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.

112: Building a Niche with Mobile Home Flipping with Jason Velie Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

Finding your real estate niche takes time and effort. However, once other real estate professionals recognize where your focus lies, your job as an investor can become much easier.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jason Velie is the tricks of the trade behind mobile home flipping. Jason is the founder of Cape Fear Cash Offer, a North Carolina-based investment firm. He's been flipping properties since 2019, and Jason is mainly focused on single- and double-wide mobile homes.

Jonathan and Jason dig into the details of flipping a mobile home, including why Jason's first investment property was a disaster that he barely broke even on. You'll hear the two reasons most house flippers aren't interested in mobile homes, what he looks for when he's buying a flip, and how Jason manages off-market negotiations and wholesale deals while the owners are still in residence. He also shares where his deals originated, why building credibility, trust, and marketing has been crucial to his business model, and Jason's motivation for keeping real estate fun.

From an inexperienced first-time flipper to becoming an expert in the mobile home niche, Jason Velie's story is compelling. If you have an interest in mobile homes as an asset class, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this episode, you will hear:

Jason Velie's discovery of real estate podcasts, which showed him what was possible
The biggest revelation he found out about real estate investing
His first property--a double-wide mobile home--and why it was a disaster
The biggest mistakes Jason made with his first property
The two reasons most house flippers have no interest in mobile homes
What Jason looks for when he's buying a mobile home flip
How he's developed deal flow by being known for his niche
Jason's experience with off-market negotiations direct to sellers and taking over wholesales while the seller may still be there
Where his deals originate from, and what his marketing process looks like
Getting sellers to turn him away and why that benefits Jason and his sellers
Building compounded credibility, trust, and marketing over time
The reason you should keep real estate investing fun and avoid making a job for yourself
Jason's advice for getting started in real estate investing

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Supporting Resources:

Visit Jason Velie's website - JVwithJV.com

Find Jason on Instagram - www.instagram.com/jasonvelie

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelie

Jason Velie's BiggerPockets profile - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jasonv30

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:

111: Retiring Early with Small Investments in Passive Assets with Ian Horowitz Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

While flashy real estate investors dominate the social media scene, the investors starting with limited assets are making waves in their communities.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, former firefighter Ian Horowitz sits down with Jonathan to share how he went from $15,000 in the bank and bad credit to retiring before age 40. Ian and his partner Dan are the managing partners of Equity Warehouse based in the Baltimore, Maryland, area. Making just $65,000 as a firefighter and with a wife ready to start a family, Ian knew there had to be a better way to make extra money than side work on his days off. He discovered real estate, got his wife on board with the plan, and the rest is history.

Ian's primary investments today are self-storage and multifamily assets, but he started with just one single-family home. Ian explains to Jonathan how he began, why he had to ignore the firefighters who thought he couldn't make it in real estate, and the importance of the meetups and masterminds in his real estate education. He outlines why your household finances should be in order before investing, betting on yourself instead of going with the status quo, and identifying your tribe both online and in real life. Ian shares why he shifted into self-storage and multifamily properties, the competitive advantages knowing your local market provides, and the reason he purchased less desirable properties in the beginning.

Ian Horowitz didn't have a large salary or even a college education. Still, his tenacity and desire to learn anything and everything he could about real estate are the elements in his story that stand out.

In this episode, you will hear:

Why wanting to leave a legacy for his family led Ian Horowitz to real estate
Side work as a firefighter, the reason it just wasn't enough, and what led Ian to use his last $15,000 to invest in a house
Tuning out the noise from other firefighters who told him real estate investing was a bad idea
The meetups and masterminds that influenced Ian as he learned about real estate
The importance of education and knowing when to pounce on an opportunity
Ian's advice to become financially sound and have stability in your own household before pursuing real estate investing
Getting your spouse on board with investing and understanding the goal
Betting on yourself to pursue success instead of going with the status quo
Identifying your tribe and hanging out with people who are more like you, who aren't necessarily flashy
Why Ian concentrates on self-storage and multifamily properties at this point in his investing career
The competitive advantage knowing your real estate market gives you
Starting with less desirable assets to trade up in asset class later
The advantages of being able to defuse a bad situation
Ian's thoughts on the benefits of self-storage
His advice for new investors

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Supporting Resources:

Visit Equity Warehouse's website - www.equitywarehouse.com/home1638455564534

Find Equity Warehouse on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@EquityWarehouse

Equity Warehouse on Facebook - www.facebook.com/equitywarehouse

Equity Warehouse's Instagram - www.instagram.com/equity_warehouse

Connect with Ian Horowtiz on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/ian-horowitz-255185106

Join the Collective Circle Monthly Group - lfg-collective.circle.so/checkout/self-storage-secrets-monthly-group

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:

110: The Road to Real Estate Lending Through Investing with Kevin Amolsch Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

A long career as an investor creates expertise you can leverage as you pursue new investments. However, it can also lead to discovering new interests and challenges inside the investing world.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Kevin Amolsch, president of Pine Financial Group in Colorado. Kevin is a premier hard money lender in four states with more than 20 years of experience as an investor and 16 years as a lender. Additionally, Kevin is an author and podcast host.

