Raising the Flipping Bar with Derek Marlin

From 10X Growth to Lifestyle Business: Which is Best?

In this episode, I break down the two paths I see people taking in real estate and entrepreneurship: the high-growth business model versus the lifestyle business model. I talk about what each path really looks like, the trade-offs involved, and how to think strategically about where you are in your current season of life and business. I also share some personal reflections about building ELEVATION over the years, what scaling a company actually requires, the importance of systems and delegation, and why I’ve been thinking differently lately about growth, leverage, and time. Whether you’re flipping houses, wholesaling, building a real estate team, running a side hustle, or trying to create more intentionality in your business, this episode is designed to help you think more clearly about the direction you’re heading. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Exploring Business Paths: Growth vs. Lifestyle 04:30 - Defining High Growth Business Strategies 09:51 - Navigating the Lifestyle Business Approach 14:37 - Adapting to Market Challenges and Personal Growth 20:51 - Finding Clarity in Your Business Goals I’d also love to hear from you guys — what path are you leaning into right now? Are you building for scale, freedom, flexibility, legacy, or something in between? Please comment, DM us, or send me an email directly at derek@elevationinvest.com. I’m genuinely curious to hear where you’re at in your business journey and what you’re building toward. We’re also excited for our upcoming ELEVATION Academy on June 3rd, and right now we’re offering $100 OFF for the final 8 seats available. This one-day, hands-on investing event is designed to help you learn real-world strategies for finding deals, analyzing flips, managing rehabs, building systems, and scaling your real estate business in today’s market. Past attendees have gone on to make over $65K net profit on their first flip, over $100K net profit and transition into building new homes, and even over $180K net profit on a single project. If you’re serious about leveling up your investing business and surrounding yourself with the right people, this is an event you won’t want to miss.  Grab your seat now and save $100!  [https://elevationinvest.ac-page.com/632026-elevation-academy-100off] Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Raising the Flipping Bar. Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from it. Until next time, keep reaching for those goals, and I’ll catch you on the flip side! Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties! Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin ELEVATION’s website: https://elevationinvest.com/ ELEVATION on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevationinvestmentproperties ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/ ELEVATION on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties Subscribe to “Raising the Flipping Bar” on your favorite podcast platform! Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ Watch “Raising the Flipping Bar” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting Resources: 10X is easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan Traction by Geno Wickman Lifestyle Business Playbook by Daniel Priestley The Diary of a CEO Podcast by Stephen Bartlett Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell #RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #LifestyleBusiness #RealEstateBusiness #Scaling #BusinessSystems #Leadership #FixAndFlip #RealEstateEntrepreneur #WealthBuilding #BusinessStrategy #GrowthMindset #DenverRealEstate

Is Flipping Dead in 2026?

In this episode, I’m tackling a question I hear all the time—is flipping dead in 2026? Short answer: not even close. But the game has changed. I break down what I’m seeing right now in the Denver market, where the real opportunities are, and how smart investors are still finding profitable deals despite tighter margins and increased competition. This isn’t about guessing—it’s about using real data, understanding market dynamics, and making strategic decisions that actually work in today’s environment. I also dive into the top submarkets in Denver where I’m seeing the most activity, the lead generation strategies that are producing real opportunities, and the biggest mistakes I see new investors making that are costing them time and money. If you’re serious about flipping in 2026, this episode will help you stay ahead of the curve and avoid learning lessons the hard way. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Is Flipping Dead in 2026? 01:42 – Understanding the Denver Market Dynamics 06:35 – Hotspots for Flipping in Denver 09:37 – Lead Generation Strategies for Success 13:13 – Avoiding Rookie Mistakes in Flipping 19:16 – Final Thoughts and Resources 🚨 We’re Hiring a Real Estate Agent 🚨 I’m actively looking for a driven real estate agent to join our team and plug into a system that’s already generating real opportunities. For more details to apply, click HERE or send me an email at info@elevationinvest.com, DM me on social media, or call 720-545-0490. 📘 Want Our New Investor Ebook? Be on the list to get our latest investor ebook. DM “EBOOK” or email: info@elevationinvest.com Thank you for tuning in to Raising the Flipping Bar. If you found value in this episode, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with someone who’s serious about real estate investing. Until next time—keep raising the bar, and I’ll catch you on the flip side. Connect with me and ELEVATION Investment Properties: LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin [http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin]Website: https://elevationinvest.com/ [https://elevationinvest.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/ [https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties [https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties] Subscribe & Listen to the “Raising the Flipping Bar” on your favorite podcast player! Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv [https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv]Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ [https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ] Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting [https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting] #RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #DenverRealEstate #RealEstateTips #InvestmentStrategies #LeadGeneration #RealEstateAgents #HouseFlipping #MarketInsights #RealEstateEducation #ElevationRealEstate

