Tag: Episodes

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Suzanne and I dive into the powerful world of branding for real estate investors. We often see investors hyper-focused on deals, renovations, and returns—but what about their personal brand? Today, we break down why marketing yourself is just as important as marketing your properties.

From defining your niche to social media strategies, storytelling, and building community connections, we explore what it really takes to stand out in today’s competitive market. Whether you’re new to investing or looking to grow your influence, this episode delivers actionable tips that can transform the way others perceive—and connect—with your business.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

[0:00] – Kicking off with energy and why brand marketing matters

[0:50] – The power of having a brand that people recognize and trust

[1:37] – Defining your niche: fix & flips, rentals, or commercial?

[2:53] – Identifying your target audience and tailoring your message

[3:52] – Importance of consistency and interaction on social platforms

[4:49] – Unique touches in your brand: home warranties, smart tech, etc.

[5:10] – Choosing the right social media platform for your content

[6:13] – Learning from others: follow but don’t copy

[7:13] – Educational content vs. lighthearted fun—finding the right mix

[8:25] – Tracking social media performance and adapting your strategy

[9:11] – Networking: In-person still beats digital connections

[10:12] – Offline marketing tactics: placemats, signage, sponsorships

[11:32] – Building a memorable brand and value proposition

[12:18] – Your online presence: websites, bios, and testimonials

[13:06] – Storytelling and relatability as branding superpowers

[13:29] – Dealing with criticism professionally

[14:58] – Collaborating with creators and businesses to expand reach

[17:53] – Bringing personality to your content with creative video ideas

[18:35] – Educational how-to videos for extra value

[19:11] – Analyze content performance to guide future strategy

[21:11] – Don’t quit early—consistency and patience are crucial

[22:10] – Set a content schedule and stick to it

[22:28] – Don’t just market properties—market yourself

[23:08] – Building brand equity through community engagement

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 are wrapping up our “Building Your Team” series with two roles that can make or break your real estate journey: attorneys and accountants.

We dive deep into why these professionals are essential, how to vet them, what pitfalls to avoid, and the questions every investor should ask before signing a retainer or engagement letter. From airtight contracts and asset protection to tax strategy, bookkeeping, and long-term financial health, the right legal and accounting team will protect your portfolio and accelerate your path to financial freedom.

Whether you’re a new investor closing your first deal or a seasoned pro scaling a portfolio across multiple states, this episode gives you the tools to build a legal and accounting foundation that lasts.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:05 What attorneys do: protect assets, ensure contracts, advise on entities

02:28 Why local expertise matters for local ordinances and compliance

03:17 What accountants do: tax strategy, bookkeeping, cash flow analysis

04:09 Entity structuring: LLC vs. corporation & why it matters

05:54 Identifying proactive vs. reactive attorneys

07:12 What to look for in a CPA or accountant

08:45 The importance of strategic CPAs who bring solutions, not just reports

10:26 Vetting attorneys: Important questions to ask attorneys

12:43 Understanding the difference between transactional and litigation attorneys

13:48 Solo attorneys vs. law firms—when to scale up your legal team

14:58 Vetting CPAs: experience with real estate tax law, multi-state expertise

15:56 Accounting systems, dashboards, and red flags to avoid

19:20 Pitfalls: hiring generalists, waiting too late, or overpaying

23:20 Networking for recommendations—REI clubs, trade shows, LinkedIn

24:57 Why hiring pros who invest in real estate themselves is a bonus

26:01 Quarterly check-ins, open communication, and relationship management

Quotables

“Just because you’re not trying to do something illegal doesn’t mean you’re doing it right.”

“Transparency is non-negotiable. A good attorney or CPA will give you proactive advice, not just answers when you ask.”

“Hiring a family friend who’s an injury lawyer to handle your real estate deals is a recipe for disaster.”

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 “Building Out Your Team” series by diving into one of the most crucial roles for any investor: the property manager.

We explore why property managers are the boots on the ground and the true extension of the investor, and how hiring the wrong one can derail your portfolio quickly. From maximizing cash flow and tenant retention to protecting your long-term property value, the right property manager can make or break your strategy.

