Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing

Are you a real estate investor concerned about asset protection and tax advantages? Do you want to ensure your investments are shielded from legal risks and pitfalls?

Then you’re in the right place! In this enlightening episode of Podcasts, we dive deep into the world of asset protection with experts Garrett Sutton and Ted Sutton.

Garrett Sutton, best-selling author of "Loopholes of Real Estate," and Ted Sutton, author of "The Five Tricks to Teach Your Kids About Money," join hosts Michael Blank and Garrett Lynch to discuss essential strategies for protecting your investments. Corporate Direct offers invaluable services, including free 15-minute consultations and comprehensive financial education available on Sunstream.com.

Listen as the Suttons share insights on the Corporate Transparency Act, corporate veil piercing, and proper LLC management. Plus, you’ll learn why Wyoming is a favorable state for setting up LLCs and how to effectively use charging order protections.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session443/

Are you aiming for financial independence through real estate investing? Do you want to unlock the ultimate tax advantages in your real estate ventures? This episode is your roadmap to mastering tax strategies and achieving financial success!

Join Michael and Garrett as they unravel the intricacies of proactive tax planning with expert CPA, Tim Gertz. Dive into valuable insights on how real estate investors can leverage tax advantages and make smarter investment decisions.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session442/

Are you ready to take the leap into real estate investing? Do you see the value of mentorship in navigating the complexities of the market?

Then you’ll be inspired by the remarkable journey of Frank Mwaisaka.

Frank Mwaisaka, an immigrant from Tanzania with an engineering background, shares his trailblazing journey of achieving financial freedom through real estate on this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing. Initially skeptical about syndication and mentorship programs, Frank uncovered the power of these strategies with Michael Blank’s guidance and successfully closed his first deal for just $36 in Indianapolis, overcoming significant funding challenges along the way.

Join hosts Michael Blank and Garrett Lynch as Frank unfolds his transition from single-family homes to multifamily properties, emphasizing the role his mentorship program played in his success. With his short-term goal of spending quality time with family and a long-term vision to give back to communities in Tanzania, Frank’s story is a testament to the transformational impact of real estate investing.

Listen in to hear how Frank navigated his first deal, his plans to significantly impact education and infrastructure in Africa, and the powerful support system provided by his mentorship program.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session441/

Are you interested in learning how to leverage real estate to protect your investments from inflation? Or maybe you're inspired by success stories of overcoming incredible odds to achieve financial freedom?

Then this episode is for you. Diego Corzo, an undocumented immigrant, climbed the ranks to build a $20 million real estate business, and his journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Diego joins hosts Michael Blank and Garrett Lynch to discuss the impacts of inflation on real estate, the protective benefits of investing in real estate, and his rags-to-riches story that shows how determination and resourcefulness can lead to astounding success in the field.

On this episode of Podcasts, Diego shares his story from facing legal work and driving challenges in the U.S. to achieving financial independence at age 26. We delve into how he used masterminds and partnerships to scale his investments, transitioning from house hacking to a multimillion-dollar portfolio.

Listen in to learn about the balance of risk and conservatism in real estate investing, the importance of local market understanding, and leveraging opportunities during times of fear in the market. Diego also shares his insights on the value of masterminds and his perspective on maximizing returns on equity.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session440/

Impressed by the financial potential of real estate investing and seeking a path to financial freedom? Discover the keys to successful underwriting and multifamily investing on this episode of Podcasts.

Jonathan Nichols, co-founder of Apogee Capital, joins Michael Blank to share his journey from engineering to real estate investing and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. Tune in to hear Jonathan's expert insights on underwriting, deal structuring, and avoiding common pitfalls in real estate investments.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session439/

Are you looking to transition from single-family homes to more lucrative investments? Have you ever considered the high potential of hotel investments?

In this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Micah Haworth joins Michael Blank to share his rapid journey from single-family houses to owning a hotel through syndication.

Micah, who transitioned to real estate investing after losing his job in the live event industry in 2020, has impressively built a $5.5 million portfolio in just 18 months. He walks us through his journey from a twelve-unit multifamily property to acquiring a 61-unit hotel, applying syndication principles to a different asset class.

Micah details the key steps in his success, including the importance of building a strong team, conducting thorough due diligence, and leveraging relationships for capital raises. He explains his conservative underwriting process, the impact of renovations on guest satisfaction, and the significance of having experienced partners.

Listen to gain insight into how Micah managed to meet and partner with seasoned investors, overcome the challenges of unpredictable weather in the hospitality market, and achieve his first profitable month. Plus, learn about the "Dealmaker Blueprint," a systematic approach for easy entry into multifamily and hotel investments, and how leveraging the right "who" rather than figuring out the "how" can accelerate your real estate success.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session438/

Join us as we dive deep into all things real estate and investment with Patrick Grimes, CEO of Invest on Main Street, an expert in finding unique investment opportunities and scaling marketing platforms.

In this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, hosts Garrett Lynch and Michael Blank sit down with Patrick Grimes to explore his multifaceted journey from high-tech professional to a thriving real estate investor. Patrick shares insights on building trust and credibility with investors through impactful storytelling, personal interactions, and strategic content creation.

Patrick explains how he transitioned from single-family homes to multifamily deals, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections over superficial marketing tactics like Facebook ads. He also delves into the complexities of today’s market, the surge in private debt, and the challenges of attracting the right investors.

Listen in to learn how Patrick scaled his marketing platform through webinars, podcasts, Forbes articles, and constant educational outreach, helping investors make better-informed decisions.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session437/

Are you ready to achieve financial freedom through real estate investing? Do you want to learn the secrets to building a successful team and leveraging relationships in multifamily real estate?

Join Michael Blank and Bibi Ofiri as they dive deep into the world of apartment building investing. Bibi Ofiri, a seasoned real estate investor who transitioned from house flipping burnout to multi-million dollar deals in multifamily real estate, shares her compelling journey and valuable insights in this power-packed episode.

In this episode, Bibi discusses the importance of market selection, creating relationships with property managers, brokers, lenders, and other team members. From her experiences in managing property and flipping homes to scaling up in multifamily acquisitions, Bibi underscores the crucial role of building a strong and knowledgeable team, conducting due diligence, and consistently nurturing broker relationships to unlock off-market deals.

Listen in as Bibi highlights her inspiring story from being an immigrant working in a cleaning company to an influential figure in multifamily real estate. Michael Blank and Bibi also touch upon essential tips for getting started in real estate investing, the significance of a solid financial model, and the journey towards financial independence through teamwork and education.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session436/

Are you a solo real estate investor looking to scale your business? Do you want to achieve financial freedom faster through multifamily investing?

The secret to success lies in building the right team.

Paula Nichols is the co-founder of Apogee Capital and a multifamily syndicator who has achieved financial freedom. Born and raised in Colombia, Paula moved to the US in 2006 to chase the American Dream.

After meeting her husband Jonathan in college, the couple got started in real estate. But they made the mistake of trying to do everything themselves, limiting their ability to scale.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Paula joins me to explain the importance of building a team to achieve greatness in multifamily.

She describes the key players you need to find and acquire apartment deals, from brokers and lawyers to lenders and property managers.

Listen in for insight on selecting the right partners for your multifamily team and learn how to leverage other people's skills and experience to accelerate your success in real estate.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session435/

Struggling to afford a home in today's market? You're not alone. Housing prices are soaring, and affordability is at a 40-year low.

Jason Hartman, a seasoned real estate investor and entrepreneur, joins host Michael Blank to discuss the current state of the housing market and what it means for real estate investors.

On this episode of Podcasts, Jason shares his insights on the supply and demand challenges driving up prices, the impact of rising interest rates, and the factors contributing to the housing affordability crisis.

Despite predictions of a market crash, Jason explains why housing prices continue to appreciate and debunks the idea that rising interest rates will lead to a significant drop in prices.

Jason also discusses the role of existing homeowners in controlling the housing stock and the impact of COVID-19 and government policies on the current market conditions.

Listen in to understand the dynamics at play in the housing market and learn how real estate investors can navigate this challenging environment to achieve financial freedom through apartment building investments.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session434/

Are you curious about the outlook for multifamily real estate investing in 2024? Do you want to know why now might be the best time to buy apartments?

Then tune in to this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, where hosts Michael Blank and Garrett Lynch sit down with special guest Joe Fairless from Ashcroft Capital and the Best Ever Real Estate Show.

As a successful real estate investor with a wealth of experience, Joe shares his insights on the current state of the market and the factors that make 2024 a potentially lucrative year for apartment investing.

In this episode, you'll learn about the impact of interest rates on real estate investment, the benefits of being a passive investor, and the risks associated with real estate investing and how to mitigate them.

Joe also discusses the current supply and demand dynamics in the apartment market, highlighting the window of opportunity for buyers to capitalize on favorable economics and the upcoming shift in the supply-demand balance.

Listen in to understand why focusing on A-class properties might be a smart move and how investors can take advantage of the opportunities in the multifamily market while others remain parked in money markets.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session433/

Have you ever faced immense adversity and come out the other side stronger and more focused? Do you dream of achieving financial independence through smart real estate investments?

Meet Damion Lupo, an inspiring entrepreneur who turned a catastrophic financial loss into a powerful journey of success and service. On this episode of *Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing*, Damion shares his dramatic story of losing a $20 million net worth, becoming homeless, and then rising to create a company valued at $400 million. Host Michael Blank digs deep into Damion’s life story, from growing up in Alaska to taking bold steps in the business world.

In this episode, Damion talks about an ambitious venture to tackle the housing shortage in America—Frametech. With a vision to streamline and revolutionize construction processes, Frametech is set to establish up to 100 fully automated plants, significantly reducing construction waste and time. Michael and Damion explore how determination and resilience are key traits for finding success.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session432/

Are you stuck in a comfortable but unfulfilling job? Do you have a vision for financial freedom but struggle to take the first step?

Jens Nielsen, a certified high-performance coach and successful real estate investor, joins Garrett Lynch and Michael Blank to share his journey from a traditional W-2 job to owning over 2000 multifamily units. Jens and his wife started their real estate investing journey with $200,000 saved in a non-retirement account, taking actionable steps based on their newfound knowledge from books and podcasts.

In this episode, Jens emphasizes mindset as the primary stumbling block to achieving financial independence. He shares how connecting with a bigger vision and understanding the pain of the current situation can be powerful motivators for change. Jens also discusses the strategic importance of professional property management, the four pillars of apartment investing success, and the role of building strong broker relationships.

