Podcast
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
Hosted by Jonathan Greene · EN
What if you could learn from experienced real estate investors, find out what got them to where they are now, get insight into their daily habits, and take these insights to inspire your own growth? That's what each episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing brings. Hosted by Jonathan Greene, a real estate investor for more than 30 years, as well as advisor and coach, the founder of Streamlined Properties and the Team Leader of Streamlined Properties, brokered by Real, every episode is an in-depth look at the mindful approach to real estate investing. If you are looking to start from scratch, get to the next level, or just for a straightforward and honest approach to real estate investing, Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing is the free mentorship program you can take with you anywhere.
57episodes
Episodes
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362: Why the Patient Investor Always Wins with Stewart Heath
6d ago00:51:34Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Stewart Heath, founder and CEO of Harvard Grace Capital, to discuss why patience remains one of the greatest competitive advantages in real estate investing. A CPA by background, Stewart shares how years of working with successful real estate investors eventually convinced him that owning real estate offered far greater wealth-building opportunities than simply advising those who did. He also reflects on the lessons he learned from both successful investments and costly mistakes, including the importance of maintaining cash reserves and avoiding excessive leverage. Stewart explains why his firm focuses on acquiring stabilized commercial properties throughout the I-65 corridor between Nashville and Birmingham rather than chasing opportunities across the country. Instead of concentrating on a single asset class, Harvard Grace evaluates office, retail, medical office, industrial, and self-storage opportunities within markets the team knows exceptionally well. Stewart argues that understanding a local market often provides a greater advantage than specializing in one specific property type, especially when evaluating tenant quality, neighborhood trends, and long-term demand. Jonathan and Stewart also explore the realities of passive investing through commercial real estate syndications. Stewart shares why he prioritizes steady cash flow over flashy returns, why he prefers stabilized assets instead of value-add projects, and how thoughtful underwriting helps reduce risk for investors. They discuss the importance of asking questions before investing, understanding the sponsor's experience, and recognizing that successful syndications require patience rather than expecting immediate liquidity. The conversation also examines how different commercial asset classes are evolving in today's market. Stewart explains why he remains optimistic about suburban office and medical office properties despite negative headlines surrounding office space, and why local market conditions matter far more than national narratives. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes that successful investing comes from buying well, managing risk carefully, and allowing time to do the heavy lifting. Whether you're actively investing in commercial real estate or considering your first passive investment, Stewart offers a practical framework built on discipline, patience, and long-term thinking. In this episode, you will hear: • Why buying well, maintaining reserves, and exercising patience create long-term real estate success • How focusing on one geographic market can provide a competitive advantage across multiple asset classes • Why stabilized commercial properties fit Stewart's strategy better than value-add investments • What passive investors should look for when evaluating a syndication sponsor and investment opportunity • Why local market fundamentals matter far more than national real estate headlines Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Stewart: Website - www.harvardgrace.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ChooseHarvardGrace Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/harvardgrace Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chooseharvardgrace/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartoheath/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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361: How Smarter Financing Leads to Better Real Estate Deals with Aaron Marsh
1w ago00:55:59Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene welcomes Aaron Marsh, President of Marsh Lending, for a conversation about how financing decisions can shape an investor's long-term success just as much as choosing the right property. Drawing from his background in finance and a lifelong connection to real estate, Aaron explains why lending is about much more than interest rates. He shares how understanding an investor's goals, timeline, and overall strategy allows lenders to recommend financing solutions that support wealth building instead of simply closing a loan. Aaron breaks down the wide range of financing options available to today's investors, including DSCR loans, bank statement loans, adjustable-rate mortgages, and construction financing. Rather than promoting one product over another, he explains why every loan should fit the specific investment plan. The conversation explores how experienced investors think about leverage, cash reserves, refinancing opportunities, and balancing short-term affordability with long-term financial growth. Jonathan and Aaron also discuss several common misconceptions surrounding real estate financing. Aaron explains why waiting for lower interest rates often causes investors to miss valuable opportunities and why paying cash is not always the most effective use of capital. They also examine the importance of working with professionals who understand an investor's complete financial picture instead of simply offering the lowest advertised rate. Throughout the discussion, Aaron emphasizes that financing should always serve the investment strategy instead of dictating it. The conversation also explores how technology continues to change the lending industry while reinforcing the value of trusted relationships. Aaron shares his thoughts on artificial intelligence, explaining that while it can improve efficiency and research, it cannot replace the experience, judgment, and personal guidance that come from working with knowledgeable professionals. Whether purchasing a first rental property or expanding a seasoned portfolio, Aaron