Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

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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.

102: Finding Your Tribe By Documenting Your Investing Journey with Amelia McGee Jan 11, 2024

Show notes

Amelia McGee is only 32, but she's already enjoying the freedom that real estate investing offers. It all started when she convinced her parents to partner with her for a flip and ignited a passion for real estate.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Amelia McGee, the co-founder of Women Investing in Real Estate (WIIRE), with her partner, Grace Gudenkauf. Amelia is an Iowa-based investor focusing on mid-term rentals with an impressive portfolio of at least 36 units.

Amelia and Jonathan explore her initial interest in flipping, which she credits HGTV with. After that first flip, she discovered it wasn't where she wanted to focus her investing dollars. She moved on to a triplex, and things snowballed from there. They delve into the impact of social media on creating valuable relationships in real estate, including her friendship with Grace. Social media also played a significant role in the founding of WIIRE, which began as a virtual meetup for female investors. You'll also hear how the Bigger Pockets forums helped Amelia learn more about real estate investing, why she's interested in short-term and mid-term rentals these days, what makes small towns a great place to invest, and Amelia and Grace's upcoming book with Bigger Pockets.

Amelia McGee decided she didn't want to spend her life working for someone else and saw real estate investing as a way to achieve the freedom she desired. Today, she teaches others how to do the same. This conversation is a must-listen if you want to escape the W-2 life as Amelia did.

In this episode, you will hear:

Amelia McGee's first property flip in partnership with her parents, why it made her realize flipping wasn't for her, and how she used the profits to buy a triplex
How the resources from Bigger Pockets helped her begin building a real estate investing career
Amelia's introduction to her partner, Grace Gudenkauf, via Instagram
Her advice for starting an Instagram profile that can lead to sales
The first virtual meetup she and Grace hosted together, and how it evolved into the business it is today
Why not having the "golden handcuffs" of a well-paying job helped propel Amelia forward in real estate
Where she sourced money to add doors to her portfolio
The details behind the triplex purchase and why she didn't want any of the previous owner's tenants
The leeway local banks can give you for financing versus a larger bank
Her partnership with her parents in buying another property when her money ran out
Amelia's real estate education and what it taught her about finding great property deals
The birth of WIIRE, its evolution over time, and who's in the community
WIIRE retreats and what they offer to the women who attend
Competition in real estate and why it doesn't have to be competitive
The number-one characteristic of real estate investors
Amelia's investment in short-term and mid-term rental properties and why she's moving toward short-term rentals
Amelia and Grace's upcoming Bigger Pockets book
Real estate doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing thing
The freedom she experiences now versus when she did her first flip

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Supporting Resources:

Women Invest in Real Estate - www.womeninvestinrealestate.com

Connect with Amelia McGee on Instagram - www.instagram.com/ameliajorei

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:

101: Defer, Leverage, and Expand Through 1031 Exchange with Dave Foster Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

If 1031 exchanges aren't already on your radar as a real estate investor, Jonathan's guest, Dave Foster, lays out the nitty-gritty details of why they should be.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Dave to discuss this important aspect of real estate investing: 1031 exchanges and why you could be leaving dollars on the table if you aren't taking advantage of them. Dave is a degreed accountant, 1031 exchange expert, serial real estate investor, and a qualified intermediary. He is also the author of Lifetime Tax-Free Wealth: The Real Estate Investor's Guide to The 1031 Exchange.

Jonathan and Dave delve into how a dream of a sailboat led to him becoming a 1031 exchange expert. Dave shares what he learned from his first property investment, the ins and outs of the 1031 exchange process, and how to use it with the 121 tax-free exclusion. Dave also shares why he advises investors to buy properties you could enjoy even though they may not be as lucrative, why attachment to real estate prevents you from profiting as well as you could, what a qualified intermediary is, and the two types of people 1031 exchanges benefit most.

Dave Foster's expertise in 1031 exchanges is evident during his chat with Jonathan, and if you're tired of leaving dollars behind, this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing is for you.

In this episode, you will hear:

Dave Foster's winding journey to 1031 exchanges that began with the idea of a sailboat and time freedom
His first income property in Denver and what he learned about real estate from that experience
How a 1031 exchange works and why it offers more returns to you
The two ways to take cash out of your investments while you're participating in 1031 exchanges
Using the 1031 exchange in conjunction with the 121 tax-free exclusion
Why Dave and his family moved to Connecticut and then Florida, where they purchased a fleet of vacation rentals to fund living on their sailboat
Their personal use of vacation rentals because they purchased premium properties on the water
The reason today's short-term investors are hostage to management companies and renters
Dave's encouragement to buy properties you enjoy even though they may not be as lucrative
Attachment to properties and how it holds you back from gaining more profits
A qualified intermediary's role in the 1031 exchange process
What makes turnkey companies a great option for completing a 1031 exchange
When to get your qualified intermediary involved
The benefits to your heirs
The two types of people 1031 exchanges benefit the most
The one thing you need to know about 1031 exchanges that you might not have heard before

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Supporting Resources:

The 1031 Investor website - www.the1031investor.com

Dave Foster on Facebook - www.facebook.com/DaveFoster1031

Connect with Dave on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/davefoster1031

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:

100: The Mindful Approach to Real Estate Investing with Jonathan Greene Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

Mindfulness is a valuable trait no matter where you apply it. In real estate, having awareness and empathy can make all the difference between getting a great deal or not getting it at all.

