
The Hybrid Real Estate Professional
Discover the captivating realm of real estate investing through the lens of a hybrid professional.
Host Aaron Ameen explores inspiring stories of individuals who have blended their unique skill sets with real estate investing to achieve financial freedom.
Gain practical insights and success secrets from guests who have successfully leveraged their professional backgrounds to create thriving real estate portfolios.
Whether you're a corporate executive, creative entrepreneur, or skilled professional, this podcast is your resource for unlocking the power of hybrid real estate investing.
Latest episodes

Jun 9, 2025 • 21min
How the WRONG End Goal Can DESTROY Your Investing Career
In this episode of The 20 Minute Investor, Nathan and I tackle a question most real estate investors skip — but absolutely shouldn’t: What’s your end game?Before chasing cash flow, portfolio size, or quitting your job, you need to define what you're actually building toward. For both of us, the answer wasn’t just a dollar amount — it was about freedom, flexibility, and family.We talk about:How your "why" shapes your entire investing strategyWhy most people fail to hit their goals (or pick the wrong ones)How we built a $5K/month rental portfolio aligned with real lifeThe mistakes we made early on by not asking this questionIf you're feeling stuck or unsure where to focus, this episode will help you realign before your next move.

Jun 6, 2025 • 48min
This “Dirtbag” Hiker Built a Boutique Hotel & Real Estate Portfolio
He lived in an RV behind a duplex. He hiked both the Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trails. Now he runs a boutique hotel in Montana — and built a real estate portfolio that funds a life of freedom.In this episode, I sit down with Joe Jimenez, a hospitality entrepreneur, adventurer, and real estate investor who proves you don’t need 100 doors to win. Joe shares how he and his wife Katie started out living in a retirement RV park (in their 30s!), transitioned from dirtbag hikers to boutique hoteliers, and learned to host short-term rental guests better than most landlords manage tenants.We talk about:House hacking with a motorhome (literally behind a duplex)Why he left long-term rentals for hospitalityBuilding a guest experience that actually meets expectationsMaking the leap into partnerships and handling the pressureDesigning a business that fits the lifestyle you actually wantIf you’re thinking about short-term rentals, partnerships, or how to build real estate around your ideal life — this one’s for you.00:30 Introduction02:03 Building a Real Estate Portfolio07:06 House Hacking Journey13:35 Transition to Hospitality24:33 Defining the Ideal Guest25:30 Learning from Early Experiences27:08 The Importance of Taking Action30:01 Balancing Vision and Action38:10 Partnerships

Jun 2, 2025 • 47min
[Best Hits] Michael Zuber: Building Portfolio of 200+ Rentals, Writing Bestseller Book & Financial Independence
This episode is a repost with Michael Zuber, an icon in the real estate investing realm, known for his pragmatic "One Rental at a Time" philosophy. With a portfolio boasting over 200 rentals and a best-selling book under his belt, Michael discusses the pivotal strategies and mindsets that helped him and his wife achieve financial independence while maintaining full-time careers.Whether you're an aspiring investor or a seasoned professional, Michael's journey from securing a single rental property to retiring comfortably in 2018 provides a compelling blueprint for building a life of abundance through real estate. Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:43 From W2 Employee to Real Estate Mogul07:50 Michael's Personal Struggle and Triumph15:54 One Rental at a Time23:56 Discovering a New Market: The Fresno Adventure24:18 Why Choose Fresno? The Decision Behind the Location25:01 Market Changes and Expanding Horizons25:40 Passive Income in Real Estate26:28 Building a Supportive Investment Community28:06 Impact of Sharing Knowledge and Experiences30:43 Turning Down a Million-Dollar Offer36:49 Balancing Family, Work, and Investment Goals46:24 Final Thoughts and Where to Find MoreReach out to Michael⤵︎X (Twitter)- / 1rentalatatime Linkedin- / michaelzuber Instagram: / onerentalatatime YouTube: / onerentalatatime

May 29, 2025 • 51min
How Having 3 Kids in 3 Years FORCED Me to Rethink My Real Estate Strategy
Join Luke Gilbert, a talented coach and real estate investor, as he shares his transformative journey after having three kids in three years. He reveals how skyrocketing childcare costs led him to rethink his investment strategy, moving away from traditional rentals to a $9M residential assisted living project. Luke discusses personal branding, the emotional rollercoaster of parenting, and balancing family with real estate ambitions. He encourages listeners to embrace change and recognize risks as pathways to financial independence.