encourages investors to build a strong team and make financing decisions with the same level of care they use when evaluating a deal. In this episode, you will hear: • Why financing strategy plays a critical role in long-term real estate investing success • How DSCR loans, bank statement loans, and other lending options serve different investment goals • Why waiting for lower interest rates can cost investors more than acting today • The importance of building a trusted team of lending and real estate professionals • How technology and artificial intelligence can improve investing while experienced advisors remain essential Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Aaron: Website - marshlending.com YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MarshLending/featured Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marshlending Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marshlending/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-marsh1/ X - https://x.com/MarshLending Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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360: How Smart Landlords Are Using Technology to Keep Better Tenants with Ryan Barone
2w ago00:54:55Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Ryan Barone, founder and CEO of RentRedi, to explore how technology is reshaping the relationship between landlords and tenants, and why making renting easier doesn't mean making it less human. Ryan shares the unlikely origin story behind building one of the fastest-growing rental management platforms, beginning not with landlords, but with his own frustrating experience trying to rent an apartment while in college and working in New York City. What started as a personal project to simplify rental applications quickly evolved after Ryan realized landlords were struggling just as much as tenants. Instead of finding modern tools built for independent property owners, he discovered landlords relying on spreadsheets, manual processes, and disconnected systems to manage their properties. That insight led Ryan and his co-founder, his father, to begin building software directly alongside users, speaking with landlords and tenants personally and turning real-world frustrations into platform features. Jonathan and Ryan dive into what independent landlords actually need to succeed today and why good systems can strengthen relationships instead of replacing them. They discuss tenant screening, communication, maintenance workflows, automated rent collection, and how technology can remove friction while still preserving flexibility and empathy. Ryan explains why platforms work best when they create better outcomes for both sides of the rental relationship, and why landlords and tenants often want the same things more than people assume. The conversation also explores how data and automation are changing real estate operations, from helping landlords identify inefficiencies to reducing unnecessary expenses instead of simply raising rents. Ryan shares how tools like credit reporting, smarter screening, financial tracking, and maintenance analytics are helping independent investors scale more effectively while creating better tenant experiences. Throughout the episode, both Ryan and Jonathan make the case that successful landlording isn't about becoming more transactional; it's about building systems that allow people to operate more consistently and thoughtfully. Ultimately, this episode is about using technology to remove friction, not relationships. Whether you're managing your first rental property, growing a portfolio, or trying to create a better experience for tenants, Ryan's perspective offers a reminder that the best tools aren't replacing people; they're helping people do what they already do better. In this episode, you will hear: • How Ryan's own rental experience inspired the creation of RentRedi • Why independent landlords need different tools than large property managers • How better systems improve landlord-tenant relationships • Ways automation and data can increase profitability without raising rents • Why successful property management still depends on human connection Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Ryan: Website - RentRedi.com Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@RentRedi Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rentredi/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rentrediofficial/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/rentredi TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rentredi Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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359: Why Long-Term Real Estate Investors Should Ignore the News with Kathy Fettke
2w ago00:51:44Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene welcomes back Kathy Fettke to explore what long-term investors should really be paying attention to in today's market, and why so much of the noise surrounding interest rates, headlines, and economic uncertainty distracts investors from what actually creates wealth. Kathy, co-founder of Real Wealth and one of real estate investing's longest-running voices, shares how she's thinking about opportunity in 2026 and where she sees investors making both smart moves and avoidable mistakes. The conversation opens with the current market environment and why Kathy believes many investors are becoming too focused on waiting for the "perfect" conditions instead of understanding fundamentals. While inflation, global uncertainty, and shifting interest rates dominate headlines, Kathy explains that successful real estate investing has always been about positioning yourself in front of long-term growth, not predicting short-term market movements. She argues that job growth, population growth, infrastructure investment, and affordability continue to matter far more than day-to-day news cycles. Jonathan and Kathy also dive deep into out-of-state investing and why technology has made investing remotely easier, but not necessarily safer. Kathy shares lessons from decades of helping investors build portfolios across the country, emphasizing the importance of understanding local markets, establishing strong property management relationships, and physically visiting markets whenever possible. They discuss common mistakes investors make when buying remotely and why local knowledge still creates a massive advantage. The episode also explores emerging opportunities across asset classes, including multifamily, mid-term rentals, office recovery, and senior housing. Kathy explains why periods of disruption often create some of the best buying opportunities and