Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

Latest Episodes:

133: Demographically Driven Multifamily Real Estate Investing with Michael Zaransky Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

Most investors start investing careers in one asset class and switch to another. Today's guest discovered his path early and stuck with it.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes guest Michael Zaransky of MZ Capital Partners. Michael is the founder and managing principal of MZ Capital Partners, which concentrates on investment, property acquisition, and development. Michael began his career with triple-net leases and quickly moved to multifamily properties.

Jonathan and Michael's conversation begins with why Michael received a law degree but never practiced. They discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of real estate today, especially regarding technology use, what Michael learned from his first investment, and what you should look for in an emerging neighborhood you want to invest in. He shares how building new versus purchasing existing structures can be beneficial, his preference for land versus property with existing structures, and what goes into choosing unit configurations for a development. Jonathan and Michael explore what makes the traditional multifamily model appealing, his entrance into the single-family market in Knoxville, and why he continues to purchase assets in his local Chicago market. Finally, you'll hear why amenities matter in multifamily housing, the generational differences that impact a tenant's rental preferences, and the biggest struggle in attaining equity in bigger syndications.

If you've ever wondered what it's like to jump into multifamily instead of exploring other asset classes first, you won't want to miss this episode with Michael Zaransky.

In this episode, you will hear:

Why Michael Zaransky pivoted to real estate after law school and never became a traditional attorney
Real estate's evolution and the advantages and disadvantages of being online
Michael's decision to invest in a triple-net lease as his first investment and what he learned from that experience
His investments in some of Chicago's emerging neighborhoods and staying on top of what's going on in the local market
The stores to look for in an area you're considering for investment
Michael's advice for familiarizing yourself with a neighborhood
Building new versus purchasing existing structures and what influences those decisions
Development and his preference for land versus a property with an existing asset that requires demolition
The property size Michael prefers and what's needed to manage them
Choosing unit configurations for a development
Managing student housing and how it differs from other types of multifamily properties
What he likes about the traditional multifamily model
How a recent acquisition in Knoxville, Tennessee, took Michael Zaransky into the single-family rental market with 87 single-family homes
The buying opportunities coming up in Michael's local Chicago market
Offering amenities to help scale out on rents and outpace older buildings built just as apartments
What each generation is looking for in an apartment
Why Michael sticks primarily to multifamily instead of branching out to other asset classes
The biggest struggle in attaining equity in bigger syndications and Michael's advice for someone just starting in this real estate niche

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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 http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/133 to download it.

Supporting Resources:

Michael Zaransky's website - michaelzaransky.com

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/michael-h-zaransky-b2b27b55

Find Michael Zaransky on Twitter - twitter.com/zaransky

MZ Capital Partners website - mzcapitalpartners.com

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.

132: Converting Commercial Real Estate into Self-Storage with Clint Harris Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

Self-storage is appealing as a passive investment opportunity. Most interactions are with your tenants' belongings. And if you don't have to construct the building from scratch, it can be an incredibly lucrative investment opportunity.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan's guest is Clint Harris, a general partner and investor relations specialist with Nomad Capital. Like nearly everyone, Clint began his real estate investing with single-family properties. He pivoted to multifamily and Airbnbs and finally landed on self-storage syndications. Clint's self-storage path has a unique twist because he and his partners convert retail facilities, such as old Kmart buildings, into self-storage buildings. Clint's background also includes 15 years in medical device sales.

As Jonathan and Clint begin their conversation, Clint shares his two mistakes when he started real estate investing and the three ways he discovered to get to the independence of purpose. They explore what led him to self-storage, the fallacy of passive income, what you should consider before committing to any real estate project, and being slow to hire property managers and quick to fire them. Jonathan and Clint cover how he invested in his first self-storage conversion using vertical integrations, how long it takes for a conversion to cash flow, and why passive investment strategies should be a part of your portfolio. Finally, they explore the generational differences in using self-storage and Clint's advice for new investors who don't know what direction to take.

It can take a while to hit your stride as an investor, but Clint Harris makes a compelling case for investing in passive assets like self-storage.