This is the 100th episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, and Jonathan's friend and previous podcast guest, Alyssa Holbrook, takes over the microphone to interview Jonathan. Mindfulness has been deliberate in his investing career, but it took center stage in his 40s.

Alyssa and Jonathan's conversation covers how hustle and work ethic relates to mindset, his ability to self-regulate when others feel dysregulated, and how therapy played a big role in Jonathan's personal growth. He explains his approach to using his network mindfully, remaining confident when others would like to tear you down, and what leaving a legacy means to Jonathan. You'll also hear the value of mediation in his daily life, how the podcast has changed him, and putting negotiations in real estate in perspective. Finally, Jonathan shares how this podcast has changed him and how he plans to implement what he's learned from his guests in 2024.

Mindfulness is a choice, and Jonathan's interview with Alyssa reveals how it contributes to his success in real estate and beyond.

In this episode, you will hear:

Jonathan's unique take on mindset, which led him to start the podcast
How real estate could be better with a mindset shift and more focus on relationships
Mindful use of your network and what that looks like
Financial desperation's impact on a business and what you can do to "mindset" your way out of it
Why rushing around crushes the ability to be mindful
What Jonathan's dad taught him about being a good landlord and mindset
The lessons he's learned about self-regulation and what to do when things feel dysregulated
Therapy's benefits and how it helped Jonathan become a better person
Avoiding FOMO, it's relationship to his intrinsic motivation, and meditation
The one thing he hopes his kids learn from him
How work ethic and not rushing can be intertwined
Hustle as a state of mind
Jonathan's high standards and how he uses those to adjust the trajectory of his business
Why each investor's journey is their own
Releasing regret, embracing feeling good about yourself, and finding others who want to do what you want to do
Money's impact on the group of people you're surrounded by
Shifting your perspective to create a better real estate deal for everyone
The art of negotiation and being transparent
The podcast's role in Jonathan's life and how it's changed him

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Supporting Resources:

Jonathan's website - www.trustgreene.com

Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-greene-re

Find Alyssa Holbrook on Instagram - www.instagram.com/alyssaholbrookcoach

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:

099: Insuring Yourself and Your Real Estate Investments with Aaron Letzeiser Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

Becoming a landlord involves more than just buying properties. You also have to protect your assets, which means knowing the ins and outs of insurance.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Aaron Letzeiser, co-founder of Obie, a venture-backed insurance and risk management technology platform that primarily serves real estate investors in the U.S. Aaron is also an active real estate investor and a venture partner at Pioneer Fund.

Starting with Aaron's entrance into real estate as an accidental landlord, Jonathan and Aaron cover why condos make a great first investment, the unique features of Chicago's real estate market that make it a good place to invest, and why Aaron branched out to the Carolinas when he was looking for new assets. You'll also hear why insurance should be a factor when you choose where to invest, how technology is making shopping for insurance products easier, and the four ways investors are falling short when it comes to insurance coverage. As Jonathan and Aaron wrap up, you'll also hear two ways to mitigate tenant issues that can cause an insurance claim, how prior claims can impact your costs, and Aaron's advice for finding an affordable insurance product.

Dig in deep and get the details on creating an insurance plan that works for your business with Aaron Letzeiser.

In this episode, you will hear:

Aaron Letzeiser's start in real estate as an accidental landlord
Why condos make a great first investment
The Chicago real estate market and what makes it a good place to invest
His decision to branch out into the Carolinas and what makes it a better buy than Florida
The role of insurance in the decision to purchase an asset in a particular location
The questions you should be asking your insurance agent as an investor
Decreasing the mental load as a mindful investor
Aaron's goal for Obie Insurance and how technology is making investing easier
What Obie does differently from other insurance companies that puts the real estate investor in the driver's seat
The importance of understanding the replacement cost of your property and adjusting your policies accordingly
The four ways investors are falling short in terms of insurance coverage
Two ways you can mitigate issues that may crop up inside a unit
Natural disasters' impact on the insurance market and adjusting your deductible according to what you can afford
Obie's use of tech to give you an estimate of your insurance cost with plus or minus 5% accuracy
How prior claims can affect your costs
Aaron's advice for finding affordable insurance

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Supporting Resources:

Obie website - www.obieinsurance.com

Find Obie on Facebook - www.facebook.com/ObieRisk

Connect with Obie on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/joinobie

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:

098: Wealth Acceleration and Capital Preservation with Lindsey Duguet Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

Physicians who invest in real estate are uncommon. Instead, they tend to invest in the stock market--a more passive form of investing. Today's guest took a different path, actively investing in real estate and pursuing financial freedom.

