The Hybrid Real Estate Professional

In this episode, I sit down with Kaaren Hall, the CEO and founder of UDirect IRA Services, to uncover the truth about self-directed IRAs — and why the idea of "passive income" might be misleading.We dive deep into how self-directed retirement accounts actually work, what you can and can’t invest in, and how real estate investors are using them to take back control of their financial future. Kaaren shares decades of experience in real estate, mortgage origination, and retirement planning — plus how she went from losing everything during the Great Recession to building one of the most respected self-directed IRA companies in the country.If you're curious about how to invest in real estate, syndications, or private lending tax-free, or you're wondering if a self-directed IRA is right for you — this episode is packed with actionable insights.Timestamps- 00:00 Introduction02:26 The Great Recession and New Beginnings04:57 Understanding Self-Directed IRAs13:24 The Importance of Active Investment Management20:28 Types of Self-Directed Accounts23:59 Exploring Different Types of IRAs24:52 Clarifying Solo 401k and SEP IRA26:27 New Roth Contributions to SEP and Simple IRAs28:18 Responsibilities of Self-Directed IRAs30:40 Opening and Funding a Self-Directed IRA32:52 Due Diligence and Fraud Prevention39:32 The Importance of Diversified Retirement Planning43:13 Connecting with U Direct IRA Services

 Joseph Rasberry, a healthcare professional turned real estate entrepreneur. They discuss Joseph's journey from working in healthcare to investing in real estate, the importance of community and masterminds, and their partnership in building Everwood Reserve, a luxury assisted living and memory care community. The conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the significance of ethical investing, and the impact they aim to have on residents' lives.TakeawaysJoseph transitioned from healthcare to real estate to seek more fulfillment.The entrepreneurial itch is a common feeling among high achievers.Mastermind groups provide invaluable support and networking opportunities.Building relationships is key to success in real estate investing.Joseph's healthcare background gives him a unique perspective on assisted living.Quality of care and staffing are critical in residential assisted living.Capital raising is an essential skill for real estate entrepreneurs.Ethical investing can create positive impacts on communities.The importance of resilience and not giving up in business.Team dynamics and shared values are crucial for business success.🎥 Watch/subscribe for more “Hybrid Real Estate Pro” stories.📈 Interested in our current raise? Grab the deck + webinar replay here → ⁠www.everwoodreserve.com

In this episode, Andrea and I sat down for our second Coffee Chat to reflect on some major milestones in our Everwood Reserve journey—starting with the $1M we just raised from friends and family.We talked about why we chose to build from the ground up (instead of converting an old house), the vision behind creating a true home for seniors, and some of the behind-the-scenes work no one sees—like negotiating gas easements, working through title issues, and building out our Care Tribe team.Andrea also shares what she's learned from secret shopping nearby facilities and why things like food presentation, lighting, and even having pets in the home matter more than people realize. We're building a place we’d be proud to have our own loved ones live in—and that standard is everything to us.If you're curious about what it takes to build a memory care home from scratch—or you just want a peek behind the curtain as we figure this out in real time—we hope you’ll join us for this one.Let us know in the comments what stood out or what you'd want in a place like this for someone you love.Everwood Reserve: www.everwoodreserve.com

