Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

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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.

092: Safeguarding Your Assets and Equity With Legal Protection with Scott Royal Smith Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

You've gathered all the investing information. You know what asset classes you want. You're ready to pounce on some property deals. But before you jump in, have you ensured you're legally protected?

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Scott Royal Smith, founder of Royal Legal Solutions in Austin, Texas. As an attorney, Scott knows how important it is to safeguard your assets and equity with various forms of legal protection. Leaving your investments unprotected can leave you vulnerable to losing the wealth you've worked so hard to create.

Jonathan and Scott dive into their conversation by explaining the differences between an LLC and a series LLC. Scott elaborates on the mistakes people frequently make with living trusts and how you can avoid them by hiring people to help you with the details. He emphasizes why building wealth is boring 95% of the time, outlines how most wealthy people manage their wealth, and details the ins and outs of LLCs and series LLCs. You'll also hear why Scott approaches California real estate with Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) and what prompted him to start a law firm focused on real estate. Finally, Scott reveals the asset classes working well in the current real estate market, the entrepreneurial skills investors need, and what skilled professionals can do to help you protect your assets.

Learning more about LLCs and series LLCs doesn't have to be complicated, and Scott Royal Smith masterfully breaks it down so you can grasp their importance in your wealth-building strategy.

In this episode, you will hear:

What investors are missing when it comes to protecting themselves from a legal standpoint
The most common errors Scott Royal Smith spots from mid-range investors who form LLCs
The biggest mistake people make as they're building an estate plan
What a living trust is, why you may want one, and how you can use it to transfer real estate to your kids
Why the path to wealth is very predictable and often boring
The trick Scott uses to alleviate the boredom of scaling your wealth and business
The importance of hiring professionals to help you who have made money the same way you make money
The two types of LLCs and what each one can do for you
When Scott recommends using a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST)
How working primarily with real estate investors has helped him bring in more investors and get more referrals
Scott's initial investments and what he's investing in today
The asset classes that look good for portfolio building right now from a legal standpoint
The steps Scott recommends taking before your investing starts
How real estate investing has changed since the pandemic from Scott's perspective
Taking action and making something happen

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Supporting Resources:

Royal Legal Solutions website: royallegalsolutions.com

Find Royal Legal Solutions on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RoyalLegalSolutions

Scott Royal Smith on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScottRoyalSmithRLS

Royal Legal Solutions on Instagram: www.instagram.com/royal.legal.solutions

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-royal-smith

Find Regal Legal Solutions on Twitter/X: twitter.com/royal_legal_law

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:

091: Innovative Wealth Strategies in Real Estate with Frank Hanna Jr. Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Wealth creation includes real estate more often than not. Knowing how to navigate taxes and understanding the asset classes available to you is an important component of wealth-building.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Frank Hanna, Jr., founder of Revolution Exchange. Revolution Exchange provides comprehensive analysis, tailored programs, and turnkey solutions for tax-free exchanges. The team is focused on real estate investors as a wealth management company, and Frank also has a history in real estate.

Jonathan and Frank dive into his early exposure to real estate through his parents, why Frank favors multifamily properties for investment, and what a triple net lease is. They cover the benefits of triple net leases, the reason COVID acted as a litmus test for them, and Frank's thoughts on diversifying your investment portfolio. Jonathan also explores Delaware Statutory Trusts (DST) and 1031 exchanges as tax breaks with Frank.

Leveling up your investment portfolio doesn't have to be complicated, and Frank Hanna, Jr.'s expertise offers some ideas you may not have previously considered.

