
Hosted by Jonathan Greene · EN

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene shares a solo episode breaking down his 10 favorite books for real estate investors. Drawing from decades of experience as an investor and broker, along with insights gained through hosting the podcast, Jonathan explains how each book helped shape the way he thinks about money, investing, leverage, business building, and long-term wealth creation. Jonathan walks through a wide range of books covering topics like mindset, passive investing, syndications, wholesaling, long-distance investing, and financial psychology. Rather than focusing only on tactics, he highlights the importance of patience, discipline, and developing a long-term perspective when building a real estate business. The episode also explores how different books can impact investors at different stages of their journey. Jonathan reflects on how books like Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Wealthy Gardener, and The Hands-Off Investor influenced his own investing philosophy and helped him better understand topics like leverage, operator quality, and asset ownership. Throughout the episode, Jonathan encourages listeners to continually invest in education and build communities around learning. From creating book clubs to discussing strategies with other investors, he emphasizes that reading and ongoing learning are essential tools for long-term success in real estate investing. In this episode, you will hear: • Jonathan's top book recommendations for real estate investors at every stage • Why mindset and long-term thinking are critical for building wealth • How books like Rich Dad Poor Dad and The Hands-Off Investor shaped his investing approach • What investors should understand about leverage, syndications, and passive investing • Why reading and ongoing education can create a long-term advantage in real estate 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: Amazon Affiliate Book List - https://a.co/d/0cEtkDWN Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com Brokerage - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Instagram - www.instagream.com/zenupstate Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Email - Jonathan@trustgreene.com This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene interviews Amanda Cruise, founder of Voyage Investing, who shares how she built a business focused on manufactured housing and mobile home parks. Amanda walks through her journey from the corporate world into real estate, starting with a duplex before discovering the scalability and opportunity within mobile home investing. Amanda explains how she transitioned from small "Lonnie deals" into owning mobile home parks, highlighting why the asset class offers strong cash flow and demand due to its role in affordable housing. She also breaks down the realities of the space, including the operational complexity, management challenges, and why it's not as passive as many investors assume. The conversation explores how mobile home park investing has evolved, with increased competition from private equity and investors shifting from multifamily into the space. Amanda shares how to evaluate deals today, including the importance of understanding infrastructure, market growth, and realistic business plans rather than relying on outdated strategies or overly optimistic projections. Jonathan and Amanda also discuss the differences between active and passive investing, emphasizing that while mobile home parks can be powerful investments, they require the right operator and thorough due diligence. They highlight the risks of chasing high returns without understanding the underlying deal and why investor education is critical in today's market. In this episode, you will hear: • How Amanda Cruise got started in real estate and transitioned into mobile home parks • Why mobile home parks can generate strong cash flow but require active management • How the asset class has become more competitive with private equity entering the space • What investors need to understand about infrastructure, market selection, and deal evaluation • The difference between active and passive investing and how to choose the right approach 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 Amanda Website: https://voyageinvesting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacruisemhpinvestor/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com Brokerage - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Instagram - www.instagream.com/zenupstate Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Email - Jonathan@trustgreene.com This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene shares a solo episode focused on how to talk to your kids about real estate investing and financial literacy. Drawing from his own upbringing, he explains how early exposure to conversations about money, investing, and ownership shaped his understanding of wealth and opportunity. Jonathan reflects on how simple, everyday moments—like car rides, errands, and vacations—became opportunities to learn about real estate. He emphasizes that today's parents face more distractions competing for their kids' attention, but the same lessons can still be taught by making real estate and money an open, ongoing conversation. The episode explores why real estate is such a powerful teaching tool, given its visibility and relevance in everyday life. From understanding who owns buildings to learning about rent, mortgages, and leverage, Jonathan explains how these concepts can naturally lead into broader financial education. He also highlights the importance of teaching kids about saving, investing, and making smart financial decisions through practical experiences like allowances, bank accounts, and even collectibles. By combining real-world exposure with simple explanations, parents can help their kids build a strong foundation for financial independence. In this episode, you will hear: • Why real estate is one of the best ways to teach kids about money • How everyday activities can become opportunities for