Tag: Episodes

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we are back with Part 2 of our Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) series, and this time we’re talking about REIT risks, real-world considerations, and how to actually use REITs inside your investing strategy. In Part 1, we covered what REITs are and why they can be a powerful income and diversification tool. In this follow-up, we dig into interest-rate sensitivity, stock-market volatility, sector-specific risk (like office and retail), and the fee and transparency differences between public, non-traded, and private REITs.

We also get tactical about portfolio allocation, how new investors can “learn from REITs” before buying their own doors, and how to think through equity REITs versus mortgage REITs based on your risk tolerance and stage of life. Finally, we touch on tax advantages, using REITs inside retirement accounts, scrutinizing fees and redemption rules on private REITs, and building a long-term nest egg without getting over your skis. 

If you’ve ever wondered not just what a REIT is, but how much to put into them and what can go wrong, this episode will help you build a more informed, balanced REIT strategy.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:07 Market volatility and the double-edged sword of liquidity

02:08 When rents drop and markets underperform

03:13 Sector risk and leverage: retail, office, and COVID lessons

04:06 Why real estate is about playing the long game

05:05 Portfolio allocation: how much in REITs?

06:26 Asset selection: equity vs mortgage vs hybrid REITs

07:12 Diversifying across sectors, not just deals

08:21 Choosing between equity and mortgage REITs

09:41 Learning to read the current environment

10:20 Wrapping up REITs 101 in the alternative funding series

Quotables

“Sometimes if you only hear one side of the story, you can think something’s great, there’s no pitfalls, there’s no reason to be concerned.”

“With public REITs, they’re going to fluctuate with equities. Unlike steady rental income from a physical property, that market volatility is always going to be prevalent.”

“You don’t want to get burned too early on in your career, something that’s going to scare you out of the marketplace forever.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Suzanne and I kick off a new mini-series on alternative funding sources by breaking down one of the most common — and most misunderstood — tools out there: Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs. We walk through what a REIT actually is, why they exploded after the 2008 mortgage crisis, and how they’ve shaped the single-family rental space over the last decade.

We cover the different types of REITs (equity, mortgage, and hybrid), the difference between public, non-traded, and private REITs, and what that means for access, liquidity, and risk depending on where you are in your investing journey. We also dig into the real advantages for real estate investors: consistent dividend income, daily liquidity compared to traditional property sales, built-in diversification across markets and asset classes, professional management, and powerful tax treatment — including holding REITs inside IRAs and 401(k)s. 

If you’ve been curious how REITs fit into a real estate investor’s portfolio (instead of just a Wall Street portfolio), this Part 1 episode will give you a clear framework to decide if they belong in your strategy.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:38 What is a REIT?

02:30 Publicly traded REITs and current market challenges

03:20 Types of REITs: Equity, mortgage, and hybrid

04:00 Public vs. Non-traded/private REITs

05:06 Consistent income stream from REITs

06:02 How REITs provide more liquidity for investors

06:50 Diversification of portfolio

07:34 Professional portfolio management

08:21 REIT tax structure benefits for investors

08:54 Holding in retirement accounts

Quotables

“A company that owns, operates or finances income producing real estate. They’re required to distribute at least 90% of the taxable income to their investors or their shareholders.”

“Well, the publicly traded REIT’s probably going to give you the ease of entry in that. That’s like buying a stock. No different than that.”

“It’s a great way for you to enter a different way of investing in real estate.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we continue our deep dive on laws and regulations that every real estate investor needs to understand. In Part 1, we focused on what to know before you buy. In this Part 2, we move into post-purchase responsibilities: landlord–tenant laws, disclosures, security deposits, habitability standards, fair housing, pets and service animals, ongoing compliance, taxes, and insurance.

We unpack why your lease can’t waive tenant rights, why you must disclose things like lead-based paint, how security deposits are supposed to be held and returned, and what “habitable” really means when it comes to heat, hot water, alarms, and repairs. We also dig into entry-notice rules, the Federal Fair Housing Act, how to handle pets and service animals without getting yourself in trouble, and why compliance is not a one-time box to check but an ongoing part of your job as an investor. 

If you want to keep your assets protected, avoid nasty surprises, and build a reputation as a pro in your market, this episode will give you a practical framework to stay on the right side of the law after you own the property.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:33 Landlord–tenant laws and base-level lease requirements

01:03 Lead-based paint disclosure and due diligence

02:13 Security deposits: how much, where, and when

03:20 Habitability and required repairs

04:17 Hot-water safety and plumbing examples

05:10 Entry-notice requirements for landlords

06:02 Fair housing and anti-discrimination basics

07:40 Compliance reminders for investors

08:37 Service animals, pets, and insurance

09:01 Staying compliant is an ongoing job

10:44 Property taxes, assessments, and penalties on rentals

11:30 Insurance and liability coverage for investors

Quotables

“Leases can’t waive tenant rights, and they must disclose lead-based paint if pre-1978.”

