Build Wealth AND Community Using This Strategy (with Mel Dorman) SB1745

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Oct 8, 2025

Mel Dorman, a dynamic real estate investor and author, shares her inspiring journey from dumpster diving to owning 34 rental units in five years. She reveals how seller financing can transform deals and emphasizes the importance of community and purpose in investing. Mel discusses creative strategies for acquiring properties with little cash and the power of building strong relationships with tenants. Additionally, she critiques traditional banking and advocates for keeping wealth within local communities, all while sharing insights from her upcoming book, Bank on Your Neighbor.

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ANECDOTE

From Dumpster Dives To Determination

Mel Dorman recounts dumpster diving as a student to stretch food budgets and learn resourcefulness.
That early struggle framed her view of money and pushed her toward creative wealth-building.

ANECDOTE

Family Crisis Triggered The Pivot

Mel describes her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis and its financial impact on her family.
That crisis accelerated her pursuit of real estate to solve urgent financial needs.

ADVICE

Learn Deeply Before You Leap

Educate yourself relentlessly using free resources like podcasts and books before making big moves.
Mel listened to hundreds of BiggerPockets episodes while working to build foundational knowledge.

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What if building wealth wasn’t just about stacking dollars — but also stacking good deeds? In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, Joe Saul-Sehy and OG sit down with Mel Dorman, a powerhouse real estate investor who turned humble beginnings (yes, dumpster diving beginnings) into a thriving portfolio of 34 rental units in just five years. And she didn’t just build wealth — she built community along the way.

From negotiating creative seller-financed deals to forging partnerships that benefit both investors and neighborhoods, Mel shares how real estate can be a tool for connection as much as for cash flow. You’ll learn how she leverages relationships, uses alternative financing to scale quickly, and even flips properties without traditional bank loans — all while staying grounded in her mission to help others.

But that’s not all: Joe and OG also break down the latest Federal Reserve moves and what they mean for your wallet. And of course, Neighbor Doug drops by with his signature trivia to remind us that building wealth is serious business… but it’s okay to have some fun while you’re at it.

What You'll Learn

Creative ways to build wealth: How seller financing can unlock deals you never thought possible.
The power of purpose: Why combining community impact with real estate investing is a winning formula.
Real-world strategies: Mel’s journey from zero to 34 units — and the lessons she learned along the way.
How Fed rate changes affect you: What rising (or falling) rates mean for investors and homeowners.
Financing myths busted: Why traditional bank loans aren’t the only way to grow a portfolio.

Points to Ponder:

Could creative financing open doors for your investing goals?
How might building stronger community ties improve your financial outcomes?
Are you prepared for how interest rate changes could impact your next big money move?

This episode isn’t just a guide to real estate success — it’s a reminder that money works best when it works for everyone. Grab a notebook, pour yourself something caffeinated, and join us for a conversation that just might change how you think about wealth building.

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/real-estate-investing-in-your-community-1745

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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