In this episode, you will hear:

The two mistakes Clint Harris made as he began real estate investing
Why appreciation makes more millionaires and billionaires than cash flow
Two questions Clint asked himself to start moving toward independence of purpose and the three ways he discovered he could get there
What led him to self-storage and why they've been lucrative investments
Return of time and why most real estate investors eventually seek that out instead of equity or cash flow
The fallacy of passive income
Getting on the same page with your spouse or partner and aligning your goals to create a plan to achieve them
What you should ask yourself before committing to any real estate project
Hiring property managers and why you should be slow to hire and quick to fire them
How Clint invested in his first conversion to self-storage, which was an old Kmart building, using vertical integrations
The reason converting old retail buildings to self-storage works for Clint
The length of time it takes to create cash flow in a self-storage conversion
Why a passive investment strategy should be part of your investing portfolio
Features Clint Harris looks for in a building as he considers it for self-storage
The generational differences in the usage of self-storage units
His advice for new investors who aren't yet sure what direction they want to take

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Visit Nomad Capital's website - nomadcapital.us/team

Truly Passive Income YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/channel/UCe0F1abrRXQX2KpSl5qEnoA

Connect with Clint Harris on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/clint-harris-543265139

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

131: Disrupting the Construction Industry by Modernizing Manufacturing with Damion Lupo Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

Aside from the invention of the nail gun, technology has remained relatively unchanged in the last 75 years when it comes to constructing real estate. One company is trying to change that and make the industry more efficient and less wasteful.

On today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan's guest is Damion Lupo, the Chief Investment Officer of FrameTec. Over the last 30 years, Damion has owned more than 65 companies and personally purchased over 150 houses, apartment complexes, and condos in seven states. He has a long history in real estate, and with FrameTec, he's modernizing manufacturing and disrupting the construction industry.

Jonathan and Damion begin their conversation by outlining how FrameTec is disrupting the construction business, the gap it's filling, and why it's causing both excitement and panic. You'll hear what losing everything during the 2008 crash taught Damion, how a lack of patience can be detrimental in this business, and two things you can do to avoid making drastic investing mistakes. He also shares where to look for people you can trust and learn from, how to avoid FOMO, and why you should never be afraid to do the work. Finally, Damion outlines the scope of FrameTec, how it will revolutionize real estate, and the huge problem FrameTec is set to solve.

Disrupting construction is a big goal, but Damion Lupo is well on his way to changing the face of the industry.

In this episode, you will hear:

What FrameTec does and how the company is disrupting the construction business
The gap FrameTec is filling in the construction industry and why it's causing both panic and excitement
How this new construction model is positively impacting local communities and helping to alleviate the housing shortage
Damion Lupo's introduction to real estate in the '90s and the mistakes he made during the 2008 crash
Why it's essential to have people you respect and trust to point out your blind spots and have a mission beyond money
Remaining focused and not overleveraged yourself so that you become distracted
The biggest mistakes people make when they have money but lack patience
Two things you can do to avoid making drastic mistakes with your investing
Where to find people you can eventually trust and learn from
Avoiding FOMO, having a five- to ten-year plan, being patient, and putting in the work
Why you should never take advice from people who make less money than you
Asking the right questions to get an honest answer and a deeper understanding of the concept
The overall scope of FrameTec, how it's going to help real estate, and the huge problem FrameTec is set to solve
Gaps in construction post-2008 and why big wealth isn't in turnkey properties
How you can be successful by just offering customer service
Investing in yourself to move forward
Damion's many books and what drives him to write them

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Supporting Resources:

FrameTec's website - www.frametec.com

Damion Lupo on YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UC6qIIkh9nXpzeqF0TofSFGA

Find Damion on Facebook - www.facebook.com/damionlupo

Connect with Damion on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/damionlupo

Damion Lup on Twitter/X - twitter.com/damionlupo

TurnKey Retirement's website - turnkeyretirement.com

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

130: How to Build a Medium-Term Rental Portfolio with James Hwang Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes guest James Hwang, who found his niche in mid-term rentals. James is well on his way to building a large medium-term rental portfolio after starting with nothing. By day, he is an oncology pharmacist. By night, he's a real estate investor, renovating the projects he takes on.

Jonathan and James jump into his story, beginning with the troubles his parents experienced owning rentals when James was a child. They explore why James settled on a multifamily as his first rental, why he believes strongly in giving to others and building a community, and how he was introduced to mid-term rentals. You'll hear the income differential between long- and mid-term rentals, the systems James put into place to manage his properties, and the questions to ask yourself before entering the mid-term rental market. James explains the importance of vetting prospective tenants carefully, mixing in long-term rentals with mid-terms, and the ability to offer those tenants other properties once you've built your portfolio. Finally, Jonathan and James explore why mid-terms don't need to be flashy, what his properties offer that others don't, and using arbitrage to get ahead in the real estate game.

