay someone to tell you how to get into real estate investing
Paul's first investment property and how it hooked him into real estate
Some of the hard lessons he had to learn before changing his strategy
How a layoff led to creating a bigger portfolio
Learning what you're good at and what to let go of
What Paul's business offers to investors
The criteria he looks for in a first-time borrower
Why Paul prefers assets that provide a residential service and the mistake investors often make
Remaining focused on the end goal and how the EOS framework helps accomplish it
Finding a mentor or a coach and Paul's advice for new investors

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Real Estate 101 - www.realestate101.com

Real Estate 101 on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@CommercialRealEstate101

Peter Conti's Commercial Investing Community - www.facebook.com/groups/commercialinvestingcommunity

Paul Thompson's Instagram - www.instagram.com/pauldavidthompson

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/paulthompson-onecallcapital

Paul's hub site - www.pauldavidthompson.com

Paul Thompson on TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@pauldavidthompson

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

159: Fractional Real Estate Investing as a Group with Brian Davis Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

As a new investor, you may not be prepared to take on the full risk of purchasing properties or buying into a syndication without experience. Fractional real estate investing could be the sweet spot you've been looking for.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Brian Davis, co-founder of Spark Rental. Spark Rental is an investing club that focuses on fractional real estate investing. Brian came up with this idea after his own experience with investing and deciding there had to be a better way for new investors to get started.

Jonathan and Brian delve into what led Brian to a career in real estate investing after working with a hard money lender. You'll hear the 50% rule he uses to help investors understand their expenses, how he paid tuition to the school of hard knocks to learn some important lessons, and the most challenging part of real estate investing for new investors. They cover why Brian disliked landlording, which led him to co-found Spark Rental. Finally, Jonathan and Brian outline the two challenges new, non-accredited investors have, the importance of timeline diversification, and the advantages of a fractional investing model like Spark Rental.

Fractional real estate investing is a viable option for investors who aren't comfortable going all-in on their first property, and Brian Davis makes a compelling case for its benefits.

In this episode, you will hear:

How a job with a hard money lender led to Brian Davis's career in real estate
The 50% rule that he uses to help new investors wrap their heads around the expenses of investing
Paying tuition to the school of hard knocks and learning lessons the hard way
The most challenging part of real estate investing for new investors
Minimizing turnover rates as a landlord to maximize profits
Brian's dislike of landlording and what pushed him out of it
The story behind Spark Rental and what it does as a fractional real estate investing model
Two challenges new, non-accredited investors face
The importance of timeline diversification
The advantages of an investing model like Spark Rental for investors who aren't yet ready for a syndication
Brian's favorite asset class and why it appeals to him

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Spark Rental website - sparkrental.com

Spark Rental on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@LiveOffRents

Find Spark Rental on Facebook - www.facebook.com/sparkrental

Spark Rental's Instagram account - www.instagram.com/sparkrental

Connect with Spark Rental on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/spark-rental

Spark Rental on Twitter/X - www.twitter.com/sparkrental

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

158: Real Estate Investing to Create a Life of Freedom with Tony Lopes Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

Crafting a lifestyle of freedom in your 40s may sound like an impossibly far-fetched goal, but today's guest is living out that goal and teaching others to do the same.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes guest Tony Lopes, CEO of Dirty Boots Capital, author of "Freedom at Risk," and real estate investor, consultant, professional, and macroeconomic enthusiast. Tony's father worked full-time in construction while managing real estate investments on the side. Tony's mother would remind him to remove his dirty boots, which is where the name of Tony's company originates. Tony has a mechanical engineering degree as well as an MBA.

