Episode Overview
Episode Title: Proximity is Power with Jaden Connor
Podcast: Real Estate Investing School Podcast
Date: September 26, 2022
Guest: Jaden Connor, Coach at Real Estate Investing School
In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School Podcast, host Joe Jensen sits down with Jaden Connor, a young and dynamic real estate investor, agent, and wholesale relationship manager. The conversation explores Jaden’s progression from novice to real estate coach, highlighting his transition through various roles in the industry, the importance of mentors and proximity to successful people, key lessons learned, his approach to failures, and his guiding principles for life and business. This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring moments, especially for those just starting in real estate or struggling with self-doubt.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Jaden’s Background and Entry into Real Estate
- Location & Education: Jaden grew up in Cache Valley, graduated from Utah State University (finance, management information systems, minor in real estate).
- First Steps: He initially became a realtor in 2017 but was always more interested in the investing and wholesaling sides.
- Mission & Early Jobs: Went on a mission trip (2014–2016), did three years of door-to-door sales.
Quote:
"I felt like getting my real estate license was a good way for me to just kind of get my feet wet and kind of gain the basic knowledge around real estate." — Jaden (02:36)
2. Why Investing, Not Just Agency?
- Control & Flexibility: Jaden realized being an agent often meant being "bossed around" by client schedules; investing gave him control and removed emotional decision making.
- Financial Advantages: Using his license strategically for personal deals saves money.
- Ongoing Education/Fees: Maintaining a license costs ~$1,500/year but can pay for itself with even one deal.
Quote:
"As a real estate agent, it's easy to get bossed around by your clients ... I love being an investor because you're way more in control of the deal. It's also way less emotional. It's just a numbers game." — Jaden (02:36)
Key Insight:
Getting licensed is a valuable "stepping stone" to investing, not the end goal.
3. Breaking Into Wholesaling
- Definition: Wholesaling is getting a property under contract at a discount and assigning the contract to a buyer at a higher price, earning the difference.
- First Opportunities: Jaden met his future boss, Jason Lewis, through a sales colleague and offered to work for free to learn about wholesaling; started as a lead manager, moved to relationship manager.
- Role Today: Facilitates deals through networking with other agents/investors.
Quote:
"When you surround yourself around people that are successful and high-level achievers, you will naturally also be one of them eventually." — Jaden (11:01)
4. The Power of Proximity & Mentorship
- Learning Curve: Being close to high performers and on a well-run team fast-tracked Jaden's experience.
- Exposure: In two and a half years, he’s participated in over 300 wholesale transactions.
- Mentorship: Advocates working for a mentor—“even for free”—to accelerate learning and limits costly mistakes.
Quote:
"The value of being part of a team is ... I've been able to learn so much more than if I would have been out on my own ... Go find a mentor, go find somebody who's doing what you want to be doing and get close with them." — Jaden (11:01)
5. Current Portfolio & Active Strategy
- Personal Investing: Currently owns a duplex, house-hacking by living in one unit and renting out the rest.
- Building Capital: Focus has been on active income from wholesaling; now transitioning to active + passive income streams.
- Deal Analysis: Actively analyzing deals daily to expand his holdings.
Quote:
"I'm kind of in a building capital phase ... In order to build up your portfolio, if you don't want to take 30 years, you gotta have some money to invest in." — Jaden (16:13)
6. Failures & Overcoming Fear
- Biggest Regret: Letting fear stop him from buying during the early COVID-19 period (2020) due to uncertainty, despite hindsight showing it was a good time.
- Lesson: Inaction from fear (“paralysis by analysis”) is more damaging than making mistakes.
- Risk Mitigation: Strongly endorses buy-and-hold cash flow strategies and stress-testing deals with cash flow margins.
Quote:
“My biggest failure was ... letting that fear creep in. I was, you know, paralysis by analysis, stuck in the learning phase and I wasn’t taking action that I should have.” — Jaden (19:30)
7. Guiding Principles & Habits
- Weekly Planning: The #1 habit—set aside 30–60 mins weekly to plan and focus on 1–3 priorities that move the needle; this intentionality is the common thread among high-achievers.
- Intentional Life: Recommends regular review in all areas (career, relationships, physical, spiritual).
