Racking Up Rentals

You Don't Actually Invest In Properties

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We think of ourselves as real estate investors.  That means we invest in properties, right?  Not so fast.  It may be properties that we buy, but it...

Don't Underthink It

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are certain decisions we must make in life and business that we recognize as being big and important decisions, and we allocate much time and en...

From People Come Numbers

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Most real estate investors have been taught to focus on numbers, numbers, numbers.  And numbers are indeed very important, but numbers without CONTEX...

Client Case Study: Pasha Buys Four Off-Market Duplexes at Once

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Often times the best way to learn is to hear the real life deal stories from other real estate investors doing great things! In this episode, Jeff int...

The #1 Most Important REI Skill

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are many different things a real estate investor must know about and be able to do. From deal analysis to understanding construction to having p...

The Best Type of Competition to Have

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As buyers of real estate, we wish we could have every great opportunity be competition-free.  After all, who wants to compete with other buyers for e...

Two Different Things We MUST Gather From Sellers

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When we meet a new Seller lead, our tendency is to immediately begin gathering lots of information. After all, with real estate, there's a lot of info...

Client Case Study: Tom Uses the Power of Relationship to Negotiate a Great Off-Market, Seller-Financed Triplex

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Often times the best way to learn key concepts in real estate are to see and hear them in action in real-life deal case studies!  In this episode, Je...

The Best Seller Financing Isn't From Sellers Who Are Doing a Favor

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many real estate investors have an underlying belief that universally all Sellers would prefer to sell their properties for cash, and that selling via...

Should You "Always Be Willing to Walk Away"?

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Always be willing to walk away" is fairly standard real estate investing advice.  And like with all standard advice, it's important to examine them ...

Why to Always Pay for an Inspection Report

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Conducting due diligence and physical inspections of a property in contract is an important part of the overall real estate investing business. And it...

Acquisition Strategies Are Completely Different Sports

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Most real estate investors are open to many different acquisition strategies for finding, negotiating and financing their deals.  Thoughtful Real Est...

200th Episode! Why I Don't Think of Tenants as 'Customers'

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As real estate investors and rental property owners, are tenants our customers? Seems like an obvious question with an obvious 'yes' answer, but when ...

"I Can Tell You're My Kind of People"

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The holy grail of relationship-based negotiation and Seller Relations is when your Seller says—or even thinks—"I can tell you're my kind of people...

Only Buy Deals You've Personally Negotiated

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many real estate investors have a mentality of "I don't care where the deals come from as long as they make sense." These investors are more than happ...

The Myth of "Low Inventory"

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Real estate investors in today's market are finding it difficult to buy properties the traditional way. One of the main difficulties they lament is "l...

The INCREDIBLE Growth You Can Experience in Just 5 Years, with Alexandra Haider

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As real estate investors, we are growth-oriented creatures.  We want to grow our portfolios, wealth and cash flow to achieve financial freedom.  But...

"Unreasonable Sellers" and Why I Love Them

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've all met them: the off-market Sellers who we chat with and immediately have red flags that they are not reasonable.  But what exactly defines "u...

5 Reasons Why You Should Happily Get Seller Financing for a Mere 10% of the Price

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many real estate investors think that Seller Financing is only beneficial if it results in a tiny—or zero—down payment.  In other words, they thi...

Putting Your Strengths to Work in Your Real Estate Investing Endeavors

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every one of us has unique talents, gifts and strengths.  But unfortunately, the real estate investing education industry doesn't often emphasize the...

Find a 'School of Thought' to Join

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret that the world of real estate investment education is absolutely vast.  From podcasts to books to events to courses and so much more, ...

Client Case Study: Ryan Uses Relationship to Negotiate An Awesome Duplex with Seller Financing

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this special case study episode, Jeff interviews Ryan, a client in The DEALS Workshop. Ryan recently bought his first rental property using the tho...

A Simple 2-Step Seller Negotiation Framework

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, we work with Sellers who are very open to the conversation about selling us their properties, but who may not be sure exactly how to make a...

Define What You WON'T Do

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all know the power of setting goals, declaring the actions we will take—even if they are outside our comfort zone—and then taking those actions...

Using "Seller Bonding" in Multifamily Investing, with Rod Khleif

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret that if you want to grow a portfolio, buying multifamily rentals can boost your portfolio size, door count and monthly income quickly. ...