Kevin outlines how he began his investing career after renting out some rooms in his home while in the military. At 23, he recognized that real estate could make him wealthy. The conversation continues with his foray into foreclosures, Kevin's commitment to implementing the lessons he learns from reading about real estate, his ability to hyperfocus, and why he began lending as another aspect of his real estate career. Jonathan and Kevin explore debt funds and why they can be a good option for investors outside of traditional real estate, the impact of Kevin's mindset on success, taking control of "shiny object syndrome," and how private lenders are meeting the demand for lending as banks tighten up lending guidelines.

Kevin Amolsch attributes much of his success to his mindset, ability to focus, and a voracious appetite for learning.

In this episode, you will hear:

How renting out some rooms in his home led Kevin Amolsch to become a real estate investor
Kevin's foray into foreclosure investments and what he learned from his first attempt
The one thing successful people have in common
His commitment to implementing one thing he learned from each book he read before moving on to another book
The benefits of hyperfocus at the beginning of an investing career
Kevin's shift into lending and why he focuses on private lending
What debt funds are and why they're a good option for investors outside of traditional real estate investing
What Kevin does to keep his mindset on track to grow as a lender and investor
The investments he doesn't like and what he's trying now
Controlling "shiny object syndrome"
Kevin's focus on syndications and why he's still buying investment properties
Creative transactions in commercial real estate
How private lenders are meeting the demand for lending as banks tighten up guidelines
Kevin Amolsch's advice to new real estate investors

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Visit Pine Financial Group's website - pinefinancialgroup.com

Find Pine Financial on YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCxarTu7hIVzhQpcLdEEzMhA

Pine Financial's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/PineFinancial

Follow Pine Financial on Instagram - www.instagram.com/pinefinancial

Connect with Kevin Amolsch on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/kevinamolsch

Get Kevin's Fund Your Flip book - www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMZXBR3Q

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:

109: How to Become a Real Estate Deal Maker with Henry Washington Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Six years ago, Henry Washington had just $1,000 in the bank and bad credit. He knew something had to change after a panic attack at 3:00 in the morning.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan and Henry sit down to unpack Henry's path from newly married, lousy credit, and no money to 116+ rental properties and doing at least 15 flips a year. Henry is the cohost of the On the Market podcast and author of the upcoming book Real Estate Deal Maker.

You'll hear Henry's revelation about real estate following a panic attack in the middle of the night and how he began making connections with other investors by attending meetups regularly. He explains to Jonathan how his first property landed in his lap, and he had to Google his way through the transaction. Henry outlines the immensity of his wife's support as he pursued an investing career, why consistently attending meetups matters, and how he solved the two problems that most investors face.

Jonathan and Henry delve into the importance of working with a local bank, treating your investments like a business, and when he realized hiring property managers was more beneficial than managing the assets himself. Finally, they discuss the market cycle and finding deals in any market, what Henry's mastermind is all about, and the two things you should focus on in any market.

Henry's story is the epitome of what persistence, a learning mindset, and focus can achieve, and he wants you to know you can do it, too.

In this episode, you will hear:

Henry Washington's background in a traditional family and why he didn't consider real estate until he was 36
How he started his real estate career by writing down his goals in a notebook and learning as much as he could
The first deal that came Henry's way and how he positioned himself to pounce on it
Google's role in his first deal and learning as he worked the deal
The help Henry got from an experienced investor which led him to borrow against his 401k and buy his first property
Why his wife's support made all the difference in pursuing real estate investing
The two problems most investors face and how Henry solved both
Henry's determination to learn about wholesaling and find the best deals
Treating real estate investing like a business to benefit all parties in the transaction
When Henry realized he could quit his day job if he wanted to
His decision to turn all property management over to a property management company
The reason he's still flipping properties and finding deals
The difference between Henry's mastermind and others on the market and what he teaches people
Two things you should focus on in any market conditions

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

See You at the Closing Table website - www.seeyouattheclosingtable.com

Find Henry Washington on Instagram - www.instagram.com/thehenrywashington

Connect with Henry on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/henry-washington-543aa91

Get the Real Estate Deal Maker book - get.biggerpockets.com/dealsbook

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:

108: Real Estate Investing as a Family Endeavor with Laura Sides Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

What happens when an extroverted stay-at-home mom needs an outlet for her creativity and intellectual pursuits? Sometimes, she becomes a real estate investor.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Laura Sides joins Jonathan to discuss how she maintains her role at home as a stay-at-home mom while succeeding as a real estate investor. Since the pandemic, Laura has been flipping homes and investing in short- and mid-term rentals. She's a former teacher who loves what real estate offers her entire family.