James Hwang quickly figured out what would work for him as a new investor, and he's eager to help others learn to do the same.

In this episode, you will hear:

When James Hwang realized real estate would be a part of his future
His parents' experiences with real estate, why it was initially off-putting, and how he changed their minds about it
James's first investment property and why he chose a multifamily
The techniques he used to manage his stress as he began purchasing properties
Giving to others, building a community, and why it ultimately will be reciprocated
What drew him to the idea of mid-term rentals, and how he got started
The income differential between long-term and mid-term rentals
Putting systems into place to manage properties and matching those to your goals
Questions to ask yourself before jumping into the mid-term rental game
Vetting your tenants carefully and ensuring you're acting as a good landlord
Mixing in long-term rentals with mid-terms to maintain steady cashflow
Humanizing the landlord-tenant relationship and remembering that when increasing rents
Being able to offer potential tenants other properties once you've built an economy of scale
How James bought a duplex with mid-term rental opportunities in mind
Why mid-terms don't need to be as flashy as short-term rentals
What PPL is and why that matters when you're offering mid-term rentals
The arbitrage he's created and how it's benefitting his business and the owner's
Security deposits and rent while using arbitrage
James's overall goal with arbitrage at the apartment complex he's in

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Supporting Resources:

Stellar Housing Solutions website - stellarhousingsolutions.com

Connect with James Hwang on Instagram - www.instagram.com/james_hwang

Find Stellar Housing Solutions on Instagram - www.instagram.com/stellarhousing

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

129: Building Systems to Scale in Real Estate Investing with Serena Norris Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

On the surface, systems may sound like one of the boring details—something you only deal with if you have to. However, systems can make your life as a real estate investor much easier and maybe even save you money in the long run.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, former graphic designer Serena Norris outlines why she left the corporate world to build a thriving career flipping homes and building systems along the way. Serena is a house flipper, broker, and realtor at Heaton Dainard. She is the head of marketing at Limitless Financial Freedom Expo and founded Scale with Serena. She's flipped or BRRRR'd more than 125 properties.

Jonathan and Serena's conversation explores her exposure to real estate as a child in a family full of general contractors, her pivot from a career in graphic design to real estate flips, and how she transferred her love of organization and systems to a standardized process for flips. She shares why lower- and mid-range homes work best for property flips, where flippers go wrong organizationally and in design, and why a detailed punch list can avoid problems late in the flipping process. Serena also outlines the value of using a home inspector, why contractors are a part of your team, and how a cost-of-work budget template can help you accurately estimate costs for a project. Finally, she emphasizes creating friendships and relationships with other investors who can advise you along the way.

At first glance, flipping homes can feel like a lonely and tedious enterprise, but changing your perspective and putting systems in place can help you create a well-oiled operation that works for any project.

In this episode, you will hear:

Serena Norris's exposure to real estate as a child in a family of general contractors and what drew her to the aesthetic of homes
How her career as a graphic designer led her back to real estate and starting her own business
Meeting her partner at her cousin's wedding and why they work so well together
Putting systems and organization in place out of necessity
The decision to do eight or ten deals at a time, which became Serena's sweet spot
Using her training as a graphic designer to problem solve in real estate transactions
The challenges of aligning buyer expectations with construction costs for higher-end homes and switching back to lower- to mid-range homes
Where flippers go wrong the most organizationally and in terms of design
Unfinished touches on a property and how detailed punch lists can avoid this problem
Utilizing home inspector remarks to train contractors on what you want to be done on your properties
Why your contractors are a part of your team as a home flipper, and you aren't a one-person show
The importance of purchasing only the materials you want to manage as you renovate
Creating a cost-of-work budget template to accurately estimate costs for the next project
Getting multiple bids and taking advantage of relationships to find good contractors
Serena's advice for someone flipping a home for the first time
Having close friendships with other investors and why those relationships matter

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Get connected with Serena Norris - linktr.ee/serenanorris

Find Serena on Instagram - www.instagram.com/serena.claire

Connect with Serena on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/serenanorris

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

128: Embracing Wanderlust with Unique Short-Term Rentals with Zoey Berghoff Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

Becoming an accidental landlord happens a lot with long-term rentals, but the same cannot be said for short-term rentals. So what happens when it does?

