REI Freedom

Are You Structuring Sub-To Deals Safely, Legally, and Ethically?

Are you truly protecting yourself when you take over someone’s mortgage? Are your disclosures clear? Is your paperwork defensible? And if a lender enforced the due-on-sale clause tomorrow, would your deal survive? In this fan-favorite replay of the REI Freedom Podcast, host Jeremy Beland sits down with creative finance expert Caleb Christopher to break down what most investors misunderstand about subject-to transactions. Sub-to deals can be powerful wealth-building tools. But when structured improperly, they can expose investors to legal risk, damaged reputations, and long-term financial consequences. Caleb pulls back the curtain on the most common mistakes investors make and explains how to structure creative financing deals the right way safely, legally, and ethically. Caleb Christopher is the founder of Creative TC, DOS Guard, and Creative Title. After becoming an accidental landlord and discovering creative finance through Rich Dad Poor Dad, Caleb recognized a dangerous gap in the industry: plenty of education on getting deals, but very little guidance on closing them correctly. In this episode, he shares practical strategies for evaluating sub-to opportunities, protecting sellers, mitigating due-on-sale risk, and building a professional team that ensures your deals hold up long-term. Key Topics Covered * How Caleb transitioned from accidental landlord to creative finance specialist * What makes a strong sub-to candidate, including equity position and seller flexibility * Red flags investors should avoid, especially negative equity and future mortgage plans * The dangers of “naked sub-to” deals without proper documentation * Why full transparency and early disclosures protect both parties * How balloon payments can severely restrict exit strategies * Understanding the due-on-sale clause and how lenders enforce it * Why maintaining a positive seller relationship is critical post-closing * Building a team that understands complex creative transactions The Reality of the Due-On-Sale Clause The due-on-sale clause is not theoretical. It can be enforced. Certain lenders are more aggressive than others, and when it happens, investors without a plan can find themselves in serious trouble. Caleb explains how proper structuring, seller communication, and services like DOS Guard can provide peace of mind and reduce exposure. The goal is not to avoid risk entirely, but to manage it responsibly. Common Investor Mistakes * Taking over payments without proper legal documentation * Failing to understand the seller’s long-term housing goals * Disclosing risks too late in the process * Structuring deals that limit resale options * Operating without experienced transaction and legal support Creative finance requires uncommon competence. Without it, you risk becoming the case study no one wants to be. Connect with Caleb Christopher Instagram: @fcalebchristopher [https://www.instagram.com/fcalebchristopher/?hl=en] Creative TC: creative-tc.io Listen and Subscribe This replay episode is packed with real-world lessons for investors, operators, and entrepreneurs who want to combine freedom, impact, and profitability. Subscribe, rate, and review the REI Freedom Podcast to stay connected with stories and strategies that help you build a life of freedom through real estate.

How Did Ian Lobas Build a 60+ Unit Caribbean Airbnb Business From the U.S.?

Fan-Favorite Replay What if your next real estate move did not require relocating, quitting everything, or waiting for “perfect timing”? What if building an international business was less about luck and more about systems, leadership, and personal growth? And what if your biggest breakthrough came from thinking bigger than your comfort zone? In this fan-favorite replay of the REI Freedom Podcast, host Jeremy Beland sits down with Ian Lobas, a real estate investor, coach, and international short-term rental operator who built a thriving hospitality business in St. Martin, all while managing it remotely from Baltimore. Ian shares how he turned a bold vision into a fully integrated short-term rental operation with over 60 units in less than a year. From marketing and interior design to concierge services and construction, he reveals how building strong systems and the right team made international scaling possible. Ian Lobas went from running a high-performing real estate business in the U.S. to launching a full-service Airbnb and hospitality company in the Caribbean. Rather than relying on hype or shortcuts, he focused on operational excellence, personal development, and uncompromising standards. In this episode, Ian breaks down how he navigated market failures, cultural differences, and infrastructure challenges to build a predictable, high-performing operation in one of the most competitive tourism markets in the region. About Ian Lobas Ian Lobas is a real estate investor, coach, and fractional CEO and COO. After experiencing burnout as a top-producing agent, he shifted his focus toward building sustainable businesses rooted in systems, leadership, and personal growth. Today, he leads both a coaching company and a growing international short-term rental operation in St. Martin. Key Takeaways from This Episode -How Ian’s background in international shipping and sales shaped his business mindset. -Why personal development became the foundation of his success. -The turning point that led him from traditional real estate into coaching. -Why St. Martin became the ideal market for his hospitality vision. -How he built a trusted local team and scalable leadership structure. -The importance of process-driven operations in hospitality. -How multiple service verticals strengthened his business model. -Why reputation matters more in small international markets. -How Ian scaled to 60-plus units in under a year. Connect with Ian Lobas Interested in collaborating, investing, or learning more about international short-term rentals? Email: ian@covecasa.co Listen and Subscribe This replay episode is packed with real-world lessons for investors, operators, and entrepreneurs who want to combine freedom, impact, and profitability. Subscribe, rate, and review the REI Freedom Podcast to stay connected with stories and strategies that help you build a life of freedom through real estate.