In this episode, you will hear:

The first thing Frank Hanna, Jr. remembers about being involved in real estate
When he knew he wanted to pursue real estate as a career and why he veered toward multifamily properties
Triple net leases and what makes them attractive to investors
The potential losses with triple net leases
Diversifying as a component of investing, whether in real estate or other asset classes
Favorable tax breaks in the tax codes for investors and real estate
The asset classes Frank's company invests in and how he helps his clients choose what they want to be in
How e-commerce is impacting demand for particular types of real estate
The asset class he's recommending the most in this real estate market
Self-storage's appeal and why it performs well even in a bad economic climate
When Frank Hanna, Jr. uses 1031 exchanges and what makes them beneficial to investors
The Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) and what makes it appealing to investors
The asset classes Frank finds interesting right now
His lessons in wealth management from the 2008 real estate crash
Who the most successful investors are, and what they do that other people are failing at
Frank's advice for someone who wants to get into the investing game

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Revolution Exchange website: www.revxwealth.com

Find Revolution Exchange on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RevXWealth

Connect with Revolution Exchange on Instagram: www.instagram.com/revxwealth

Revolution Exchange on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/revolutionx-asset-management

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:

090: Reviving Towns Through Downtown Redevelopment with Katie Neason Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Main Street mixed-use real estate's popularity continues to rise. More and more young families and empty nesters are choosing to live near their growing downtown areas, making it a prime location for real estate investors.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Katie Neason to talk about downtown revitalization in real estate development. Katie is based in Bryan, Texas, and is a real estate investor and downtown developer who matches her profits and passion with build-to-suit and mixed-use real estate that transforms small-to-midsize markets into locally fuelled powerhouses of sustainable growth.

Jonathan and Katie begin their conversation by diving into Katie's exposure to real estate investing in the '80s when her parents lost everything. She explains what she learned from that and what ultimately led her back to real estate development. You'll hear what fuels her passion for downtown revitalization, who should consider investing in downtown development, and why COVID showed us how vital a downtown area is to a community. Katie also shares how she overcomes resistance to downtown redevelopment, gentrification, and mixed-use development challenges, and getting the community involved in your efforts.

Katie Neason's experience and passion for downtown revitalization shine through as she unpacks all you need to know about it with Jonathan.

In this episode, you will hear:

The one thing Katie Neason learned about real estate when her parents lost everything in the '80s
How she learned about real estate development and what prompted her to jump into business for herself
Katie's fascination with why some people are successful and some aren't
The two biggest lessons she learned about real estate and where they came from
What urban infill redevelopment is and the three pieces to having a successfully revitalized town
The two things Katie looks for when she's considering whether or not to invest in a town's downtown
Where Katie is focusing her redevelopment efforts and her passion behind it
The lack of a blueprint to revitalize downtowns when Katie started and how she started the process
How she deals with blowback from other real estate agents and developers
Getting around the hard sales and creating unique properties in the downtown area
Following historic preservation rules and why she avoids purchasing those properties
The two biggest demographics buying downtown properties and gentrification's impact on the community
Investors' interest in mixed-use developments and its challenges
Who Katie Neason primarily works with, and why she has build-to-sell and build-to-rent properties
How she's helping other people go through development steps in their own towns
The most gratifying part of this process for Katie

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Supporting Resources:

Katie Neason's website: KatieNeason.com

Connect with Katie on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katiedevelops

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:

089: How to Go from Deployment to Deal Flow with Buddy Rushing Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

Former military members often struggle with what career to pursue when they exit military service. Many discover a path in real estate investing that can help them find stability and a new career.

On today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Buddy Rushing, co-founder of White Feather Investments, to talk about his mission to educate and empower military members to achieve financial freedom through real estate investing. As a former Marine, Buddy understands the process of leaving the military and why many servicemen and servicewomen find it challenging.

Jonathan and Buddy dig into how Buddy and his wife Kimberly started their investing journey, the importance of having something to look forward to when he came home from deployments, and his desire to change the legacy of poverty in his family. As the conversation continues, Buddy shares how the house he bought as an investment during the 2008 crash lost half of its value, why he held on to it and didn't lose hope, and what he learned from the experience. Buddy explains that his wife made the call to forgo their wedding and put that money into an investment property instead. Finally, you'll hear how he and his wife coach and train former military members to succeed post-military in real estate investing.

