Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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

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.

122: Wealth Building Through Out-of-State Investing with Soli Cayetano Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

Most new investors want to buy properties in their local area, where they're more familiar with their surroundings. However, no rules exist about this principle, and being willing to travel outside your comfort zone can help you achieve big success.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Soli Cayetano joins Jonathan to share how she started real estate investing using out-of-state properties. Soli is the brains behind Lattes & Leases, and she's been documenting her real estate journey since the pandemic. Today, at 26 years old, she's up to 49 units and quit her nine-to-five at 23. By 25, she was a millionaire. Soli focuses on out-of-state investment opportunities and teaches others how to do the same.

Soli shares why documenting her story on Instagram has been instrumental in her success. She and Jonathan cover how the pandemic allowed her to create a fresh start, her introduction to real estate investing as a college student, and the advantages she believes she has as a young female investor. Soli explains her approach to social media, why she chose Cincinnati for her first property investment, and why she had to learn more about financing before she could continue buying properties. Jonathan and Soli also discuss her Out of State Investor Academy, using social media to create authentic connections, and why it's better to start small and make mistakes on those properties than with the big, fun projects you really want to do.

With no followers and a lot of grit, Soli Cayetano leveraged social media to create a thriving business that continues to scale.

In this episode, you will hear:

How sharing her journey with others has helped Soli Cayetano get where she is today
The pandemic's impact on who she surrounds herself with and gave her a fresh start
Her introduction to real estate investing in college and why she didn't suffer from analysis paralysis
The advantages of being young and female in the real estate space
Soli's approach to social media and teaching others about her experience
Her first investment property in Cincinnati and what made that city appealing
Raising capital and using hard money to begin investing in other properties when the money ran out on the first one
Focusing on value-add properties, and when she realized she could be financially free with real estate investing
Realizing there is more than one way to invest and scaling the business
How Soli's structuring education to help people take action
Her Out of State Investor Academy and the community it creates for investors
Using social media to create value and connections
The markets Soli is focusing on today and the fun projects she's exploring now
Why it's better to make your mistakes on smaller properties than big, fun projects

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Lattes & Leases website - www.lattesandleases.com

Find Soli Cayetano on Youtube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCpN1W8F7G9-3knsBxJq5qkg

Connect with Soli on Instagram - www.instagram.com/lattes.and.leases

Out of State Investor Academy - www.instagram.com/outofstateinvestoracademy

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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

Episode Credits

121: Creating a New Path to Home Ownership by Partnering with Investors with Frank Rohde Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

For first-time homebuyers, today's purchasing process is stressful—especially with current interest rates and the market's competitive nature. What if there was a different path to becoming a homeowner without the stress?

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Frank Rohde, co-founder of Ownify, a company reimagining the homebuying process by partnering with socially conscious investors to streamline the homebuying process. Frank has a business background in the mortgage industry. He began considering entrepreneurship when he realized he had the tools and know-how to help first-time buyers getting squeezed out of the market find a path to home ownership.

As they start their conversation, Jonathan and Frank explore the two reasons Frank co-founded Ownify, its core value proposition, and what San Francisco's continued property appreciation taught him about the importance of real estate in wealth creation. He explains how Ownify assists both investors and single-family homebuyers to get into the housing market, the importance of payment certainty for first-time buyers, and how investors invest in Ownify properties. Jonathan and Frank discuss why Ownify is yielding a higher rate of return than the traditional single-family rental model, how they find properties, and the markets Frank is considering for future expansion.

While many hopeful first-time buyers are looking for a solution to get into the real estate market, Frank Rohde and Ownify offer a unique solution that benefits both buyers and investors.