Jonathan and Laura's conversation starts with her introduction to real estate investing and what prompted her to begin learning how to do it. She explains that she came from a family with a "Poor Dad" mentality. When an opportunity from a neighbor presented itself, Laura dove in and didn't look back. With her husband's support and bringing her kids along for the ride, she purchased two flip homes in six months. She developed a presence as an investor on Instagram and formed a community on social media, providing her with an adult outlet outside her role as a stay-at-home mom. You'll hear the story behind those first two investment properties, what she learned about working with contractors, and the moment she fell in love with real estate investing. Laura also shares how she discovers deals, learned by doing, and why buying with cash makes investing so much easier. Finally, she explains her long-term plans for her real estate career and the advice she would give to a brand-new home flipper.

Laura Sides's story is an example of the success you can achieve as an investor even when you don't come from a real estate background, and she's adamant about sharing her journey online to help others.

In this episode, you will hear:

Why it was so important to Laura Sides to involve the whole family in her real estate investing venture
Her level of exposure to real estate when she started and how she intentionally began learning about real estate investing
Laura's decision to be completely authentic about her journey on social media
The community she found on social media that gave her an outlet in the adult world as a stay-at-home mom
The importance of the support Laura receives from her husband and kids in this venture
Laura's first investment property from an unlikely source and how she and her husband made it work
The most surprising thing she learned about working with contractors
How she fell in love with real estate and what makes it a win-win all around for her
Where Laura Sides finds her deals now after those first two property purchases and her reasoning for being picky
Figuring things out as she went along, and what she learned
The benefits of buying with cash
Her long-term plans and the constant reevaluation of properties
Laura's advice for a brand new flipper based on her experience

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Connect with Laura Sides on Instagram - www.instagram.com/sides_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:

107: Designing Your Game Plan for Financial Success with Devon Kennard Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

What happens to professional athletes once their sports careers end? Can they all live off of their career proceeds, or is there a post-professional sports career plan in place?

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, former NFL player Devon Kennard sits down with Jonathan to talk about his new career in real estate following a successful stint on the football field. Devon is a real estate investor, author, lender, and speaker. Today, he owns at least 20 single-family and smaller multifamily properties in addition to 40+ syndication investments. His company, 42 Solutions, is a private lending institution based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Jonathan and Devon dig into how Devon leveraged his brand as a professional athlete to open doors, form relationships, and create success beyond athletics. Early in his football career, Devon recognized the impact of finances on every aspect of life. While playing in the NFL, he looked for a way to invest his money that could bring success long after his football career ended, which led him to real estate. Devon explains to Jonathan why he purchased his first property in Beech Grove, Indiana, what he finds appealing about turnkey properties, his decision to pursue real estate while his fellow NFL players put money in the stock market, and how he decides on neighborhoods to invest in. You'll also hear how Devon Kennard became an investor in syndications, what led him to start his company, 42 Solutions, and the story behind his new book It All Adds Up.

Devon Kennard knew that an NFL career could be shortlived, but that didn't stop him from pursuing success on and off the field. His transition into real estate investing offers a perspective new and experienced investors alike can learn from.

In this episode, you will hear:

The question that completely changed Devon Kennard's perspective on creating a successful life
How Devon leveraged his brand as an athlete to open doors and create success beyond athletics
Life beyond the NFL, focusing on more than one thing in life and putting your best foot forward
The impact of finances on every aspect of your life
What Devon would tell brand-new investors who want to get started in real estate
His first investment property in Beech Grove, Indiana--a turnkey property from a turnkey provider
Why he stuck with turnkey properties in the Midwest as he continued investing
The decision Devon made to stick with real estate while other NFL players were putting money in the stock market
The criteria he used to choose the neighborhoods he invested in
The reason Devon sought out a financial advisor who concentrates on alternative investments and what scared him about syndications
Where he's going to put his money next, and why Devon likes markets where he can scale
The protection a diversified portfolio offers and the lack of control over the risk profile in a syndication
Knowing when to trust someone and looking to others who can vouch for them
Devon's company, 42 Solutions, what it does, and his ultimate goal with it
His new book, It All Adds Up, and how it's helping people design their game plans for financial success

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Visit Devon Kennard's website - www.devonkennard.com

Find Devon on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteInvestor

Devon's Instagram - www.instagram.com/devonkennard

Connect with Devon on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/devon-kennard-b1080547

Get Devon's new book, It All Adds Up - www.devonkennard.com/orderbook

42 Solutions website - www.weare42solutions.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:

106: The Value of Starting Without a Backup Plan with Nick Cooley Jan 25, 2024

Show notes

While most people are comforted by the idea of a backup plan, sometimes, jumping in without one is the best way to take action. Having a parachute can become a hindrance rather than a help. Today's guest opted to leave the parachute at home when he dove into real estate.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Nick Cooley sits down with Jonathan to unpack how he and his wife Hannah became real estate investors in 2016. Nick is a licensed real estate agent, investor, and co-founder of Jericho Capital. He is based in the Denver, Colorado area.