“You can’t just come in and do check-ups just because you want to. You really need to reach out to the tenant ahead of time, and it has to be for something that you want to check on the property.”

“The thing about compliance, understanding laws and regulations, is it’s something that’s ongoing. It’s a fluid situation.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we wrap up our “Understanding the Investor Mindset” series by digging into one of the least sexy but most important topics in real estate: laws and regulations. Before you buy another rental, flip, or multifamily property, you need to know exactly what local zoning, building codes, permits, licensing rules, and environmental issues you’re stepping into.

We talk through why every real estate investor should treat the local code officer as a partner, not an enemy, and how skipping basic due diligence can lead to fines, profit loss, or even losing the property altogether. We cover zoning and land use, HOA restrictions, environmental hazards like septic and well water, building and safety codes, permits for multifamily and commercial projects, and licensing requirements for property managers and contractors. 

If you want to protect your portfolio, sleep at night, and avoid learning the hard (and expensive) way, this “laws and regulations” episode will give you a practical checklist to work from before you ever let a tenant set foot in your property.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Town-by-town zoning differences

02:10 Code officers are friends, not foes

03:30 Contracts, contingencies, and written agreements

04:02 Title companies, liens, and boundary issues

05:09 HOAs and condo rules as first-position roadblocks

05:39 Environmental hazards and health risks

06:31 Regular inspections and monitoring occupancy

07:55 Educating tenants for peace of mind

08:28 Building and safety codes at state and local levels

09:15 End-to-end solutions and tenant exit laws

09:52 Local permits and multifamily projects

10:19 Ask questions until you’re “blue in the face”

11:10 Permits, inspections, and following the process all the way through

12:25 Licensed contractors, insurance, and OSHA compliance

13:01 Property management licensing

14:02 Security deposits, escrow accounts, and interest

Quotables

“Failure to perform this due diligence ahead of time can really lead to fines, substantial fines, profit loss and really sink your portfolio.”

“You should not consider your code officer a foe. They are your friend. They know the nuance of every asset in that town.”

“There’s so many questions to ask and things to learn, and an investor that’s an expert in this kind of thing is an investor that’s going to be extremely successful.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we pick up Part 2 of our “Hitting Reset on a Property” series and go past basic cleaning into what really separates a forgettable rental from a must-have home. We break down the repairs and touch-ups you cannot ignore, how to choose materials that are easy to maintain across multiple rentals, and why hiding flaws will always cost you more in reviews, referrals, and ROI.

We also talk about bringing in trusted pros to inspect plumbing and electrical, using smart-home tech for early-warning alerts, and simple wow-factor upgrades like lighting, fixtures, backsplashes, and welcome gifts that make tenants feel like they “have to live here.” Finally, we walk through the final inspection process, photos, safety checks, and smart-home handoff so you can protect yourself, protect the asset, and erase “vacancy” from your investor vocabulary. 

If you own rentals or manage properties for other investors, this episode gives you an A-to-Z turnover checklist that turns move-outs into opportunity.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Durable, easy-to-clean flooring and carpet choices

02:13 Buying in bulk and standardizing across your rentals

03:15 Protecting countertops and high-wear surfaces

04:13 Plumbing and electrical: service before showings

05:11 Smart-home tech for early warning and protection

06:29 Hardware, smoke detectors, and safety compliance

07:47 Code issues, legal risk, and online reputation

09:31 Vacancy: an investor’s least favorite word

10:20 Heat pumps and energy efficiency as selling points

11:10 Show off energy-efficient appliances and better lighting

12:04 Modern fixtures and neutral, stylish backsplashes

13:11 Using Home Depot and Amazon to track trends

14:15 Welcome gifts and starting the relationship the right way

15:37 Final walkthrough: your last quality check

16:16 Photo documentation, deposits, and future marketing

17:04 Protecting yourself in tenant disputes

18:37 Smart-home dashboards, tenant control, and privacy

19:45 The full turnover process from A to Z

Quotables

“Don’t just reposition furniture in front of holes in the wall. Patch those holes up. Repaint any scuffs on the wall. These are things that the tenant’s eye is going to always gravitate towards and check on.”

“You should now be confident going into the next turnover. Don’t fret losing a tenant. Take that as an opportunity to give the property the desired facelift.”