In this episode, you will hear:

The two reasons behind Frank Rohde's decision to co-found his real estate company, Ownify
The core value proposition behind Ownify
What San Francisco's continued property appreciation taught Frank about how important real estate is to wealth creation
Ownify's mission and how they help both investors and single-family homebuyers get into the housing market
First-time buyers' preference for payment certainty and how Ownify addresses that concern
How investors invest in Ownify properties, which have built-in diversification from day one
Creating a circle of trust capital for investors who want to invest in particular homes
The two reasons Frank says Ownify is yielding a higher return than the traditional single-family rental model
Where homeowners find properties to purchase and partner with Ownify and a real estate agent's role in the process
Building a process that supports the buyer with the intent of winning the deal
Why the Ownify process is appealing to real estate agents and where they're finding investors
The markets Frank Rohde is considering for expansion

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Visit the Ownify website - www.ownify.com

Find Ownify on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@ownifyhomes

Ownify on Facebook - www.facebook.com/ownifyhome

Connect with Ownify on Instagram - www.instagram.com/ownifyhome

Find Ownify on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/ownifyhomes

Ownify on Twitter/X - twitter.com/ownify

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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

Episode Credits

120: Financial Independence Through Design and Architecture with Diana Ossa & Josh Dobken Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

A W-2 position to back you up as you begin your real estate investing career is a great way to establish stability and a steady income. It's even better if your W-2 career happens to be real estate adjacent.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Diana Ossa and Josh Dobken to the show. Diana and Josh are architects, designers, construction managers, real estate investors, and mid-term rental hosts. Their complementary strengths have led to an investing venture that continues to grow as Diana and Josh work toward their goals together.

Jonathan, Diana, and Josh start their conversation by exploring their backgrounds as architects, Diana's focus on studio art and construction management, and Josh's emphasis on construction management and hospitality. You'll hear them explain the challenges of a limited budget on large-scale projects in terms of architectural design, what pushed them both toward real estate investing careers while maintaining their W-2 positions, and how they landed on Kansas City for their initial investment. Diana and Josh share why they pivoted toward commercial real estate, the great deal that almost was and why it fell through, and how they decided why no deal is better than a bad deal. Finally, Jonathan, Diana, and Josh cover hospitality's role in property management and cohosting in mid-term rentals, where their business is going in the future with a boutique hotel in their sights, and their reasons for keeping the scale small to remain in the boutique world and staffing manageable.

While architecture may not be the first profession to come to mind when you think of real estate investors, Diana Ossa and Josh Dobken are proving that architects have precisely what it takes to be great investors.

In this episode, you will hear:

Diana Ossa and Josh Dobken's backgrounds and how they complement one another
How a limited budget on a large-scale project can present challenges in architectural design
The catalysts that pushed Diana and Josh to begin their real estate investing careers and their "why" behind it
The biggest gift real estate gave Diana and why she is no longer willing to sacrifice everything for a W-2 architecture career
Why Josh does not plan to leave his W-2 and the stability it provides to continue pursuing real estate investing
The markets Diana and Josh explored for their first property and how relocating to Kansas City ended up being a fantastic decision
Their pivot to commercial real estate and its appeal to Diana and Josh with their architectural backgrounds
The property they found just outside Rocky Mountain National Park that they acted quickly on and the reasons the deal fell through
Why no deal is better than a bad deal—even if you can force the numbers
Hospitality's role in property management and cohosting with others in mid-term rentals
Where Diana and Josh's business is going over the next couple of years, with a boutique hotel at the forefront
Keeping the scale small for the boutique world and staffing needs

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Design Invest FI website - www.designinvestfi.com

Find Design Invest FI on Instagram - www.instagram.com/d.i.fi

Connect with Josh Dobken on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/josh-dobken-75417015

Connect with Diana Ossa on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/diana-ossa-aia-noma-leed-green-associate-ncarb-82237837

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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

Episode Credits

119: How to Build an Investor-Friendly Brokerage by Being an Investor with Jon Bombaci Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

If you're new to real estate investing, finding an agent specialized in helping investors can be a game-changer. They know the right questions to ask and can help guide you as you search for properties.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Jon Bombaci, founder of Candor Realty, powered by FourPoints Real Estate, in Massachusetts. Jon's brokerage is focused on working with investors and has more than 30 investor-friendly agents on his team. He has decades of real estate investing and insurance experience behind him and has been involved in many real estate transactions on- and off-market.

