In this special episode, I step into the guest seat on the Deal Nation podcast to share the full story behind how I built a real estate business from scratch—starting with flips and rentals, then scaling through wholesaling, creative deals, and private capital.

 

I walk through my journey from getting my first few rentals the hard way, to discovering wholesaling as a business model that could generate consistent cash flow, to raising private money and structuring deals that create real long-term wealth. We talk about wins, mistakes, systems, and how I built the REI Deal Finders community to help others do the same.

 

Whether you’re new or already doing deals, this conversation will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how I think about real estate, business, mindset, and building something sustainable.

 

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Episode Highlights

 

[0:00 ] – Introduction

[1:10 ] – How I got started in real estate (and what went wrong at first)

[3:03 ] – The slow climb with my first rental properties—and what finally clicked

[5:45 ] – Discovering wholesaling and using it to fund the rest of the business

[8:18 ] – The mindset shift from hustling deals to building a scalable operation

[10:32 ] – Why I started REI Deal Finders and how it helps investors shortcut the learning curve

[13:15 ] – How I find deals today—and how that’s changed over time

[16:27 ] – Using creative finance and private capital to expand quickly

[18:54 ] – What makes a good JV partner (and what to watch out for)

[21:45 ] – My take on market trends and how investors can still thrive right now

[25:02 ] – The importance of education, community, and consistent action

[28:30 ] – Final advice for new investors and those looking to level up

 

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5 Key Takeaways

 

 

1. You don’t need to start with money—you need to start with a skillset

2. Wholesaling is a powerful tool—but it becomes a business when you add systems

3. Private capital is out there—but you have to build trust and present like a pro

4. Sustainability matters more than speed—build a business, not just a hustle

5. The right community can help you move faster, avoid mistakes, and grow with confidence

 

 

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If you enjoyed hearing my story, take a moment to follow, rate, and review both the Deal Nation and REI Deal Finders podcasts. And if you’re ready to write your own story, join us—we’d love to help you get there.

 

Let’s go get that next deal.