This inspiring episode is full of hard-earned wisdom you won't want to miss.

In this episode, you will hear:

How a reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan caused Buddy Rushing to read the book "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and introduced him to the concept of real estate investing
The familiar story of a degrading lifestyle post-military and why it doesn't have to be that way
The permission "Rich Dad Poor Dad" gave Buddy to dream and believe he could change his family's legacy of poverty
His first property investment amid the 2008 housing crash, its low appraisal, and what he learned from that experience
Buddy's realization that to create financial freedom, he had to develop more positive income streams
How he and his wife bought their next income property by forgoing their wedding plans
The real estate education and action that moved Buddy and his wife forward with their investments
The difference that a supportive spouse can make in the real estate investment journey
Two fundamental principles Buddy teaches people about real estate investing
The importance of prioritizing your time to build wealth
How he and his wife transitioned their first couple of investments into an investment business
Why the relationships you make are the greatest natural resource you have access to
What Buddy and his wife's company, White Feather, does
How he's handling the current real estate market
The methods Buddy is using to find deals

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

White Feather Investments website - www.whitefeatherinvestments.com

Find Buddy Rushing on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@buddyrushingofficial

Get in touch with Buddy on Facebook - www.facebook.com/edward.rushing.69

Buddy's Instagram account - www.instagram.com/buddyrushing

Connect with Buddy Rushing on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/edward-rushing-4b25694

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:

088: Mastering Multifamily Real Estate Development with Barbara Isabel Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

Multifamily properties can be a fantastic way to find real estate wealth, but having a mentor or advisor to guide you is the secret sauce.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes multifamily and real estate investment specialist Barbara Isabel. Barbara is also an attorney who moved to Los Angeles, California, from Spain at 24 years old. Her father was in real estate and introduced her to the concept. Still, she didn't take an interest in it until she moved to L.A. Today, she specializes in multifamily real estate development and teaches her clients how to build generational wealth through real estate.

Jonathan and Barbara explore her exposure to real estate at an early age and why she became an attorney instead of going directly into the family business. Barbara explains what drew her back to the industry after moving to Los Angeles, what her first deal was, and how finding her niche led to success. You'll also hear how she began putting multifamily properties into her own portfolio, where she wants to invest in L.A. next, and what makes rental properties recession-proof. Finally, Barbara reveals her recommendations to first-time homebuyers, her future investing plans, and how providing value to clients brings continuing returns.

Mastering multifamily real estate can be the key to building your generational wealth, and Barbara Isabel's tips can help put you on that path.

In this episode, you will hear:

Barbara Isabel's background in real estate as she grew up as one of eight kids in Spain
Why Barbara's father encouraged her to pursue law instead of real estate, and when she became interested in real estate
How her life in Los Angeles renewed her interest in real estate
Why asking the right questions and having support was crucial to making her first real estate deal in L.A.
The benefits of having a real estate license and finding a niche in multifamily real estate
The appeal of real estate for Barbara and the advantages she has in L.A. as a Spanish speaker
Her transition to putting multifamily properties in her own portfolio and what she's done with them
The next areas Barbara is eyeing for deals and the types of properties she's buying the most of
The difference between buying and selling houses and what Barbara does
The tax benefits of real estate
Why rental properties are recession-proof
What "affordable housing" means in L.A. and why you can still make money on it
The resources Barbara Isabel uses to find inventory deals
How she's using ADUs to add even more value to her inventory
The reason Barbara recommends duplexes to first-time homebuyers as their first home
Negotiations with tenants and why they're difficult right now
Her plans for the future and the value of having a good advisor to help you attain wealth in the long run
The continuing returns on providing value to clients

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Supporting Resources:

Find Barbara Isabel on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@barbara.isabel

Connect with Barbara on Facebook - www.facebook.com/barbara.isabelr9

Barbara's Instagram account - www.instagram.com/barbaraisabelre/

Connect with Barbara on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/barbaraisabelr/