As they begin their conversation, Jonathan and Jon explore Jon's first investing experience—a house hack—during his college days and the lessons he took away from it. Jon explains when he realized he wanted to go all in on real estate investing, what prompted him to open an investor-focused brokerage, and why you don't necessarily need a real estate license as an investor. You'll hear how he builds trust with investors and creates long-term relationships, the questions you should ask yourself before approaching an agent to buy properties, and how an investor mindset can help traditional buyers and sellers. Jonathan and Jon also discuss the role of meetup groups in investor education, why he spends almost nothing on marketing, and how you can start meetup groups and grow them.

Having an agent at your side who understands real estate investors can be a powerful tool, and Jon Bombaci outlines the details you need to know in this episode.

In this episode, you will hear:

How Jon Bombaci began real estate investing with a house hack in college and the landlording lessons he learned
The realization he came to after his father died and when he went all in on real estate investing
Opening a brokerage and growing a team of 35 investor-focused agents
What Jon tells people who want to get their real estate license to save on fees and when a license is a good idea
Why he seldom represents himself in a transaction
Building trust with investors and maintaining long relationships with them
Jon's decision not to have clients sign buyer agreements and the reasons behind it
The questions new investors should ask themselves before going to an agent to buy properties
Jon Bombaci's meetup groups and why he requires new clients to attend one
How having an investor mindset can help traditional buyers and sellers as well
His rules for lowball offers and why you might not get the deal you think you're getting
Setting the expectations for house hackers and the properties Jon prefers
Why he spends almost nothing on marketing, and what he relies on instead
Starting meetups, hosting them consistently, and growing them

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Candor Realty website - candorealty.com

Candor Realty on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@candorrealty2264

Find Candor Realty on Facebook - www.facebook.com/candorealtygroup?locale=es_LA

Candor Realty on Instagram - www.instagram.com/candorealty

Connect with Jon Bombaci on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbombaci

Simplified REI Meetup - www.facebook.com/simplifiedREImeetup

Simplified REI Meetup on Instagram - www.instagram.com/simplifiedreimeetup

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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

Episode Credits

118: How to Become a Professional House Hacker with Shawn McEnteer Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

House hacking is often the entry point for new real estate investors, whetting their appetites to learn more about real estate investing. Sometimes, it's an accidental discovery that leads to something much bigger.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Shawn McEnteer about how he became a professional house hacker—with a wife and four kids in tow! Shawn is a licensed real estate agent in New Jersey who discovered the magic of house hacking about a decade ago. Today, he specializes in properties he can house hack and teaches his clients how to do the same.

As their conversation begins, Jonathan and Shawn cover the mindset shift it takes to house hack as a parent with four children. Shawn shares his introduction to house hacking, why he obtained his real estate license, and how his real estate investments have helped him and his wife grow both their real estate business and his wife's business using the equity from their properties. Shawn outlines what makes his assets more attractive than apartment complexes, why he focuses his investments on his local New Jersey market, and why you should get comfortable with renovations if you're going to become a house hacker. Jonathan and Shawn talk about the importance of being on the same page as your partner, what you can learn from making offers—even bad ones, and Shawn's advice for becoming a successful landlord.

For a fresh perspective on real estate investing, Shawn McEnteer is revealing all for aspiring house hackers and those who haven't considered it before.

In this episode, you will hear:

The mindset shift it takes to house hack when you have children
Shawn McEnteer's introduction to real estate investing and house hacking
His decision to obtain his real estate license and what prompted it
What attracted Shawn and his wife to house-hacking and the types of properties they look for
How Shawn and his wife used real estate equity for her to become an owner in a business and grow both businesses at the same time
The tenants who are attracted to his properties and why Shawn's properties are more appealing than an apartment building
Where Shawn focuses his investment dollars, why he chose those markets, and how his moves have impacted his kids
Qualities of the New Jersey market that make it a great investment locale
The questions Shawn asks when someone calls him for advice on house hacking
Getting comfortable with renovations as a house-hacking strategy
Why remaining in New Jersey instead of investing in other states has been key to creating real estate wealth for Shawn
The advantages of having a real estate license as an investor
Making sure you're on the same page as your partner when you start investing in properties
What you can learn from making offers on assets in the beginning and narrowing down your market
Shawn McEnteer's advice for becoming a successful landlord

