Collecting Keys - Real Estate Investing Podcast

What did you think of todays show??Are you starting to wonder: is it the market, or is it YOU? After this episode, you'll know if you should keep grinding or if it's time to make a change. We break down why wholesaling isn't usually a forever play, how to tell if you're burned out or just ready to move on, and how you can pivot without starting over.Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)The struggle for many investors right now: stay in or get out (04:25)How to decide if it’s time to pivot (07:12)Why real estate is often a get-in, get-out game (09:04)Hormozi's "do more" argument vs. taking your skills somewhere else (14:13)The "sweet spot" of scaling a wholesale business (22:10)The two-week vacation test: is it burnout or time to move on? (24:56)Our crazy predictions for 2026 (25:51)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??2025 was tough for everyone, but only some operators figured out what still works. In this year-end recap, we share our highs, the lows, and what surprised us most in real estate. From the trends that destroy assets to major changes in direct marketing, you'll hear which real estate strategies we want to leave in 2025 and where our focus will be in 2026!Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)Mike’s high: bad operators are getting pushed out (01:31)Dan’s high: the mastermind that changed everything (06:48)Dylan’s high: financial freedom in 3 years (11:25)Mike’s low: co-living as a trend (16:03)Dan’s low: cash flow vs. paper worth (23:15)Dylan’s low: the outlook of the middle class (27:33)Mike’s buffalo: off-market marketing (30:20)Dan’s buffalo: Silicon Valley and military tech (34:38)Dylan’s buffalo: burnout is a signal of something more (39:11)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??Would you rather take a hit to your pride or your bank account? In this episode, find out how holding onto a deal too long can come back to bite you and your business. We dig into why so many deals are breaking down, why some investors are underwater and can't bring cash to closing, and why refinancing isn't always the fix people think it is.Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)The biggest mistake flippers are making right now (01:20)The cost of holding onto a property too long (04:31)Why wholesalers are struggling in this market (07:48)New foreclosure trends and the cause (08:28)Housing development and the myth of affordable housing (11:21)How American spending has changed (17:49)Urban sprawl and the loss of culture (19:43)How urban development impacts city governments (25:09)How Gen Z views wealth and home ownership (29:02)Staying lean vs. having an in-person office space (31:49)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??Cash flow can look good on paper and still be a losing deal. Especially right now, when it's never been easier to make the wrong one. This episode breaks down all the factors crushing margins and turning cash-flowing properties into expensive surprises. Find out how to stress-test your next deal before the market does it for you!Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)What the Fed rate cut means (and doesn’t mean) for investors (04:49)The affordability vs. spending paradox (10:50)Florida’s proposal to abolish property taxes (15:25)The property tax cash-flow squeeze (16:19)Anti-tax sentiment, government programs, and hypocrisy (19:56)The debate on Trump Accounts (22:37)Why the 4-hour workday doesn't work in real estate (30:07)Money-making hours in real estate (32:55)The myth of passive income (33:51)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??New and experienced investors are making a lot of mistakes in this market. Whether it's out of desperation or overconfidence, people are ignoring red flags, not calculating risk correctly, and chasing deals that can destroy their business. In this episode, you'll learn the real value of cash in this market and how to weigh risk in every deal so you can stay in the game!Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)What new investors get wrong about cap rates vs. appraisal value (02:42)Section 8 abuse and the truth about cash flow (05:04)How DSCR requirements have changed (09:29)How lenders are cracking down on DSCR fraud (12:13)Why your first flip shouldn’t be a big project (13:45)The major math mistake new investors make (16:36)Balancing reward vs. risk in real estate (18:03)Why a “long-term investing mindset” is dangerous for new investors (21:13)What newbies need to know about their first big loss (23:51)Why comps in this market are unreliable (28:12)Where experienced investors turn for true passive income (30:42)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??If your real estate business feels hard right now, this episode is for you. Host Mike DeHaan breaks down how to tell the difference between a rough market and a real business problem, the signs it's time to pivot, and the type of investors who shouldn't quit just yet. You’ll also learn how to exit without starting from zero and what to work on in your business if you decide to stay.Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)Who shouldn’t quit real estate (02:50)Why your business may be struggling (04:02)Who should consider leaving real estate (06:20)How to quit and transition the right way (11:04)Real estate-adjacent businesses to consider (13:00)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??One deal can ruin you, especially in this market. But it's not just a bad market taking investors out of the game — it's risky debt, risky deals, and risky business buys. In this episode, we dive into the biggest traps we're seeing over and over, why so many investors are struggling right now, and what we've done to survive the market. Tune in to hear how to make a smart investment in this wild economy!Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)The current state of the economy (04:51)How job boards and AI are screwing employers and applicants (06:55)The smart path to business and real estate investing (13:30)Beware of risky deals and SBA loans (15:23)The generational mindset gap on debt and investing (19:03)Why gurus and investors are getting exposed (23:58)What separates the successful operators in this market (25:29)How we’re surviving the hardest part of the market cycle (28:05)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??Risky lending is back. From rescue loans for low-credit borrowers to 50-year mortgages, the debt side of real estate is starting to look a lot like the pre-2008 era. So if you’re only paying attention to your DSCR rates, you're missing key shifts in the lending industry that could impact your next deal. Tune in to hear what we learned at a private lending conference, why some new loan products make us nervous, and how investors can benefit from them!Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)Highlights from a private financing conference (03:45)Foreign investment, hedge funds, and more shifts in private lending (09:25)How loans move through originators to platforms and aggregators (13:12)How investor demand impacts loan rates (17:08)Why some investors can’t get loans and how to be a better borrower (18:20)How lenders are approaching the real estate market (20:07)The perks of investing in the distressed debt market (21:09)Debt liquidity and who loses in a private lending collapse (23:25)Hot take on the 50-year mortgage (27:30)Why lending is getting risky again (32:23)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??The hardest part about getting started in real estate today? Realizing the shortcuts don’t work anymore.In this episode, Alex Braich shares how he’s managed to grow a wholesaling and flipping business in one of the country’s toughest markets as a new investor. We cut down all the hype and guru tactics to highlight what really works, from the skills every newbie needs to build to the move that helped Alex 10x his business.Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)Meet California investor, Alex Braich (01:52)The hardest part of growing a real estate business in 2025 (04:02)Why he moved from direct mail to cold calling (05:28)His strategy for staying profitable in a high-cost market (09:16)The end of easy lead gen and cheap deals (12:10)The downfall of big real estate ‘gurus’ (14:17)Long-form vs. short-form real estate content (18:38)How Alex learned the real estate business (20:08)Why people struggle to leave their W-2 job (27:02)Advice for new investors (32:23)How he 10x’d his revenue (33:47)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

What did you think of todays show??Not every deal is worth chasing, and not every deal is worth keeping. And right now, a lot of investors are learning that the hard way. In this episode, find out how refinancing has become one of the biggest traps for investors, which deal types are getting flagged by lenders, and why sometimes the best decision is to sell.Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)The 80/20 rule for problem deals and clients (01:36)When to keep pushing vs. when to walk away (03:31)The inflection point flippers are hitting right now (07:02)The rental strategy that’s in trouble (08:16)Why you should consider selling your properties (11:09)What investors get wrong about their equity (11:37)Depreciation and true wealth strategies (13:37)Underwriting and lending criteria for big funds (18:39)Why lease terms matter for DSCR loans (19:33)Why loan rates aren’t lower but mortgage rates are down (21:45)How the government shutdown is impact housing (24:23)The inefficiency and inaction of government (31:12)The growth of our lending business (35:50)Fed updates and what to expect in the next six months (38:20)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com