Listen in to hear Jens' personal experiences in overcoming fear, investing out of state, and scaling his portfolio to over 2000 units. Whether you are just starting or looking to scale your apartment investing business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session431/

Are you interested in achieving financial independence through real estate investing? Do you want to learn how to leverage your sphere of influence to raise capital effectively?

In this episode of *Podcasts*, Michael Blank sits down with Jeremy LeMere to discuss successful strategies for raising capital, overcoming the fear of deal-making, and avoiding common mistakes in multifamily investing.

Jeremy LeMere, a seasoned mentor in apartment building investing, shares his insights from mentoring students over the past four years and emphasizes the importance of being "deal ready." This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to accelerate their success in real estate investing through education, team-building, and practical knowledge.

Listen in as Michael Blank and Jeremy LeMere provide valuable tips on how to establish credibility with brokers, educate investors, and ensure your first deal leads to many more opportunities.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session430/

Are you feeling the burnout from managing properties on your own? Are you looking to scale up your real estate investments but need a like-minded team for support?

You won't want to miss this episode of **Podcasts**, where we are joined by Sandy Bundurent and John Funderburk, two seasoned real estate investors who share their remarkable journeys and insights into scaling up in the industry.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session429/

Are you interested in unlocking your capital gains and maximizing your financial opportunities? Do you hope to grow your wealth without the constraints of traditional tax strategies?

Join hosts Michael Blank and Garrett Lynch in an enlightening discussion with Brett Swarts, a leading authority on capital gains tax deferral.

In this episode of Podcasts, Brett shares his innovative approach to deferring capital gains taxes, delving into the benefits and mechanisms of the Deferred Sales Trust (DST). Swarts, author of "Building a Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan" and an expert in the field, provides invaluable insights and practical advice to both passive and active investors looking to optimize their financial strategies.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session428/

Do you dream of achieving financial freedom through real estate? Are you eager to learn the secrets to raising capital for multifamily investments?

Then you won't want to miss this special episode with Barry Flavin—a multifamily syndicator and mentor with an impressive background in air traffic control and software sales.

Barry Flavin is a wealth of knowledge, having transitioned from owning single-family rentals to managing hundreds of apartment units and raising millions in capital. As a mentor for aspiring real estate investors, Barry is committed to sharing his expertise on achieving financial independence through apartment building investments.

On this episode of the Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing podcast, Barry sits down with Garrett Lynch and Michael Blank to share his compelling journey into the multifamily space. Barry opens up about his origin story, his strategic transition from single-family rentals, and how he effectively collaborates with his partner to achieve substantial growth.

Listen in as Barry discusses his role in capital raising, the importance of building a strong team, and the operational efficiencies that set their business apart. If you’ve ever wondered how to break into apartment investing or how to raise capital like a pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session427/

Do you wish you had more time to focus on what you do best? Are you struggling to manage all the aspects of your real estate business? 

In this episode of the "Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing" podcast, Michael Blank and Garrett Lynch co-host an enlightening conversation with David Homyak, an expert in hiring high-level virtual assistants (VAs) with over five years of experience. David shares how strategic delegation can transform your business operations, allowing you to spend more time in your "genius zone." 

David Homyak is an expert in the field of virtual assistants, with a special focus on hiring experienced VAs for real estate businesses. He has developed a streamlined hiring process that minimizes the recruiter’s time and effort while maximizing the quality of hires. David’s company specializes in finding VAs with extensive backgrounds, particularly in real estate, ensuring that they can handle complex tasks with ease. His approach to integrating VAs into business operations helps entrepreneurs and business owners delegate efficiently and drive growth. 

Access the free personality assessment tool and other resources for hiring virtual assistants at themichaelblank.com/va  

Join the Investor Club https://nighthawkequity.com/invest-now/ 

Get the #1 Apartment Investing Course for FREE https://apartments101.co/ 

 For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session426/

Are you curious about alternative investments and how to diversify your portfolio like the wealthy? Do you want to understand how successful investors allocate their assets across various investment opportunities?

In this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I’m joined by Jim Dew, CEO of Dew Wealth Management. With 29 years of experience building virtual family offices and deep expertise in alternative investments, Jim offers insightful strategies on how millionaires and billionaires invest, helping you align your investment strategy with that of the supremely wealthy.

We'll cover a wide array of topics, from oil and gas investments to private debt and venture capital. Jim shares his views on the benefits and risks associated with each, including the importance of not letting tax benefits drive your investment decisions but considering the quality and longevity of the investment.

Listen in to learn how you can diversify your investment portfolio, understand the relative advantages of different asset types, and discover opportunities in real estate syndications through platforms like Nighthawkequity.com.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session425/

Are you ready to take your first steps towards financial independence through apartment building investing? Do you want to learn from the experiences of those who've journeyed before you?

Join us on this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, where we dive deep into the art of multifamily investing and achieving the ultimate goal: financial independence.

Our guest, Rich Hamilton, transitioned from a flourishing career as a mortgage broker to become a financially free real estate investor. Rich shares the pivotal moments that led to leaving his W-2 job and the strategies he used to build a successful real estate portfolio.

On this episode, Rich and I explore the dangers of complacency in any career and how it impedes growth and fulfillment. Rich opens up about his journey, discussing both the highs of achieving financial freedom and the complexities of not knowing what's next once financial goals are reached.

Listen in as we touch on Rich's experiences, from dealing with financial freedom post-exit to his tips on continuing personal and professional growth. You'll hear how Rich overcame his initial fears and challenges, emphasizing the roles of a support team, steady momentum, and a consistent drive towards future goals.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session424/

Are you looking for innovative strategies to capture and convert leads online for your real estate investments?

Todd Heitner, the mastermind behind Apartment Investor Pro, shares his two decades of experience in creating online presences for real estate investors, with a special focus on multifamily syndicators over the past decade.

Throughout this episode, Todd discusses the essential components of a robust online marketing platform—from having a professional website to leveraging social media and producing valuable content. He highlights the importance of strategic planning to capture and nurture leads, employing tools like lead magnets and automated email sequences to build trust with potential investors. Todd also sheds light on the role of AI in content creation and investor interaction, offering practical tips for using technology to enhance human touchpoints.

Whether you're a seasoned syndicator or just starting out, you’ll find Todd’s insights incredibly valuable for scaling your capital-raising efforts online. Don't miss this episode packed with actionable advice on establishing an effective and efficient online presence. Tune in now to learn how to boost your syndication business!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session423/

Do you love networking and meeting new people? Do you regularly spend time with high-net-worth individuals?

Then you are a good fit for the capital raiser role in a multifamily general partnership.

Christopher Price is the CEO of Red Fox Multifamily and Managing Member of Boost Capital Group. As both a passive and active investor, he has a portfolio of 1,200 units valued over $32.5M.

With more than 20 years of experience in medical device sales, Christopher combines his network of professional connections with an outgoing personality to crush it as a capital raiser on the Boost team.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Christopher joins me to explain how he got his start with single family rentals and what inspired his transition to multifamily.

Christopher describes his role as the capital raiser in a GP, discussing how he attracts and educates potential investors about real estate opportunities.

Listen in to understand Christopher’s journey from passive to active apartment investor and learn how he is leveraging LinkedIn to expand his network of prospective LPs.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session422/

There’s a saying in real estate that ‘you make money when you buy.’ And while that may be true for single family rentals and flips, apartment buildings are a little different.

In multifamily, you make money when you add value. When you execute your business plan. When you stick to your budget and achieve projected returns.

So, what does successful asset management look like in today’s market? 

Jonathan and Paula Nichols are the cofounders of Apogee Capital, a multifamily syndication business that helps people invest in commercial real estate.

Jonathan and Paula began their investing journey in 2018, and by 2021, they had built a portfolio of 183 units worth $15.6M. The Nichols also serve as mentors with the Michael Blank program.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jonathan and Paula join us from Deal Maker Live to share their top takeaways from the conference and explain why 2024 is a year of opportunity in multifamily.

Jonathan and Paula offer advice on raising capital in the current market and discuss why relationships are crucial in the team sport that is syndication.

Listen in for insight around the characteristics of successful mentoring students and find out what it takes to manage multifamily assets well in 2024.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session421/

Wish you could get a bigger real estate deal done faster?

Then you need the three freedom accelerators—the right system, the right support, and the right network.

Masha Kruskal and Ahuva Druin leveraged this formula to partner on a syndication in Live Oak Florida and fast-track their success as multifamily GPs.

Masha has 18 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate and international startups. Ahuva is a principal investor with expertise in value-add, buy-and-hold, and multifamily real estate.

They connected as students in the Michael Blank Mentoring Program and joined forces to take on their first big multifamily deal.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Masha and Ahuva join me to discuss what inspired their interest in multifamily and why they chose our mentoring program.

Masha and Ahuva describe their roles as capital raiser and deal finder, explaining how their complementary skills and commitment to the process helped them close a deal in just 30 days!

Listen in for advice on overcoming limiting beliefs through mentorship and learn how Masha and Ahuva used a proven system and the Michael Blank network to accelerate their path to financial freedom.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session420/

If you’re counting on a financial advisor to grow your wealth, it’s likely that MOST of your money is in the stock market.

But that’s not how ultra-high-net-worth individuals approach investing.

So, what if you diversified your portfolio to include more alternative investments? 

Drew Kniffin is Partner and President at Nighthawk Equity, the multifamily investing arm of The Michael Blank Brands.

Drew has a corporate finance and real estate investing career that spans two decades, and he is passionate about helping high-net-worth entrepreneurs invest passively in apartments.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Drew joins me to debate the pros and cons of investing in the stock market versus real estate.

Drew makes the case for the stock market, explaining why you should stay engaged with Wall Street as part of a balanced portfolio.

Michael discusses why he’s cynical about stocks, describing how the volatility of the market can decimate your returns over time.

Listen in for insight on how HNWIs invest their money and learn how to optimize your portfolio, mitigate your risks, and grow your wealth with real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session419/

Your attorney is a key player in helping you close on any real estate deal.

But the right commercial real estate attorney truly cares about you and your success. They are willing to educate you on aspects of the law you might not know and navigate problems that arise along the way. 

Kyle Swafford is the founder of Swafford Law, a commercial real estate law firm that represents clients in syndications, tax considerations for investors, join ventures and commercial lending.

