Podcast Summary: Right About Now – “How to Build Wealth in Real Estate with OPM”

Host: Ryan Alford (Radcast Network)
Guest: Justin Brennan (CEO, Brennpol Capital Group)
Date: September 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the fundamentals of building generational wealth through real estate investment, particularly the strategic use of OPM—Other People’s Money. Host Ryan Alford and seasoned real estate investor Justin Brennan unpack Justin’s journey, discuss critical financial lessons, and lay out actionable steps for anyone looking to break into multifamily properties. The conversation also touches on mindset shifts, tax strategies, giving back, and practical methods for finding deals even with little capital.

1. Justin Brennan’s Real Estate Origin Story

[02:16–04:05]

• Multigenerational Background:
  Justin’s family legacy in San Diego real estate began with his grandmother, who self-managed apartments into her 90s.
• Lessons from Hardship:
  His father, an archetype of the “zero-to-hero” transitional figure, built and lost a large construction business through several cycles—culminating in bankruptcy during the 2008 financial crisis.
  • Memorable quote: "He took it zero to hero basically... went through four market cycles, made it through all of them except the financial crisis of 2008 and that took him down. And I watched that happen." — Justin Brennan [03:26]
• Justin’s Pivot:
  Inspired to avoid “riding the roller coaster” of building-and-flipping, Justin focused on the more stable world of apartment rentals.

2. The Power of Scaling with OPM

[04:11–05:32 & 16:48–20:00]

• Humble Beginnings:
  Started with a single $100K condo post-financial crisis, then expanded to a duplex, fourplex, and eventually 20 units—all self-funded.
  • Justin: “We were trying to do it all with our own money. And that's just the biggest mistake ever.” [04:25]
• A Game-Changer:
  Discovering syndication and leveraging OPM in 2018, Justin scaled to 1,000+ units and ~$200 million in assets in three years.
• The Value of Deal-Finding:
  • “Finding great deals is 90% of the battle. And then it's a matter of just knowing how to run them and put them together.” — Justin Brennan [20:02]
  • Sweat equity (knowledge, hustle) is as valuable as check equity (cash).

Deal Example & Mindset:

• “Our first deal I had zero dollars in it... If you can go find great deals, put them together, structure them, manage them, run the show, you become extremely valuable to someone with money.”
  [16:48–18:50]

3. Real Estate, Cashflow, and the Movement of Money

[05:55–09:53]

• Money Management:
  • “It's not about what you make, it's about what you keep.” — Justin Brennan [05:57]
• Tax Strategy:
  Multifamily apartments offer significant “bonus depreciation”—potentially eliminating taxes for high earners.
• Capitalism Clarified:
  The IRS rewards those who move money, because movement drives jobs, opportunity, and tax revenue.
  • “More movement of money creates more revenue that comes into them. That's it.” — Justin Brennan [09:26]
• Ryan’s Experience:
  Moving money, not just earning and saving, is vital:
  • “I kept $3 million moving in the business. Money coming in, money going out. I make money with money that's sitting there in the short term...” — Ryan Alford [07:48]

4. Social Impact and Giving Back

[10:02–12:46]

• "Seven Mountains":
  The responsibility to give back is a central motivator for Justin.
  • Major causes:
    1. Tunnels to Towers – Paying off mortgages for fallen first responders’ families
    2. SEAL Future Foundation – Helping Navy SEALs transition to civilian life
    3. Support for Disadvantaged Kids – Creating belief and opportunity for youth
• Abundance to Give Podcast:
  Inspired by Mr. Beast, Justin’s podcast focuses on using business success to fuel charitable giving.

5. Creating Community and Opportunities in Real Estate

[13:27–15:22]

• Breaking Stagnation:
  Many aspiring investors get stuck due to mindset or fear of lack of capital.
• Building Community:
  Justin’s focus is not on selling courses but creating a network of “well-trained investors... putting them together, co-partnering on deals.”
  • “Everybody's getting rich and wealthy. Well, good. Now you can actually take that money and wealth and go give back after causes you care about.” — Justin Brennan [14:45]

6. Mindset, Money, and Freedom

[15:34–16:10]

• Money Equals Choices:
  • “If I have a million dollars and you have $1, I can do everything you can do. But then I have a million more choices. That's how my mind works around the money game.” — Justin Brennan [15:42]
• Money as an Enabler:
  Money isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s a tool for creating opportunity, freedom, and impact.

7. Practical Steps for New Investors

[16:23–20:00]

• You Don’t Need Capital to Start:
  Sweat equity allows go-getters to partner with those who have money—deal-finding, management, and operations are highly valued.
• Partnering Strategies:
  • “Being a great deal finder is 80% of the battle right there... We partner with people all the time. We bring them into the co-partnership.” — Justin Brennan [19:25]
  • Emphasizes community, collaboration, and learning by doing.

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:25 | Justin Brennan | “We were trying to do it all with our own money. And that's just the biggest mistake ever.” | | 05:57 | Justin Brennan | “The whole name of the game is to jump from that into either a business owner or into an investor role.” | | 09:26 | Justin Brennan | “It’s not because the IRS loves Us. Trust me. It’s not because they’re your friend. They just understand more movement of money creates more revenue.” | | 15:42 | Justin Brennan | “Money, in my mind, is choices. I can go help more people, I can do more things, I can give back...” | | 16:49 | Justin Brennan | “You don't need to have a single dime to own rental income property. You just need to have a friend who has the money...” | | 20:02 | Justin Brennan | “If you have access to quote unquote capital, that capital doesn't need to commit. They just need to say, dude, go find a great deal and we'll commit.” |

9. Actionable Takeaways

• Leverage OPM: Partner with others—bring deals, management, or operational skill if you lack capital.
• Prioritize Learning: Educate yourself on deal underwriting, syndication, and building relationships.
• Join or Build a Network: Community is key—collaborate with like-minded investors.
• Money Movement Matters: Focus on how cash flows, not just profits—this creates opportunities and tax advantages.
• Align Business with Purpose: Use your success to create meaningful impact, whether supporting charities or building generational wealth.

10. Where to Find More

• Justin Brennan
  • Instagram: @officialjustinbrennan
  • Long-form investing content: YouTube (search “Justin Brennan”)
• Host/Show Links
  • RyanIsRight.com for episode links and more.

This summary cuts through the fluff—focusing on the real insights and mindset shifts needed to create wealth in real estate using other people’s money, while weaving in authentic motivation to use that wealth for good.