On today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan digs into Dr. Lindsey Duguet's real estate investing journey. Lindsey is an ER physician, wife, mother of three small children, and a successful investor. Lindsey and her husband, Michael, got their start in real estate when Lindsey moved into an attending physician position and her income jumped significantly.

Jonathan and Lindsey explore how she and her husband scaled their investments over the past five years, why it's important to be solution-oriented and have grit in real estate and the difficulties they initially faced when they purchased properties in a D neighborhood. Additionally, she outlines what she looks for in masterminds and meetups, how she and her husband locate investment properties, and her shift into multifamily assets. You'll also hear why they branched into out-of-state properties, the power of choice she loves about having another income stream, and their next goals for their business.

Lindsey Duguet has a busy full-time career and a young family, but she and her husband made investing one of their priorities, and it's paying off in spades. If you want to hear how to do the same, tune in for more of Lindsey's advice on balancing family, work, and investing.

In this episode, you will hear:

Lindsey Duguet's entry into real estate alongside her husband when she became an attending physician
Why she believes many doctors are stock-heavy instead of investing in real estate
The scaling of her investments over the past five years and what she attributes their success to
Their first property and how they positioned it as a high-demand rental
The importance of being solution-oriented and having grit to succeed in real estate
The difficulties in hiring contractors and managing properties in D neighborhoods
How having their first four properties near each other helped from a management and proximity standpoint
Lindsey's qualifications for choosing masterminds and meetups and when she implemented those into her real estate investing plan
The methods Lindsey and her husband use to find properties
Why she began targeting multifamily properties
The advantages of out-of-state properties and what caused her and her husband to branch out
What Lindsey loves about offering advice to others about real estate investing
The power of choice that comes from having another income stream
Why the lack of an immediate return has been the most challenging part of this journey
The properties Lindsey and her husband own out of state
How Lindsey's husband Michael achieved real estate professional status
The next goals for their real estate business
Making time for real estate investing with a full-time career and three small children

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Supporting Resources:

Cloverkey Capital website - www.cloverkeycapital.com

Find Dr. Lindsey Duguet on Facebook - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=9384125

Lindsey's Instagram profile - www.instagram.com/docduguet

Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-duguet-ba177388

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

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

Episode Credits:

097: How to Build a Local Homebuying Company with Aaron Bihl Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

A good reputation in the real estate world is an indisputable advantage as an investor. It's imperative if you're focused on your local market.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, San Antonio investor Aaron Bihl sits down with Jonathan to discuss how building a reputation as a trustworthy buyer in the San Antonio market has helped keep his business on top. Aaron got his start in the real estate business in 2018 after a stint in the oil and gas industry. He is one of the owners of Murphy Home Buyers in San Antonio, Texas, and is an avid home flipper, acquiring about ten homes a month.

Jonathan and Aaron begin their conversation with what initially drew Aaron to real estate. He explains why he hired a coach when he moved into the investing arena and what made that expense worthwhile. They discuss why an investor's reputation matters when you're focused on buying and selling locally, what he likes about mobile home flips, and why sellers turn to Murphy Home Buyers instead of a real estate agent. Jonathan also asks Aaron to outline his marketing strategy, the value of being "real" instead of putting a highlight reel out, and how the current state of the market has impacted his business.

If investing locally and staying in your home market is your goal, Aaron Bihl's insights will give you some hard-earned wisdom to consider if you want to become the go-to homebuyer in your area.

In this episode, you will hear:

Aaron Bihl's path to real estate from a job he didn't love and exposure to Bigger Pockets.
Why real estate appealed to Aaron and what he learned from his first few deals
Hiring a coach, learning to build a brand, and why having a coach helped him get to the next level
The importance of being a local and building trust in the community
The return on flipping mobile homes versus the time they require and what Aaron finds appealing about them
His focus on single-family homes and what sellers are looking for from straight buyers or wholesalers
The value of building trust with sellers and offering them convenience
How being omnipresent and evergreen in the local market keeps Aaron at the forefront of people's minds when they need to sell
Being authentic and not just displaying the highlight reel of real estate
The current state of the real estate market and its impact on Aaron's business
The biggest challenge he's facing in the San Antonio market right now