Kyle has a wealth of experience in tax law, commercial real estate law and securities compliance, working as an International Tax Consultant at Deloitte prior to building his own firm.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, we’re sharing Kyle’s conversation with Garrett Lynch on real estate law at Deal Maker Live 2024.

Kyle explains what inspired his transition from tax law to real estate and how he streamlines the process of closing on a multifamily deal.

Listen in for Kyle’s insight on distress in the current commercial market and learn how a good attorney can help you avoid mistakes and get your next deal across the finish line!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session418/

To contact Kyle here are his details:

Is fear holding you back from investing in multifamily?

Even seasoned investors like us deal with fear. The difference is, we don’t let it stop us from moving forward. 

But how do you expand your comfort zone? How do you feel the fear and take action anyway?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett and I sit down to explain why now is the right time to invest in multifamily and ‘be greedy when others are fearful.’ 

We discuss how we pulled off a refinance on a variable rate property (in just 25 days!) and offer advice on how to never run out of leads for raising capital.

Listen in to understand why new investors don’t have to start with single family strategies and learn how to expand your comfort zone to achieve financial freedom with multifamily real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session417/

Are you looking to build a business but don’t want to start from scratch? What if you could learn a proven system and receive support from someone who’s done it themselves?

Then you might be interested in an RV rental management franchise, a business that monetizes the RV boom and helps entrepreneurs build wealth with WHEEL estate!

Garr Russell is Founder and CEO of Fireside RV Rental, the Airbnb of RVs. Since its inception in 2015, Fireside has grown into a franchise with 40 locations across the country and hundreds of RVs under management.

A born entrepreneur, Garr has started, scaled and sold several companies. His genius lies in understanding systems, marketing, and forging the way for others.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garr joins us to explain how renting out his own RV inspired him to build and scale Fireside.

Garr discusses how RV owners benefit from the Fireside business model and describes how franchisees learn his proven system and receive support from expert RV rental managers.

Listen in for Garr’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and learn how to launch, grow and manage a successful RV rental business with other people’s RVs—no prior experience required.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session416/

Good multifamily deals have been hard to find in recent years. And Alex Cartwright was struggling to compete with more experienced investors.

He was looking for a niche that would give him a unique advantage. That’s when he met a broker at a conference who suggested converting a hotel into apartments.

Alex thought it sounded like a pain in the you-know-what. But when he looked at the numbers, Alex realized that the problems were worth solving.

Today, Alex is Founder and Managing Partner at Vilicus Capital, a real estate investing firm that specializes in converting hotels into affordable multifamily housing. 

Alex is also Associate Professor of Economics at Ferris State University, where he teaches classes on managerial economics, economic growth and international business.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Alex joins us to explain what inspired his interest in real estate as a tenured professor making six figures.

Alex shares his twist on the traditional multifamily strategy, describing how he finds hotels that can be purchased cheaply in growing markets and converts them into workforce housing.

Listen in for insight into Alex’s first deal as lead GP of a hotel conversion and learn how to find your niche as an investor to achieve financial freedom with real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session415/

Here at Nighthawk Equity, we haven’t done a multifamily deal in 18 months.

So, we were excited to find what looked like an ideal opportunity in Atlanta. And two months ago, we got the deal under contract.

But after spending $15,000 in the due diligence process, we ultimately decided to walk away.

What went wrong?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I sit down with my partners at Nighthawk, Drew Kniffin and Garrett Lynch, to debrief on the deal we didn’t do.

We explain what we liked about the deal, describing what made it a textbook value-add opportunity and how we planned to renovate the units and upgrade several amenities in the community.

Listen in for insight into the issues we discovered in the due diligence process and learn how to stick to your investment criteria and protect your investors by walking away from a bad deal!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session414/

You don’t know what you don’t know. And if you’re doing your very first multifamily acquisition, every little thing that comes up can seem insurmountable.

But if you have the support of a mentor, they can talk you through those obstacles, prevent rookie mistakes, and alleviate your concerns as an aspiring investor.

Jeremy Lemere is a successful investor and operator of multifamily, commercial, and self-storage facilities in Northeast Wisconsin. 

He is also a mentor with the Michael Blank program, and his investment portfolio of $15M is made up of personal investments, self-directed IRA funds, solo 401(k) funds and real estate syndications.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jeremy joins guest host Marybeth Noonan to explain how being a student in our mentoring program helped him transition out of his W-2.

Jeremy describes how he stayed connected to our network through a mastermind and eventually joined the team as a mentor, sharing his strengths in understanding finance and capital markets.

Listen in for insight on playing in different asset classes for the best return and learn how a mentor can help you learn the business of being a real estate investor!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session413/

Do you feel stuck? Like you’re not making progress in life?

Until my early 30s, I drifted through life. It felt like unseen forces were holding me back. And then I had a breakthrough and started living an intentional life—filled with purpose and fulfillment.

What made the difference? What does it mean to live with intention? What disciplines helped me identify and pursue what really matters to me?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I’m sharing my five clarity practices for living an intentional life.

I discuss the My Perfect Day exercise that helped me start making mindful choices and walk you through my process for setting five-year, one-year and quarterly goals.

Listen in for insight on scheduling Monthly Clarity Days and Weekly Strategic Time to reflect on your progress and learn how a Daily Morning Routine can help you live a more purposeful, fulfilling life!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session412/

Would David Kamara have figured out how to invest in multifamily on his own?

Yes, but at a much slower pace.

Working with a mentor accelerated his success. And now, the student has become the teacher.

David is a seasoned investor and mentor with the Michael Blank program. With 15 years of experience in real estate, David owns 1,000-plus units across the Midwest, primarily in Michigan and Iowa.

David is also a successful management consultant and sought-after advisor to C-suite executives and private equity investors. And he is fluent in five languages!

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, David joins guest host Marybeth Noonan to share his early wins as a student in our mentoring program.

David describes a near-perfect deal he manages in Marquette, Michigan, and discusses how he problem-solved an unexpected situation where the property taxes on a pending deal tripled.

Listen in for insight on trusting your resourcefulness as an aspiring investor and learn how a mentor like David can fast track your success in multifamily investing.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session411/

Whether you're looking to close a business deal or just improve your everyday interactions, the art of negotiation is key to getting to a YES.

But what if you’re not a natural negotiator? 

How do you build a relationship with the person on the other side of the table? Or learn to navigate difficult conversations? 

On this episode of the Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett is back to explain how his experience selling Cutco knives helped him become an expert negotiator. 

He describes how he prepares for a negotiation, discussing what it means to command the relationship and how to respond when emotions run high.

Listen in for Garrett’s tips on gaining leverage in a negotiation and learn how to secure the negotiator’s edge in a legal dispute, contract negotiation or real estate deal.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session410/

Reading Rich Dad Poor Dad inspired me to build generational wealth. But the first few cashflow businesses I tried didn’t produce the passive income I expected.

So, if you’re thinking about starting your real estate career with fix-and-flips or even a SFH portfolio, know that neither strategy leads to financial freedom.

But can you really skip single family investing and jump right into apartments?

On this episode of the podcast, I’m sharing my journey to financial freedom with real estate, explaining why I tried to earn passive income with restaurants first—and why that strategy didn’t work.

I discuss why it’s impossible to scale a single-family portfolio to achieve financial freedom and describe the light bulb moment when I pivoted to multifamily investing.

Listen in for insight on getting into multifamily without money or experience and learn how to skip SFH investing and start building wealth with apartments!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session409/

Whether you’re already involved in multifamily syndications, or you’re interested in getting into the space in 2024, it’s crucial to understand the market outlook.

Through Nighthawk Equity, we own a 2,000-unit portfolio worth $350M. And we’re always on the lookout for new deals.

That means we have insight into what’s happening in the market and what’s likely to happen in 2024.

So, what are our predictions for the next 12 months of multifamily real estate? How can you leverage this information to survive and thrive as an investor in 2024?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I’m sharing my top three headlines for the multifamily market outlook in 2024.

I discuss what’s behind the ongoing operator distress in apartments and describe how the fundamentals of multifamily remain strong despite the challenges.

Listen in to understand how economic headwinds are easing and learn how to take advantage of the incredible buying opportunities coming in 2024!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session408/

You want financial freedom, but it feels out of reach.

Because you’re living paycheck to paycheck. And struggling to pay down consumer debt.

So, how do you get from where you are now to building generational wealth?

On this episode of the podcast, I’m walking you through the steps to achieving financial freedom in 2024.

I explain how to get your financial house in order first, challenging you to track your current spending and build emergency savings over time.

Listen in to understand why apartment investing is the key to financial freedom and learn how to create enough wealth to quit your job in the next six to 18 months!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session407/

Losing is never fun, but it’s often valuable.

In fact, Garrett Lynch contends that down moments force us to pick ourselves up and close the gap between who we are and who we want to be.

In addition to being my podcast cohost, Garrett Lynch serves as Director of Acquisitions and Managing Member of our investing firm,Nighthawk Equity.

And his story is full of setbacks. Setbacks that pushed him to grow and take the next step in becoming a successful real estate investor.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett goes solo to share his journey from troubled teen to millionaire multifamily entrepreneur.

Garrett explains how he developed his #1 skill set selling Cutco knives and describes how his experience as a VIP concierge at a nightclub led him to real estate.

Listen in to understand what Garrett learned from scaling a portfolio of class D properties and get his advice on finding happiness in the business of real estate investing.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session406/

It's a new year with exciting new possibilities. Which means many of us are setting goals for 2024.

But why is it that New Year's resolutions usually don't work? Why can't we seem to stick to them for more than a few weeks before we fall away?

And more importantly, what can we do about it?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I’m sharing the Living Fully Compass system I recommend to crush your goals in 2024.

I explain what causes most of us to fail to follow through on our goals and why it’s beneficial to share your vision with a small group of accountability partners.

Listen in for insight on eliminating deadlines when you can’t control all the variables and learn how to achieve your goals by committing to the activities that lead to the outcome you want—for as long it takes!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session405/

What are the three most recession-resistant asset classes in real estate?

Even in challenging economic times, multifamily, mobile home parks and self-storage perform quite well.

Sergio Altomare built a portfolio of small multifamily properties while working full-time in technology for the Federal Reserve.

But in 2018, Sergio was having a hard time getting deals to pencil. He anticipated a market correction and pivoted to self-storage.