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Find Shawn McEnteer on YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCjTS_8Jtxe4D4P2Y-yVt63g

Connect with Shawn on Instagram - www.instagram.com/shawnsellsnjre

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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

Episode Credits:

117: Simplifying Real Estate Investing to Find Real Wealth with Kathy Fettke Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Kathy Fettke is a name in real estate you may recognize. From her guest appearances on media outlets to her long-running podcasts, Kathy is an experienced investor who found real wealth in real estate.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Kathy Fettke to explore both her career and the lessons she's learned along the way. A guest expert on media outlets such as CNN, CNBC, Fox News, NPR, CBS MarketWatch, and the Wall Street Journal, she is also the founder of RealWealth, a real estate investment club based in Malibu. Kathy is also one of the four co-hosts of On the Market, a Bigger Pockets podcast. Additionally, she hosts the RealWealth Show and the Real Estate News for Investors podcasts.

Jonathan and Kathy begin their conversation by sharing her initial exposure to real estate as a child when he father purchased a home in the San Francisco area, which rose exponentially in value over the years he owned it. Her real estate career began when she figured out how to help her father do a 1031 exchange when a syndication he was invested in was sold. Their discussion covers the increasing popularity of communal living, how her husband's cancer diagnosis gave Kathy the push she needed to make real estate work for them, and her tips for identifying what's authentic and what isn't when you're looking for information to educate yourself. Finally, Jonathan and Kathy talk about why timing is everything, the three components she looks for in investments, and the power of mindset in success.

Kathy Fettke is living proof of creating success with mindset in real estate investing, and she uses her decades of lived experience in this industry to help you formulate a game plan.

In this episode, you will hear:

Kathy Fettke's early exposure to real estate investing when her parents purchased a home in Atherton, California
How Kathy helped her dad when the syndication he was in sold and needed another property to prevent a massive tax bill, which led to her first real estate investment
The agreement she made with her father to inherit the house she helped him find and why they got the deal in writing
The increasing popularity of communal living
The turning point in Kathy's real estate career when her husband faced a cancer diagnosis
Identifying what's real and what's not when it comes to finding information about real estate investing and educating yourself
Kathy's entry into multifamily properties and who she sought advice from to pursue it
Why timing is everything in real estate
The three components that work for Kathy when she looks for new investment assets
Taking calculated risks and knowing what to look for when the housing market changes
What Kathy did during the pandemic to ease panic
The power of your mindset in your success

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Visit Kathy Fettke's website - kathyfettke.com

RealWealth website - realwealth.com

Find RealWealth on YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/realwealthnetwork

RealWealth on Facebook - www.facebook.com/RealWealthNetwork

Kathy Fettke on Instagram - www.instagram.com/kathyfettke

RealWealth on Instagram - www.instagram.com/realwealthnetwork

Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/kathyfettke

Find RealWealth on Twitter/X - twitter.com/realwealthnet

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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

Episode Credits

116: All of the Short-Term Rental Insights You Can Handle with Kenny Bedwell Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

The short-term rental market is far from dead, and with the right marketing, systems, and data, it can be a more lucrative investment than long-term rentals.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Kenny Bedwell, founder and CEO of STR Insights. Kenny uses data to find the best places, prices, and markets in the short-term rental market. His predictions using data-backed analysis have helped him create a lucrative personal investing career and a successful company helping others do the same. Kenny is also the co-host of the STRonomics podcast.

While data may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering a short-term rental investment, Kenny Bedwell explains why it should be at the forefront of your analysis. Jonathan and Kenny break down the origin story behind STR Insights, some of the nuances of property management in the short-term rental market world, and how you can remove the guesswork from what your renters can expect from a stay at your property. He also explains why these investments are 100% a part of the hospitality industry, and Kenny offers five key metrics he uses to analyze assets before buying them. You'll hear why understanding that short-term rentals are seasonal matters, the signs of an emerging market ripe for investment, and the best metric for consumers to use to gauge whether or not an STR is a good one.

