Columbus Brick by Brick

How Thoughtful Design Drives Real Estate Value

What if architecture wasn't just an expense on your renovation budget, but the single biggest lever for long-term value in your real estate? In this episode, Jon sits down with Nick Karakaian, Principal and Co-Founder of ArcFluence, to talk design as a multiplier, the ADU boom about to reshape Columbus, and why thoughtful spaces drive better outcomes for investors, homeowners, and entire neighborhoods. 🎙️ About Our Guest Nick Karakaian is the Principal and Co-Founder of ArcFluence, a Columbus-based architecture firm blending design, technology, and real estate strategy. A specialist in maximizing property value through thoughtful design and material use, Nick earned his master's in Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State before launching a construction and design firm in NYC, working for Google, and joining the Keller Williams Realty family. He and his wife Sarah were featured on HGTV's Beach Flip, where they renovated a beach house together in Gulf Shores, Alabama. In 2017, they made Columbus home to take advantage of one of the most exciting real estate markets in the country. Today, Nick is focused on growing ArcFluence with his partners and shaping the spaces that will define the next chapter of Columbus. 🧱 What We Cover in This Episode Nick's path from striping parking lots to the Air Force, to Google, to launching an architecture firm Why architecture is an investment, not an expense — and how design directly drives property value The "third skin" philosophy: how built environments shape behavior, business, and longevity Renovation math: when you get 80 cents on the dollar vs. $1.30 on the dollar back Columbus's new ADU regulation — and why it's a game-changer for homeowners and investors Real ADU use cases: better school districts, multigenerational living, fixed-income retirees, work-from-home setups Common misconceptions real estate professionals have about working with architects Why permit timelines are shifting and how to plan accordingly The rise of universal design, interior design investment, and amenity-driven spaces Lessons in leadership, scope creep, and the shift from self-employed to true business owner What ArcFluence is building next — and the commercial projects beginning to shape the skyline 💼 Key Takeaway "You're not just designing a space. You're creating an environment where humans can perform at their best — and that impacts everything." 🔗 Links & Resources ArcFluence: ArcFluence.com Follow ArcFluence on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn: @arcfluence Styer Hospitality Co. — furnished short & mid-term rental management: StyerHospitalityCo.com 🎧 Subscribe & Follow New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation with the people building Columbus. Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick If today's conversation sparked an idea — whether it's an ADU on your lot, a renovation you've been sitting on, or a bigger vision for what your real estate could become — share this episode with someone who'd love it. Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It. 🧱 #ColumbusOhio #ArchitectureMatters #RealEstateInvesting #ADU #ColumbusRealEstate #ArcFluence #ColumbusBrickByBrick

How to Build a 10-Property Portfolio Using DSCR Loans

Capital is the most powerful tool in any investor's toolbox — but knowing how to use it is what separates investors who scale from those who stall. In this episode, Jon sits down with Alex Rose, Managing Director of DSCR Lending at Renovo Financial, to break down the financing strategies fueling Columbus's most successful real estate investors. 🎙️ About Our Guest Alex Rose is the Managing Director of DSCR Lending at Renovo Financial and one of the top-producing loan officers in Ohio for hard money and investment lending. Over the last two years, Alex has closed more than 1,000 units totaling over $175 million in originations. With deep expertise across the Ohio market and surrounding states, he works at the intersection of capital markets and real estate entrepreneurs — helping investors scale through asset-based financing strategies that go far beyond traditional lending. 🧱 What We Cover in This Episode Alex's path from medical sales at Cardinal Health to leading investment lending in Columbus What DSCR loans actually are — and how to qualify (the 1.0 vs. 1.2 ratio explained) Why net cash flow matters more than headline numbers on multifamily deals Bridge loans, fix-and-flip financing, and the A-to-B gap most lenders miss How portfolio loans work, when they make sense, and the trap of the 120% release price The biggest mistakes new investors make — and how to avoid them Why design quality is now winning flips in a slower Columbus market The case for "walk, don't run" when building your first rental portfolio Why mentorship, partnerships, and abundance mindset matter more than ever What makes the Columbus investor community uniquely collaborative 💼 Key Takeaway "Walk, don't run. You don't have to hit a home run on your first deal — just get on base." 🔗 Links & Resources Renovo Financial: renovofinancial.com Connect with Alex Rose on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.rose.942450 🎧 Subscribe & Follow New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation with the people building Columbus. Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick If today's conversation hit home, share it with a fellow investor, agent, or entrepreneur who's building something here in Columbus. Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It. 🧱 #ColumbusOhio #RealEstateInvesting #DSCRLoans #ColumbusRealEstate #RenovoFinancial #ColumbusBrickByBrick