May 26, 2025 • 19min
Real Estate Partnerships: Worth It or Total Headache?
Thinking about partnering on a real estate deal? In this episode, we break down the real pros and cons of partnerships — from working with spouses and friends to navigating formal business relationships. Learn what to watch out for, when it actually makes sense to team up, and how to avoid the biggest partnership regrets.0:00 Introduction00:42 The Dynamics of Partnerships01:08 Personal Experiences with Partnerships02:38 Challenges and Considerations03:49 Spousal Partnerships05:52 Formal Business Partnerships07:57 The Importance of Alignment14:22 Final Thoughts and Advice17:57 Closing Remarks

May 22, 2025 • 44min
What I’d Do Differently After Buying 8 Rentals
Aaron Ameen, a management consultant and co-owner of eight rental properties across several states, shares his journey into real estate investing while raising three young children. He discusses the innovative strategies that led to achieving 40% above-market rents and the critical lessons learned from a challenging long-distance property. Ameen emphasizes the importance of due diligence, teamwork with his wife, and financial alignment within relationships, all while managing a full-time career. The power of mentorship and personal growth also shines through in their story.

May 19, 2025 • 19min
Our Exact 5-Minute Rental Deal Analysis Process
Can you analyze a rental property in just five minutes? Discover a method that allows for quick assessments without the usual stress or spreadsheets. Learn how to define your 'buy box' to streamline your search. Explore the importance of focusing on specific neighborhoods for success. They also share tips on navigating common pitfalls, including managing realistic income expectations. Plus, find out how to use online tools for efficient calculations and decision-making!

May 15, 2025 • 48min
From $0 VA Loan to $100M Portfolio (Systems, Deals, & Scaling)
In this episode, I sit down with Vince Gethings—a 16-year Air Force veteran who used a $0 VA loan to kickstart a real estate journey that now includes 6 businesses and over $100M in assets under management. We talk about his first house hack, how he built a 20-unit portfolio while stationed in Hawaii, and the systems he used to scale into commercial multifamily, home services, and beyond. Vince shares the mistakes that could’ve cost him six figures, how he finds the right partners, and why being operationally excellent matters more than flashy headlines. This one is packed with 00:46 Introducing01:24 The Origin Story02:56 Scaling Up:04:17 Long-Distance Investing10:22 Balancing Act13:41 Breaking Through15:54 The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching23:44 Challenges of Long-Term Partnerships24:51 Intentional Team Building25:43 Understanding Key Roles in Real Estate Deals27:49 Aligning Goals and Values in Partnerships32:30 Managing Multiple Companies33:59 Acquiring and Scaling Service Companies36:26 Balancing Passive Income and Lendability42:19 Implementing EOS for Business Efficiency

May 12, 2025 • 20min
The Productivity Systems Behind Our Remote Rental Portfolios | 20-Min Investor
Discover the secrets to effective time management that allow busy investors to build rental portfolios with just 20 minutes a day. Learn how to protect your non-negotiables and master techniques like time-blocking and inbox zero. Explore the mindset shifts required to balance career and family alongside real estate goals. The hosts share tactical tips and productivity frameworks, including the CODE method and the Eisenhower matrix, to optimize your daily routines and enhance your efficiency.

May 8, 2025 • 52min
The Cash-Flow Model That Replaces Your Income AND Makes an Impact
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Charlie Cameron — a military veteran, father of two, and one of the most respected voices in the residential assisted living (RAL) space. Charlie owns 8 assisted living homes (5 personally, 3 through a fund) and co-founded the RAL Room Mastermind, a fast-growing community of investors and operators building businesses that matter.We talk about how Charlie went from the Air Force to apartments, then short-term rentals, and finally landed in assisted living — not just for the financial upside, but for the deep sense of purpose it brought to his life.Charlie shares how the lease-to-operator model works, how he built a business that now replaces his W2 income, and how he and his partners started with one home and are now empowering others to do the same. We also dive into why residential assisted living has decades of tailwinds behind it and how you can get involved — even if you’re not ready to operate one yourself.Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:06 Short-Term Rentals06:23 Military Discipline in Real Estate12:00 Creating the RAL Room14:06 Residential Assisted Living17:58 Short-Term Rentals to Assisted Living26:44 Finding the Right Assisted Living Home27:34 Licensing and Retrofitting Homes28:12 Leasing and Commercial Agreements29:01 Operator Partnerships and Responsibilities31:40 Challenges with Licensing and Operators34:24 Flexibility and Exit Strategies42:01 Funding and Financial Strategies47:27 Community and Support Systems