Jonathan and Tony start their conversation by exploring how a layoff led Tony to real estate investing. He emphasizes the enormous amount of free information available to new investors, how Tony learned using the trial-and-error method, and the two areas of real estate where investors get stuck. You'll hear from Tony how to overcome the psychological hurdles of investing, what it means to position yourself on the edge of the coin, and Tony's advice for using current market conditions to educate yourself before jumping in. Tony shares how networking and creating relationships now can benefit you later, why you need to know your value and skill set you can bring to the table, and Tony's trajectory from a fourplex to where he is today. As Jonathan and Tony approach the end of their discussion, they explore why Tony wrote his book, "Freedom at Risk," his decision to invest in landlord-friendly states, evaluating a property's distress level, and what you can learn from investing in a property despite higher interest rates.

Tony Lopes's retirement at 44 is inspiring, and you'll hear why he started a second career focused on helping others do real estate right.

In this episode, you will hear:

How a layoff led Tony Lopes to real estate investing
The free content available to new investors who are ready to learn
Learning trial by error
The two areas of real estate where investors get stuck
Overcoming the psychological hurdles of investing
Positioning yourself to be on the edge of the coin to win
Understanding that it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them
Tony's advice for using the current market conditions as a new investor to educate yourself before jumping into the market
Networking and creating relationships that can benefit you later
Knowing your value and what you can bring to the table
Tony's trajectory from his first fourplex to where he is today
Why Tony Lopes wrote his book to help others find their freedom
Choosing landlord-friendly states to invest in based on the macroeconomics of the area
Evaluating the distress a property is in and what is causing the distress
What you can learn from investing in a property despite higher interest rates
Why you have to be careful where you're receiving information from
The story behind Dirty Boots

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Dirty Boots Capital - dirtybootscapital.com

Dirty Boots Capital on YouTube - youtube.com/@DirtyBootsCapital

Find Dirty Boots Capital on Facebook - www.facebook.com/DirtyBootsCapital

Dirty Boots Capital on Instagram - instagram.com/dirty_boots_capital

Connect with Tony Lopes on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/tony-lopes-far

Tony Lopes on Twitter/X - twitter.com/freedomatrisk_

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

157: How to Climb The Wealth Elevator Through Real Estate with Lane Kawaoka Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Understanding where you are on The Wealth Elevator can help you figure out what it takes to get to the next floor on the wealth path.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Lane Kawaoka, author of "The Wealth Elevator," to the show. Lane is also CEO of The Wealth Elevator, focusing on real estate syndications, accredited investor banking, and tax strategies for first-generation millionaires. Lane wants to be the person to take these first-generation millionaires from the investment floors all the way up to financial freedom.

As Jonathan and Lane begin their discussion, Lane shares how he entered the world of real estate investing in his early 20s and where he started buying properties after renting out that first property. You'll hear the pros and cons of Lane's out-of-state rentals, what drew him into syndications, and why he wrote "The Wealth Elevator." Jonathan and Lane explore what Lane calls "the forgotten years," why most people fail to realize their time is worth more than money, and the levels of The Wealth Elevator. You'll hear three things to look for in a real estate syndication, the landmines you can encounter in syndications, and Lane's reasoning for adding diversification to his portfolio outside of real estate. Finally, they cover how Lane coaches his clients to set their expectations for syndications, why you should rely on experts, how a portfolio changes as wealth accumulates, and why you don't want to invest alongside the average Joe.

With The Wealth Elevator, Lane Kawaoka provides an illustrative way to envision your wealth journey.

In this episode, you will hear:

Lane Kawaoka's entry into real estate in his early 20s as an engineer who wasn't home much and decided to rent his home out
Where Lane began buying properties after renting out his first house in Seattle
The pros and cons of his turnkey out-of-state rentals
What drew him into syndications and why he wrote "The Wealth Elevator"
"The forgotten years" Lane is addressing and the motivation having kids gives people
Why most people don't realize their time is worth more than money until they hit $1.5 million net worth
The levels of The Wealth Elevator and where most people start
Three things to check for in a real estate syndication
Some of the landmines you can encounter in syndications
Why syndications don't mean making a quick buck
Lane's reasoning for adding some diversification to his portfolio outside of real estate
How he coaches his clients to set their expectations with syndications
The tradeoff between liquidity and higher returns
Relying on experts to find good syndication deals
How a portfolio changes as an investor reaches a larger net worth
Lane's favorite asset class as an owner
Why you don't want to invest alongside the average Joe
The ideal reader of "The Wealth Elevator"