Kenny Bedwell is a short-term rental expert with experience and data to help you get the most bang for your buck in the market.

In this episode, you will hear:

When data analytics became most important to Kenny Bedwell's business
Kenny's interest in real estate and why it piqued his interest as an adult
Using data to predict real estate prices and where to target your investing
The origin story behind STR Insights
His first investment property—a long-term rental—and why finding it boring propelled him toward short-term rentals
Implementing data and research into your investment property searches
The nuances of property management in the short-term rental market
Taking the guesswork out of what your renters can expect out of a stay at your property
Why short-term rentals are 100% part of the hospitality industry
The five key metrics to analyze before buying a short-term rental investment
Understanding the seasonal nature of short-term rentals
Identifying the signs of an emerging market
The problem with purchasing a short-term rental with a fallback plan as a long-term rental
Why STRs aren't dead and are still a profitable asset class
The best metric for a consumer to gauge whether or not an STR is good
Avoiding burnout and setting up systems that work
Must-have amenities for your rentals and how to market them

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

STR Insights website - www.strinsights.com

STR Inisghts on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@strinsights7414

Find Kenny Bedwell on Instagram - www.instagram.com/kenny_bedwell

STR Insights on Instagram - www.instagram.com/strinsights

Connect with Kenny on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-bedwell-9680a8113

STRonomics Podcast - stronomics.com

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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

Episode Credits:

115: Reducing Taxes and Building Wealth Proactively with Thomas Castelli Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

You might think accounting is the most boring aspect of real estate investing—but what if we told you having the right accountant could save you thousands of dollars on taxes?

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Certified Public Accountant and real estate investor Thomas Castelli. Thomas is an accountant with Hall CPA who helps real estate investors and business owners reduce their taxes and build wealth. He is also the founder of New Babylon Capital, a holding company for his investments.

It may sound easy to reduce taxes, but it isn't. Jonathan and Thomas's conversation delves into the benefits of having an accountant specialized in real estate investing, why bookkeeping is often an investor's biggest struggle, and the items business owners buy for intentional depreciation purposes. You'll also hear what an initial consultation with an expert like Thomas consists of, the reason you don't have to be afraid of audits if you're organized, and Thomas's focus on passive real estate investing. Finally, Jonathan and Thomas uncover what it takes to become qualified as an accredited investor, what it takes to get started in syndications, and the one tax mistake investors continue to make—and how you can avoid it.

For an in-depth conversation with a knowledgeable tax expert, don't miss Jonathan's interview with Thomas Castelli to take your investing career to the next level.

In this episode, you will hear:

The benefits of having an accountant who specializes in real estate investing
Why investors struggle with bookkeeping more than other aspects of accounting
Thomas Castelli's entrance into real estate investing with syndications
Putting yourself in a good position from a tax perspective by owning real estate
The things people buy for intentional depreciation as business owners
The ins and outs of an initial consultation to work with an accountant like Thomas and viewing them as a partner in your business
Audits and why you don't have to be afraid of them if you're organized
Real estate professional status and how it impacts taxes
Thomas's preference for passive real estate investing and syndications
Qualifying as an accredited investor
The hardest part of raising capital to buy into syndications
The communities that can help you find quality syndicators or sponsors when you're first beginning your investing path
The one tax mistake investors continue to make and how to avoid it
Flipping and the tax consequences of this type of real estate investing
Diminished buying power when depreciating assets on tax returns and Thomas's advice for combatting this problem

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Visit Thomas Castelli's website - thomascastelli.com

Thomas's YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/@TheRealEstateCPA/videos

Find Thomas on Facebook - www.facebook.com/castellithomas

Thomas on Instagram - www.instagram.com/thomascastellicpa

Connect with Thomas Castelli on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/thomascastelli

Thomas on Twitter/X - twitter.com/thomascastelli_

Find Thomas on TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@thomascastellicpa

Hall CPA - www.therealestatecpa.com/thomas

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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

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