Episode Overview

Colorado real estate market opportunities are emerging as distressed builders struggle with inventory. Mike Hills, VP at Atlas Real Estate Company, reveals how current market conditions create exceptional opportunities for Colorado investors. His company manages over 6,000 doors across 10 states and recently launched their first fund targeting these market opportunities.

Mike Hills brings unique perspective as both the second employee at Atlas Real Estate (now 200+ employees strong) and a personal investor who’s been house hacking since 2001 – before the term even existed. His journey from liquor store owner to real estate executive offers raw insights into surviving market crashes and building sustainable wealth through 20-year thinking while capitalizing on current Colorado market opportunities.

This episode reveals Atlas’s proprietary strategies for identifying real estate opportunities and why they’re currently buying entire developments at 15-25% discounts to retail. Mike Hills shares hard-earned lessons about tenant retention, contractor relationships, and why 2025 Colorado market conditions are showing recovery signs after the challenging 2024 market.

In This Episode We Cover:

• How Mike Hills survived the 2008 casino project disaster and rebuilt stronger


• Atlas Real Estate’s growth from startup to 6,000+ door operation


• Why tenant retention beats rent increases in today’s market


• Colorado market opportunities following hospital and infrastructure development


• Distressed builder opportunities creating 15-25% instant equity


• Signs that contractors are getting hungry again in 2025


• 20-year mindset approach that builds generational wealth

Mike Hills’ combination of personal investing experience and professional market insights provides actionable strategies for building wealth through Colorado real estate opportunities. From managing a handful of rentals to scaling toward institutional size, this conversation cuts through market noise with data-backed perspectives from someone managing thousands of doors while building his own substantial portfolio in today’s market conditions.

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Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction – Mike Hills from Atlas Real Estate

01:30 – Mike’s Origin Story – House Hacking Pioneer Since 2001

04:10 – From Casino Failure to Atlas Success – Learning from $250K Loss

08:43 – Atlas Empire Breakdown – 6,000 Doors Across 10 States

12:31 – Urban Infill Strategy Revealed – Following Hospital Development

13:52 – 20-Year Mindset Philosophy – Why Patience Beats Home Runs

16:55 – Cash Reserve Strategy – 6 Month Emergency Fund Rule

19:24 – 2024 Market Reality Check – Vacancy and Eviction Challenges

26:35 – Teaching Kids About Money – Real World Lessons

30:11 – Distressed Builder Opportunities – Atlas First Fund Launch

36:43 – Property Management Wisdom – Tenant Retention Over Rent Raises

42:18 – Investment Advice – Building Generational Wealth

Links in Podcast

Website: www.realatlas.com

Connect with Mike:

Email:michael@realatlas.com

Phone: (720) 220-8500

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mike-hills-122974215