How to Get Massive Traction in Your Real Estate Investing

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At the beginning of a real estate investing journey, there's a lot of necessary exploration. We are learning and trying out lots of new ideas, approac...

Client Case Study Interview: Buying Additional Properties from a Previous Seller

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Often times, when you use a relationship-oriented approach to buy a property from an off-market Seller with Seller Financing, there's a good chance th...

Negotiating With "Tired Landlord" Sellers—Don't Make This Mistake

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever heard the expression "Tired Landlord?"  This is a common phrase we use to describe what we think are "Motivated Sellers" who own rental...

Doing Land Deals to Propel Your Rental Portfolio Forward, with Brent Bowers

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wondered if there are different ways—beyond rentals—to generate passive income in real estate, and ultimately achieve financial independence?...

Get High Acceptances Rates for Your Seller Financing Proposals

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

New Seller Financing real estate investors often ask, "what is your acceptance rate of getting Seller Financing proposals accepted and approved by Sel...

Client Case Study: Off-Market Seller Financing Duplex with Steven Young

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this case study interview episode, Jeff sits down with Steven, who recently closed on the purchase of a great off-market duplex with incredible Sel...

The Psychology of the Seller Financing Lender

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As real estate investors, we often talk about the differences between the different types of loans we can get to buy our properties. But one thing we ...

Using Relationship to Negotiate Better Seller Financing Deals with Gabriel Hamel

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is taking a relationship-based approach to working with off-market Sellers just a strategy to feel good and know we are being thoughtful?  No, it's a...

Trying to Build a Cash Flowing Portfolio But Feeling Discouraged?

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever felt discouraged in your effort to build a cash-flowing rental portfolio?  Probably so—most of us have.  Perhaps you feel like the c...

Look for Opportunities, Not Properties

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many mainstream real estate investors have a mentality of "I don't care where my leads come from as long as the numbers make sense." But we Thoughtful...

"Is this a Deal?" A Strategic Way to Evaluate Opportunities

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most common questions we ask—and hear from our peers often—in our real estate investing community is, "is this a deal?!"  And while it...

The Hidden World of Investment Real Estate

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Unlock your ability to buy investment real estate without banks or real estate agents!  In this episode, Jeff shares the recording from a recent pres...

Discover The "Hybrid Investing" Strategy, With Jesse Mills

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could combine the benefits of flipping properties with the benefits of being a landlord into one seamless real estate investing strategy? ...

Don't Get Down About Down Payments—Part 2 of 2

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever looked at a deal and though, "that's too much down—that wouldn't be a good deal"?  Or perhaps you've thought, "I just don't have enou...

Don't Get Down About Down Payments—Part 1 of 2

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever looked at a deal and though, "that's too much down—that wouldn't be a good deal"?  Or perhaps you've thought, "I just don't have enou...

Case Study: Nate Closes a Great Deal & Sets Himself Up to Buy Many More From the Seller

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Nate, a client in The DEALS Workshop, who recently bought a great property off-market with Seller Financing.  Na...

The Key to Finding Your REI Strategy: The Intersection of The Head and the Heart

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the challenges of real estate investing is that there are so many different ways to do it—so many different acquisition strategies, property ...

How to Qualify for a Seller Financing Loan

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to getting Seller Financing loans, how exactly do we quality as borrowers?  Is there an application to complete with the Seller? How do...

Get our New Free Seller Financing 101 Video Training Course!

14 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, Jeff shares an exciting new offering:  a FREE Seller Financing 101 video training course.  After hundreds of conversations wi...

Do Buyer and Seller Have Opposing Interests?

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many investors think that their interests as Buyers are diametrically opposed to the interests of Sellers—that Buyers simply want to pay the least, ...

Make This Adjustment in the New Market Cycle

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For many real estate investors, seeing the market shift from being an extreme Seller's market to being a more balanced market—if not in favor of Buy...

3 Powerful Words to Use More in Your Seller Negotiations

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When we are having a conversation with a Seller, we must be able to respond to the Seller's comments and questions in real-time.  And because we're h...

Seller Financing in the Changing Market

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's no secret—the real estate market is currently changing.  After a few years of a strong Seller's market, the market is currently balancing itse...

A Personal Reminder About the Value of Financial Freedom from Rentals

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When we think about the benefit of owning rental properties, we often think about financial freedom. And when we think of financial freedom, we think ...