Today, Sergio is Cofounder and CEO ofHearthfire Holdings, a real estate private equity and development firm that manages over $50M in self-storage assets.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Sergio joins Garrett and me to discuss the benefits of investing in self-storage.

Sergio describes the financing challenges he’s facing in his business right now and shares his outlook for the self-storage market moving into 2024.

Listen in for Sergio’s insight on using data to find deals and find out if self-storage is the right real estate investment for you!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session404/

Passive investors are fearful in the current market environment.

Many got burned by rising interest rates, and they’re skittish about putting more money into the real estate market right now.

But we know that there are big opportunities coming in 2024. And Warren Buffet encourages us to ‘be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful.’

So, how do you position a deal to investors who may have lost money in multifamily? Can you still raise capital at scale—even when it’s not a popular time to invest?

Bronson Hill is CEO of Bronson Equity, where he has raised over $20M for real estate ventures and served as GP for a portfolio valued at more than $150M.

An advocate for helping others achieve financial freedom through passive investing, Bronson educates aspiring investors through his podcast and new book, Fire Yourself: Replace Your Working Income with Passive Income in 3 Years or Less.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Bronson joins Garrett and me to explain how he raises money at scale through his online marketing platform.

Bronson shares the inspiration behind his book, Fire Yourself, and discusses the common mistakes passive investors make.

Listen in for Bronson’s insight on vetting deals in new asset classes and learn how to position a multifamily deal to investors and raise money in a challenging market environment.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session403/

Financial freedom opens you up to live a life of significance.

To pursue passions that may or may not generate any revenue. To do volunteer work or support causes you believe in.

For me, that cause is Uganda Counseling and Support Services or UCSS, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life in remote communities of Uganda.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Drew Kniffin joins me to discuss our involvement with UCSS, describing how I met its founder, Dr. Ronald Kaluya, and what differentiates the organization from other nonprofits. 

Drew asks me why I trust Dr. Kaluya and his team, and I explain how UCSS measures the impact of donor dollars in the communities we serve.

Listen in to understand the vision for UCSS moving forward and learn how you can get involved by sponsoring a student or becoming a legacy partner in the ministry!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session402/

Most real estate investors being their journey while they’re working a W-2.

But many hesitate to step away from the perceived security of their regular job, even after they’ve replaced their living expenses.

Others achieve financial freedom, leave the rat race, and then feel lost because they don’t have a sense of purpose.

So, what is the best way to transition from a W-2 to full-time entrepreneurship?

In addition to being a distinguished psychiatrist and mother of four, Dr. Elaine Stageberg is Cofounder and CEO of Black Swan Real Estate.

Elaine is a sought-after national presenter and investment thought leader, and she owns and operates a multifamily portfolio of 1,300 units.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Elaine joins Garrett Lynch to share her transition from psychiatry and healthcare administration to full-time real estate investor.

Elaine offers advice on preparing to leave your W-2, challenging us to simultaneously work toward our objective freedom number and the more subjective inner freedom it takes to make the leap.

Listen in for Elaine’s insight on elevating yourself to the next level of success and learn how to connect with investors who are ahead of you on the journey to financial freedom with real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session401/

What were the top AHA moments on Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing in 2023?

As the year comes to an end, it’s time for a highlight reel of our most inspiring moments on the podcast in the last 12 months.

On this Best of 2023 episode, we revisit our conversation with Faisal Ensuan and Dr. Sheri Fluellan on why real estate syndicators need the right coach and reflect on Joseph Kimbrough’s advice around building relationships with high-net-worth investors.

We look back at Marc Rutzen’s insight on using AI for asset management, Chris Pomerleau’s guidance on overcoming imposter syndrome and Nicole Gauthier’s suggestions for connecting with a real estate investing mentor.

We also share wisdom from Rachel Richards on the value of financial independence, Ross Hamilton on successfully pivoting a real estate company, and Jon Jasniak on land flipping with no friction.

Listen in for Matt King’s advice on choosing a peer group that will help you level up and get free coaching from our top guests on Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing in 2023!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session400/

There are risks associated with running short-term rentals, especially when your Airbnb units are in a multifamily building.

But Syed Lateef has found a way to scale a STR business in apartment buildings.

And the landlords don’t just ALLOW Syed to rent their units, they WELCOME it.

Syed stands out in the world of short-term rentals, currently managing a portfolio of 300 units with a dedicated team of 50-plus employees.

Syed’s business earns over $30,000 a day, allowing him to give back by providing clean water wells to communities in need.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Syed joins us to explain how he replaced his W-2 income with short-term rentals.

Syed discusses his rental arbitrage business model, describing what he does to mitigate the risks of renting multifamily units on Airbnb and how he helps landlords solve vacancy issues.

Listen in for insight into the risks of running a STR business and learn how Syed achieved financial freedom with Airbnbs in apartments.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session399/

I'm not really a big fan of flipping anything.

I flipped three dozen houses early in my real estate career. But couldn't figure out how to turn that into a financial freedom business.

That's why I switched to apartments. And I am convinced that apartments are the number one way to become financially free with real estate.

But Travis King found a way to earn passive income with land flipping.

How does that work?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Travis joins us to discuss how he finds and finances off-market vacant land deals.

Travis explains how he gets top dollar on land when he sells it, earning a nice return for investors and interest income for himself through seller financing.

Listen in for insight on raising outside money to land bigger deals and learn how long it takes to replace your W-2 income with land flipping!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session398/

Mark Khuri’s real estate business survived the crash of 2008.

And the lessons he learned through that experience can help us take advantage of similar circumstances in the current market.

But how do you find good deals in tough times? Can you reduce risk without reducing expected returns?

Mark is Cofounder of SMK Capital Management, a family-owned investment firm that focuses on providing diversified offerings and attractive returns via income-producing commercial real estate.

With 17 years of real estate investing experience, Mark has executed over $1 billion in deals in a variety of asset classes.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Mark joins us to discuss how he leveraged networking to make it through the Great Recession.

Mark describes his transition from sponsor and operator of a SFH portfolio to raising capital for mobile home parks, self-storage and large multifamily deals.

Listen in for insight around Mark’s process for vetting operators and learn what you should be looking for in a good deal right now!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session397/

Wherever you are in the process of building a company (real estate or otherwise), it’s important to consider your exit strategy.

Because even if you don’t plan on selling your business anytime soon, that pushes you to eliminate yourself from the day-to-day and move into what we call the owner’s box.

So, what does it look like to position your company to sell? And how do you benefit from building a business that runs without you?

Ross Hamilton is the former CEO of Connected Investor, the real estate technology platform he scaled and sold to Fortune 100 Company First American.

Today, he is planning a mountain biking trip to Peru and building Saving Homes, a nonprofit that is disrupting affordable housing.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Ross joins us to discuss how he positioned Connected Investor to sell and why First American was the right buyer at the right time.

Ross shares what he learned in ten years of scaling Connected Investor and walks us through his ‘lifeboat strategy’ for transitioning into the next chapter of your life.

Listen in to understand how Saving Homes is helping people leverage real estate to escape poverty and get Ross’ advice on architecting an exit strategy for your real estate investing business!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session396/

Is your corporate job making you miserable?

Are you tired of giving everything to your company for eight hours (or more) and being too exhausted to spend quality time with your family at the end of the day?

What if you could get rid of those golden handcuffs with real estate?

Brooke Ceballos-Pinero has not only achieved financial freedom through real estate, but she is also dedicated to empowering others on their path to prosperity.

After 20 years in corporate America, Brooke left her W-2 just two weeks ago and went all-in on herself, growing the Multifamily Momentum coaching program and Real Women in Real Estate book project.

On this episode of the podcast, Brooke describes her frustrations with corporate America and shares the game plan she used to leave her 9-to-5 for real estate.

Brooke discusses the societal messaging that keeps women from pursuing multifamily, explaining why she’s committed to inspiring people in marginalized communities to build wealth with real estate.

Listen in for Brooke’s advice on planning your own exit from the corporate world and get inspired to achieve financial freedom with real estate—no matter who you are or where you come from! 

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session395/

Robert Martinez has been a successful real estate investor for more than a decade. But he made headlines recently when MF1 Capital foreclosed on one of his Houston properties.

So, how did it happen? What factors contributed to Robert losing the first deal of his career?

Robert is the visionary syndicator behind Rockstar Capital, a multifamily investing firm with a portfolio of 21 apartment communities encompassing 3,762 rental units.

In 10 years, Robert has led the underwriting, acquisition and management of 30 multifamily properties, and he is the only two-time National Apartment Association Independent Rental Owner of the Year.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate, Robert describes the perfect storm that led to his first foreclosure, discussing how the Fed rate hikes impacted his business.

Robert explains why hiring a third-party management company for help backfired and shares what he did to try and save the deal—and why it didn’t work.

Listen in to understand how Robert benefited from being transparent with investors and learn what he is doing to regain their trust before he expands the Rockstar portfolio.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session394/

Former Marine Joseph Kimbrough was a successful wholesaler, but the work was a constant grind.

Joseph realized that to achieve financial freedom, what he needed was equity. And he was already comfortable pitching investors on big-ticket wholesale deals

So, Joseph started building a fund, raising capital from high-net-worth individuals and investing that money in multifamily deals run by the best operators in the business.

Today, Joseph is Founder and Fund Manager at Apex Real Estate Investments, a privately held equity investment company that invests in multifamily in the Southeast US.

To date, Joseph has built a portfolio of 592 doors worth $150M, and he is also a TEDx Speaker and esteemed member of the Forbes Real Estate Council.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate, Joseph shares his ‘dream team’ approach to investing with top syndicators and describes the challenges he faced raising capital early on.

Joseph explains what he learned in the Marines that applies to real estate and offers advice on connecting with high-net-worth investors—both in person and online.

Listen in to understand how Joseph is inspired by his trips to East Africa and learn how real estate can give YOU the location and time freedom to travel abroad!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session393/

Mario Rapaj has been in our mentoring program for nine months now, but he hasn’t closed his first deal.

And he’s frustrated.

So, what’s holding Mario back?

Is he doing the right activities? Does he have any limiting beliefs? What can he do to get unstuck and finally become a GP?

Mario is Founder of Tex-Alb Real Estate Investment Group, a syndication business headquartered in Dallas, Texas. He has an LP portfolio of 375 multifamily units and owns several single-family properties.

Mario is driven to improve the quality of life in the communities where he invests and help passive investors build generational wealth.

