Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing

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 of Hearthfire 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/