why investors should be careful not to mistake temporary market conditions for permanent changes. Throughout the conversation, she returns to a consistent message: investors who focus on quality assets, long-term demand, and patient execution tend to outperform those chasing trends or trying to time the market. Ultimately, this episode is a reminder that building wealth doesn't require predicting the future; it requires understanding fundamentals, staying disciplined, and taking action when opportunities appear. Whether you're buying your first rental property or growing an existing portfolio, Kathy's perspective offers a practical framework for navigating changing markets while keeping your long-term goals in focus. In this episode, you will hear: • Why long-term investors should focus on fundamentals instead of headlines • How job growth, infrastructure, and population shifts drive market selection • What investors should know before buying out-of-state real estate • Why property management often matters more than the property itself • Emerging opportunities in multifamily, midterm rentals, office recovery, and senior housing Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Kathy: Website - https://kathyfettke.com/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/realwealthnetwork Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RealWealthNetwork/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kathyfettke/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyfettke/ X - https://twitter.com/realwealthnet Real Wealth - https://realwealth.com/ Real Wealth Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/realwealthnetwork/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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358: How to Build a Passive Investing Strategy That Actually Fits Your Life with Whitney Elkins-Hutten
3w ago00:55:07Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene welcomes back Whitney Elkins-Hutten to explore one of the most overlooked, but most important, concepts in building long-term wealth: creating an investor thesis. Whitney, Director of Investor Education at PassiveInvesting.com and founder of Ash Wealth, shares how investors can stop collecting random deals and start building portfolios that actually align with how they want to live their lives. Whitney explains that an investor thesis is essentially a set of decisions made before ever evaluating a deal. Rather than reacting emotionally to opportunities, investors can define their goals, timeline, risk capacity, preferred asset classes, geographic exposure, liquidity needs, and lifestyle objectives ahead of time. The result is a portfolio designed intentionally rather than assembled accidentally. The conversation dives into why passive investing has become increasingly attractive for busy professionals and experienced investors alike. Whitney and Jonathan discuss the difference between serving your portfolio versus having your portfolio serve your life, and why many high-income earners may benefit from leveraging experienced operators instead of building active real estate businesses from scratch. Whitney also breaks down the growing role of debt funds in modern portfolios, explaining how they differ from equity investments and why they can create stability during uncertain market cycles. She shares practical due diligence questions investors should ask, how liquidity really works in passive investments, and why understanding risk capacity, not just risk tolerance, can dramatically improve decision-making. Throughout the conversation, Whitney emphasizes the importance of maintaining reserves, reviewing portfolio allocation regularly, and conducting postmortems not only on investments that fail, but also on the ones that succeed. The episode offers a thoughtful framework for building wealth intentionally while maintaining flexibility through changing market conditions. In this episode, you will hear: • What an investor thesis is and why every investor should create one before evaluating deals • How passive investing can support lifestyle goals and long-term wealth creation • Why diversification should extend across operators, strategies, timelines, and capital structures • The role debt funds can play in balancing cash flow and portfolio flexibility • How understanding risk capacity can improve investment decisions • Why successful investors review both winning and losing investments to refine their strategy Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Whitney: Website - PassiveInvestingWithWhitney.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyHuttenInvesting Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whitneyhutten/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyelkinshutten/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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357: Why Non-Performing Notes Are the Most Misunderstood Asset in Real Estate with Scott Carson
3w ago00:52:04Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Scott Carson, known throughout the industry as "The Note Guy", to explore one of real estate's most misunderstood investment strategies: non-performing notes. Scott shares how his own experience with overleveraging into rental properties and facing financial hardship became the foundation for building a business around distressed debt, helping homeowners stay in their homes while creating profitable opportunities for investors. Scott explains what note investing actually is and why so many people misunderstand the asset class. Instead of owning and managing property directly, note investors purchase the debt secured by real estate, often at a discount, and step into the lender's position. That opens the door to restructuring loans, modifying payments, negotiating exits, and in many cases keeping borrowers in their homes while generating strong returns. The conversation dives into where note investors fit in the foreclosure process and how they work with distressed homeowners. Scott walks through how lenders decide to sell non-performing loans, why flexibility matters once notes are acquired, and how loan modifications can create better outcomes for everyone involved, including homeowners, neighborhoods, and investors. Jonathan and Scott also discuss the realities of foreclosure, borrower psychology, and why empathy and business discipline both matter when navigating financial hardship. Scott also shares practical advice for investors interested in entering the note space, including where to find opportunities, how to think about evaluating deals, and why building relationships matters more than chasing flashy opportunities online. They