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, short-term rental investor Zoey Berghoff sits down with Jonathan to talk about the successful short-term rental operation she and her husband are running in Colorado. Zoey is a visionary in the world of short-term rentals and is renowned for her unique approach to Airbnb and unique stays that offer unforgettable experiences to her guests.

To start their conversation, Zoey shares with Jonathan what she learned as she watched her mom manage vacation rental cabins in Michigan as a kid. From there, they discuss why simplicity is the secret to hospitality excellence, Airbnb's role as a marketing tool, and why unique stays attract guests. You'll hear why you don't want to appeal to every guest, avoiding the Instant Book feature, how Zoey and her husband became accidental short-term hosts, and why you need professional photos of your listings. Zoey emphasizes setting boundaries and being willing to deny bookings, what her coaching business is teaching others about short-term rental properties, and using your properties to fund new short-term ventures. She also shares the one amenity you cannot put a price on.

If you've ever considered becoming an Airbnb host, you won't want to miss all of the hard-earned lessons Zoey Berghoff shares in this episode.

In this episode, you will hear:

Zoey Berghoff's introduction to real estate as a kid when her mom rented out cabins in Michigan
Why simplicity is the secret to excellence in hospitality
The changes in the hosting experience with the evolution of technology
Airbnb's role in short-term rentals as a marketing tool
Taking advantage of every channel available to you as a short-term rental owner
The unique qualities of short-term rentals that are driving consumer interest
What Zoey learned to disclose about her properties on listings so that users' expectations are set about the property they're renting
Why you don't want to appeal to every guest who views your listing
Choosing not to use the Instant Book feature and making everything else about the listing on point to compensate
How Zoey and her husband became accidental short-term hosts
Buying properties where you enjoy spending time and also running it like a business
Knowing the demographics of your guests and accommodating them
Getting professional photos and showcasing the seasons
Using social media to market your properties and the impact an influencer can have
Setting boundaries as a host and denying bookings
Zoey's coaching business and what she's teaching her students
Why all land is not created equal
Holding short-term rentals for the long term and using the appreciation to fund new rentals
The importance of having proximity to a town while guests still feel "away" from everything and the advantage of multiple properties at your disposal
What you can expect from Zoey's coaching program
The one amenity you can't put a price on

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Visit Zoey Berghoff's website - www.zoeyberghoff.com

Connect with Zoey on Instagram - www.instagram.com/zoeyberghoff

Zoey's TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@zoeyberghoff

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

127: Leaving a Career To Find Time Freedom Through Real Estate with Seena Ghetmiri Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

While you may start a career with high hopes of loving your chosen path, it doesn't always work out. You may find yourself looking for alternative paths to create more time freedom, which is where real estate investing comes in.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan's guest is Seena Ghetmiri, a former dentist turned real estate investor leaning into the short-term rental market after learning the ropes with long- and medium-term rentals. Seena and his wife began investing just two years ago, but in that time, they've learned a lot of lessons they're using to continue growing their business. He spent a couple of years as a dentist before pivoting to real estate full-time, which he did with the support of his wife.

You'll hear how Seena discovered real estate investing through a friend and mentor, which led him to buy his first investment property in Phoenix, Arizona. Disillusioned with dentistry as a career, Seena quit his job and went all in on real estate investing, attending meetups, making connections, and making mistakes. He quickly points out that his wife's business enabled him to quit his full-time job and transition careers. Seena shares with Jonathan the role relationships have had in purchasing more assets, how he's learning by doing, and why he switched from long-term to short-term rentals. He explains that catering to a particular type of avatar in his short-term rentals contributes to his success, what can help you remove yourself from analysis paralysis, and what he's still figuring out about the business.

Seena Ghetmiri went all in on real estate investing after deciding dentistry would be a career slog, and his passion for real estate shines through in his conversation with Jonathan.