Can Self-Storage Help You Build Real Financial Freedom Without Burnout?

Fan-Favorite Replay Is it really possible to build long-term wealth in real estate without being stuck on the transactional hamster wheel? Can you create consistent income without managing tenants, toilets, and endless repairs? And what does it take to walk away from corporate life and design a business around freedom instead of stress? In this fan-favorite replay of the REI Freedom Podcast, host Jeremy Beland sits down with Alex Pardo to revisit his journey from corporate finance to self-storage investing. Alex shares how one early deal changed his trajectory, why he pivoted away from wholesaling, and how self-storage became the foundation of his semi-passive real estate portfolio. From navigating early losses to building systems that support long-term growth, Alex offers a transparent look at what it really takes to succeed in commercial real estate. Meet Alex Pardo Alex Pardo is a self-storage investor, entrepreneur, and coach with nearly two decades of experience in real estate. After leaving his position at General Electric, he built a successful investing business through wholesaling, fix-and-flips, and eventually self-storage acquisitions. Today, Alex owns and operates multiple storage facilities and helps investors transition into commercial real estate through his coaching programs. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Why Alex chose to leave corporate America and pursue real estate full-time * How one early short sale helped build confidence and momentum * The role of coaching and mentorship in avoiding costly mistakes * Why Alex shifted from wholesaling to self-storage in 2019 * The advantages of storage facilities over traditional rentals * How to find off-market self-storage deals in secondary and rural markets * Strategies for working with retiring mom-and-pop owners * How Alex structures deals using seller financing, private money, and partnerships * Why you do not need large amounts of personal capital to get started * How mindset and consistency drive long-term success Alex’s Coaching and Resources Alex offers a hands-on coaching program designed to help investors acquire their first storage facility within six to twelve months. His approach focuses on education, execution, and sustainable growth. Apply here: storagewins.com/apply [https://storagewins.com/apply/] YouTube: youtube.com/alexpardo [https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPardo] If Alex’s story inspired you and you’re ready to create more time and financial freedom through real estate, book a discovery call with Jeremy and the REI Freedom team at: reifreedom.com/apply If you enjoyed this replay episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the REI Freedom Podcast, and share it with someone ready to build wealth the right way.

What Does It Really Take to Scale to 120 Units Without Syndicating?