This episode covers the qualities to look for, the red flags to avoid, the questions you need to ask during the interview process, and how to structure a long-term relationship that sets both you and your property manager up for success.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:01 The real role of a property manager in your real estate business

02:13 Tenant Relationships: Why personal touches lead to renewals

03:45 Qualities of a good property manager: Transparency, proactivity, responsiveness

05:50 How reputation and local experience will translate into attracting tenants

07:35 Systems and processes: tenant screening, maintenance, rent collection

08:45 Legal knowledge and fluency in local ordinances

10:47 Key interview questions when finding a property manager

12:56 The importance of the relationships built with your tenants

13:26 Handling maintenance requests and emergencies

14:34 Tenant screening: credit, background checks, and criminal history

15:51 Fees, services, and ensuring fairness in contracts

16:56 How references can help you find the right property manager

19:16 Red flags: vague answers, poor communication, no written agreements

21:02 Excessive maintenance markups and lack of online presence

23:31 Vendor relationships, likability, and tenant interactions

26:02 Tips for investors: trial periods, evaluation, local vs. national property managers

29:10 Long-term relationships: clear expectations, bonus incentives, and accountability

33:39 Communication, escalation procedures, and long-term success strategies

Quotables

“The property manager is an extension of you as an investor. They handle what you can’t, so you can focus on growth.”

“Transparency is non-negotiable. If they’re closed off in the first meeting, that’s a red flag.”

“Don’t just hand your property over and forget it. Set expectations, review reports, and stay engaged.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

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In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in real estate investing: networking with other investors.

While contractors, asset managers, and lenders are crucial, the truth is that some of the most valuable partnerships you’ll ever form are with people doing the same thing you are—other investors. We discuss how to find like-minded partners, why authenticity is the foundation of trust, and how joint ventures and syndications can help you scale faster than going solo.

This conversation is packed with insights on building community, accessing off-market deals, leveraging partnerships for efficiency, and the patience required to make networking a long-term strategy for success.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:14 The power of organizations like the National REIA for networking

02:15 Why sharing knowledge accelerates your business

04:01 Turning off-market leads into partnerships and deals

05:44 Authenticity in networking: Why being genuine matters

06:11 Social media vs. In-person networking

07:27 Follow-up: turning first meetings into long-term partnerships

08:12 Meeting people with the intention to provide value

10:05 Every investor is a mentor: Building relationships by learning from each other

12:01 Leveraging partnerships for deal flow & efficiency

13:16 Joint ventures & syndications: scaling bigger together

16:04 Building trusted referral networks through partnerships

17:43 Patience in networking: Why building your network is a long game

19:15 Staying consistent, watering the grass, and plucking the weeds

Quotables

“It’s not always about who can help me find the next deal, it’s about building a community.”

“Authenticity is the key. If you’re not genuine, that’ll show itself pretty quickly.”

“When you work with others, you’re not making less money—you’re securing more properties.”

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 breaking down one of the most overlooked roles in a real estate investor’s team: the asset manager.

We dig into what exactly an asset manager does, how they’re different from a property manager, and why their value stretches far beyond spreadsheets. From analyzing financial health to forecasting long-term strategies, mitigating risks, and taking emotion out of tough investment decisions, an asset manager can be the key to turning your portfolio into a true wealth-building machine.

If you’ve ever wondered when (or why) you should bring on an asset manager, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:41 What is an Asset Manager?

01:42 Asset Manager vs Property Manager

03:03 How an Asset Manager will help take emotions out of investment decisions

04:24 Budgeting, forecasting cash flow, and risk management

06:00 Maximizing returns: Lease audits, rent analysis, and market comparisons

09:21 Asset Managers as trusted partners in business

11:50 Building trust and transparency with your asset manager

14:05 Setting expectations, sharing goals, and aligning long-term vision

15:05 How to select the right Asset Manager: Due diligence and interviews

17:55 When is the right time to hire one? Scaling and hitting roadblocks

19:20 The natural cycle: from property management to asset management

20:43 Investing in your portfolio through assistants and asset managers

Quotables

“An asset manager can most comfortably remove emotion out of the transaction.”

“They’re not just adding money to the bottom line—they’re adding value to your entire investing strategy.”

“The good ones make more money when their clients make more money. That’s true alignment.”

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 dive into one of the most important aspects of real estate success: finding the right contractors and building strong, lasting relationships with them. Nate Linsky and Suzanne Andreasen break down practical strategies for networking, vetting, and partnering with reliable contractors, plus how to set expectations, communicate effectively, and use technology to stay on track.