financial education • The importance of teaching saving, investing, and budgeting early • How to explain concepts like rent, mortgages, and ownership in simple terms • Why open conversations about money can give kids a long-term advantage 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 Brokerage - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Instagram - www.instagream.com/zenupstate Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Email - Jonathan@trustgreene.com This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene interviews Nico Molino, co-founder of Live in Luxury, who shares how he transitioned from tech sales into building a high-end short-term rental business. Nico explains how a unique opportunity, a renovated 110-year-old Piggly Wiggly grocery store, became the foundation for a scalable STR portfolio. Nico walks through how he identified the property's potential, redesigned it into a standout Airbnb experience, and ultimately increased revenue by converting it from two smaller units into one large, high-demand rental. He highlights how differentiation, storytelling, and amenities play a critical role in standing out in today's competitive STR market. The conversation also explores Nico's shift into mid-term rentals, where he and his team leveraged corporate housing strategies to build predictable income streams. From there, he expanded into helping investors launch short-term rentals using a data-driven approach that balances tax benefits with long-term profitability. Jonathan and Nico emphasize that short-term rentals should be treated like a true business, not passive income. They discuss the importance of strong operations, professional design, and understanding your market to maximize returns and avoid costly mistakes. In this episode, you will hear: • How Nico turned a historic Piggly Wiggly into a high-performing short-term rental • Why larger, unique properties can outperform standard rentals • The role of amenities and design in driving higher nightly rates • How mid-term rentals can provide stable, lower-maintenance income • Why short-term rentals should be treated like a business, not passive income 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 Nico Website: https://liveinluxury.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nico.molino4/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nico-molino-b5271960/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com Brokerage - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Instagram - www.instagream.com/zenupstate Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Email - Jonathan@trustgreene.com This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene interviews Julie Thomas, founder of The STR Edit and The STR Visionary, who shares how she built a successful short-term rental business starting with a $20,000 budget. Julie walks through her journey from being a teacher to becoming an experienced investor and designer, helping others create high-performing STR properties without overspending. Julie explains how her first investment in West Yellowstone came from poor guest experiences and a desire to do better. She and her husband took a hands-on approach, sourcing furniture creatively, prioritizing key amenities, and focusing on guest experience to dramatically increase revenue and reviews. The conversation also highlights the biggest misconceptions about short-term rentals, including the idea that they require massive design budgets or operate as passive income. Julie emphasizes the importance of understanding your market, knowing your guest avatar, and balancing both design and operations to create a successful property. Jonathan and Julie also discuss practical strategies like setting a strict budget, avoiding unnecessary upgrades, and learning from real guest feedback. They stress that strong operations, responsiveness, and attention to detail are just as important as aesthetics when it comes to earning five-star reviews and repeat bookings. In this episode, you will hear: How Julie Thomas got started in short-term rentals with a $20K budget Why most STRs don't require massive design budgets to succeed The biggest mistakes new investors make when getting started How to balance design and operations to improve guest experience Why knowing your market and guest avatar is critical to success 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 Julie: Website: https://www.stredit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/strvisionary/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com Brokerage - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Instagram - www.instagream.com/zenupstate Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Email - Jonathan@trustgreene.com This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene shares a solo deep dive into one of the most overlooked principles in real estate: everything is local. He explains why understanding a specific market will almost always give you a greater advantage than focusing only on an asset class. Jonathan breaks down how investors can gain an edge by studying a single market in depth, from neighborhood trends and zoning to migration patterns and local economic drivers. He emphasizes that while geographic diversification is important, each investment decision is still rooted in local knowledge that impacts pricing, demand, and opportunity. Throughout the episode, he explains how this concept applies across different asset classes, including single-family homes, multifamily, self-storage, industrial, and syndications. By understanding local data and property-level details, investors can uncover opportunities that others miss and avoid relying on generic advice. He also shares practical ways to build local expertise, including driving neighborhoods, analyzing listings daily, attending planning board meetings, and studying comparable properties. The episode reinforces that success in real estate comes from consistent focus in a specific market rather than chasing trends. In this episode, you will hear: Why understanding a local market is more valuable than focusing on an asset class How to analyze neighborhoods using real-world observations and local data Ways to identify investment opportunities through zoning, trends, and planning activity How local knowledge applies across multiple asset classes Why focusing deeply on one market leads to better investment 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. Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com Brokerage - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Instagram - www.instagream.com/zenupstate Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Email - Jonathan@trustgreene.com This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene interviews Sumner Healey, founder of Land Insights and the Land Investor Accelerator. Sumner shares how he built a land flipping business from scratch and breaks down the strategies, systems, and mindset needed to succeed in today's market. Sumner walks through his early struggles getting started, from sending handwritten letters with no results to landing his first deal for just over $1,000 and flipping it for a quick profit. He explains how that initial success created a proof of concept that led him to scale into larger deals and eventually build a full business around land investing. The conversation dives into what makes land unique compared to other real estate asset classes, including its flexibility, scalability, and the wide range of deal sizes available. Jonathan and Sumner also discuss the importance of marketing, pricing, and consistency, along with why many new investors fail due to unrealistic expectations and lack of execution. Sumner also shares how to identify strong markets, improve listings to sell faster, and think like a business owner instead of just chasing deals. He emphasizes that long-term success comes from building systems, staying consistent, and being willing to learn through repetition. In this episode, you will hear: How Sumner Healey got started and closed his first land deal Why land investing offers flexibility across deal sizes and strategies The biggest mistakes new investors make when starting out How to identify strong markets and improve listing performance Why consistency and treating it like a business are key to success 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 Sumner: Website: http://landinvestor.co/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@landinvestorco Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/sumnerhealey/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sumnerhealey/ Free Zero To Hero Course: https://landinvestor.co/zerotohero/ Free Trial To LIA: https://www.skool.com/lia/about Free Land Insights Account: https://www.landinsights.co/lite Land Insights Free Demo Call (where we will build out your first marketing list with you): https://www.landinsights.co/lite Connect with Jonathan: Website: www.streamlined.properties Website: https://www.trustgreene.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jonathangreenere Instagram: www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram: www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Zillow: www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinenj Bigger Pockets: www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene Facebook: www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email: info@streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene interviews Mike Russo, head of product innovation at Auction.com. With more than 20 years of experience spanning franchising, proptech, and distressed assets, Mike shares how his career evolved from early roles in real estate franchising to building platforms and eventually leading product innovation at the largest distressed real estate marketplace in the United States. The conversation explores how investors can navigate today's real estate landscape, particularly when it comes to distressed properties, auctions, and identifying real opportunities versus perceived deals. Mike explains how platforms like Auction.com actually work behind the scenes, including reserve pricing, auction dynamics, and why many properties cycle without selling. He also shares practical advice for new investors, emphasizing the importance of starting with lower-risk opportunities like vacant REO properties and building experience through repetition. Jonathan and Mike also discuss the realities of active investing, from flipping houses to managing rentals, and why many investors underestimate the complexity and operational demands involved. They highlight how technology can be a powerful tool for sourcing deals, but cannot replace on-the-ground knowledge, experience, and due diligence. The episode also touches on market dynamics, investor behavior, and the risks created by inexperience, FOMO, and misinformation. For investors, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how to approach distressed real estate, avoid common mistakes, and build a sustainable investing strategy over time. In this episode, you will hear: How Mike Russo transitioned from real estate franchising to leading product at Auction.com How online real estate auctions actually work, including reserves and bidding dynamics Why new investors should start with vacant REO properties instead of jumping into foreclosures The risks of inexperience, FOMO, and relying too heavily on online deal analysis Why seeing properties in person and getting real reps is critical for long-term success How to think about active vs. passive investing and the realities of managing real estate assets 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 these conversations and supports the show's growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Mike Youtube: http://youtube.com/@mikesrusso Instagram: @mike.s.russo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikerusso1/ Connect with Jonathan: Podcast - www.zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com Brokerage - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/zenrealestateinvesting Instagram- www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Instagram - www.instagream.com/zenupstate Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/trustgreene Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting Jonathan's Hub Site - www.trustgreene.com Email - Jonathan@trustgreene.com This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene breaks down why most of his recent personal real estate deals have failed, despite decades of experience and a long track record of successful transactions. In this solo episode, he walks through several real deals that fell apart and explains the mindset behind why he chose to walk away from each one. Jonathan shares how his perspective on investing has shifted as he has become more selective, emphasizing the difference between wanting a deal and actually needing one. He explains how inspections, unexpected costs, and changing assumptions often reveal risks that weren't visible at the outset, and why he is always willing to cancel a deal when the numbers or circumstances no longer make sense. The episode also explores how negotiation style, ego, and pricing influence outcomes. Jonathan reflects on moments where he may have pushed too hard, as well as deals where walking away was clearly the right decision. Through examples ranging from mixed-use commercial properties to a short-term rental impacted by a natural disaster, he highlights how external factors and new information can quickly change an investment thesis. For investors, this episode reinforces that failed deals are not mistakes but part of the process. By staying disciplined, unemotional, and willing to walk away, investors can avoid bad outcomes and focus on better opportunities. In this episode, you will hear: Why most of Jonathan's recent personal real estate deals have failed The difference between wanting a deal and actually needing one How inspections and unexpected costs can derail a transaction Why being willing to walk away is a critical investing skill How negotiation style and pricing influence deal outcomes The impact of external events on an investment thesis 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 these conversations and supports the show's growth. Connect with Jonathan: Website: www.streamlined.properties Website: https://www.trustgreene.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jonathangreenere Instagram: www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram: www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties Zillow: www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinenj Bigger Pockets: www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene Facebook: www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email: info@streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Jason Hartman, CEO of Empowered Investor and a longtime real estate investor with experience across multiple markets and thousands of transactions. Jason shares his perspective on today's housing environment, from higher interest rates to constrained inventory, and explains why these conditions require patience, discipline, and a long-term mindset. The conversation centers on how investors should think about real estate in a slower, more uncertain market cycle. Jason emphasizes that much of real estate's return is not immediately visible—what he describes as the "iceberg effect"—where appreciation and cash flow are only part of the picture, while loan paydown, tax advantages, and inflation-driven debt reduction happen quietly over time. He also highlights how market conditions, including limited supply and a growing pool of sidelined buyers, could create future pressure on prices when rates eventually decline. Jonathan and Jason also explore the importance of execution over information. While many investors spend time consuming content and analyzing deals, Jason reinforces that real learning comes from action. They discuss how real estate remains an "imperfect market," where investors can create value, adjust strategies, and improve outcomes over time—unlike more passive asset classes. The discussion also touches on the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, understanding local markets, and focusing on consistent, repeatable decisions rather than chasing quick wins. For investors, this episode is a reminder that success in real estate is built through consistency, not timing. Staying active in the market, even during slower periods, allows you to benefit from long-term trends, build experience, and position yourself ahead of future cycles when competition increases. In this episode, you will hear: Why much of real estate's return comes from factors investors don't immediately see How inflation and long-term debt can work in favor of property owners Why waiting for perfect timing often leads to more competition and higher prices The difference between learning about real estate and actually doing it How supply constraints and sidelined buyers could impact future pricing Why consistency and execution matter more than chasing short-term wins 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 these conversations and supports the show's growth. Supporting Resources Connect with Jason Hartman: Website: https://www.jasonhartman.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonHartmanEmpoweredInvestor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.hartman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonhartman1/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhartmaninvestor/ Twitter: https://x.com/JasonHartmanROI Connect with Jonathan: Website: www.streamlined.properties Website: https://www.trustgreene.com/ You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/jonathangreenere Instagram: www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram: www.instag.ram.com/streamlinedproperties Zillow: www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinenj Bigger Pockets: www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene Facebook: www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email: into@streamlined.properties This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.