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

The Wealth Elevator website - theWealthElevator.com

The Wealth Elevator on YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCX1ZU4WejBYUwvdGbBHOWzQ

Find The Wealth Elevator on Instagram - www.instagram.com/thewealthelevator

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

156: Transforming Underutilized Hotels into Vibrant Apartment Ecosystems with Alex Cartwright Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

You may look at a distressed hotel and consider it an eyesore, but innovative real estate investors are turning them into properties with a purpose.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Alex Cartwright, Department Chair of the Management Department at Ferris State University and Principal at Hotel SHIFT, which specializes in hotel-to-apartment conversions. Alex is also a professor of economics.

Jonathan and Alex start their discussion by exploring Alex's interest in real estate, which began in graduate school. You'll hear his explanation of the ability to generate alpha in real estate, how real estate allows you to control your destiny, and why he encourages his students to do house hacks. Jonathan and Alex explore the types of clientele upscale multifamily properties attract, why it can be beneficial to rent instead of buy, and the importance of avoiding making decisions on principles. You'll hear how his lack of excitement about apartment buildings led to founding Hotel SHIFT, the two reasons hotels make great investments, and why buying hotels makes more sense than converting other commercial spaces. Finally, they cover the size of hotels Alex is looking for, the features they should have, the importance of prioritizing occupancy over rent, and what limited partners can expect when they invest with Hotel SHIFT.

If you're seeking a syndication investment that's a bit out of the ordinary, Alex Cartwright outlines why hotel conversions could be what you're looking for.

In this episode, you will hear:

Alex Cartwright's interest in real estate that began in graduate school in Washington, D.C.
What appealed to him about real estate and the ability to generate alpha
Controlling your destiny with how you operate your real estate business
Why Alex encourages his students to do house hacks and still lives in a multifamily himself today
The clientele that upscale multifamily properties attract
The benefits of renting versus buying
Avoiding making decisions on principles and instead, learn to run the numbers and make the decision best for you
How Alex's lack of excitement about apartments led to starting Hotel SHIFT
The two reasons hotels make great investments
Why buying hotels makes more sense than other commercial spaces
The size of the hotels he looks for when looking for his next purchase and the features they need to have
What tenants are looking for when they rent one of Alex's properties
Prioritizing occupancy before optimizing rent and the amount of time it takes to hit his goals
What limited partners can expect if they invest with Hotel SHIFT
Taking on a little more risk to get a bigger reward

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Hotel SHIFT website - www.HotelShift.Capital

Find Alex Cartwright on Instagram - www.instagram.com/Audesapere1

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/alexcartwright

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

155: How Operational Efficiency Forces Appreciation in Multifamily with Jered Sturm Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider real estate investing, but those with training in the trades have a unique advantage as investors. They understand the day-to-day expenses of maintaining and running an asset better than most.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jered Sturm joins Jonathan to discuss his real estate investing venture in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. Jered is the co-founder and CEO of SNS Capital Group, a private equity investment firm specializing in creating wealth through real estate. SNS Capital focuses on acquiring and operating large apartment communities. SNS Capital uses operational efficiency to force appreciation in these multifamily properties.

As they open their conversation, Jonathan and Jered delve into Jered's first exposure to real estate in high school, the competitive advantage his natural affinity for trades gave him, and how a house hack helped him jumpstart his real estate investing career. Jered shares why the first few purchases he made were with cash, the challenges he experienced as he moved into larger-scale multifamily apartment buildings, and the benefits of having a successful track record before he began borrowing. Jered shares the biggest transition point in his career, the importance of understanding your competitive advantages, and the capacity you can handle on your own before hiring a team. He reveals the two components he looks for before purchasing value-add assets, how to evaluate properties for improvements they need that could force appreciation, and Jered's reasoning for not hiring outside property management. Finally, Jered explains why he focuses on the Cincinnati market and how remaining process-focused instead of percentage-of-growth-focused benefits his business.