What does real estate growth look like when you remove the hype, the massive syndications, and the pressure to scale fast at all costs? Is it possible to build a large portfolio, stay in control, and still protect your time and family life? In this replay of Episode 59, we revisit a grounded, highly practical conversation that answers those questions head-on. In this episode of the REI Freedom Podcast, host Jeremy Beland sits down with Grant Francke, a full-time real estate investor from Lincoln, Nebraska, who built a 120-unit portfolio in under nine years. Grant shares how he transitioned from working as a railroad conductor to becoming a disciplined multifamily investor by focusing on off-market acquisitions, strong relationships, and deals that cash flow from day one. Rather than pursuing large syndications, Grant chose a slower, more intentional path. He scaled by acquiring small multifamily properties and packages, partnering only with close family and friends, and self-managing his portfolio to maintain control and efficiency. His approach shows what’s possible when operations, consistency, and reputation come first. Episode Highlights * How Grant started investing in 2016 while working full-time as a railroad conductor * His early deals, including a duplex and a seller-financed package of five houses * Leaving his W-2 job in 2019 to focus on real estate full-time * Why he focuses on small multifamily properties instead of large syndications * Scaling to 120 units across Lincoln and surrounding communities * Averaging roughly 15 units per year through steady, repeatable acquisitions * His off-market strategy using 20 to 25 highly targeted letters per campaign * How relationship building and referrals led to large portfolio acquisitions * Why Grant only buys properties that cash flow from day one * Partnering with family and friends instead of outside investors * Self-managing all 120 units and using a virtual assistant for tenant-facing tasks * Strict tenant screening standards and long-term thinking * Why Nebraska’s landlord-friendly environment supports his strategy * How Grant defines success through time freedom, family presence, and legacy Key Takeaways * You do not need large syndications to build a sizable real estate portfolio * Relationship-driven off-market deals create consistent opportunities * Taking action on the first deal is the hardest and most important step * Fewer, more targeted marketing efforts outperform mass outreach * Cash flow must work from day one, not on future assumptions * Time freedom is often more valuable than chasing unit count About Grant Francke Grant Francke is a full-time real estate investor and author based in Lincoln, Nebraska. He built a 120-unit portfolio in under nine years by focusing on off-market acquisitions, disciplined underwriting, and self-management. Grant is the author of The Unlikely Investor and serves as an advisor in Brandon Turner’s First Deal coaching program. Connect with Grant Francke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant.francke/ [https://www.instagram.com/grant.francke/] Book: The Unlikely Investor (available on Amazon) Coaching and resources: https://firstdeal.com [https://firstdeal.com] Ready to Take the Next Step If you want to learn how to find off-market deals and build a portfolio that supports your lifestyle, book a discovery call with Jeremy and the REI Freedom team at:  https://reifreedom.com/apply/ [https://reifreedom.com/apply/] If you enjoyed this replay episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the REI Freedom Podcast, and share it with someone who wants to scale real estate without losing control of their time.

How Michael Ketchen Built a $100M Real Estate Portfolio Without Playing the Guru Game

How does a former high school administrator go on to control more than $100 million in real estate across eight states in less than a decade? And what happens when you focus on operations instead of hype? In this episode of REI Freedom, Jeremy Beland sits down with New Hampshire real estate investor Michael Ketchen to break down the real mechanics behind scaling multifamily properties, self-managing remotely, and surviving the post-2022 syndication shakeout. Michael shares a candid behind-the-scenes look at what actually creates wealth in real estate, efficiency, disciplined underwriting, and solving problems others avoid. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * From Educator to Investor: How Michael transitioned from school administration to full-time real estate in just eight years * Scaling to $100M+: Completing 25+ full-cycle deals across multifamily and short-term rentals * The Power of Self-Management: Why Michael self-manages all properties remotely and how it boosts NOI by 12–14% * Operations Over Hype: How a 5% NOI improvement can create millions in portfolio value * Multifamily Buy Box Strategy: Landlord-friendly states, population growth, and strong economic drivers * Finding Deeply Discounted Deals: Networking, brokers, direct-to-seller strategies, and solving hard problems * Syndication Reality Check: Red flags investors should watch for and questions to ask before investing * Short-Term Rental Case Studies: Beach houses, luxury STRs, and creative deal structures * Mindset & Mentorship: Why Michael invests heavily in masterminds and believes proximity accelerates growth Connect with Michael Ketchen * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelketchen/ [https://www.instagram.com/michaelketchen/] * YouTube: https://youtu.be/FS4bN7zlCuk [https://youtu.be/FS4bN7zlCuk] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ketchen-68b202201/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ketchen-68b202201/] Ready to Take the Next Step Are you ready to unlock the potential of real estate investing and learn from operators who are actually in the game Subscribe to the REI Freedom Podcast for real world strategies from top experts like Michael Ketchen Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone serious about building wealth through real estate If Michael Ketchen’s story inspired you and you are ready to take your first step toward financial freedom book a discovery call with Jeremy Beland and the REI Freedom team Visit reifreedom.com [https://reifreedom.com/] apply to start your journey today With the right mindset strategies and persistence REI freedom is possible