
Hosted by Real Estate Investing School · EN

In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School podcast, host Joe Jensen sits down with Nathan Turner, widely known as The Canadian Note Guy. Nathan has carved out a unique niche in real estate by focusing on mortgage notes, an often-overlooked strategy that allows investors to generate passive income without the headaches of property management. As the President of Ernest Inc. and Manager of Ernest Investing LP, he shares how he transitioned from flipping houses in Canada to becoming a leading note investor in the U.S., managing assets for accredited investors and running the Diversified Mortgage Expo, a top-tier industry event. Nathan breaks down the fundamentals of note investing, explaining how it compares to traditional real estate strategies and why he prefers being the lender rather than the landlord. He walks through his approach to buying performing and non-performing notes, the multiple exit strategies available, and how investors can turn seller-financed deals into liquid cash by selling their notes. Whether you're looking for a truly passive investment or want to learn how to structure notes for long-term financial growth, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram Earnest Investing Website

Welcome to the Real Estate Investing School podcast. In this episode, host Joe Jensen interviews Wendell Butler, founder of Hammerhead Capital, Inc. At just 30 years old, Wendell has rapidly built a real estate investment business that spans single-family flips, multifamily rentals, and syndications, including being a general partner on a 32-unit multifamily deal. Despite only going full-time into real estate within the last year, Wendell has accumulated over 40 rental units and is systemizing his fix-and-flip operation to scale up to 50 properties a year. His journey began somewhat unexpectedly, as he originally pursued a path toward becoming a physician assistant but took a one-year break from school that exposed him to entrepreneurship. That pivot led him to real estate, leveraging nine-to-five jobs like sales and lending to build valuable skills and insider knowledge before taking the full leap into investing. Throughout the conversation, Wendell emphasizes the importance of strategic networking, due diligence, and conservative underwriting—advice he credits to both his lending background and personal experiences. His first "aha moment" came from a simple live-in flip of a condo, which netted him $70,000 tax-free after a year of ownership, proving to him the power of real estate. From there, he moved into house hacking with a duplex, using VA loan benefits and creative financing through family connections. Wendell shares valuable insights on structuring partnerships, particularly how he and his partners tackled their first larger multifamily deal without the expensive and complex syndication route, instead opting for a joint LLC structure with active investor participation. He underscores the importance of not relying solely on assumptions like rezoning or subdividing when underwriting deals and focuses on building long-term relationships and reputation as the keys to continued success. Wendell's story is an inspiring example of how consistent action, leveraging existing skills, and maintaining a learner's mindset can accelerate growth in real estate investing. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram Wendell's Instagram

In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School Podcast, host Joe Jensen sits down with Mike "Big Mike" Zlotnik—CEO of TF Management Group, host of the Big Mike Fund podcast, and author of How to Choose a Smart Real Estate Investment Fund. With over two decades of experience as a passive investor and full-time fund manager since 2009, Mike shares how he navigates market cycles with logic, discipline, and data—not emotion or speculation. He breaks down his core principles for evaluating deals, including cap rate vs. interest rate spreads, discounts to replacement cost, and recognizing signs of distress-driven opportunities in today's commercial market. Joe and Mike also dive into the differences between syndications and funds, the pros and cons of each, and how investors can leverage asymmetric risk opportunities for consistent cash flow and long-term growth. Whether you're a passive investor or active operator, Mike's approach is a masterclass in removing emotion from investing and letting the numbers lead. If you've ever wondered how fund managers evaluate deals, or how to truly protect downside while growing wealth, this episode is packed with tactical insights, timeless principles, and plenty of "Big Mike" wisdom. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram Brent's LinkedIn