Building a Lending Business on Your Own Terms

What does it take to go from car sales to owning a mortgage brokerage, 16 investment properties, and a house on a private Florida island? Liz Lawrence, founder of LFG Lending, sits down with Jon Styer to share the unfiltered story of how she carved out a niche in investment real estate lending — and built a life on her own terms. About Liz Lawrence: Liz Lawrence is the owner of LFG Lending, a Columbus-based mortgage brokerage that works exclusively with real estate investors across more than 40 states. With over 10 years of mortgage experience — built on high-volume teams at Huntington, Fifth Third, and U.S. Bank — Liz made the leap to open her own firm three years ago. She's also an active investor herself, with 16 properties in her personal portfolio and a deep belief that the BRRRR method is far from broken. In this episode, we cover: * How Liz went from car sales to banking to becoming one of Columbus's go-to investment lenders * Why niching down is the most powerful business decision she ever made * The honest story of growing LFG Lending from scratch — the highs, the hard seasons, and what she'd do differently * Her personal real estate investing journey: partnerships, BRRRR deals, a 6-pack purchase, and a house on Dog Island * What's actually happening in the Columbus real estate market right now — and why investors need to slow down and run ALL the numbers * The mindset shift required when you go from employee to business owner * Why she's focused on making LFG saleable — even if she never sells it * How she manages a team with wildly different motivations than her own Links & Resources: * 🌐 LFG Lending: lfglending.com [https://lfglending.com] * 📘 Liz on Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/liz.mills.9400/ [https://www.facebook.com/liz.mills.9400/] * 📘 LFG Lending on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LFGlending/ [https://www.facebook.com/LFGlending/] * 📸 LFG Lending on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfglending/ [https://www.instagram.com/lfglending/] * 🏠 Styer Hospitality Co.: StyerHospitalityCo.com * 🎙️ Columbus Brick by Brick: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com Subscribe & Follow: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow investor or entrepreneur who needs to hear this. New episodes drop weekly. 📍 Follow us @ColumbusBrickbyBrick on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube 🌐 ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.

Content, Relationships, and Authenticity

What does it really take to stand out in Columbus real estate today? In Episode 29 of Columbus Brick by Brick, Jon Styer sits down with Justin Bruce to talk about personal branding, relationship-driven business, and why authenticity beats the highlight reel every time. From building trust through content to navigating burnout, mentorship, and major career pivots, this conversation is packed with practical insight for agents, entrepreneurs, and anyone building something meaningful in Columbus. Welcome back to Columbus Brick by Brick, the weekly podcast uncovering the people, projects, and ideas shaping Columbus, Ohio. Hosted by Jon Styer, broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals, the show features conversations with local leaders, business owners, and community builders who are helping shape the future of our city—one story at a time. In this episode, Jon is joined by Justin Bruce, a Columbus-based real estate agent, speaker, and TV host. Known for his strong personal brand, consistent content, and relationship-first approach to business, Justin shares the real story behind his growth in real estate—and what it looks like to build trust both online and in the community. Justin opens up about how he found his niche, why he stopped trying to look like every other agent, and how leaning into family, faith, and authenticity changed the trajectory of his business. He also shares lessons from one of his toughest seasons, the role of mentorship in his journey, and why Columbus continues to be a city full of opportunity for those paying attention. In this episode, we cover: How Justin built a recognizable personal brand in Columbus real estate Why relationships matter more than chasing leads The power of authenticity and consistency in content creation What agents get wrong about social media and personal branding Lessons learned from burnout, pressure, and unrealistic expectations Why mentorship, community, and values matter in long-term success Trends Justin is watching in the Columbus real estate market What it means to create a “blue ocean” instead of competing with everyone else About Justin Bruce: Justin Bruce is a family man, top-performing realtor, TV host, and speaker who is passionate about building meaningful relationships and making an impact. Whether he’s helping clients find the right home, hosting a show, or speaking to others about branding and business growth, Justin leads with authenticity, energy, and connection. When he’s not working, he’s spending time with his wife, Dr. Kate, and their kids, Carter and Sky, enjoying bourbon, golfing, or cheering on the Columbus Crew. Connect with Justin Bruce: Instagram: @thejustinbruce Follow Columbus Brick by Brick: Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com Instagram, Facebook, YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, comment, and share it with someone who’s passionate about Columbus, real estate, entrepreneurship, or building a meaningful brand. Every Brick Has a Story. We’re Here to Tell It.

Building Columbus’s Top Investor Community

From rollerblading to a job interview… to raising $50M+ and building one of Columbus’s most powerful investor communities. In Episode 28, Jon Styer sits down with Dave Payerchin to unpack the real story behind capital raising, wholesaling/novations, single-family rental strategy, and the mindset required to build (and rebuild) long-term success in real estate. Dave Payerchin is a real estate investor, educator, and founder of The CREAM Group (Columbus Real Estate and Money)—Central Ohio’s largest and most engaged networking community for real estate professionals, service providers, and vendors. With 1,000+ investment transactions and $65M+ raised in private capital, Dave is known for blending practical deal strategy with a powerful focus on integrity, personal growth, and community-driven collaboration. Guest highlights: 1,000+ Real Estate Investment Transactions 65M+ Private Capital Raised Multifamily Apartment Buyer Asset Performance Specialist In-house Construction & Property Management Team Ohio Real Estate Specialist What we cover in this episode: Dave’s origin story Cleveland → Arizona construction → MCI WorldCom telemarketing → real estate obsession The first deal mindset shift: why belief matters more than the size of the win Raising private capital early (even without credit): how trust is earned before resources exist Why Dave is bullish on single-family rentals in Columbus: flexibility, underwriting simplicity, and exit strategies “Pay to play”: the reality of expensive money early on—and why it can still be worth it Setbacks, ego, and rebuilding: what the last 24 months taught Dave about staying “checked in” The “Core Four” framework: mindset/spirituality, health, relationships, business—and how it affects performance Avoiding burnout by building around your true core competency New investor myths: fear of the phone, scaling too fast, and “busy work” vs. revenue-generating activities Market outlook: why Columbus continues to look resilient compared to boom/bust metros No-constraints vision: what Dave is building next—and how he wants to change the perception of “we buy houses” Links & Resources Mentioned: The CREAM Group (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ColumbusCREAM/ Connect with Dave: Instagram: @therealdavep Connect with Columbus Brick by Brick Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com Follow: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone building their own Columbus story—whether they’re investing, developing, or just getting started. Every Brick Has a Story. We’re Here to Tell It.