Episode 527: What $500M in Real Estate Transactions Taught Him About Investing with Kevin Bupp
Description
In this episode of The Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I sit down with Kevin Bupp—real estate investor, bestselling author of The Cash Flow Investor, and host of the Real Estate Investing for Cash Flow Podcast. With more than $500 million in transactions and a portfolio spanning 14 states, Kevin has seen the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Kevin shares how he got his start tending bar at 19 before finding his first mentor, how the 2008 crash forced him to rebuild from scratch, and why mobile home parks and parking lots are his favorite asset classes today. We also dive into proximity, coaching, and the power of association—why surrounding yourself with the right people can completely change your trajectory.
This is a masterclass in resilience, creative deal-making, and niche investing.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
02:26 Kevin’s entrepreneurial start and early mentorship at 19
05:47 First property deal at 20 and building a single-family portfolio
07:50 The power of proximity and association: why who you know matters
09:43 How Kevin’s mentors helped him get to where he is today
12:25 Coaching, ROI, and why investing in yourself pays off
14:07 “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable” – growth mindset in action
15:15 Surviving the 2008 crash, losing it all, and starting over
16:56 Discovering mobile home parks accidentally at first, then by conviction
21:33 Creative financing in mobile home parks—seller finance and bank debt
23:20 Parking lot investments: how Kevin evaluates demand drivers
27:11 Advice for new investors: pick one niche, go deep, and avoid overwhelm
30:15 Sunrise Capital and Kevin’s current portfolio
Quotables
“If you could do one thing in life, get incredibly comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
“Private money is not easy to find, but once you have it, it can change everything.”
“We don’t want to dilute our focus. It’s really difficult to be an expert at many different types of real estate.”
Links
Episode 52: From Broke to Mobile Home Parks in 8 States
https://smartrealestatecoach.com/post/episode-52-from-broke-to-mobile-home-parks-in-8-states
Real Estate Investing for Cash Flow
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Apprentice Program
https://3paydaysapprentice.com
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Masterclass
https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast
Wicked Smart Books
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Strategy Session
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Partners
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