explore why many investors migrate into notes after difficult experiences with other real estate strategies and how note investing can offer a more scalable and operationally efficient approach for those willing to learn the process. In this episode, you will hear: • How Scott's experience facing foreclosure led him into note investing • Why buying debt creates different opportunities than buying real estate directly • How loan modifications can help homeowners while improving investor returns • Where investors can find note opportunities and build relationships with lenders • Why successful note investing requires process, patience, and long-term thinking Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Scott: Website - http://WeCloseNotes.com Youtube - http://WeCloseNotes.tv Facebook - http://Facebook.com/1scottcarson Instagram - http://instagram.com/1scottcarson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/1scottcarson/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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356: How to Prepare Your Real Estate Portfolio for What's Coming by 2030 with Lauren Saidel-Baker
4w ago00:55:28Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene welcomes back Lauren Saidel-Baker, economist at ITR Economics, for a wide-ranging conversation about where the economy stands today and how investors should think about the years ahead. Returning after her earlier appearance discussing unbiased and apolitical forecasting, Lauren brings an updated perspective on inflation, interest rates, real estate, AI, demographic shifts, and why long-term planning matters more than reacting to headlines. Lauren explains how economists approach uncertainty by relying on historical precedent instead of daily news cycles. While current events—from geopolitical conflict to inflation concerns—create volatility and attention-grabbing narratives, she shares why forecasting requires stepping back and focusing on long-term indicators rather than constant reactions. The conversation explores how factors like energy prices, wage pressure, consumer sentiment, and affordability continue shaping the economy even when individual headlines dominate public attention. Jonathan and Lauren also dive into what these trends mean specifically for real estate investors. They discuss why housing affordability remains strained, how builders may still be creating the wrong types of homes for today's buyers, and why demographic and migration trends matter more than broad national narratives. Lauren explains how investors should think about interest rates, local market dynamics, and positioning themselves for long-term opportunity instead of waiting for perfect market conditions. The episode also revisits one of Lauren's most discussed forecasts: the economic challenges projected around 2030. She outlines why demographic shifts, government spending obligations, and debt pressures remain central themes in ITR's long-term outlook and explains why preparation—not fear—is the right response. Rather than viewing downturns as disasters, Lauren emphasizes that periods of disruption often create extraordinary opportunities for investors who remain disciplined, stay informed, and maintain flexibility in their financial decisions. In this episode, you will hear: • Why economists rely on historical precedent instead of reacting to daily headlines • How inflation, energy prices, and interest rates continue shaping real estate markets • Why affordability challenges and migration trends are changing housing demand • What investors should understand about AI, productivity, and long-term economic growth • Why Lauren continues to emphasize planning ahead for the economic shifts expected around 2030 Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Lauren: Website - https://itreconomics.com/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ITREconomics Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/itreconomics LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-saidel-baker/ Other Resources - https://hubs.la/Q04kKs-k0 Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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355: Why You Need To Stop Using Real Estate Spreadsheets as a Crutch
Jun 1500:29:26Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene shares a solo episode challenging one of the most common habits in modern real estate investing: relying too heavily on spreadsheets to make decisions. Despite openly admitting that he loves spreadsheets and uses them extensively across his businesses and daily life, Jonathan explains why investors can get themselves into trouble when spreadsheets stop being tools and start becoming substitutes for judgment, experience, and real-world investing skills. Jonathan breaks down how spreadsheets can create a false sense of certainty by allowing investors to manipulate assumptions until a deal appears to work. From adjusting vacancy rates and repair budgets to stretching future projections and return expectations, he explains how easy it becomes to convince yourself that a deal is better — or worse — than reality. Rather than treating spreadsheets as predictive machines, Jonathan encourages investors to view them as rough frameworks that must be validated through due diligence, property visits, market knowledge, and practical experience. The episode also explores the limitations of spreadsheets when evaluating the parts of investing that can't easily be measured. Jonathan discusses why factors like geography, neighborhood quality, tenant selection, management ability, deferred maintenance, traffic patterns, layout issues, and even intuition often matter more than perfectly modeled returns. He explains why many investors become trapped in what they call "analysis paralysis," when in reality they may simply lack enough real-world reps and confidence to make decisions. Throughout the episode, Jonathan emphasizes that successful investing requires balancing data with action. He shares why experience sharpens judgment over time and why some of the most important investing decisions happen outside of formulas and projections. Ultimately, this episode serves as a reminder that spreadsheets should support decision-making — not replace observation, instinct, and the ability to adapt when reality inevitably differs from the model. In this episode, you will hear: • Why spreadsheets should be used as tools rather than substitutes for investing judgment • How changing assumptions can make almost any deal appear to work on paper • Why viewing properties and validating assumptions matters more than projections • The investing risks spreadsheets cannot account for, including people, geography, and operations • How overreliance on spreadsheets contributes to analysis paralysis and slows decision-making Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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354: Why Personal Alignment is the Key To Real Estate Success with Alyssa Holbrook