From Polar Bear to Unicorn: The Real Estate Agent Role That Can Change Your Career

In this episode, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of breaking down a deal or strategy, I’m opening up an opportunity — and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how I’m building and scaling our real estate team heading into 2026. Right now, deal flow isn’t the issue. The real challenge is having the right people in place to handle the volume, convert opportunities, and continue pushing the business forward without slowing momentum. After recently expanding the team with high-performing acquisitions reps, I’m now looking for a different kind of player — someone who can step into a fast-paced environment, manage relationships, convert leads, and help drive the next phase of growth. This isn’t a traditional retail real estate role. This is about operating inside an investment-focused ecosystem — working off-market opportunities, collaborating with a high-energy team, and being part of something that’s scaling quickly. If you or someone you know is ready to break out of the average, increase income potential, and plug into a system already producing real opportunities, this episode is for you.  Episode Highlights: * 00:00 - Introduction to Raising the Flipping Bar, and Why We’re Expanding our Team * 01:28 - Opportunities for Real Estate Agents * 04:13 - The Need for a New Team Member * 06:51 - The Role and Responsibilities of the New Agent * 09:23 - Who This Position is For and Not For * 11:56 - Compensation and Joining the Team Join a company that values quality over quantity and is dedicated to developing the next generation of successful real estate professionals. For more details to apply, click HERE [https://www.elevationinvest.com/about/join-our-team] or send me an email at info@elevationinvest.com, DM me on social media, or call 720-545-0490. Thank you for tuning in to this special episode of Raising the Flipping Bar. Don't forget to leave me a review and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from it. Until next time, keep reaching for those goals, and I'll catch you on the flip side! #RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #InvestmentRealEstate #DenverRealEstate #RealEstateAgents #HiringNow #RealEstateJobs #RealEstateCareer #DispositionManager #RealEstateOpportunities #ElevationRealEstate #LeadGeneration #SalesManagement #GrowthAndSuccess #ReferralBonus Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties! Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin [http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin] ELEVATION’s website: https://elevationinvest.com/ [https://elevationinvest.com/] ELEVATION on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevationinvestmentproperties [https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevationinvestmentproperties] ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/ [https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/] ELEVATION on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties [https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties] Subscribe to the “Raising the Flipping Bar” on your favorite podcast player! Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv [https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv] Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ [https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ] Watch “Raising the Flipping Bar” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting [https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting]

Do Hedge Funds Really Own All the Homes? The Data Says No.

