How Chad Bought 80 Rental Units Without a Bank or a W-2 with Chad Harris

In this episode, I chat with Chad Harris, a former missionary turned full-time real estate investor, who’s quietly mastered the art of building a rental portfolio without ever using traditional bank financing. Chad walks us through how he raised millions in private money—starting with zero savings and a $2K/month income—and why less interest is actually more attractive to lenders.

From structuring win-win deals to understanding what private lenders actually want, Chad breaks down his strategy with a calm, no-hype approach that cuts through the noise. If you’ve been scared to ask for money, or you’re stuck using your own cash, this episode will completely change how you think about raising capital.

[Timeline Summary]

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:01] – Why higher interest rates actually scare off private lenders

[2:06] – Chad’s journey from rural Kenya missionary to real estate investor

[3:33] – No savings, no job, no bank—but a vision that convinced others to fund him

[4:32] – Helping others become investors through lending

[6:12] – Where to find private lenders (hint: they’re everywhere)

[8:21] – Why 6–8% is a gift to most retirees and stock investors

[9:18] – The 3-part pitch Chad uses every time to start the private money conversation

[11:08] – 37+ places to find lenders (free resource)

[12:17] – Why Chad chose rentals over flips or wholesale

[14:10] – How he generated cash at acquisition and refinance without using banks

[17:03] – The turning point: when cash flow pressure finally eased up

[18:22] – The lender mindset shift: lower rates = lower risk = more money raised

[22:10] – The case for 10-year, interest-only loans

[25:05] – How to work with Chad or learn more from him directly

5 Key Takeaways

1. Higher interest ≠ more money. Lenders see high rates as high risk. Lowering rates actually increased Chad’s capital access.
2. Private money is everywhere. Most people don’t know they can be lenders—until you show them how.
3. Longer terms, less chaos. Chad now uses 10-year, interest-only loans to reduce stress and balloon headaches.
4. Start with your story. Use a simple “why, what, how” pitch to build interest and trust with new contacts.
5. You don’t need a bank. Chad built an 80-door portfolio using only private and seller financing—and teaches others how.

Links & Resources

• Free guide: 37+ Places to Find Private Lenders
• Learn more or work with Chad: TrueWealthInvestors.com
• Need financial clarity in your business? SimpleCFO.com

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