“We’re going to erase ‘vacancy’ from the investor dictionary. That’s the goal with this episode.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we break down what really happens when you lose a tenant and need to hit reset on a rental property. Instead of panicking about vacancy, we walk through how to use the turnover process to upgrade the unit, improve first impressions, and attract better tenants who stay longer and take care of the property.

We cover how to think like a resident when you walk your own property, why digital first impressions matter more than ever, and the exact cleaning and prep details that separate a “broom swept” unit from a truly rent-ready home. We also talk about code issues, filters, fixtures, blinds, smells, and how a clean, tight turnover leads to better reviews and referrals. 

If you own rentals or manage units for other investors, this first part of “Hitting Reset On A Property” will help you tighten up your turnover process and turn every vacancy into an opportunity.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Digital first impressions and setting expectations

02:37 Renovation choices that make future turnover easier

03:11 Turnover is not “just hiring a cleaner”

05:03 Why you should fix small issues now

06:18 How turnover impacts reviews and referrals

08:01 Setting the base with a deep cleaning checklist

09:38 Bathrooms as a deal-maker for prospective tenants

11:00 Cleaning windows, blinds, fans, and vents

12:02 Air filters, HVAC protection, and tenant participation

13:37 Blinds, colors, and visual consistency

Quotables

“When you lose a tenant as a real estate investor, that can be a pretty scary time. But it is about hitting that reset button, giving the property a facelift, and being optimistic for the next tenant.”

“A first impression truly does matter. Ask yourself the question: would you want to live there?”

“If you keep kicking those small repairs down the road, those can lead to bigger issues, tenant complaints, and maybe even an early move-out.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Suzanne and I wrap up our two-part series on cultivating strategy by dialing in one of the most important levers in your real estate business: your team. Inspired by our conversation with Tanya Willis, we break down the core partners every real estate investor needs around them to scale and stay in the game long term, including the right real estate agent, lender, contractor, and property manager.  

We talk about how to vet an investor-friendly agent, why you should treat lenders and contractors like true partners instead of one-off vendors, and when it is time to hand the keys to a property manager so you can stop “fixing” and start “building.” We dig into responsiveness, negotiation, unit count, renovation comfort zones, funding types, reviews, trial periods, and why every relationship should make your process smoother and your profits stronger. 

If you are serious about growing a real estate portfolio that is sustainable and scalable, this episode will help you design a team that supports the strategy you built in Part 1.  

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Process and profit: the two tests for every team member

02:35 What a good investor-focused agent actually does

03:30 How to vet a real estate agent for investing

05:23 Trust goes both ways: being a good client for your agent

06:40 Longevity, commitment, and not burning relationships

08:32 Why you need 1 or 2 go-to funding partners

09:25 Stop scattering deals across 12 lenders

10:31 Being top of the stack: documents, responsiveness, relationship

13:02 Private lenders versus conventional banks

14:35 Contractor as both rehab and maintenance partner

15:25 Setting up the relationship for steady work

16:30 How to structure and vet contractor work

17:23 Why a property manager becomes essential as you scale

18:47 How to vet a property manager

20:24 Reviews, responsiveness, and trial periods

23:25 Strategy plus team equals longevity

Quotables

“You do not want to be a love them and leave them kind of transaction. They want to be there. They want to be the partner. Give them the chance to earn it on the other side.”

“If you are stuck fixing, you are not then building.”

“A property management company that says no to that is that red flag that you are looking for.” 

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we’re kicking off a two-part mini-series on cultivating strategy as a real estate investor. Instead of talking about a specific asset class or loan product, we zoom out and break down the four levers that drive every deal you touch: condition, timeline, motivation, and price.

We walk through how to analyze a property’s condition beyond the pretty photos, how to read the neighborhood standard, and why you should never let a seller’s urgency shortcut your own due diligence. We also get into red flags like hidden mold, incomplete renovations, and mechanic’s liens, the right way to use private lending and flexible timelines to create win–win deals, and how to negotiate price without being a vulture. 

If you’re trying to get better at deal analysis, negotiation, and seller conversations, this first part will help you ask smarter questions, protect your ROI, and line up more contracts that actually close.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

02:10 The 4 core levers of every real estate deal

03:41 When to tap the brakes: risk, weather, and hidden issues

04:28 Mold, hidden problems, and the flipper mentality

05:16 Reading the neighborhood: matching or beating the standard

06:11 Pricing, concessions, and marrying condition with strategy

07:04 Why distressed properties turn off homeowners but attract investors

09:17 Creative timelines: rent-backs and escalation clauses

10:11 Leverage vs. empathy (don’t be a vulture)

11:23 Real-world example: school-year move and deposits

12:01 Seller expectations vs actual market value

13:13 Don’t be the serial low-baller

14:01 Ask better questions: open-ended and break-even focused

15:31 Full transparency: water problems, walls, and cost reality

Quotables

“Make sure that you give yourself a timeline to evaluate and see the hidden elements that haven’t been divulged yet.”