Being a Conscious Investor Through Multifamily Syndication with Julie Holly

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever considered a real estate investment strategy where you partner with other investors, and contribute money into their deals—having a sm...

Don't Wait Until You're Ready

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You've got big plans, goals and dreams….but are you ready to pursue them?  Humans crave comfort, and comfort comes from perceiving that you're "rea...

The Danger of Confusing Price and Value

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"How much does it cost?"  These words roll so naturally out of our mouths when presented with an opportunity to buy something. But is "how much does ...

Find Ways to Say Yes to a Deal, and Reasons to Say No

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A talented and experienced Thoughtful Real Estate Entrepreneur has the skills and tools to make deals work that most other investors can't. And that's...

Mastering Mobile Home Investing, With Adrian Smude

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever considered investing in mobile homes as rental properties?  For many of us, it's an interesting and intriguing idea, but one we're not ...

Why Working Direct With the Seller is So Much Better

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Thoughtful Real Estate Entrepreneurs, we have a core thesis about how we do business.  It's our strongest belief and the guiding principle for how...

Every Deal Simply Comes Down to This

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to working directly with sellers—especially with seller financing or other creative financing—creating the right deal structures can...

Build a Portfolio You Love

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Most people will tell you that real estate investing is all about the brain—looking at numbers and making purely rational decisions. These same peop...

The Danger of Confusing the Seller

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Let's face it, real estate is a complex topic.  From numbers to forms and documents, to terminology, there's a lot that has to be discussed between B...

Properties Aren't Bought by Investors…They're Sold by Sellers

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As real estate investors growing a portfolio, our perspective on the world is that we BUY properties.  But really, it would be more accurate to say t...

Is Everything Truly For Sale At The Right Price?

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You've heard the expression before:  "everything is for sale at the right price!"  But is it that actually true?  No, it's not.  It's close, but n...

How to Add Units to Your Portfolio, Without Buying More Properties—With "That ADU Guy," Derek Sherrell

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you add more units to your existing portfolio, without buying more properties? You master the art of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)!  ADUs ar...

Being an Introvert in Real Estate, With Ashley Harwood

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In a word full of Extroverts who get their energy from meeting with and talking to as many people as possible, where do Introverts fit in?  If you're...

The 2 Key Steps Most Investors Do In The Wrong Order

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Real estate investing starts with actually being able to buy a property, right?  But is that "Acquisition and Finance," or is it more accurately, "Fi...

When Should You Transition to Off-Market Acquisition and Finance?

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When is the right time to consider transitioning your acquisition and finance strategy to buying properties off-market, directly from Sellers?  A lot...

You Probably Don't Need As Much Cash As You Think

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel like you could make more progress in your real estate investing endeavors if you just had more CASH?  Sure, many investors do as well.  Bu...

Doing Your Breakthrough Deal—Client Interview With Michael Monteith

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you embark on a new path, learning new skills and attempting to do something you've never done before, that new path is by definition full of unc...

The Optional Appraisal

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about appraisals, what comes to mind? Expensive, time-consuming steps that are a necessary evil in the process of getting a loan?  Or ...

Why You Need a Coach and How to Pick One

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most contentious topics in the real estate investing community is coaching—do you, or don't you, need a coach? Each side has strong opini...

The Invisible Negotiation

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When does "the negotiation" begin, when you're talking directly to a Seller, off-market? While many regular real estate investors would say it begins ...

The REAL Benefit of Seller Financing

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many investors get excited about the idea of Seller Financing because they think it will give them one big benefit: being able to make low—or no—d...

Financial Resilience > Financial Independence

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Financial Independence" is the holy grail for many of us real estate investors….and it should be! But there's another level beyond financial indepe...

Is the Goal to Pay off the Mortgage?

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For many real estate investors, when they are considering which loans to get, they want to pay those loan off as quickly as possible. But is the goal ...

Skip the Mundane Deals; Do These Instead

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

"Should I do this deal?" It's one of the most common questions we ask each other in the real estate investing community. Real estate "entrepreneurs" w...

"Beautifully Mismanaged" Properties

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As Thoughtful Real Estate Entrepreneurs, we see problems as opportunities—chances to apply our entrepreneurship that create equity and cash flow. In...

Relationship Currency—A Live Conversation

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Following up on recent podcast episodes about The Five Currencies (Financial, Effort, Time, Expertise and Relationship), Jeff hosts a live discussion ...