In this episode, you will hear:

Seena Ghetmiri's realization that he wanted to leave dentistry and go full-time with real estate investing after losing his dad
The time freedom that real estate investing has given Seena and his wife to spend more time together as a family
What he would have done differently to leave dentistry knowing what he knows now
Experiencing analysis paralysis and overcoming that to make his first investment
His family and friends' thoughts on his real estate business two years into it
Seena's first investment home in Phoenix, what made it a good first property, and what he learned from the purchasing process
Getting comfortable with buying more properties and using the equity they earn to finance new investments
The role of relationships in purchasing assets and gaining confidence as you stay on the investing path
Finding trustworthy contacts at meetups, learning from them, and not feeling intimidated by those farther along on the journey
Learning by doing
What took Seena to the next level and switched his focus from long-term rentals to short-term
Paying attention to details in the hospitality and short-term rental business and catering to a particular avatar
The one thing that can help you get out of the analysis paralysis mindset
Where Seena is going next with his investing, and what he still has to figure out
His advice for someone who wants to get into real estate but isn't sure how to start

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Connect with Seena Ghetmiri on Instagram - www.instagram.com/seena.ghetmiri

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

126: Self Storage as Syndicated Equities with Fernando Angelucci Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

The traditional role of a landlord isn't for everyone—even those who want to become real estate investors. If you don't want to deal with tenants in a traditional rental property, self-storage could be the perfect option.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Fernando Angelucci, CEO of Self Storage Syndicated Equities. Fernando began his real estate investing career in residential, quickly realized it wasn't a fit, moved into multifamily, and ultimately transitioned into self-storage. Today, Fernando is working toward building a billion-dollar company and is sharing the many benefits of a self-storage career.

As they kick off their conversation, Jonathan and Fernando explore his early foray into real estate investing, why residential wasn't a great fit, and how he was introduced to self-storage. Fernando shares his initial mistakes, including maxing out credit cards, what he learned from his early investments, and the central tenets he uses to guide his investing strategy. You'll hear the benefits of self-storage operations, how he decides where and what kind of facilities to build or buy, and the foundation big box retailers lay for him before he lands in a location. Finally, Fernando and Jonathan discuss the importance of marketing in this asset class and why rubbing shoulders with bigger fish in the self-storage game can lead to lucrative relationships.

Real estate doesn't have to revolve around tenants, and Fernando Angelucci has mastered this asset class that continues to produce bountiful returns.

In this episode, you will hear:

The impact "Rich Dad Poor Dad" had on Fernando Angelucci at 16 years old
His first entrepreneurial venture painting the exteriors of residential buildings at 19, and what he learned from that experience
The appeal of time freedom and why a business or investment vehicle can provide that
Mistakes Fernando made as he started his real estate business, including maxing out credit cards and losing $30,000 within a couple of months
The first property he invested in, the difficulty he had reselling it, and what he learned
Dealing with tenants as a landlord and then eventually pivoting to self-storage, which was a great fit for Fernando
His landmark principles surrounding self-storage
Three reasons Fernando loves self-storage
Fernando Angelucci's unique approach to the storage business and the importance of marketing in growing the business
The three-and-a-half strategies he uses to invest in self-storage
Letting big box retail like McDonald's and Walmart assist in deciding where to build self-storage facilities
Saving money on construction by buying buildings like old Sears buildings and converting them to storage
Why you never want 100% occupancy in storage facilities
The role of technology in these facilities and why Fernando hasn't jumped on that bandwagon yet
The top three things he looks for in a facility to scale and sell
Benefits of a restrictive buy box and why Fernando's is so restrictive
Creating a package to present to REITs and building relationships that lead to deals

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Self Storage Syndicated Equities website - www.SSSE.com

SSSE on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@SelfStorageSyndicatedEquities

Find SSSE on Facebook - www.facebook.com/SelfStorageSyndicatedEquities

SSSE on Instagram - www.instagram.com/selfstoragesyndicatedequities

Connect with SSSE on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/self-storage-syndicated-equities

Find SSSE on Twitter/X - twitter.com/sssequities

SSSE's TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@sssequities

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

125: How to Succeed Flipping Houses Out of State with Dominique Gunderson Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

Some real estate markets are known for being expensive, so what do you do to become an investor in a state where it can be cost-prohibitive? You look beyond its borders.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Dominique Gunderson shares how she began flipping homes and creating financial—and time—freedom in her 20s. Dominique is a 26-year-old house flipper based in Colorado Springs who focuses on investing in New Orleans. She is also a rental property owner who scaled her portfolio very quickly.