On this Business Boost coaching session, Mario shares his challenges in finding deals that fit his criteria and getting investors to commit in the current market.

I ask Mario what he’s doing to raise capital, offering advice around how to get more investor leads and connect with partners who specialize in raising money.

Listen in for insight on finding a mentor to support your investing journey and learn how to stay the course and take consistent daily action to achieve financial freedom with real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session392/

Ed Hermsen’s first multifamily deal fell in his lap, and he got it done fast.

But because that initial success came somewhat easy, Ed hadn’t taken the time to work on his mindset.

He didn’t have a morning routine. He hadn’t practiced writing down his goals. And no one was holding him accountable to take the next steps.

That’s why it took Ed a full two years to buy his second apartment building!

Ed is a former mortgage banker turned full-time real estate investor with a portfolio of four multifamily properties and two RV parks.

He is also the creator of Campground Ventures, a YouTube channel designed to educate investors on the ins and outs of RV parks.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate, Ed explains why he’s the exception to the Law of the First Deal and describes what he did to get back into multifamily investing.

Ed opens up about why he’s self-funded all his deals so far, and we challenge him to overcome his fears around real estate syndications.

Listen in for Ed’s insight on the benefits of investing in RV parks and learn why you need MINDSET plus ACTION to grow your portfolio and achieve financial freedom with real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session391/

Andrew Elio is a 22-year-old recent college graduate, but he already knows that he doesn’t want to work for someone else the rest of his life.

That’s what motivated him to join our Deal Maker Certification program a month ago. At the same time, he started working a full-time job.

How is Andrew juggling both responsibilities? What’s he struggling with? What progress has he made so far?

And what’s the most important thing Andrew can do to accelerate his success?

On this edition of Business Boost with Michael Blank, Andrew shares his anxiety around talking to brokers, and we discuss the role of practice in building confidence.

Andrew describes how he got into the habit of taking consistent action every day, and I discuss the benefits of networking with the Deal Maker Mastermind community.

Listen in as I address Andrew’s questions about what a loan covers (and what it doesn’t) and offer advice on finding an experienced mentor to fast-track his journey to financial freedom!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session390/

Sudhir Jarajapu took the first steps on his multifamily investing journey and invested in our mentoring program.

But then he got off track.

In fact, it took Sudhir nine months to work through the first 90 days of the program!

So, what got in the way? And what did Sudhir do to get back in the game?

Welcome to the first of our Business Boost with Michael Blank series on Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, where I do a live coaching session with a new syndicator!

On this episode of the podcast, Sudhir explains what inspired his interest in multifamily investing and why he chose to pursue mentoring with the Michael Blank organization.

Sudhir describes how he struggled to make time for the mentoring program at first and shares how both his mentor and his family eventually held him accountable to take action.

Listen in as I ask Sudhir what he needs support with right now, and we design an action plan to help him achieve financial freedom with real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session389/

It took Chris Pomerleau four years to realize he didn’t have to replace toilets himself and another four years to realize he didn’t have to do his own books.

That’s when Chris went from simply doing deals to building a real estate business.

So, why does it take most investors so long to scale? And what can YOU do to achieve financial freedom much faster?

Chris is Cofounder of LeavenWealth Capital, a real estate investment firm out of Omaha, Nebraska, with 2,700 multifamily units totaling $211M in assets under management.

Chris also serves as Cofounder and VP of Investment Strategy at Rayven, a Reg A investment business committed to fighting climate change by way of net-zero apartment buildings.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Chris joins me to discuss how he got his start using the BRRRR method with SFHs—until he realized it wasn’t scalable.

Chris explains how he grew his real estate business, describing how he made the shift from borrowing money to raising equity and why having conversations with investors outside his circle was scary at first.

Listen in to understand Chris’ 50/50 approach to real estate partnerships and learn how to think about hiring not as an expense, but as an investment in your multifamily business!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session388/

Are you surrounding yourself with people who will get you to the next level?

Five years ago, a group of seasoned multifamily investors got together and established a Mastermind to support each other as we scale our real estate businesses.

And I’m proud to be part of that group with Matt Faircloth, who’s been in real estate full-time since 2005

Matt serves as Owner of DeRosa Group, a multifamily investing firm with a portfolio of 1,800-plus units and $150 million in assets under management.

Matt is also the author of the Amazon bestseller Raising Private Capital: Build Your Real Estate Investing Empire with Other People’s Money.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Matt and I discuss the opportunities we see coming in the multifamily market.

Matt describes the properties in his portfolio that are doing well versus the properties that are struggling, and we brainstorm strategies for dealing with rising insurance rates for multifamily.

Listen in as Matt shares his vision for scaling DeRosa Group and learn about the personal disciplines that contribute to his success!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session387/

Chad Schieler saw himself as the numbers guy, so he let partners handle the task of raising money for his first big real estate syndication.

But his team was short. At closing, they had $1M of a $1.4M raise, and Chad had to take out a bridge loan to cover the rest.

That experience inspired Chad to overcome his limiting beliefs around raising money and take his syndication business to the next level.

Today, he is Founder and Principal at Focused Capital, a multifamily firm that helps busy professionals generate passive income and create wealth through real estate investing.

After 17 years running a successful credit card processing service business, Chad became a full-time real estate investor. He is a GP on 139 units and LP on 900-plus!

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Chad explains what he struggled with early in his real estate career, describing his fears of asking for money and the flaw in his underwriting formula.

Chad discusses how investing in a mentor gave him the confidence to take on bigger multifamily deals and shares his approach to building a team as he scales.

Listen in for Chad’s advice on fast-tracking your path to financial freedom and learn how to overcome your limiting beliefs around raising capital and start sharing the opportunity to invest in real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session386/

Does your business feel like a black hole?

Are you feeding it all your time, energy and money? But it just keeps sucking away?

Too many business owners get to the end of their career and don’t have much to show for it, selling for next to nothing or simply letting the business fade away.

But what if you could leverage your business profits to build personal wealth?

Todd Polke is an international educator and trainer in the realm of wealth creation and building strategic investment portfolios.

Todd is dedicated to the mission of helping as many people as possible break free from the default and ‘live a life unlimited by income.’

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Todd explains the idea behind his Profits to Portfolio system and how it helps business owners grow their personal wealth.

Todd shares how Australia’s real estate market compares to the US, offering advice on how to navigate the current downturn and prepare to capitalize on opportunities coming down the pike.

Listen in for Todd’s insight on avoiding emotional investment decisions and learn how to leverage a diversified portfolio to build personal wealth—and a lasting legacy.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session385/

We all go through challenging life experiences, be it the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, or painful divorce.

And the last thing we need in those circumstances is to worry about money.

But what is the best way to build the kind of passive income you need to make it through tough times without stressing about finances?

Rachel Richards is the creator of Money Honey, a financial education platform that helps young women manage their money effectively and achieve financial freedom.

Rachel achieved her own financial independence at the age of 27 with a portfolio of 38 rental units, and she is the bestselling author of Money Honeyand Passive Income, Aggressive Retirement.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Rachel explains how she and her then-husband leveraged real estate to reach a passive income goal of $10,000 a month in just three years.

Rachel shares her definition of financial independence and describes how it gave her the opportunity to escape to Italy and heal from a painful divorce.

Listen in for Rachel’s insight on rebuilding after a challenging life experience and learn how real estate can give you the financial independence to pursue what you love!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session384/

Asset management can be a real challenge for multifamily operators, especially if you’re managing properties from a distance.

If a site is not working, how do you figure out what’s wrong? Is it the staff? Are rents too high? Do you have too many work orders?

The good news is, new AI tools can give GPs transparency around what’s going on—helping us set pricing, manage expenses and optimize the performance of our real estate assets.

Marc Rutzen is Cofounder and CEO of HelloData.ai, a game-changing platform that is using data science to transform the world of proptech.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Marc joins us to explain why the HelloData team decided to take on asset management.

Marc discusses the weaknesses of traditional revenue management software, describing how HelloData leverages AI to address those problems.

Listen in for Marc’s insight on the potential dangers of AI and learn how HelloData can help you analyze numbers effectively, evaluate your operations and optimize your real estate portfolio!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session383/

A multifamily operator in Houston recently lost 3,200 units to foreclosure.

Is that a sign of calamity to come? Or can we learn from their mistakes and ask better questions before we invest in our next syndication?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I walk you through nine important questions to ask before you invest in your next multifamily syndication.

I explain why not-so-good operators (what I like to call NSGOs) are struggling in the current multifamily market and how to differentiate an NSGO from a capable one.

Listen in to understand why it’s a mistake to sit on the sidelines until the real estate market changes and learn how to find great deals right now for pennies on the dollar!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session382/

Caleb Johnson’s mother had just had surgery and was living off savings while she recovered.

But after three months, she wasn’t healed and had to make an impossible decision: Return to work in excruciating pain or prolong retirement by several years.

Inspired to help his mother financially and achieve financial freedom himself, Caleb started investing in real estate at the age of 18.

Today, he is the 25-year-old Founder of Red Sea Capital Group, and Caleb has a $9 million real estate portfolio of 117 units.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Caleb joins us to explain how he started his real estate journey with a house hack and then partnered to invest in bigger multifamily deals.

Caleb discusses why it was harder to raise money than he thought and challenges newbie investors to have an experienced partner verify our underwriting early on.

Listen in for Caleb’s insight on persevering through roadblocks and learn where to find partners with the capital and knowhow to help you get a deal done—regardless of your age!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session381/

So, you’ve got some money set aside to jumpstart your real estate career. What should you invest in?

An apartment building? Mobile home park? Something else?

The answer is no. Don't do any of those things. If you have money to invest, the first thing you should invest in YOURSELF.

John Manfredy has over 30 years of real estate experience as an architect where he was responsible for design, project management and construction supervision for projects budgeted over $500 million.

But when John was laid off during COVID, he transitioned to multifamily investing and development, and today, he serves as Principal at Manifest Multifamily Group.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, John joins us to explain how our mentoring program helped him transition from a W-2 to real estate quickly and avoid mistakes ‘with a lot of zeros behind them.’

John describes how he raised $1.7 million in three days, challenging us to share opportunities with potential investors months in advance and build a team with skills complementary to our own.

Listen in to understand the benefit of sticking with old deals and learn how John reached his real estate goals faster by investing in himself!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session380/

Scaling up a multifamily investing business starts with scaling up your capital raise.

And one key strategy for expanding your investor network is to get referrals from friends and family who already invest with you.