In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School Podcast, army officer turned "Land Shark" investor Brent Bowers joins host Joe Jensen to share how buying and selling vacant land allowed him to escape the grind, be present with his family, and still build serious wealth. Brent walks through his journey from broke in 2008, moving in with his in-laws, to discovering land flipping while still deployed and working long hours in the military. He explains his first few deals, how he mailed simple handwritten postcards to tax-delinquent landowners, turned a $285 parcel into thousands in profit, and eventually built a land business that replaced his military income through seller financing and consistent monthly cash flow. Joe and Brent dive into the nuts and bolts of land investing—how to find discounted deals, price land using tools like Redfin and Zillow, structure seller financing, and protect yourself with solid due diligence. They compare land to traditional rentals, discussing the pros (no toilets, tenants, or termites, low expenses, huge returns) and the cons (no depreciation, tax hits, and the need for discipline and systems). Brent also shares painful (and expensive) mistakes, like buying non-buildable land and dealing with wetlands and the EPA, and talks about using land profits to buy cash-flowing properties and mobile home parks. If you've ever wondered how people "print money legally" with dirt, this episode breaks it down in a simple, actionable way. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram Brent's LinkedIn

In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School Podcast, host Joe Jensen sits down with Ryan Cadwell—veteran investor, managing partner at Resolute RDM, and all-around real estate realist. With over $100M in transactions across development, flipping, brokerage, and asset management, Ryan brings 17 years of boots-on-the-ground experience and a refreshing "no-Kool-Aid" perspective. He shares how his career evolved from a dream of passive income to building a life he doesn't want to retire from. The two dive deep into how to design a business that aligns with your values, avoid ego-driven deals, and focus on investment value over market hype. Ryan also opens up about his journey from ministry to agnosticism, why real estate is never really passive, and how he's found purpose supporting transitional youth through his board work with 91 Place. This conversation covers everything from emotional decision-making and buyer psychology to using Google alerts to track job trends in your market. If you're tired of the guru fluff and want real talk about what it takes to build a sustainable, fulfilling investing career, this episode delivers in spades. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram Resoluterdm.com

In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School podcast, host Joe Jensen sits down with Scott Durham, a 20-year veteran real estate agent based in Reno, Nevada, who made the pivot into investing in 2019. Scott shares how he transitioned from a high-volume agent to a savvy investor doing 10 to 12 flips a year while slowly building a rental portfolio focused on short-term rentals. The conversation dives deep into the stark contrast between being a real estate agent and being an investor, and how Scott strategically blends both roles to maximize profit and flexibility in his life. He shares how flipping created the capital he needed to fund long-term passive income investments—and how buying right from day one is the key to success. Throughout the interview, Scott and Joe unpack topics like lifestyle design, escaping the hamster wheel of high-commission work, leveraging your position in the real estate world to find hidden deals, and the pros and cons of investing in HOAs. Scott also talks about why he prefers short-term rentals over long-term holds in high-cost markets and the systems he's built to keep things lean and automated. From tax strategies like cost segregation to practical deal-finding tips and mindset shifts, this episode is packed with actionable insights for agents, flippers, and aspiring investors alike. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody’s Instagram Joe's Instagram Scott's Instagram

Welcome to the Real Estate Investing School Podcast. In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of holding and exchanging real estate assets to build lasting wealth. Our guest walks us through their journey from owning a modest townhome to acquiring a six-unit apartment complex, eventually making moves into commercial properties. This conversation unpacks the strategies that helped make that leap possible and sheds light on the often-overlooked advantages of asset repositioning in a long-term investment game. We also discuss the critical role of cash flow, the compounding benefits of long-term ownership, and the mindset shifts required to thrive in real estate. From overcoming initial hurdles to recognizing growth opportunities, this episode delivers practical insights and inspiration for investors at every stage. Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale your portfolio, this conversation offers both motivation and actionable takeaways. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody’s Instagram Joe’s Instagram Chases Instagram