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Supporting Resources:

Murphy Home Buyers website - murphyhomebuyers.com

Find Aaron Bihl on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@Investwithaaronbihl

Aaron's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/investwithaaronbihl

Aaron on Instagram - www.instagram.com/aaron.bihl

Connect with Aaron Bihl on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bihl-b15b261b6

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

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

Episode Credits:

096: Unleashing Your Inner Entrepreneur Through Land Flipping with Travis King Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

For many new real estate investors, land is almost an afterthought. Instead, they focus on house flips, single-family residences, or even multifamily properties. However, for those who need a low barrier of entry to real estate investing, land could be the foundation for building your portfolio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes guest Travis King to the show. Travis is a practiced land flipper and, along with his wife Becca, has completed hundreds of land flips. Today, he operates a coaching and educational service business for others who want to get into land investing. Travis has done over 1,000 one-on-one coaching calls and has the expertise to guide individuals interested in investing in land.

Jonathan and Travis start their conversation by exploring what drew Travis to land versus other asset types. The low entry barrier for land investing initially drew him to it. Still, Travis quickly discovered the magic in subdividing land and how easy the Internet made it to find parcels available for purchase. They cover Travis King's favorite property types, what he recommends for starting your land investing search, and what he calls the triple play. Finally, Travis explains how he leverages his land business to invest in other asset classes and teaches others to do what he does.

If you find land intriguing and want to start investing without needing a lot of extra cash, this is the show for you!

In this episode, you will hear:

Travis King's introduction to land deals as a kid and how that led him to real estate investing
How layoffs at his W-2 job caused Travis to realize he needed to build an income stream outside of an employer
His first land investment, the low barrier to entry, and how it propelled him into bigger deals
Why Travis didn't want to start real estate investing with more than $500 or $1,000
The challenges he faced as he got started and when he decided to find outside capital
The magic of subdividing and land's similarities to other assets without all the due diligence and landmines
Finding parcels available for purchase and why the Internet changed how it's done
Marketing land parcels to find buyers and the benefits of partnering with a real estate agent specializing in land
What Travis King learned early on in his land career about buying land
His favorite types of property to purchase
Travis's recommended ways to begin your land investing search and the ideal market value percentages to look for
The triple play: capturing equity, forcing appreciation with a subdivide, and interest income from selling it on payments
How his land business allows him to invest in other asset classes without using W-2 income
Using agents to build a team approach for buying assets
Travis's methods for teaching others how to do what he does
What land has allowed Travis to do in his life and why focus is key

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Travis King's website - travisking.com

Find Travis on YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCwy3Qf-W46misdV-4DR9dQA

Travis's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/landeducator

Connect with Travis King on Instagram - www.instagram.com/_travisaking

Travis on TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@_travisaking

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/Streamlined%20Prop%20eXp

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

Episode Credits:

095: Accelerating Multifamily Wealth with Digital Lending with Maxwell Wu Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

Lending can be a complicated topic in real estate investing. If you're an investor who prefers multifamily properties, you may want to consider a lender specializing in these assets.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Maxwell Wu, founder of Fulcrum Lending and an expert in the multifamily property lending space. Maxwell's decade of varied experience in real estate gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and lending.

Jonathan and Maxwell start their conversation by covering Maxwell's background in real estate and what ultimately brought him to the lending sector. They discuss current market trends, Fulcrum's cashflow-based lending, and Maxwell explains floating rate debt. He also outlines technology's positive effect on lending, the use of cap rates, and the downturn in commercial real estate's impact on lending. Finally, Jonathan and Maxwell discuss the future of multifamily real estate.

If multifamily investing is on your radar, you won't want to miss this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing.

In this episode, you will hear:

Maxwell Wu's varied experience in real estate over the past decade
What's causing the downturn in multifamily transactions in the current market and the impact on lending
Floating rate debt, its rise in popularity, and how it's affecting the market today
Why Maxwell's organization is interested in creating relationships and more collaborative lending situations
The components of Fulcrum Lending that make it stand out from the competition
The importance of underwriting in real estate investing
Understanding your exit opportunities in multifamily assets and the impact of inflation
Why real estate debt has become more attractive to investors
Fulcrum Lending's focus on tech and why it enhances the platform in comparison to regular lending
Competition in real estate and the element of commodification in it
The role of cap rate in real estate investing and how it changes as the market fluctuates
Commercial vacancies and what lending looks like right now in that space
The biggest misconception investors have about lending for multifamily properties
Where Maxwell Wu thinks multifamily may be going in the next year

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Supporting Resources:

Fulcrum Lending website - www.fulcrumlendingcorp.com

Connect with Maxwell Wu on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/maxwelljwu

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

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/Streamlined%20Prop%20eXp

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