Whether you’re new to investing or managing multiple projects, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes, strengthen your contractor relationships, and create a trusted network that grows with your business.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:52 Why contractors are the foundation of your real estate business

02:46 Finding referrals through REI groups, trade shows, and local networks

05:35 Vetting contractor specialties and avoiding “one-size-fits-all” promises

06:56 Setting clear expectations on budget, timelines, and availability

11:20 Building goodwill: coffee, bagels, and small gestures that matter

12:57 Giving constructive feedback without damaging the relationship

15:30 The role of technology and tools in contractor accountability

17:45 How to track progress with digital communication and geocoded inspections

19:55 Starting small to test contractor reliability before bigger projects

21:31 Trusting instincts vs. making emotional decisions in disputes

22:48 Final takeaways and keeping professionalism at the forefront

Quotables

“Cheapest is not always best—referrals are the gold standard.”

“Be wary of the contractor who says they can do everything. Find people who do one thing extremely well.”

“Trust your instincts, but always act professionally. You never know when you’ll need them again.”

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 powerful episode of Uncontested Investing, Tom Truong—real estate entrepreneur and global leader at eXp Realty—joins the show to share the unconventional path that took him from an insurance CFO to managing 1,400 agents across 37 states and five countries.

Tom opens up about early lessons learned from his mom, how a chance trip to see Robert Kiyosaki shifted his mindset forever, and why his leadership style is built on doing the work with his team, not just telling them what to do. His philosophy of “show up early, get involved, stay late” has fueled a career marked by scale, generosity, and deep impact.

Whether you’re a new investor looking to build your team or a seasoned pro wondering how to create more leverage, this episode delivers clear, actionable advice with heart.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction to Tom Truong and the theme of building your team

01:00 – Tom shares his journey from insurance CFO to real estate investor

03:45 – Why Tom believes in investing with people, not just coaching them

05:45 – His core philosophy: do well financially so you can do good for others

07:15 – How he manages 1,400 agents with systems, structure, and CRM tools

10:30 – The global growth of eXp Realty and what makes it investor-friendly

13:50 – Identifying your hourly value and outsourcing low-impact tasks

17:30 – The most important roles to hire first as a real estate investor

22:30 – Tom’s criteria for vetting team members and spotting commitment

26:00 – The story behind his personal mission to help 100 people succeed

28:00 – Using blockchain to expand access to real estate investing

30:10 – How Tom sets clear, written goals with accountability built in

32:00 – Dealing with underperformance through one-minute conversations

34:00 – Why Tom “jumps in the dumpster” and leads by example

35:45 – Tips for new investors to build a network and find their first deal

37:20 – Tom’s passion: helping motivated people transform their lives

5 Key Takeaways

1. “Help 100 People” is more than a motto—it’s Tom’s mission. Inspired by his late mother, Tom is committed to lifting others up through education, partnership, and action.

2. Don’t just coach—walk the walk. Tom believes the best mentorship comes from putting your own money into deals and doing them alongside your mentees.

3. Build systems, not just teams. He uses CRM tools and organized communication systems to manage a global team without dropping the ball.

4. Leverage is key. Identify your hourly value, then delegate everything else—Tom employs three assistants who work in shifts to cover nearly 24/7.

5. The fortune is in the follow-up. One of his core mantras is to stay in touch and track every meaningful interaction with intention.

Quotables

“The fortune is in the follow-up.”

“If I tell you a deal is good, it’s because I’m willing to put my money in it.”

“Show up early, get involved, stay late—those are the words my mom gave me, and I live by them.”

“You don’t have to eat the whole pie. Split the pie and build a life around freedom.”

Links

Tom Truong

https://www.instagram.com/TomTruongRealEstate

eXp Realty

https://www.exprealty.com

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, we’re diving into one of the most critical and often overlooked pillars of successful real estate investing: tenant screening. Whether you’re just getting started or actively scaling your rental portfolio into the double or triple digits, your ability to consistently place the right tenant will either fuel your growth or derail it completely.

I’ve seen investors make the mistake of relying too much on their gut, rushing into lease agreements because a property’s sitting vacant, or making subjective, emotionally driven decisions. That’s a recipe for legal headaches, late rent, and high turnover. This episode is all about avoiding those pitfalls with a reliable, repeatable, and legally compliant process for screening tenants at scale.

We cover everything from automation tools to red flags to fair housing violations and we even get into how you can still offer second chances to tenants without putting your entire investment at risk.

