1. How I Found my First Real Estate Deal and What I Would Do Differently

5. Why I Use Equity Financing Over Debt and How It Shifts Risk

How debt structure determines who absorbs loss and who captures upside in real estate deals. * Why debt financing shifts risk toward the operator * How equity financing lets you act more like the lender * Why I combine equity and debt rather than going all-debt * How compound interest works for or against you depending on structure * Why I target 30–35% down as a baseline cushion No edited storytelling. Just the decision and what I learned. gabeschouten.com

4. My Hold Analysis Process. Real Example!

Episode 04: The Math Behind the "No" | Analyzing a $750k Fourplex Additional Resources at Gabeschouten.com Welcome to the Hold Machine Podcast, where real estate deals are analyzed in real time, decisions are documented, and results are measured with actual numbers. This is a public operating log for serious investors who want to see how a repeatable hold system is actually built. In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on a recent fourplex evaluation. On the surface, the gross rents looked strong, but once we ran it through our Hold Analysis system, the deal hit a wall. In this episode, we discuss: * The Deal Breakdown: Why we valued a $750k list price at $650k based on actual comps. * The 30% Down Standard: Why we prioritize higher equity positions to protect our partners and simplify lending. * The "Self-Management" Trap: Why cutting management fees still couldn't save this 2% cash-on-cash return. * Non-Negotiable Reserves: Why we refuse to waive the 5% maintenance reserve, even when it makes a deal look "worse" on paper. * The 1% Spread Strategy: How we use Specially Designed Life Insurance (Infinite Banking) to fund deals and why we require a 5% minimum return to outpace our policy loan interest. * Property: 4-unit multi-building site. * Gross Monthly Rent: ~$6,160 ($1,334 x 2, $1,999, $1,430). * The Verdict: A 6% Cap Rate sounds decent, but a 2% Cash-on-Cash return is a "No" for our system. "No hype, no theory, just execution." If you're an investor looking to understand the discipline required to build a long-term portfolio, this episode is a masterclass in sticking to your criteria.

3. It is Impossible to Save Enough Money to Retire on

In this episode of the Hold Machine podcast, Gabe Schouten breaks down why saving alone fails most people and explains how taxes and inflation quietly reduce long term wealth. He compares stock market returns to real estate performance after adjusting for inflation and taxes, then shows why leveraged real estate can outperform when structured correctly. Using clear numerical examples, he walks through how cash flow, appreciation, equity paydown, and tax advantages combine to create multiple return streams from a single asset. This episode is a practical breakdown of how serious investors evaluate deals and why leverage, when used wisely, can dramatically increase return on capital. What You Will LearnWhy inflation makes traditional saving strategies ineffectiveThe real return of the S&P 500 after inflation and taxesHow real estate produces layered returns instead of one sourceWhy leverage can increase ROI while preserving capitalHow to evaluate a deal using loan constant and cap rate Topics CoveredThe hidden cost of inflation and taxationStock market vs real estate performance comparisonPrincipal paydown as forced equity growthTax advantages available to real estate investorsCash flow and rent growth over timeHow leverage multiplies returnsDeal metrics that indicate strong leverage positioning Who This Episode Is ForInvestors who want data driven analysis instead of hypeOperators building long term hold portfoliosAnyone deciding between stock investing and real estateListeners who want to understand leverage at a practical level About the ShowThe Hold Machine podcast is a real time operating log documenting how real estate deals are analyzed, structured, and executed. Every episode focuses on clear thinking, real numbers, and repeatable systems rather than theory or speculation. Additional Resources at: gabeschouten.com [gabeschouten.com]

2. How I Structured the Real Estate Deal I'm Working on Now

Gabe Schouten walks through the real structure of a live real estate deal including financing strategy capital stack negotiation logic and risk analysis. Listeners learn how the numbers evolved during due diligence and how strategic adjustments transformed a moderate return into a high performance investment. This episode matters because it demonstrates how real operators adapt deals in real time instead of relying on static projections. What You’ll Learn * How to structure a deal using seller financing * How to align investor equity with capital contribution * How due diligence changes return projections * How alternative rent strategies affect profitability * How to build downside protection into a deal Key Topics Covered * Initial Deal Structure * Seller Motivation and Negotiation * Due Diligence Discoveries * Strategy Shift to Increase Returns * Value Add Opportunity * Final Optimized Scenario Practical Takeaways * Profit is created through structure not price alone * Seller terms can outperform bank financing * Returns improve when strategy matches asset design * Risk decreases when break even occupancy is low * Creative thinking expands deal potential Action Steps 1. Analyze every deal using multiple rental models 2. Negotiate terms based on seller priorities 3. Recalculate returns after inspections 4. Identify physical ways to increase income 5. Ensure the property breaks even below full occupancy Watch this Episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/Z3j-m8-LYx8] gabeschouten.com [gabeschouten.com]

1. How I Found my First Real Estate Deal and What I Would Do Differently

This episode explains how Gabe secured his first property using direct mail and how his strategy evolved into a repeatable deal sourcing system. Listeners will learn the role of data targeting, persistence, relationship positioning, and professional signaling in real estate acquisition. The episode shows how disciplined process beats luck and how early mistakes can become structural advantages. What You'll Learn: * How targeted data improves direct mail results * Why persistence matters more than response rate * How to structure seller financing offers * How to leverage agent relationships for deal flow * How non agents can compete for opportunities * How to recognize a competent real estate agent Key Topics Covered 1. Direct Mail Strategy 2. The Role of Data Targeting 3. Delayed Follow Up Lesson 4. Seller Carry Structure 5. Agent Outreach Method 6. Strategies for Non Agents 7. Identifying Strong Realtors Practical Takeaways * Precision targeting outperforms volume outreach * Leads convert on their timeline not yours * Clear incentives increase response rates * Structure creates opportunity * Professional signals build trust quickly Action Steps 1. Define your buy box criteria in writing 2. Build a targeted owner list based on tenure data 3. Send personalized outreach instead of generic marketing 4. Set instant alerts for new listings that match criteria 5. Contact listing agents immediately when a match appears 6. Offer clear value to partners in every interaction 7. Track leads long term even after initial rejection If this episode clarified your thinking or improved your acquisition strategy share it with another operator and connect directly with Gabe Schouten to continue the conversation and exchange insights. Watch this Podcast on YouTube [https://youtu.be/slpfvicvR44] gabeschouten.com [gabeschouten.com]