Welcome back to Raising the Flipping Bar. In this episode, I wanted to slow things down and talk about something dominating headlines — institutional buyers, hedge funds, and Wall Street “owning all the homes.” There’s a lot of noise, fear, and political rhetoric around this topic. So instead of reacting emotionally, I wanted to look at the actual data and break down what’s really happening — nationally and here in Metro Denver. I’m not here to get political. I am here to be factual. Drawing from our direct experience working with institutional buyers on both the buy side and sell side — and backed by data from the GAO, CoreLogic, Urban Land Institute, and more — this episode separates myth from reality and explains what this really means for affordability, investors, agents, and buyers heading into 2026. If you’re worried about housing affordability, trying to buy your first home, or investing in real estate, this is an episode you’ll want to hear. In this episode, I cover: 🏘️ How many homes institutions actually own nationwide 📊 The real breakdown of Wall Street vs. Main Street investors 🧱 Why the 2008 crash created a new rental asset class 📉 What happened when institutions stopped buying in 2022 📍 Why Metro Denver isn’t impacted the way headlines suggest 🌎 The top U.S. markets where institutional ownership is concentrated ⚖️ Who wins and loses if institutional buyers are restricted 🏗️ The real drivers of affordability (hint: it’s not hedge funds) 🔍 Potential unintended consequences no one is talking about 📈 How investors should think strategically about 2026 If you’re a real estate investor, agent, homeowner, or someone trying to understand where the housing market is actually headed — this episode will help you replace emotion with data and build a smarter strategy. 🔗 Connect with me and ELEVATION LinkedIn (Derek): /derekmarlin ELEVATION Website: https://elevationinvest.com [https://elevationinvest.com] LinkedIn (ELEVATION): /elevationinvestmentproperties Instagram (ELEVATION): /elevationinvest Facebook (ELEVATION): /elevationinvestmentproperties 🎧 Subscribe to Raising the Flipping Bar Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv [https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv] Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ [https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ] YouTube: /@elevationrealestateinvesting 📌 Hashtags #RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #HousingMarket  #InstitutionalBuyers #WallStreetRealEstate  #HousingAffordability #DenverRealEstate  #RealEstateData #ElevationInvesting #2026Investing  #RentalHousing #PrivateCapital #MainStreetVsWallStreet

Private Money Lending Explained: How Smart Investors Win in 2026

Welcome back to Raising the Flipping Bar. In this episode, I wanted to slow things down and talk about something that’s coming up more and more in my day-to-day conversations — private money lending. As we head into 2026, deal flow isn’t the problem. The real challenge is being properly capitalized and structuring deals in a way that protects downside while still creating strong returns. That’s where private money comes in. I break down exactly what private money lending is, how it’s different from hard money, and why it’s becoming such an important piece of the puzzle for both operators and investors. We talk real numbers, real structures, real risks — and how to do this the right way. Whether you’re flipping houses, wholesaling, lending capital, or sitting on cash wondering how to put it to work, this episode is meant to give you clarity and a framework you can actually use. In this episode, I cover: 💰 What private money lending really is — and what it isn’t  🏦 The difference between private money and hard money  📊 Typical interest rates, deal structures, and timelines  🧱 How private money is secured and why asset-backed lending matters  ⚠️ The real risks involved and how to mitigate them  📉 Why distressed opportunities are starting to show up again  🔑 First position vs. second position lending explained  🔄 Exit strategies every private money lender should understand  📈 Why velocity of money matters just as much as yield  🏗️ How operators and private lenders can win together long-term  🧠 Who private money lending makes sense for heading into 2026 If you’re a real estate investor, business owner, high-income professional, or someone looking to diversify outside of traditional stocks and bonds, this episode will help you think more clearly about risk, structure, and opportunity. Connect with me and ELEVATION LinkedIn (Derek): /derekmarlin  ELEVATION Website: https://elevationinvest.com [https://elevationinvest.com] LinkedIn (ELEVATION): /elevationinvestmentproperties  Instagram (ELEVATION): /elevationinvest  Facebook (ELEVATION): /elevationinvestmentproperties 🎧 Subscribe to Raising the Flipping Bar Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv [https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv] Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ [https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ] YouTube: /@elevationrealestateinvesting Hashtags #PrivateMoneyLending #RealEstateInvesting #HardMoney #LeveragedInvesting  #FixAndFlip #RealEstateFinance #WealthBuilding  #DenverRealEstate #ElevationInvesting #RaisingTheFlippingBar  #PrivateCapital #DistressedProperties #2026Investing