“The bottom line is, does this renovation that’s necessary to bring it up to that standard, does it undo your ROI projection?”

“An investor can be a seller’s best friend because they’re the people that want to come in, get that deal done quickly, make those renovations quickly if they need to, get that property cash flowing at a pretty quick pace.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we sit down in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona with Tonya Willis, Chief Operating Officer at End to End Solutions and American Destiny Real Estate. Tonya has spent more than two decades inside single-family rental, default servicing, and asset management—growing from an $8-an-hour temp to an AVP at a Fortune 500 company, and now running two national platforms that simplify evictions, foreclosures, valuations, and boots-on-the-ground services for SFR operators and lenders. 

Tonya shares how her group approaches eviction and foreclosure work with professionalism and humility, how they adapted during COVID to new SFR challenges, why reviews and client feedback matter so much, and how conferences, networking, and even her Gravitas New York “women in leadership” shirt tie back to empowering people in this business. 

If you care about single-family rental operations, vendor management, compliance, and servant leadership, this conversation gives you a real look behind the curtain of the partners who protect your brand in the field. 

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:48 From computer science major to $8/hour temp in real estate

01:46 How a temp job became a career

02:47 COO of two companies: leadership style & complementary teams

03:44 Evictions, foreclosures & human-first field services

04:50 Career turning point: from solo to 57-person department

06:31 The difference between American Destiny Real Estate and End to End Solutions

07:29 Adapting with the SFR industry & less

08:47 Reviews, feedback, and why “everyone is business development”

10:18 Tonya’s motto: “Teach and be teachable”

11:08 Gravitas shirt, women in leadership & catalyzing confidence

12:01 Mentors, emotional support & mindset in a tough industry

13:38 Conferences, trade shows & the power of networking

14:25 The impact of great people, great work, and food

Quotables

“I teach my team to approach every situation with professionalism and humility. Professionalism because we’re there to do a job for the client, but humility to look at the situation and put themselves in those shoes and see how they would want to be treated in that situation.”

“We take every single order from our clients seriously, as if it makes or breaks what we do tomorrow.”

“My motto is to teach and be teachable. Know that you need to pass on the knowledge that you have because that’s who you are and that’s what we’re here for.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Suzanne and I break down one of the most important and most overlooked parts of being a real estate investor: creating an exit plan that maximizes your return on investment. We walk through the major exit strategies investors actually use in today’s market like fix and flip, buy and hold, BRRRR, seller financing, lease options, 1031 exchanges, and portfolio sales, and show you how to match the right strategy to your timeline, risk tolerance, capital needs, and market conditions.

We also talk about building your exit plan on day one, why you should always have Plan B (and Plan C) for every property, and how tools like deal analysis software, ROI calculators, CRMs, and portfolio management platforms help you track performance and time your exits for maximum profit. 

If you’re serious about scaling your portfolio and protecting your returns, this episode will give you a practical framework to design smarter exits on every deal.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:37 Fix and Flip for fast capital & short-term ROI

01:19 Buy and Hold for cash flow & long-term wealth

02:46 BRRRR: buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat

03:31 Building and nurturing lender partnerships

05:09 Creative exits: seller financing, lease options & 1031s

07:30 1031 Exchanges: trading up & deferring tax

09:34 Portfolio sales and phased exits

11:20 How to choose the right exit strategy 

12:58 Partners as a “soft landing” exit

13:33 Leveraging market analytics and software to guide your timing

14:18 External forces: jobs, population, and future demand

15:23 When should your exit strategy planning begin?

16:06 Building flexibility, creating buffers & having a back-up plan

18:20 Tools & resources to support your exit plan

19:00 The importance of tax planning before buying a property

20:11 CRMs & portfolio management tools

22:32 Action steps for investors planning their exit strategies

Quotables

“Investors that have strategies to scale are the ones that are set up for success. Part of that is creating an exit plan to maximize return on investment.”

“Your exit strategy really starts on day one, when you find that property that you actually want to add to your portfolio.”

“I can’t stress enough to make sure that you have from the time you, before you buy the asset, to have that conversation with your accountant.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/