Barbara Isabel on Twitter/X - twitter.com/barbaraisabelre

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:

087: A Masterclass in Flood Risk for Real Estate Investors with D.J. McClure Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

Flood risk is often an under-considered topic for real estate investors. Investors should think about flood zones for several reasons, including using them strategically to discover new properties.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews D.J. McClure from National Flood Experts, the number-one resource for flood zone solutions nationwide. D.J. is the Vice President of Sales and Business Development and has been with National Flood Experts since 2019. He's also an investor who bought his first property at 25 and used it as a house hack with roommates.

Jonathan and D.J. dive into the episode by explaining why real estate investors need flood insurance and how you can shop premiums. You'll also hear how flood zones are created and maintained, the effect climate change has on flood zoning, and the opportunities that may present themselves for investors when other buyers are scared off by a property in a flood zone. D.J. also shares some strategies cash investors implement to hedge value and how it can bite them later, the reason most people don't realize how many flood zones may exist in a particular town, and how D.J. has leveraged the relationships he's built while working at National Flood Experts to build a portfolio.

There is so much more nuance to flood zones and flood insurance products than you would expect, and if you're an investor or want to become an investor, this is an important topic you need in your toolbelt.

In this episode, you will hear:

How D.J. McClure began his real estate investing career at 25 years old with house hacking and what he would have done differently with that experience
His introduction to National Flood experts
Why flood insurance is a crucial product for investors and D.J.'s tips for getting a better premium
The creation and maintenance of flood zones and how often they're updated
The effects of climate change on flood zoning
Opportunities for investors when others are afraid to buy in a flood zone
How FEMA's adjustments of flood zones impact new construction projects
Some value-add solutions for residential and commercial properties in flood zones
Density's impact on flood zone solutions
The strategies cash investors implement to hedge value and the ways it can bite them during a refinance
Getting properties removed from flood zones and how a building's composition affects flood insurance rates
Why most people don't realize how many flood zones there are in a town
The real estate relationships D.J. formed through his job and how those have helped him build an investment portfolio
The reason he believes there are no bad investment markets based on his professional experience
Mindset's role in making a sound investment
The strategies D.J. uses to help reduce or eliminate flood insurance costs for commercial real estate
His advice for brand new investors looking at a property in a flood zone for the first time

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

National Flood Experts website - www.Nationalfloodexperts.com

Connect with D.J. McClure on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/mccluredj

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:

086: Taking Control of Your Financial Future Through Real Estate with Lindsay Lovell Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

Retiring at 63 with "enough" may sound good on the surface, but when you examine what financial freedom can look like, your 401(k) may begin to lose its luster. Finding other ways to create wealth could be the secret to creating the retirement you dreamed of.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Lindsay Lovell sits down with Jonathan to talk about the moment she decided her 401(k) wouldn't be enough to give her the life she dreamed about. Once she dove into real estate, Lindsay scaled her real estate business from zero to 36 doors in just 18 months--achieving the financial freedom she longed for. Today, she owns a diverse portfolio with 72 properties, including long-term vacation rentals and mobile home park ventures. She is the co-founder of GVI Capital Management and Wanderlust Stays. She is the founder of the Millionaires March, a coaching business for real estate entrepreneurs.

Jonathan and Lindsay's conversation is in-depth, and they start by exploring how Bigger Pockets and other sources helped her begin learning about real estate investing and how to find a community of investors to connect with. She explains why her first intentional investment purchase was based in St. Joseph, Missouri, why she leaned on her mentor to guide her in the beginning, and her approach to diversification as she builds wealth. Lindsay is passionate about helping others in real estate, which led her to start the Millionaires March coaching business and helps her clients find the right asset classes for their goals.

In the last half of their conversation, Jonathan explores Lindsay's preference for single-family homes in the Midwest, how climate change affects her purchase decisions, and her method for identifying potential investment markets. Finally, she explains why your goals for financial freedom should define your success.