Jonathan and Nick explore why it's important to have your personal finances under control before pursuing real estate investing, the mistakes Nick made with his second property, and why he pursued his real estate license after some initial hesitation. He also explains why he and his wife sold all of their single-family properties to purchase out-of-state commercial assets, Nick's particular zone of genius, and his refusal to buy in markets where he doesn't have a competitive advantage. As they wrap up their conversation, Jonathan and Nick discuss his lack of interest in bringing property management in-house, the properties he's looking for, what you can expect from Jericho Capital as an investor, and Nick's advice for investors ready to take action.

Nick devoted his free time to learning about real estate investing before diving in headfirst, and he is passionate about helping others figure out their zones of genius to make better investment choices. Nick and Jonathan's conversation may have you reconsidering your take on getting a real estate license and investing out of state.

In this episode, you will hear:

Nick Cooley's "aha" moment about real estate
The two things he and his wife Hannah did to prepare for buying their first investment property
His first property and why not having a backup plan was an advantage
Why buying a new build made the most sense for Nick long-term
The mistakes he made with the purchase of his second property and what he learned
When Nick knew this was going to become a full-time career
Why he pursued his real estate license despite some hesitation and the benefits of having a license as an investor
Nick and his wife's decision to sell all of their single-family properties in 2021 to pivot into out-of-state commercial properties
Nick's zone of genius, how that balances with his business partner Brian's understanding of construction, and the launch of their business Jericho Capital
His refusal to buy in a market where he doesn't have a competitive advantage
The ease of doing larger deals once you understand the fundamentals of real estate
Lack of interest in bringing property management in-house and leaning on third-party property managers to free up his time
The types of assets he's seeking and why
How Jericho Capital structures deals and what you can expect as an investor
Nick's advice for new investors who are ready to take action

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Find Nick Cooley on Instagram - instagram.com/imnickcooley

Connect with Nick on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/imnickcooley

Beyond the Portfolio Podcast - podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-portfolio/id1723645064

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:

105: Finding Financial Independence as a Lady Landlord with Becky Nova Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Financial independence is the goal most real estate investors are eager to achieve. Getting creative and being willing to compromise are two of the ways you can work toward that goal.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Becky Nova, real estate investor and founder of Lady Landlords, sits down with Jonathan to share how she became a first-time investor in her 30s. Becky owns and manages properties in New York City and the Dominican Republic and helps women achieve financial independence through real estate investing with courses, coaching, and a large Facebook group.

Jonathan and Becky begin their conversation with her introduction to real estate investing, which happened when she and her husband bought a two-family home as their first property. She and her husband had a lot to learn, but after learning the ropes of having tenants, they purchased their second property a year later--and the rest is history. Becky explains when and why she created her Facebook group, Lady Landlords, her struggle with overcoming a scarcity mindset, building good relationships with tenants, and why she chooses to self-manage her properties. You'll also hear what makes property investments abroad different, how she uses her property in the Dominican Republic, and why you must be willing to compromise with your partner when you become a real estate investor.

In just five years, Becky Nova created a business that offers her financial freedom and the ability to design a life that looks like what she dreamed.

In this episode, you will hear:

How a check from a tenant at the closing table opened Becky's eyes to the idea of real estate investing
Figuring out how to become a landlord when she and her husband knew little about owning a home
Dealing with unpredictable situations and why landlording is customer service
The creation of Lady Landlords following her husband's job loss in March 2020
The struggle of overcoming the scarcity mindset she and her husband have both had since childhood
The importance of keeping communication lines open to build good relationships with your tenants
Becky's advice for hiring property managers as a new investor
Why self-management of investment properties isn't passive
Her investments outside of the country and what makes property investments abroad different
How Becky rents out her home in the Dominican Republic as a short-term rental when she isn't using it
The freedom that real estate investing has provided her with
Why you need to be willing to compromise with your partner in this business
The value of understanding your end goal and taking steps to pursue it

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Visit the Lady Landlords website - www.lady-landlords.com

Lady Landlords on YouTube - www.youtube.com/ladylandlords

Find Becky Nova on Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheBeckyNova

Connect with Becky on Instagram - instagram.com/thebeckynova

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