This is a special one.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and introducing you to someone who’s played a massive role in shaping my next chapter as a real estate investor, my mentor and now partner, Brett Chotkevys.Brett is the founder of Platinum Resorts Assisted Living, and the mind behind the "Memory Care Mansion" model that Andrea and I are now building in Tomball, Texas. If you've ever been curious about residential assisted living (RAL), this episode is packed with everything I wish I’d known when we first got started — from how to find the right land, to funding, to filling beds, to building and retaining an amazing staff.But more than that — this is the story behind the business.We go deep into Brett’s early days: flipping over 200 homes, running two construction companies, nearly burning out, and the personal turning points that led him to RAL. You’ll hear what finally clicked for him (and for me), and why we believe this is one of the most impactful and scalable real estate strategies out there.If you want a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a high-cashflow, high-impact assisted living business and you're curious about what it looks like to learn directly from the person who helped us shape Everwood Reserve — this episode is for you.Chapters-00:00 Introduction03:02 Challenges and Lessons05:55 Transition to Assisted Living07:40 Building a Successful Assisted Living Business14:19 Marketing Strategies20:56 Staffing Challenges and Solutions25:58 Community Engagement26:37 Data-Driven Business Management28:13 Operational Challenges and Solutions29:24 Holistic Approach30:34 Construction and Land Acquisition36:51 Funding Options37:26 SBA Loans and Investor Capital42:48 Partnering for Success46:37 Tomball, Texas Project50:14 Webinar AnnouncementFollow Brett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-chotkevys-13a217293/Brett’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bCRKGIFhWtldTmJpAHPXL

Welcome to the very first episode of A-mean Coffee Chat! I’m Aaron Ameen, and I’m here with my incredible wife and co-founder, Andrea. We recorded this from our couch—coffee in hand—to share the real story behind Everwood Reserve, the 32-bed memory care community we’re building from the ground up in Tomball, Texas.In this episode, we go way beyond real estate.We talk about how a couple of “accidental” assisted living rentals changed everything, what we learned from watching our family members age, and the series of life events—job loss, twins, COVID—that pushed us toward building something deeply personal and wildly ambitious.

If you’re thinking about buying a small business, quitting your job, or partnering with someone on your next venture, this conversation is a must-listen. It’s honest, raw, and packed with hard-earned insight.Carley Mitus went from leading strategic programs at GE HealthCare to buying not one, but two small businesses in less than six months. But what looked like a dream move into entrepreneurship quickly became something else: overwhelm, identity crisis, and a whole new version of growth.In this episode of the Hybrid Real Estate Professional Podcast, Carly opens up about:- Why the "passive business ownership" dream is misleading- How to build a business partnership that doesn't blow up your life- What happens when your “why” starts to evolve- How her role at Legacy Investment Group is reshaping her skills and mindset- Why reinvention isn’t a pivot — it’s part of the process

Is single family real estate investing really dead in 2025?In this episode, Nathan and I share our honest take on what’s actually happening in the market right now. We talk about why it’s harder (but not dead), how we’re adapting to higher interest rates, and the mindset shift that’s helping us keep moving forward—even when deals are tough to find.If you’re feeling discouraged or unsure about your next move, this 20-minute episode will help you reset and refocus.

In this episode, I’m joined by Bronson Hill, founder of Bronson Equity and host of The Mailbox Money Show. Bronson is a general partner in over 2,500 multifamily units worth $250M+, has raised over $50M from private investors, and is the bestselling author of Fire Yourself.His next book, Rich Brain, is based on interviews with over 2,500 millionaires, and today he shares some of the most powerful mindset shifts and frameworks he’s learned from that journey.🔑 In this episode, we cover: • Why Bronson left his $200K+ medical sales job • How he raised $50M without owning single-family rentals • The concept of Wealth Worthiness (and how to expand yours) • Why cash flow is more powerful than net worth • How to vet deals, operators, and your own investing goals • The role of mindset, mentorship, and being in the right rooms • What most people get wrong about “passive” investing • His favorite cash-flowing asset classes in 2025 (beyond real estate!)🎯 Whether you’re a high-income earner looking to escape the rat race, or an early investor trying to figure out your next move — this episode is packed with insights to help you think like the wealthy and take action toward financial freedom.👉 Get Bronson’s Mailbox Money Blueprint (Free PDF): Text “CASHFLOW” to 33777🎧 Listen to Bronson’s podcast: Mailbox Money Show📚 Books Mentioned: Fire Yourself, Rich Brain (Coming Soon)⸻If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps more investors like you discover the show.#PassiveIncome #RealEstateInvesting #FinancialFreedom #MailboxMoney #BronsonHill #HybridInvestor #CashFlow #MultifamilyInvesting #RichBrain

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.

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