Lindsay Lovell discovered the secret to creating wealth and finding financial freedom, and her passion for helping others do the same is inspiring. This episode contains lessons learned along the way that you won't want to miss.

In this episode, you will hear:

Lindsay Lovell's realization that her 401(k) may not provide the retirement she wanted and her pivot toward real estate investing
How Bigger Pockets and the investing community's desire to help further fueled her interest in investing
Lindsay's first property purchase in St. Joseph, Missouri, which she paid $25,000 in cash for, spent $20,000 renovating, and its eventual appraisal for $62,000
What led her to invest in St. Joseph after initially considering Reno
Her conservative approach to property purchases and why she leaned on her mentor to guide her through the first few buys
The importance of diversification in building wealth
What the Millionaires March is and who Lindsay's clients are in her coaching business
How she helps her clients find the right asset classes for their investing goals
Linday's preference for single-family homes in the Midwest and how climate change impacts her choices
Why she doesn't like flipping houses and stays away from those projects
The steps she took to scale her portfolio and the role of diversification in that process
Identifying markets based on key points that are solid indicators of a growing market
Getting through the nos to get to the yes with the support of a community around you
Focusing on your goals for financial freedom to define your success
The advice Lindsay offers to investors who want to get into this challenging real estate market
Her future plans for the Millionaires March and the one piece of advice she'd give to new investors in the current real estate climate

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Millionaires March website - themillionairesmarch.com

Millionaires March on YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCoD2Wd8JW5PyAIrYLsjALPg

Find Millionaires March on Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheMillionairesMarch

Millionaires March on Instagram - www.instagram.com/lindsayzanelovell

Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-lovell-1baaa56

Find Lindsay on TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@lindsayzanelovell

Book a call with Lindsay - calendly.com/millionairesmarch/free-investing-strategy-session/?month=2023-10

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:

085: How to Make Your Real Estate Investing Journey Take Off with Shawn DiMartile Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

Sometimes, a stressful career pushes you to step into something new. With the right planning and business partners, you can create a real estate investing career that takes off.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Shawn DiMartile about leaving a high-paying air traffic control career behind to become a full-time real estate investor. Today, Shawn has more than 300 rental units and has only been investing since 2018. He is the host of The Real Estate Takeoff podcast, co-founder of Takeoff Capital, and a Navy veteran. Shawn's focus is primarily on apartment investing.

Jonathan and Shawn begin their conversation by investigating how he was first exposed to real estate investing. You'll also hear why Shawn wishes he'd stuck with his air traffic control job just a little bit longer before jumping into real estate investing full-time, why he feels raising money from investors to syndicate real estate is more challenging than air traffic control, and who he partnered with to make his first investment. They cover his decision to invest in Indiana instead of California, where he resides, his investment in San Diego accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and Shawn's advice for new or prospective investors.

Real estate syndication or ADUs may not be something you've considered before as investment options, but Shawn offers great reasons why these asset types should be on your radar. His success story could inspire you to help your investing career take off!

In this episode, you will hear:

Why real estate wasn't a consideration for Shawn DiMartile when he was younger
How he was initially introduced to the idea of real estate investing through the Bigger Pockets podcast
Shawn's one regret about quitting his air traffic control job last year
The first investment he made, what he did to participate in the deal, and how he knew he was ready to go all in on it
His reasoning behind investing in Indiana instead of California
The steps Shawn takes to escape analysis paralysis
How he found the right business partners for this investing venture and decided on a B neighborhood
The booming San Diego real estate market and how accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are creating alternative housing options
The reason Shawn is investing in San Diego ADUs versus more traditional housing options
Creative financing options and finding deals in the current real estate market
His advice for new investors who don't want to fall into traps a lot of people do

Follow and Review:

Supporting Resources:

Shawn DiMartile's website - www.investorshawn.com

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

Find Shawn on Twitter/X - www.twitter.com/shawndimartile

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