The #1 Mistake Investors Make When Trying to Get Seller Financing

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When real estate entrepreneurs learn about Seller Financing, they tend to get really excited—for good reason! But this enthusiasm can lead to one bi...

Never Hire an Acquisitions Manager

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For many people, a growing real estate investment business means "scaling"—buying more properties, and doing a higher volume of deals. And that ofte...

Be the Seller's "Travel Agent"

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Being a great off-market real estate investor—and a Thoughtful Real Estate Entrepreneur—is like being a great travel agent: you need to know where...

3 Keys to Establishing Enough Credibility to Get Seller Financing

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you establish enough credibility with the Seller, to get them comfortable with the idea of doing Seller Financing with you; to being your lende...

On The Go Episode: Are You Balanced…or Balancing

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The topic of balance is something we all think about, and strive for. But as we know, it can be elusive. In this episode, recorded on the go, Jeff dis...

Part 2: Using The OTHER Four Currencies in Real Estate Investing

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever felt like your lack of cash is holding you back in your investing efforts, this two-part episode series is for you. In this series, Jef...

Part 1: Using The OTHER Four Currencies in Real Estate Investing

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever felt like your lack of cash is holding you back in your investing efforts, this two-part episode series is for you. In this series, Jef...

What Game Are You NOT Playing?

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You may be involved in real estate investing because you love real estate, or because you're actively building wealth. So it's easy to think "I'm play...

Stop Asking This Question; Start Asking Another Instead

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As real estate investors, we tend to look at each deal and ask ourselves the question, "how can I do this deal with the resources I have?" And while t...

How to Create Snowballing Momentum as a New Real Estate Investor, with Lisa Sarullo

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lisa Sarullo is a newer real estate investor with incredible momentum! What is her secret? She's using the power of relationship-based negotiation, an...

Add "Negotiation Dynamic" To Your Buying Criteria

14 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that focus is important in real estate investing. After all, if we don't know what we want to buy and invest in, anything is a potential c...

Remember This Secret Truth About Lenders

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Let's face it—real estate investors need to borrow money. And when we think about borrowing money, our default mindset is, "I need money, and the le...

Thinking Bigger, With Justin Stoddart

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There are many sources of "information" in the real estate industry—for investors and agents alike. But while many of those sources teach and spread...

The Real Reward of Reaching Financial Freedom

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

People embark on the journey to financial freedom because they want….financial freedom, of course! But is financial freedom actually the greatest re...

Financial Freedom One Rental at a Time, with Michael Zuber

16 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The path to financial freedom through real estate may not be a get-rich-quick path, but it is indeed a dependable and clear one that doesn't have to b...

Strategic Networking, With Brian Trippe

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How important is networking for successful Thoughtful Real Estate Entrepreneurs? Very important in fact. Yet the word "networking" can conjure up cert...

Finding the Hidden Treasure in a Deal

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When we look at a property, and we see the same thing everyone else sees….that's a problem. But when we look at a property, and we see something DIF...

Being a Lazy, Successful Real Estate Investor, with Dion McNeeley

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Does achieving financial freedom through real estate require grinding, hard work and hustle? Not necessarily. In this episode, Jeff interviews Dion Mc...

You Don't Have To See The Whole Path Before Starting

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Usually when we embark on something new, we want to be able to see and understand the entire path ahead of us, before we even get started. But entrepr...

Sellers Always Like THIS Idea the Most

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Negotiation—whether in real estate or life in general—is all about creating agreement. But often times, when we share our ideas with another perso...

How to "Give Up Bad Days," With Jeffrey Holst

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What if you could simply make the decision that you would never have a bad day again—no matter what? In this inspiring interview, host Jeff intervie...

To Reach Your Goals, "Arrive Before You Depart"

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you want to reach your goals—whether in your real estate business, or your life—there's one major key: you need to "arrive before you depart." ...

It Doesn't Matter How Many Deals You're Analyzing (or Offers You're Making)

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Common real estate investing advice says, "if you want to buy more properties, you need to analyze more deals and make more offers." While that may se...

When Problems Become Opportunities

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When we think about what creates stress and anxiety in our lives and businesses, it usually all comes down to "problems." But, problems can also carry...

Why Good Marketing is Hard to Measure

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

People often ask, "what's your response rate on your direct mail marketing to Sellers?" It seems like a simple question, but the answer is not as simp...