Welcome to the Real Estate Investing School podcast. In this episode, host Joe Jensen interviews Wendell Butler, founder of Hammerhead Capital, Inc. At just 30 years old, Wendell has rapidly built a real estate investment business that spans single-family flips, multifamily rentals, and syndications, including being a general partner on a 32-unit multifamily deal. Despite only going full-time into real estate within the last year, Wendell has accumulated over 40 rental units and is systemizing his fix-and-flip operation to scale up to 50 properties a year. His journey began somewhat unexpectedly, as he originally pursued a path toward becoming a physician assistant but took a one-year break from school that exposed him to entrepreneurship. That pivot led him to real estate, leveraging nine-to-five jobs like sales and lending to build valuable skills and insider knowledge before taking the full leap into investing. Throughout the conversation, Wendell emphasizes the importance of strategic networking, due diligence, and conservative underwriting—advice he credits to both his lending background and personal experiences. His first “aha moment” came from a simple live-in flip of a condo, which netted him $70,000 tax-free after a year of ownership, proving to him the power of real estate. From there, he moved into house hacking with a duplex, using VA loan benefits and creative financing through family connections. Wendell shares valuable insights on structuring partnerships, particularly how he and his partners tackled their first larger multifamily deal without the expensive and complex syndication route, instead opting for a joint LLC structure with active investor participation. He underscores the importance of not relying solely on assumptions like rezoning or subdividing when underwriting deals and focuses on building long-term relationships and reputation as the keys to continued success. Wendell’s story is an inspiring example of how consistent action, leveraging existing skills, and maintaining a learner’s mindset can accelerate growth in real estate investing. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody’s Instagram Joe's Instagram Wendell's Instagram

Welcome to the Real Estate Investing School Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to feature another investor local to Maui, Tony Franks. Introducing our special guest, Tony "Duplex" Franks, a shining example of a lifestyle investor. Using his earnings as a software engineer, Tony strategically reshaped his financial landscape by delving into real estate, attaining the sought-after status of financial freedom. Currently residing in Maui, Tony has seamlessly transitioned into a full-time volunteer role, dedicating himself to aiding those deeply affected by the Lahaina fires. Tony's venture into real estate began in 2021, amidst a market that reached unprecedented heights. Undaunted by the challenging conditions, he persevered through multiple property offers, ultimately securing a duplex despite the fiercely competitive landscape. Making a bold move, Tony proposed an offer that was $5,000 above the asking price, accompanied by a $50,000 escalator, showcasing his unwavering determination. The escalator came into play as there was another offer matching the $50,000 above asking price. Thanks to a personal connection with the seller, they ultimately accepted his offer, although not his highest bid—Tony's original offer of $5,000 above the initial asking price. Tony's tale of triumph stands as an inspiration for navigating the intricacies of the real estate market and seizing opportunities even in the face of adversity. Join us to discover more about Tony's distinctive approach and his steadfast dedication to the world of duplex investing. Having a hard time finding deals in today's market? If so, book a free strategy call with us in the link below to see how we can help you! Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody’s Instagram Joe’s Instagram Tony's Instagram

In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School Podcast, host Joe Jensen sits down with luxury realtor and seasoned investor Shane Wilde. With a track record of helping clients earn 12–20% ROI and a portfolio rooted in high-end properties across Utah, Shane shares his approach to blending entrepreneurial vision with hyper-local expertise. He opens up about how a pivotal moment as a new dad drove him to quit his 9-to-5 and go all-in on real estate. Now, with years of short-term rental and motel experience under his belt, Shane talks strategy, systems, and scaling smart—from Airbnb arbitrage to creative financing and spec home builds. The conversation goes deep into the value of saying “no” to the wrong opportunities, front-loading effort, and building SOPs to streamline success. Shane and Joe explore why real estate is the ultimate creative outlet, how investing as an agent gives you an unfair advantage, and why freedom isn’t just a result—it’s the intention behind every smart move. Whether you’re trying to scale your portfolio, optimize your systems, or find your own unfair advantage, this episode is packed with insights to help you level up. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody’s Instagram Joe's Instagram Shane's Instagram