From $0 to 30+ Properties – The One Strategy That Changed Everything!
Feb 27, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Grace Gudenkauf, a real estate investor and author known for her innovative strategies and advocacy for women in the field, shares her impressive journey from a hands-on DIY landlord to a systems-oriented entrepreneur. She reveals the pivotal mindset shift that transformed her approach to scaling her business. Grace explains the BRRRR strategy for acquiring properties with minimal investment and emphasizes the art of outsourcing for efficiency. She also highlights the importance of community and networking in securing deals and empowering female investors.
Grace Gudenkauf emphasizes the importance of networking and education in normalizing real estate investing for beginners.
The transition from DIY to a scalable model through delegation and remote management enabled Grace to expand her real estate portfolio significantly.
Deep dives
Journey to Real Estate Investing
The journey into real estate investing began unexpectedly for Grace Guttenkopf while she was helping her boyfriend paint a house during college. This initial exposure sparked an interest after she enrolled in the real estate domain by consuming books and podcasts, notably 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' and 'Bigger Pockets.' The onset of COVID led Grace to explore DIY investing, which allowed her to experiment with creative financing options and various strategies like BRRRR and commercial lending. Through tenacity and determination, she transformed from a novice to a real estate investor, eventually expanding her investments beyond her local area in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Importance of Community and Networking
Grace highlighted how critical networking and community involvement were in her journey, suggesting that surrounding oneself with successful investors normalizes the idea of investing. She emphasized that the perception of real estate as an exclusive domain should be dismantled and made comfortable through education and community building. The support from others facing similar challenges fosters motivation and inspiration, making it easier to take action and overcome barriers. Grace also pointed out that nobody truly has it all figured out, reinforcing the necessity for collective growth in the real estate space.
Scaling Through Delegation and Systematization
Initially, Grace found herself entrenched in the contracting and hands-on aspects of her investments, which limited her capacity to scale. After moving to Arizona, she acknowledged the need to learn how to operate her business remotely while building a solid team. By hiring project managers and emphasizing effective delegation, she managed to streamline operations and dramatically increase the number of deals she handled simultaneously. This shift away from a DIY mentality led to her handling multiple projects from hundreds of miles away without sacrificing quality.
Harnessing the Power of Community for Investment
Grace co-founded the Women Invest in Real Estate (W.I.R.E) Network, which aims to empower women to become financially independent through real estate investment. The community provides not only networking opportunities but also resources like bookkeeping services, retreats, and educational events, catering specifically to female investors. They focus on supporting women to reach personal goals rather than advocating for sheer volume of investments, promoting balance and lifestyle design. Grace's advocacy for her community reinforces the idea that investing should be accessible and is crucial for encouraging more women in the industry.
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Ever feel like real estate investing is only for the rich? Think again! In this episode of the Rich Dad Real Estate Show, host Jaren Sustar sits down with Grace Gudenkauf, a real estate investor who went from DIY landlord to running a scalable, hands-off real estate business—all while moving across the country!
Grace shares how she started out painting houses, doing renovations herself, and hustling hard—only to realize that scaling required a new approach.
She breaks down: -The mindset shift that changed everything -How to buy properties with little to no money left in the deal (BRRRR strategy explained!) -The mistakes that held her back—and how moving forced her to systematize -Why most investors think they have to do everything—but the secret is outsourcing & delegation
If you’re struggling to scale your real estate business or wondering how to invest in real estate while working full-time, this episode is for you!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:29 Grace's Real Estate Journey Begins 03:37 The Power of Normalizing Real Estate Investing 06:12 Transitioning from DIY to Outsourcing 08:39 Scaling and Out-of-State Investing 18:50 Finding and Negotiating Deals 20:28 Referral Leads and Word of Mouth 21:30 Turning Your Audience into Billboards 23:05 Funding Your Real Estate Ventures 26:36 Managing Real Estate Projects Remotely 35:02 Empowering Women in Real Estate 36:44 Conclusion and Resources
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