- Time Management: Warns against being merely reactive; prioritize activities that create future value, not just busywork.
Quote:
“If you have more than three priorities, you don’t have any ... If you can execute on one to three things and do that 52 times per year, you’re gonna end up way further ahead.” — Jaden (26:32)
8. Defining True Wealth & Freedom
- Asset Acquisition: Active income (including high commissions) is meaningless if not turned into real wealth by acquiring appreciating, income-generating assets.
- Track Net Worth: Every purchase should be assessed as adding to, or subtracting from, one’s net worth.
- Freedom = Ability: Jaden views freedom as the “ability” to do what you want, when you want, and contribute where/when you desire.
Quote:
“True freedom is just summed up in the word ability—like the ability to go to Uganda and help these organizations ... and to have nice things, and to do the things that I want.” — Jaden (49:23)
9. Practical Insights on Real Estate
- Wholesaling Risks/Rewards: Properly structured, wholesaling carries little risk. Be wary of chasing “skinny deals” that use time inefficiently.
- Market Cycles: Emphasized that market timing for buy-and-hold is less critical than deal structure and cash flow.
- Primary Residence vs. Investment: Buying investments is fundamentally different than buying a home to live in; investments should pay you, not the other way around.
10. Life Beyond Real Estate
- Passion Projects: Jaden’s philanthropic focus is with Operation Underground Railroad, having traveled to Uganda to assist, and aspires to participate in their undercover missions.
- Definition of Happiness: Shares that happiness is “where you start, not where you finish”—it’s about being content now, not at some future milestone.
Quote:
“Happiness is where you start, not where you finish ... you have everything you need today to be happy.” — Jaden (51:07)
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
-
On getting started as an investor:
"As a real estate agent, it's easy to get bossed around by your clients ... I love being an investor because you're way more in control of the deal. It's also way less emotional. It's just a numbers game." — Jaden (02:36) -
Regarding the merits of getting a real estate license:
"If you ever sell a property on the back end, you can save yourself 3%. ... I bought a house this last September ... didn't charge myself the 3% commission, just put it towards the down payment." — Jaden (04:36) -
The power of mentorship and proximity:
"When you surround yourself around people that are successful and high-level achievers, you will naturally also be one of them eventually." — Jaden (11:01) -
On his biggest failure—paralysis by analysis:
“Letting that fear creep in. I was, you know, paralysis by analysis, stuck in the learning phase and I wasn’t taking action that I should have.” — Jaden (19:30) -
On planning and intentionality:
“If you have more than three priorities, you don’t have any ... If you can execute on one to three things and do that 52 times per year, you’re gonna end up way further ahead.” — Jaden (26:32) -
On what freedom means:
"True freedom is just summed up in the word ability." — Jaden (49:23) -
On happiness:
“Happiness is where you start, not where you finish ... you have everything you need today to be happy.” — Jaden (51:07)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 — Introduction & Jaden’s background
- 02:36 — Why investing vs. just being an agent
- 05:26 — Realities of licensing fees and education
- 07:42 — Jaden’s entry into wholesaling; what is wholesaling?
- 11:01 — Teamwork, mentorship, and proximity = power
- 15:24 — Jaden’s current portfolio and house hacking
- 19:30 — Biggest failure: paralysis by analysis and fear during COVID
- 26:32 — Guiding habit: weekly planning and intentionality
- 33:03 — The importance of acquiring assets vs. just income
- 39:33 — On skinny deals and time management in wholesaling
- 45:03 — Bucket list: Operation Underground Railroad, Uganda mission
- 49:10 — Definition of freedom: "ability"
- 51:07 — Definition of happiness: “where you start, not where you finish”
- 53:14 — How to reach Jaden; closing remarks
Conclusion
This upbeat, practical episode with Jaden Connor is a masterclass in intentionality, action, and the power of learning by association. Whether you’re seeking your first deal or wondering how to level up, Jaden’s emphasis on mentorship, teamwork, practical knowledge, and planning lays out a clear pathway for aspiring investors. Listeners walk away inspired to act, plan, and acquire assets—not just income—while remembering to enjoy the journey.
Connect with Jaden:
Instagram: @jadencon
Facebook: Jaden Connor
Host's Closing Reminder:
"Be happy now and keep increasing your abilities." – Joe Jensen