If you've ever wondered if knowledge of the trades can help you start a real estate investing career, Jered Sturm's story offers a resounding "yes."

In this episode, you will hear:

Jered Sturm's first exposure to real estate in high school and the competitive advantage he had
How a house hack helped Jered jumpstart his real estate career
His natural talent for work in the trades and how that benefited him as he built a real estate portfolio
Why the first few purchases were cash purchases before moving into using lenders
The challenges of moving into larger-scale multifamily apartment buildings
The benefits of having a successful track record with cash before borrowing capital
Challenges of owning larger multifamily units and why that required Jered to wear several hats as he managed it and attempted to grow
The biggest transition point for Jered and when he realized he could step back
Understanding your competitive advantages and the capacity of units you can handle with your own money first
Two components Jered looks for before purchasing value-add assets
Evaluating properties based on the improvements they require that may force appreciation
Why property management is vertically integrated into Jered's business model
What he looks for in a property as he evaluates it for purchase
Controlling vacancies for executional efficiency
How being local allows Jered to create greater efficiency and predictability with each asset
The lesson he learned about branching out to multiple markets when you aren't familiar with them
Jered's comfort with his current position in the market and his reputation
What Jered includes in his letter of intent when he makes an offer
Remaining process-focused instead of focusing on the percentage of growth
Cincinnati's appeal for investors

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

SNS Capital Group website - snscapitalgroup.com

Find SNS Capital Group on Facebook - www.facebook.com/snscapitalgroup

SNS Capital Group on Instagram - www.instagram.com/snscapitalgroup

Connect with Jered Sturm on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jered-sturm-066198121

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

Episode Credits

154: Learning How to Develop Dirt Out of Necessity with Clay Hepler Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

While flipping, multifamily, and short-term rentals are some of the more popular real estate investing assets, land offers a vast blue ocean of untapped opportunities.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Clay Hepler, the Landman. Clay started his career with the intention of building a rental portfolio, but when things changed, he turned to land. Today, he is a land flipper and the CEO of Landman.

As Jonathan and Clay begin their conversation, they delve into Clay's decision to drop out of college and pivot toward real estate. They discuss the role of mindset in building a business, why you should avoid courses from "gurus" who haven't put in the reps, the value of repetition, and why Clay adjusts his sales script every month. You'll hear how lowball offers can open conversations with a seller, how Clay uses direct mail to reach potential sellers, why consistency separates those who are successful from those who are not, creating connections with your audience and relating to them, and the outcome of a reactive versus proactive business model. Finally, you'll hear why Clay never wants to scale out of his business and what you can expect from his Landman Accelerator course.

If land isn't yet on your radar, Clay Hepler is opening up about why it could be an untapped source of success.

In this episode, you will hear:

Clay Hepler's accidental path to real estate
His decision to drop out of college and pivot toward a real estate career after a sports injury derailed his plans
The value of investing in people and putting in the work
Mindset's role in bearing the stress of building a business
Avoiding courses from "gurus" who don't know how to create a successful business model
How repetition can show you what you're doing wrong
Why Clay adjusts his sales script every month based on seller feedback
Understanding the intent behind the sale of an asset
The financial catastrophe that led Clay to build a land-flipping business after dabbling in apartment buildings
Making low offers on land and how it can open a conversation with the seller
Direct mail's role in marketing to potential sellers
The items Clay Hepler scrubs for when he's considering a piece of land
Why he compares his land business to a conveyor belt
The importance of feedback on direct mail marketing
How consistency separates those who are successful from the less successful
Calling every three to six months to build your brand with who you're marketing to
Creating connections with your audience and relating to them on a fundamental level
Deciding whether you want a reactive or proactive business
The reason Clay never wants to scale out of his business
Landman Accelerator and what you can expect to get out of the course