But how do you encourage your investors to talk about their experiences? How do you leverage referrals to build momentum in raising money for real estate deals?

Dan Reilly and Greg Danielson are Managing Partners at Measured Capital, a private equity firm that sponsors value-add multifamily investment projects.

Dan and Greg both walked away from lucrative careers for real estate, and since becoming partners in 2022, they have built a portfolio of 500-plus units.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Dan and Greg join us to explain how they overcame limiting beliefs around talking to brokers and scaling up quickly to build a successful multifamily business.

Dan and Greg discuss their decision to invest in Des Moines and Jacksonville, describing how they’re gaining traction in those markets and dealing with deal flow challenges.

Listen in for Dan and Greg’s approach to raising money from their network and get strategic advice on how to land referrals for investors from friends and family.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session379/

You say you want financial freedom. You want to build wealth and have money for extraordinary experiences.

But if you’re doing what everyone else does, if you’re trying to save your way to wealthy, you’re never going to get results.

So, what do you do if the path you’re on doesn’t lead to the outcomes you want?

PJ Ghadimi is a self-made millionaire who’s taken the world of entrepreneurship by storm. He transitioned out of a lucrative but limited career in banking to build several successful businesses, including Exotic Car Hacks and Watch Trading Academy.

Today, PJ is at the forefront of entrepreneurial education, helping aspiring business owners start their own venture and then grow to the next level of success.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, PJ joins us to share his journey from corporate finance to entrepreneurship and explain how he continues to scale his income exponentially.

PJ offers advice on reinventing yourself in order to level up, challenging you to get better at your craft every day and focus on the person you need to become to achieve your financial goals.

Listen in to understand the connection between financial freedom and fulfilling life experiences and get PJ’s practical tips for aligning your financial plan with what you say you want.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session378/

The recent foreclosure on 3,200 units in Houston has investors nervous about putting their money in multifamily.

But does that default mean we should all be sitting on the sidelines?

John Casmon argues that investing in apartments is a business, just like any other. And if we avoid the red flags in the Houston deal, we can (and should) continue business as usual.

John is Head of Acquisitions and Investor Relations at Casmon Capital Group, a multifamily investing firm committed to helping busy professionals achieve financial freedom.

John has invested in over $100 million worth of apartments, and he is passionate about consulting with active multifamily investors to help them start or grow their business.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, John joins us to discuss what mistakes the Houston operators made and how to protect yourself from a similar fate.

John explains how he got started with 2- to 4-unit multifamily properties and shares the breakthrough that gave him the confidence to raise money for bigger deals.

Listen in for John’s insight on overcoming low market sentiment and learn why you should still be analyzing deals and looking for opportunities in apartments right now!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session377/

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

But what if you don’t want the same life as your current sphere of influence? How do you connect with successful people who will help you level up?

Matt King is CEO of GoBundance, a high-level mastermind group for high-achieving men and women who choose to lead epic lives.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, we revisit Matt’s talk at Deal Maker Live 2023 on the importance of building a powerful sphere of influence.

Matt explains how to leverage the power of our subconscious mind, challenging us to create a five-year vision for our life and choose a peer group that holds us accountable to our goals.

Listen in for Matt’s insight on auditing your current sphere of influence and learn how to deliver value to the people you want in your tribe!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session376/

Who is better at raising capital, extroverts or introverts?

You might think extroverts have the advantage when it comes to raising money for real estate deals. But the truth is, introverts can be just as good at sourcing funds.

The secret is to embrace your unique personality and approach networking with investors in a way that leverages your strengths.

Mandy McAllister serves as Managing Member at Good Fortune Capital and CEO of GoBundance Women. Camilla Jeffs is Founder and CEO of Steady Stream Investments and Host of the Quiet Wealth podcast.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, we revisit Mandy and Camilla’s talk at Deal Maker Live 2023 around raising capital based on the strengths of your personality.

Mandy describes what makes her good at raising capital as an extrovert, and Camilla explains how being an introvert helps her build strong one-on-one relationships with LPs.

Listen in for Mandy and Camilla’s top ten tips for networking with investors and learn how to tailor these capital raising techniques to fit your distinct personality!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session375/

Those of us with analytical minds tend to be fairly risk averse.

But entrepreneurship requires that we move forward with incomplete information.

So, what can we do to overcome that fear of the unknown and get into our first real estate deal? How do we develop the confidence to figure things out as we go along?

Nicole Gauthier is Founder of Wicked Holdings, a real estate investment community focused on social change and community empowerment.

Nicole was an accountant in the oil and gas industry before transitioning to real estate, and she has a heart for helping busy professionals build generational wealth through multifamily syndications.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Nicole joins us to discuss how the mantra ‘progress over perfection’ helps her overcome the uncertainty of investing in real estate.

Nicole describes how her education and experience as an LP gave her the confidence to become a multifamily operator and explains how to develop transformational relationships with investors.

Listen in for Nicole’s advice on approaching a potential mentor and learn how to overcome analysis paralysis and take the calculated risks necessary to get into your first real estate deal!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session374/

What is the best real estate investing strategy for 2023?

Should you try wholesaling? Or invest in Airbnbs? How about fix-and-flips? Turnkey rentals? Or maybe a multifamily syndication?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett takes on the role of moderator, and we sit down with some big hitters in the industry to debate the pros and cons of each approach.

Kyle Stanley of The Fearless Investor explains why he likes short-term rentals and Hayato Hori of RocketOffr shares the benefits of wholesaling.

I describe the advantages of apartment building investing, Chris Clothier of REI Nation discusses why he prefers turnkeys, and Henry Washington of BiggerPockets explores the opportunities in fix-and-flips in 2023.

Listen in for insight on the risks and challenges associated with each kind of real estate investing and learn which strategy is the quickest path to financial freedom!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session373/

Are you interested in multifamily investing but overwhelmed by the prospect of buying an entire apartment building?

What if you could dip your toe in the water with accessory dwelling units or ADUs?

The ADU strategy involves either converting a SFH into multiple units or building standalone, detached units on a single family lot.

After several years of building ADUs for clients and friends, Derek Sherrell decided to leverage those skills into developing projects that would help him gain financial independence.

Two decades later, Derek is the real estate investor behind That ADU Guy. His platform teaches the strategy to help others earn passive income and address the affordable housing crisis at the same time.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Derek joins me to discuss the different categories of accessory dwelling units you might consider, convertible ADUs versus standalone, detached units.

Derek walks us through the process for getting permission to build accessory dwelling units, explaining why everyone should consider building an ADU at their primary residence and how to get financing for such a project.

Listen in for Derek’s insight on the profitability of building accessory dwelling units and find out if ADUs are the right steppingstone into YOUR multifamily investing career!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session372/

Most aspiring real estate investors struggle with fear.

But the ones who become successful GPs work through their fears with practice.

Mai Duong is Harvard-educated CPA with 25 years of experience in corporate finance and accounting.

She is also on the Executive Team at Sunbelt Equity Group, where she has amassed a portfolio of more than 192 multifamily units (and more closings to come).

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Mai joins me to explain what she learned as an LP that helped her become a successful active investor.

Mai describes how she dealt with fears around talking to brokers and raising capital with preparation, challenging us to practice underwriting lots of deals and asking questions in a ‘throwaway market.’

Listen in to understand how Mai’s team is finding deals right now and learn how to adjust your underwriting to overcome your fears and invest with confidence!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session371/

There are so many ways to invest in real estate. And when you’re first learning about the options, it can get overwhelming.

But the most successful investors niche down to a single strategy, perfect their processes and rinse, repeat to scale.

Kyle Stanley, for example, focuses on short-term rentals, and he has created systems in his business that allow him to work just one or two hours a week!

Kyle is the creator of The Fearless Investor, a platform that helps people learn about the real estate investing game.

He tried several investing strategies before niching down to Airbnb, and nine months in, he was grossing over $25,000 a month!

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Kyle joins Garrett to explain how the short-term rental arbitrage and cohosting models work for aspiring investors who don’t own property themselves.

Kyle shares the mission behind his brand, The Fearless Investor, and challenges aspiring investors to conquer our fears through action.

Listen in for Kyle’s advice on uncovering your real estate investing niche and find out if the short-term rental model is right for you!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session370/

How do you make money flipping land?

What are the pros and cons of investing in land deals as opposed to other kinds of real estate?

Jon Jasniak started flipping land in 2016 when he was 23 years’ old and working as an engineer. After 18 months of doing both, he quit his job to go into the land game full time.

In the last seven years, Jon has done 700 deals across 7,000 acres and built an eight-figure land business. And in early 2023, he bought an entire town in West Texas!

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jon joins Garrett to explain how he buys land under value, leveraging seller financing or private money to get into deals.

Jon discusses how he reduces friction in his business by subdividing land and selling it to average people without a title company, marketing on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Lands of America.

Listen in for Jon’s experience buying Cornudas, Texas, and learn how he is adding value to the town and making money in the process!

 For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session369/

In multifamily real estate, we look for opportunities in a given market and then build relationships with the bankers, brokers, and boots on the ground we need to make a deal work.

But what if the business opportunity you identify is in Asia or Latin America? How do you overcome the language barrier and put together the team you need to build a successful company in a foreign country?

Cole Shepherd is Founder and Partner at Legacy Group, an alternative investment firm based in Colombia that focuses on high-quality LATAM businesses that produce outsized returns for investors.

He's an expert in emerging markets and understanding the capital movements of high-net-worth investors.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Cole joins Garrett to discuss his background in international business and what he learned from working in the ‘professional leagues of capitalism’ overseas.

Cole explains what inspired him to build Legacy Group in Medellin, describing how he started with real estate flips and expanded into commodities, growing Green Coffee Company into Colombia's largest coffee producer.

Listen in for insight on learning the language and culture the place you want to do business and find out how to invest in Green Coffee Company or one of Cole’s other innovative projects at Legacy Group!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session368/

Maxwell Nee was drinking an Old Fashioned at a swanky bar in Chicago when he came to appreciate the significant price difference between Macallan 18 and Macallan 12 whisky.

Because it had aged an additional six years, Macallan 18 cost 500% more!

That’s when the lightbulb went off. And Maxwell started looking into wine and whisky as an alternative investment.