Jun 1101:01:19Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene welcomes back Alyssa Holbrook for her fourth appearance on the show to explore what it means to evolve your identity as an investor, lean into bigger opportunities, and build a business around what actually energizes you. Alyssa shares why she no longer primarily identifies as a coach and instead leads with being a developer — not because she stopped helping people, but because building projects and creating at scale became the clearest expression of who she is. The conversation centers around Alyssa's newest and biggest development project yet — a luxury residential development with an estimated total value between $10 and $14 million. She opens up about navigating risk, moving through fear, evaluating partnership structures, and trusting her intuition after years of saying no to deals that weren't aligned. Rather than chasing certainty, she explains how gathering enough information and then making decisive moves has become her framework for growth. Jonathan and Alyssa also unpack themes of agency, mentorship, and why bigger opportunities often require becoming a different version of yourself. They discuss why many investors get stuck in passive learning, how powerful decisions create momentum, and why building wealth should never come at the expense of fulfillment. Alyssa reflects on balancing ambition with ease, prioritizing relationships over money, and creating a life where growth happens intentionally instead of through crisis. Ultimately, this episode is about redefining success — not as accumulating more properties or income, but as staying in motion, trusting your own judgment, and building a life that reflects your values. Whether you're making your first investment or stepping into a larger arena, Alyssa's perspective offers a reminder that growth often starts with saying yes before you feel fully ready. In this episode, you will hear: • Why Alyssa shifted her identity from coach to developer • How to evaluate bigger opportunities without waiting for certainty • The role intuition plays alongside logic and due diligence • Why partnerships don't always reduce risk the way investors expect • How powerful decisions create momentum and long-term growth • Why staying in action matters more than waiting for perfect deals • How coaching, mentorship, and self-awareness accelerate success • Why fulfillment and alignment should drive business decisions Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Alyssa: Website - https://alyssaholbrook.as.me/consultcall Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alyssaholbrookcoach LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-holbrook-a190072a/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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353: How To Survive and Thrive as a Real Estate Developer with John McNellis
Jun 800:55:12Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene interviews John McNellis, a longtime developer, investor, writer, lecturer, and principal at McNellis Partners, as well as the author of Making It in Real Estate: Thriving as a Developer. Drawing from decades of experience in development and commercial real estate, John shares how he unexpectedly transitioned from practicing law into real estate and built a career developing shopping centers and navigating changing market cycles. John explains how his legal background gave him an early advantage by exposing him to larger deals, partnerships, financing structures, and the people behind major real estate projects. He reflects on starting with small residential investments before moving into industrial and eventually finding his niche in retail development. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes that investors often overcomplicate deal analysis and argues that great opportunities should still make sense with simple back-of-the-napkin math rather than relying entirely on projections and complex models. The conversation also explores what makes retail real estate work and why location still matters more than ever. John shares insights into shopping center development, tenant relationships, traffic patterns, anchor tenants, and why concepts like "right in, right out" continue to influence successful projects. He explains how retailers think about demographics, parking, visibility, and customer behavior — and why understanding these details separates experienced operators from investors chasing surface-level opportunities. Jonathan and John also discuss why retail has proven more resilient than many predicted despite years of headlines claiming e-commerce would replace physical stores. John shares how successful retail operators adapted by combining physical locations with online fulfillment and explains why neighborhood shopping centers continue to perform well. Ultimately, the episode highlights that great real estate investing still comes down to relationships, understanding human behavior, and staying focused on fundamentals over trends. In this episode, you will hear: • How John McNellis transitioned from law into real estate development • Why simple underwriting often beats complicated financial models • What makes shopping centers succeed or fail over time • How traffic patterns, anchor tenants, and demographics drive retail performance • Why retail real estate continues to evolve rather than disappear • How experienced developers evaluate opportunities and avoid common mistakes • Why local knowledge and relationships create long-term investing advantages Follow and Review If you enjoy the show, please follow Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing on Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review. It helps other listeners discover the show and supports its continued growth. Supporting Resources Connect with John McNellis Website - https://www.johnmcnellis.com/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@JohnMcNellis-CRE LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mcnellis-b6a1674/ Connect with Jonathan Greene: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com YouTube - www.youtube.com/JonathanGreenere Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Brokerage - https://www.streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.
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