If you’re looking to grow without burning out, this is the episode for you.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:27 How consistency will help with legal compliance and redlining risks

04:05 Screening criteria: credit, eviction, employment, and documentation

06:54 Leveraging technology to automate tenant screening

08:40 Legal compliance and city-specific ordinances for multi-market investors

09:43 Understanding the cost of vacancy when making decisions

10:15 The role of credit history vs. credit score and identifying red flags

12:27 How to effectively verify your tenant applicants’ information

14:13 Avoiding fair housing violations: training your team and documenting everything

17:01 Why you can’t afford to let emotion or “sob stories” cloud screening decisions

19:02 Second chances vs. red flags: how to evaluate borderline tenants legally and fairly

21:50 Building out a team that can support you as you grow your portfolio

23:54 Resources to help you get your processes aligned

Quotables

“Just because you have a beautiful asset doesn’t mean finding the right tenant is a piece of cake.”

“There should be no gray area. Your screening process needs to be consistent and legal for every single applicant.”

“An eviction on record is a red flag. But don’t just check boxes, look at patterns.”

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 will wrap up our deep dive into property management by exploring one of the smartest scaling tools in real estate: virtual assistants (VAs). From tenant communication to maintenance coordination and bookkeeping, VAs are changing the game for landlords, operators, and investors of all sizes.

We’re breaking down how VAs can handle everything from leasing logistics to after-hours emergency calls and why using them can make a small operation look like a Fortune 500 team.

If you’ve been overwhelmed by the day-to-day or wondering how to grow without burning out, this episode offers real solutions with tested systems and tools.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:47 The flexibility of working with VAs

01:49 Illusion of Size: How VAs can make you look bigger

03:26 Delegating leasing and tenant communication to VAs

05:04 Leveraging VAs for administrative tasks and operational efficiency

06:30 Lease renewals, document collection, and making sure timelines are met

07:39 Better maintenance management: responding to requests and after-hours support

10:00 Boosting tenant retention through high quality communication

12:35 Bookkeeping, reporting, and tracking payment activity

14:51 Where to find and hire trained VAs for your business

16:03 Time zone advantages and multilingual support from VAs

18:01 Training your VA: SOPs, permissions, and delegation boundaries

19:21 VA Communication Systems & Task Management Tools: Zoom, Slack, Trello

21:45 Setting the standards and providing training to support your VA

23:03 Building trust, promoting from within, and growing with a VA team

Quotables

“A VA can make you look like a 30-person team, even if it’s just you and a partner running the show.”

“If you’re scaling, your time is better spent strategizing, not chasing utility bills.”

“Build trust slowly. Start them on simple tasks. In six months, they could be running your books.”

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 tech-driven episode of Uncontested Investing, we’re diving into how property investors can streamline their rental operations by embracing the latest in property tech. From virtual showings and smart locks to tenant communication tools and automated rent collection, we break down the tools you need to improve tenant experience, boost your efficiency, and safeguard your properties.

Whether you’re a first-time landlord or managing a growing portfolio, this conversation will help you level up.

We also touch on the future of real estate tech, from VR showings to AI-powered tenant support, and why your willingness to adopt these tools could be your biggest competitive advantage.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:40 Why tech matters in property management

02:01 The big four benefits of property tech

03:23 How property tech has evolved over the years

04:00 Leasing and Tenant Acquisitions: Zillow, Redfin, Apartments.com

05:02 Virtual tours and 3D walkthroughs for tenants moving from out of state

07:11 Online rental applications and background checks

09:44 How technology provides security for both tenants and landlords

10:45 Secure cloud storage and data protection

12:08 Rent collection and accounting software: Buildium, Appfolio, RentRedi

13:08 How automations can help back you up in resolving squatter issues

14:53 Tax season benefits from using Quickbooks for accounting

17:00 How maintenance management tech increases efficiency

20:34 Smart Home Technology for preventive maintenance

22:16 The biggest benefits of using smart home technology in your rentals

24:05 The impact of having effective tenant communication

25:43 Leveraging analytics and forecasting platforms

28:11 The future of property management technology: AI chatbots, smart locks, and more

30:06 Why it’s important to learn technology for your rental properties

Quotables

“If you’re afraid of tech, you’re kind of an outsider in this industry now.”

“Even mom-and-pop landlords with fewer than 25 doors can and should be using tech.”

“Tech isn’t just a convenience—it’s how you stay competitive, compliant, and connected.”

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital

info@rcncapital.com

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/