Today, Maxwell is Managing Partner at OENO Wine and Whisky Fund, a recession-proof investment fund that leverages the intrinsic value creation in the maturity of fine wine and whisky to earn double-digit returns for investors.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Maxwell joins Garrett to explain what he looks for in a wine or whisky investment deal and how the assets are aged in a warehouse under the best conditions.

Maxwell shares his strategy for maximizing returns for OENO investors and describes the parallels between investing in wine and whisky and value-add real estate.

Listen in to understand the risks associated with wine and whisky as an alternative investment and find out if investing in Maxwell’s fund is right for you!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session367/

Historically, oil and gas operators only give investors the cashflow from wells and keep the land value for themselves.

But King Operating Corporation does things differently, structuring their deals very much like a multifamily syndication.

So, what are the benefits of investing in oil and gas with King Operating? Why is Nighthawk Equity partnering with King to raise money for an energy fund?

Eric Rice is Chief Growth Officer for King Operating, where he oversees investor communications and studies the macro-economic environment and its impact on energy.

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https://nighthawkequity.com/energy

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Eric joins Garrett Lynch and Drew Kniffin to explain how his team finds the right locations to drill and why they pick up deals that are overlooked by other operators.

Eric walks us through the tax benefits of investing in energy and describes why investing with King Operating is safer than other oil and gas investments.

Listen in for insight on the returns you might expect from investing in Eric’s fund and learn why NOW is the right time to put your money in an oil and gas portfolio like King Operating.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session366/

Are entrepreneurs born or made?

If you ask Chris Naugle, they are created. But to become a successful entrepreneur, you must be willing to take risks. And you can’t conform to someone else’s failed reality.

As a former pro snowboarder, Chris is good at leaping into the unknown. He applied that risk tolerance to business, building 19 companies in 29 years.

Today, Chris is known as America’s #1 Money Mentor. He runs The Money School, hosts Risky Builders on HGTV, and manages tens of millions of dollars in assets in financial services and real estate transactions.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Chris joins Garrett to explain how he became an entrepreneur at the age of 16 in spite of other people’s opinions.

Chris describes how he navigated challenging times, surviving the dotcom bust, the Great Recession and losing it all in 2014 when the banks said no to a loan and froze his lines of credit.

Listen in for insight into the infinite banking process that turned Chris’ life around and helped him build enough wealth to ‘be the bank’ and invest tens of millions in real estate deals!

 For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session365/

Smart investors diversify their portfolios.

And while multifamily real estate is our favorite asset class, we love learning about other alternatives to the stock market.

Artem Milinchuk suggests investing in farmland, an asset class that does well in times of inflation and appreciates over time.

Artem is Founder and Head of Strategy at FarmTogether, a platform that makes it easy for anyone to invest in farmland.

He has 14 years of finance experience in food, agriculture and farmland, serving as CFO at Full Harvest Technologies before building FarmTogether five years ago.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Artem joins Garrett to explain how FarmTogether syndicates capital online for farmland deals.

Artem discusses why farmland is a relatively safe long-term investment, who manages FarmTogether’s farms and what kind of return his investors can expect on row versus permanent crops.

Listen in for Artem’s insight on the tax benefits of investing in farmland and learn how to leverage the FarmTogether platform to diversify your portfolio with sustainable farmland.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session364/

Is your financial advisor really looking out for you?

Many investors question whether their FA has their best interests at heart. But seeking out alternative investments on your own can be scary, especially if the stock market is all you’ve ever known.

So, what can you do to learn more about alternative investments like self-storage, cryptocurrency, ATMs or real estate? And can you achieve financial freedom in just a few years as a passive investor?

Spencer Hilligoss is a former technology executive with a 13-year track record building high performing teams across five companies. He and his wife, Jennifer, achieved financial freedom through passive investing in multifamily and other alternative asset classes.

Today, Spencer serves as Cofounder and CEO of Madison Investing, a platform that helps busy professionals generate passive income through vetted real estate investments.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Spencer joins Garrett and me to explain how he educated himself around alternative investments like mobile home parks, data centers and multifamily syndications.

Spencer discusses the framework he and Jennifer created to make good investment decisions, describing what they look for in a deal and how they vet an operator.

Listen in for Spencer’s insight on breaking into a new asset class and find out where he sees opportunities for investors in 2023 and beyond!

 For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session363/

When I first started raising money for real estate syndications, I had lunch with a prospective investor who was interested but didn’t have the $50,000 minimum it took to get in on the deal.

But then I asked, ‘Do you have an IRA or anything?’ And it turned out he had $500,000 sitting in his retirement account. $500,000 he could use to buy real estate.

So, how do we educate potential investors about the opportunity to invest through a retirement account? What steps can passive investors take to shift money from a 401(k) or IRA into real estate?

Henry Yoshida, CFP, is the Founder and CEO of Rocket Dollar, a web platform that lets people invest tax advantaged retirement monies into private alternative investments.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Henry joins Garrett and me to explain what alternative investments you can and cannot invest in using 401(k) or IRA money.

Henry walks us through the process of moving retirement money into a self-directed account and describes the differences between traditional custodians and self-directed capable custodians like Rocket Dollar.

Listen in to understand the pros and cons of investing with an IRA versus cash and learn how Rocket Dollar accelerates the process of investing in stock market alternatives like multifamily syndications!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session362/

You have all the skills you need to become a successful multifamily investor. But without the right mindset, you’re unlikely to achieve financial freedom.

So, what can aspiring investors do to overcome the limiting beliefs and bad habits that are holding them back?

Faisal Ensaun has coached more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, CEOs, executives and athletes, guiding them to connect with their vision and potential.

Dr. Sheri Fluellen is a psychologist and coach who works exclusively with real estate investors, helping them maximize their life contribution through real estate investing.

Together, Faisal and Sheri are the creators of the Coaching Mastery Community, where they teach other coaches to develop their coaching ability and business practice.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Faisal and Sheri join Garrett and me to discuss the mindset issues that keep newbie investors stuck, describing how a lack of vision prevents us from achieving our goals.

Sheri offers advice on vetting a coach to find the right one for you, and Faisal explains why you need a someone who’s battled on their own path to success.

Listen in to understand how a coach’s support extends beyond real estate and learn how a high-performance coach can help YOU become a successful investor with an awesome life!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session361/

Most of us get into real estate investing because we want to quit our jobs. But Burnie Lund is different.

Though he’s already achieved financial freedom, Burnie has no intention of leaving his ministry work. In fact, he got into multifamily so he could give more to the missions he believes in.

Burnie is a pastor and multifamily real estate investor with a portfolio of 105 units. He focuses on the ‘common man’ as his target market, allowing people to invest as little as $5,000 in his deals.

Burnie is also a former mentoring student of ours and served as the subject of our deal analysis at Deal Maker Bootcamp 2023.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Burnie joins Garrett and me to explain how a desire to give back fueled his interest in real estate and why he invested in the support of a mentor early on.

Burnie discusses the role his faith plays in running his business and describes how he pitches passive investors by appealing to their sense of stewardship and desire to do good in the world.

Listen in to understand how relationships win real estate deals and get Burnie’s advice on committing and then taking consistent action every day to amplify your impact with real estate!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session360/

The name Grant Cardone is synonymous with scale. Each new venture he launches quickly grows 10X bigger than anyone else in the business.

So, what drives that desire to push the boundaries of what’s possible? How might you apply the same principles to scale your real estate syndication business?

Jarrod Glandt is President of Grant Cardone Enterprises, where he has served as Grant’s right-hand man for the last 12 years and helped grow company revenues from $2M in annual sales to well over nine figures.

Jarrod is also Cohost of Young Hustlers, a podcast that offers its millennial audience tips on sales, marketing, money and entrepreneurship.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jarrod joins Garrett Lynch and me to give us a look under the hood at Grant Cardone Enterprises.

Jarrod discusses the benefit of building a brand before you raise capital for real estate deals and describes how to apply Cardone Capital’s marketing tactics to your syndication business.

Listen in for insight on creating a culture of accountability on your multifamily team and learn how to leverage what Jarrod calls ‘divine discontentment’ to do the next big thing in your business!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session359/

Words hide red flags in a real estate deal. But numbers are the source of truth.

So, what numbers should you be looking at when you evaluate a multifamily deal?

Jason Baik is Managing Principal at Compounding Capital Group and Founder of The Underwriting Lab, a platform that helps aspiring multifamily investors learn a data-driven approach to apartment investing.

An ex-VP of Data Science, Jason left his six-figure corporate career to become a full-time investor before he owned a single property! Two years later, he has built a portfolio of 350 apartment units and seven single family homes.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jason joins me to explain how the data pointed him to real estate as the best vehicle for generational wealth and why he transitioned to multifamily investing early on.

Jason discusses how he connected with his business partner at Compounding Capital, describing what makes their partnership work and how they’re adjusting their underwriting right now.

Listen in for insight on how Jason used the Syndicated Deal Analyzer to launch his multifamily career and learn how understanding the numbers helps you analyze risk and make the right decisions for your investing journey!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session358/

When Dan Handford got into multifamily syndications in 2018, he raised $4M. By 2022, he had scaled his capital raise to $294M.

What’s his secret? How did Dan grow his investor database to nearly 1,700 and his portfolio to 4,000+ doors in just five years?

Dan is Managing Partner of PassiveInvesting.com, a real estate investing firm with $1.2B in assets under management based in the Carolinas.

Dan’s syndication company began with a focus on multifamily but has expanded include self-storage, carwashes and hotels.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Dan sits down with Garrett and me to explain how he worked his way up from passive investor to co-GP to lead syndicator.

Dan discusses how he finds new investors with an online authority platform and grows his team along with his real estate portfolio.

Listen in to understand why Dan is diversifying across asset classes and learn how to scale your capital raise, your team and your portfolio value in just a few short years!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session357/

When you’re raising capital for a real estate deal, it’s tempting to pitch potential investors right away.

But if you try to sell a high-net-worth individual before you’ve established trust, your chances of conversion are slim to none.

So, how do you make meaningful connections with HNWIs and build trust in a way that makes them want to invest with you?

Brad Blazar is the creator of Capital School, one of the fastest growing communities for entrepreneurs, business owners and CEOs learning to attract, raise and close high-net-worth investors.

Having raised well over $2 billion for his own businesses, Brad is a sought-after speaker on the subject of raising capital and author of Winning at the Capital Game: Using Other People’s Money to Build Wealth.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Brad joins me to explain what works in building relationships with high-net-worth individuals, walking us through the steps he takes to establish trust prior to a pitch.

