Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing

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 dealsSo, 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/