Jonathan kicks off his conversation with Dominique by exploring how she became interested in real estate at such an early age. Once she knew she was not going to college after high school, Dominique went to work for a real estate agent to learn the ropes. She moved on to wholesaling to build capital before she began flipping homes in New Orleans, where her dad lives. You'll hear why Dominique chose New Orleans, how insurance rates impact the New Orleans market, and how price changes have affected her flipping business. Dominique outlines how she's creating rapport and connectivity in New Orleans, how real estate has given her and her husband financial and time freedom, and the credibility she was able to create using social media.

Expensive markets don't have to deter real estate investors, and Dominique Gunderson's story is a masterclass in creating success as a home flipper in an out-of-state market.

In this episode, you will hear:

Dominique Gunderson's introduction to real estate in high school when her mom bought a distressed property, and she participated in rehabbing it
Her unusual interest in real estate investing and researching it before she left high school
The reality of flipping homes versus what HGTV portrays
The personality traits that enabled Dominique to jump into real estate from her first exposure to it
Her experience as a 19-year-old female wholesaler and spending time building relationships
Dominique's dislike of wholesaling in general and the aspects of it she found appealing
Ensuring safety during showings
Transitioning at 21 years old to purchasing out-of-state properties without assistance
Why she chose New Orleans as her target market and the advantages of having a trusted contact in that market
Deciding to start holding on to some of her flips and create income properties
The challenges of construction in New Orleans post-Katrina and other weather events
Insurance rates and how they're impacting Dominique's property decisions
Changes in price points over the past year for flips and why she now needs to have a resale value of at least $250,000 before buying it
Reselling her properties, which raises the comps in the area for her other properties
Dominique's rapport and connectivity in New Orleans, which means deals come to her now and create a competitive advantage
Why real estate success gave Dominique and her husband the ability to go on the road full-time for the next year or longer
Finding financing and raising capital from private investors
Social media's role in raising Dominique's credibility as an investor and the books that made a difference in raising private capital
Dominique Gunderson's advice for investors who want to scale or get into the business

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Find Dominique Gunderson on Instagram - www.instagram.com/dom_flips_nola

Connect with Dominique on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-gunderson-7ba729102

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

124: How to Build Short-Term Rental Wealth with Bill Faeth Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

While there's a lot of buzz about the death of short-term rentals, some landlords are still finding tremendous success with this asset class. Today's guest explains his methodology, pointing to calculation, hospitality, and the "plus ones" as keys to a thriving business.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Bill Faeth, a short-term rental master, with unbelievable tips for creating a memorable experience in your properties. Bill is an Airbnb coach and eight-figure business leader who founded the STR Wealth Conference, the Build STR Wealth Mastermind, and a Facebook group. Over the years, Bill has coached 20,000+ students through his program and has two podcasts: STRonomics and STR Unfiltered.

Jonathan and Bill begin the episode by exploring his grandparents' influence on how he chooses investments, his belief in price elasticity, and creating an exit strategy for every investment. Bill outlines the reasons for focusing on higher amenities in his short-term rentals (STRs), ensuring you're applying standardized business principles to your strategy, and FOMO's impact on people's investing choices. He explains the importance of treating clients as highly qualified leads while building rapport and trust, three things your guests should know about you, and buying STRs in areas you enjoy visiting as much as your clients do.

Short-term rentals are far from dead, and Bill Faeth's conversation with Jonathan is a mini-masterclass on how to do them right.

In this episode, you will hear:

Bill Faeth's response to the idea that short-term rentals are dead and why he's a fan of buying during the slower times
His belief in price elasticity, along with the "Louis Vuitton" model and the importance of an exit strategy
The discipline Bill's family instilled in him as he began to invest on his own
Bill's focus on higher amenities to generate more income off one property versus multiple streams that require more management
Focusing on priorities with intentionality
Applying standardized business principles to your investing strategy
How FOMO is impacting people's investing choices
The minimal impact Bill's investments have experienced versus investments in the typical areas and the need for deeper research
The mindset it takes to ascend, where it originates from, and why you can't take shortcuts to success
Treating clients as a highly qualified lead while building rapport and trust, which earns you the right to fail and recover
Setting the tone for the post-checkout communication and the 200-day funnel
Three things your guests should know about you
Enjoying your short-term rentals, buying in locations you love, and clustering
Why it isn't realistic to get five-star reviews from every renter and how to handle bad reviews
How a lack of consistency could lead to the demise of the short-term rental industry
The misinformation surrounding creating LLCs
Creating repeat customers with small touches and the plus ones
Implementing ideas from other people into your business to add to your success