Brad discusses how to stay in contact with potential investors while you’re waiting for a live deal and describes what he’s doing to raise capital in an uncertain economic environment.

Listen in for insight around raising private equity money for real estate deals and learn Brad’s genius strategies for connecting with potential investors—at traditional networking events or a nearby Starbucks!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session356/

As with most things, the economy goes through different seasons. And prior to the pandemic, it was red-hot summer in the real estate market.

COVID caused a quick Arctic freeze, but things warmed up again and multifamily prices peaked in March 2022.

Then we skipped fall and landed right in winter.

And while it’s hard to predict how long this season might last, there are things we can do to endure the cold and put ourselves in a position to thrive in the coming spring.

Drew Kniffin serves as Partner at Nighthawk Equity where he manages all aspects of our $300M portfolio, including acquisitions, asset management and raising capital.

Prior to joining Nighthawk, Drew enjoyed a successful career in corporate finance and grew a portfolio of 400 of his own residential units.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Drew sits down with Garrett and me to discuss the economic trends we’re monitoring closely at Nighthawk and how the team has adjusted to the changing multifamily market.

We explain how rising interest rates are squeezing your average operator and why we expect a flood of opportunities to buy in the next 12 to 18 months.

Listen in to understand why apartments are an excellent investment in an economic winter and get our multifamily market outlook for 2023!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session355/

Matthew Amabile had been out of college for a year. He was making decent money at his sales job, but not enough to afford his own place. And he was tired of sleeping on his cousin’s couch.

That’s when Matt started looking into real estate and analyzing deals. Three years later, he’s a 25-year-old millionaire. And he quit his 9-to-5 to travel the world.

So, what gave Matt the confidence to buy his first property? Or build trust with potential investors?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Matt joins me to explain how he leveraged an FHA loan and a little resourcefulness to house hack his first four-unit building.

Matt describes how his view of networking has changed over time, discussing how he connected with a partner to buy his second and third deals.

Listen in for insight around the tool that gave Matt the confidence to talk to owners and investors and find out why you don’t need money or experience to be successful—as long as you know how to analyze deals!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session354/

Are you treating insurance like a commodity?

We made that same mistake early in our syndication journey. But now we look for the best combination of value and quality we can get.

Matthew Sutika is Chief Insurance Officer at Obie, a company working to provide a simple, affordable and transparent insurance experience for landlords and investors.

Matt is an award-winning entrepreneur and business owner in the multifamily and habitational insurance sector. He also invests in real estate and early-stage insurance and tech startups.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Matt joins me to explore the false beliefs investors have about insurance and explain what coverage decisions to look at with your insurance broker after close.

Matt offers advice on getting insurance costs right in your underwriting, sharing his list of GOTCHAS that drive up premiums for multifamily.

Listen in for Matt’s insight on managing rising insurance costs and find out if Obie Insurance is the right fit for you and your syndication business!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session353/

Did you know that there are many parallels between investing in oil and gas and real estate syndications?

Grant Norwood is CEO of Norwood Energy Corp, an oil and gas exploration company out of Southlake, Texas.

Grant’s specialty is recognizing opportunity hotspots in undiscovered areas of the country where his team can operate significantly below the costs of oil giants like Exxon or Chevron.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Grant joins Garrett to discuss the two kinds of deals Norwood Energy does, investing in new wells or distressed assets.

Grant shares what he does to find off-market deals on wells and walks us through the tax advantages of investing in oil and gas assets.

Listen in for Grant’s insight on financing oil and gas deals and learn the similarities between investing in energy and multifamily syndications.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session352/

Mindfulness matters. The more self-aware you become, the better your relationships and the more fulfillment you get out of life.

That’s why I take an entire week off at the end of every year, not to eat bonbons, but to reflect on the past 12 months, celebrate my wins and plan for the future.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I’m sharing my process for evaluating 2022 and looking ahead to 2023.

I discuss what we achieved at the Michael Blank Brands and Nighthawk Equity in 2022 and explain our goals for the coming year, challenging you to set aims in each of the same 7 areas of your personal and professional life.

Listen in for insight into the multifamily market outlook and get my advice for investors on where to look for opportunities in 2023!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session351/

Every week, we bring you conversations with elite investors and entrepreneurs, in hopes that you’ll learn from their experiences to accelerate your success.

On this Best of 2022 edition of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, we reflect on some of our favorite episodes and share the top insights from this year’s interviews with inspiring real estate entrepreneurs.

We revisit Dan Brisse’s story of transitioning from professional snowboarder to full-time real estate investor and Jilliene Helman’s mission to democratize real estate investing.

Lee Prosenjak inspires us to live our purpose, Veena Jetti explains how to raise capital at scale, and Sterling Griffin shares creative ways to add value to high-profile people as you build a network.

Listen in to understand how Alvin ‘Hope’ Johnson is innovating in affordable housing and learn to fast-track your success with advice from ten of our top guests of 2022!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session350/

There's a lot of pundits who say that entrepreneurship is about the hustle and grind. We’re supposed to work harder and harder and sacrifice our lives for the sake of the business.

But Mike Michalowicz argues that entrepreneurship is not about doing the job. It’s about creating jobs.

So, how do you remove yourself from the day-to-day operation of your business? Can you get to a point where your syndication firm runs itself?

Mike Michalowicz is a well-known keynote speaker and bestselling author on a mission to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty.

Mike has built four multimillion-dollar companies and exited two. But he has also launched ten failed businesses and lost his fortune twice.

And it is those struggles that inspired Mike to serve other entrepreneurs through books like Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making MachineandClockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Mike joins Garrett and me to discuss the premise of Profit First, describing how to prioritize profit by treating it like a business expense.

Mike challenges us to overcome superhero syndrome and take on the role of supervisionary in our business, building a team to handle the day-to-day while we think strategically about growing the company.

Listen in for Mike’s surprising advice on planning a four-week vacation that forces you to put systems in place and empower your people to run the business without you!

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session349/

How does a schoolteacher overcome her limiting beliefs to become a full-time syndicator?

For Julie Holly, community was key in helping her shift from anxious single-family landlord to self-assured multifamily GP.

Julie is Founder of Three Keys Investments, a multifamily firm committed to helping investors build passive income and legacy wealth. She also serves as Host of The Conscious Investor Podcast.

Julie began her career as a schoolteacher with a portfolio of single-family homes before transitioning to syndications. Today, she’s a passive investor in 300 doors, she's partnered in 68 units and GP for another 120.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Julie joins me to explain how Arnold Schwarzenegger launched her investing career and what she did to overcome the WHAT IF mindset that held her back early on.

Julie discusses why now is the right time to get into multifamily investing and describes how she is adjusting her underwriting to protect her LPs.

Listen in for Julie’s insight on building confidence through community and get inspired to invest in yourself as you take the next step in YOUR real estate investing journey! 

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session348/

Building a platform is an important part of raising money at scale. But you need more than a website to demonstrate your credibility with potential investors.

Becoming an author gives you authority. It allows you to share your investing thesis with many, many prospects and generate leads as well as referrals.

But what does the process of writing a book look like? And why would you publish yet another real estate book when there are already so many others on the market?

Chandler Bolt is Founder and CEO of Self-Publishing School, a platform that has helped 7,000 entrepreneurs publish books in the last 7 years.

Chandler also serves as host of the Self-Publishing School Podcast and author of six bestselling books. His latest release is called Published: The Proven Path from Blank Page to 100,000 Copies Sold.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Chandler joins Garrett and me to explain what writing a good book does for your business and how to use a book to build your email list.

Chandler walks us through the eight milestones in the process of writing a quality book and shares his best practices for finishing a rough draft in just 30 days!

Listen in for Chandler’s insight on having a successful book launch and learn how to write a bestseller that attracts potential investors to your real estate syndication business.

For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session347/

As multifamily syndicators, we are focused on finding quality deals and raising money. But securing the financing you need can make or break a real estate deal and reaching out to your lender early in the process will save you a great deal of time—and keep you on track to close as planned. So, what do you need to know about multifamily financing?

John Brickson serves as Director at Old Capital, a Dallas firm that specializes in arranging financing for commercial real estate investors across the country. John’s team focuses on $1M to $30M loans on multifamily properties, and in 2017, Old Capital closed more than $750M in loans. John’s market insight and established lender and equity relationships afford his clients a tailored, best-in-class financing solution.

Today, John joins me to offer insight on interest rates in 2019. He explains the difference between working with directly with a lender versus using an intermediary and describes why it’s safer to invest in properties that qualify for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. John also shares advice around financing smaller deals and covers the pros and cons of taking out a bridge loan. Listen in to understand the most common mistakes investors make when it comes to financing multifamily deals and learn why you should get your lender involved early in the process!

John’s insight on interest rates

The difference between direct lenders and intermediaries

John’s take on the best properties for multifamily investors

John’s advice around financing smaller deals

The purpose of a bridge loan

The current terms for bridge loans

Banks:

When you hunt, the prey runs away. But when you fish, you simply put a lure in the water and let the fish come to you. Tim Bratz likens raising private money to fishing: You provide value through education and intentional conversation—and then wait for the investors to come to you.

Tim is the owner of CLE Turnkey, a real estate investment firm focused on apartment buildings, vacation rentals and other commercial properties in Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas. His current portfolio consists of 2K units with a value of over $100M. Tim also offers coaching and mentoring through Commercial Empire.

Today, Tim joins me to explain how working as a commercial broker sparked his interest in investing and share the story of buying his first property—with a credit card! He discusses his transition from flipping, wholesaling and single-family rentals to multifamily buy-and-holds as well as his mindset shift around hiring a team. Listen in to understand the current opportunity around raising capital for multifamily and learn Tim’s approach to luring passive investors rather than chasing them.

How Tim got interested in real estate investing

How Tim bought his first duplex on a credit card

Tim’s transition to multifamily buy-and-hold

Why raising capital is the best use of your time

Tim’s mindset shift around building a team

The activities Tim outsourced first

Tim’s first six-figure hires

The current opportunity around raising money

Why multifamily is the safest investment

Tim’s approach to potential passive investors

What investors are looking for

Tim on Facebook

CLE Turnkey

Commercial Empire

Invest with Michael

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Apartment Buildings with Private Money

Michael’s Mentoring Program

Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing: The Blueprint to Quitting Your Job with Real Estate—Even Without Experience or Cash by Michael Blank

Michael’s Website

Podcast Show Notes

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