Real Deal Investing

Armand Grossman: The Most Interesting Man in Miami

This episode of Real Deal Investing features hosts Larry Mastropieri, Jerron Kelley, and Griffin Wallace interviewing Armand Grossman—a highly experienced entrepreneur, educator, and real estate investor with a fascinating, unconventional life story. Armand begins by recounting how his early path toward becoming a lawyer was interrupted by the Vietnam draft. Instead of entering law, he became a teacher, which ultimately reshaped his career trajectory. His time as a high school guidance counselor and basketball coach in Miami’s Liberty City during school desegregation proved transformative. There, he implemented forward-thinking concepts like goal-setting and visualization—techniques that contributed to his team’s remarkable success and foreshadowed his later work in personal development. He then shares his first entrepreneurial ventures, including forming and selling shares in a semi-pro football team, which gave him early exposure to business structuring and capital raising. From there, Armand transitioned into real estate, crediting mentorship as a pivotal factor. He highlights creative strategies like lease options that allowed him to acquire property without traditional financing—an approach he later taught to thousands. A major theme throughout the conversation is mindset. Armand emphasizes the power of belief, warning against “the thief in your head”—self-doubt that prevents people from achieving success. He shares how personal development content (like Earl Nightingale recordings) transformed his approach to teaching and business, leading him into a long career in real estate education and seminars. The discussion also dives into advanced investment strategies, particularly single-tenant triple net (NNN) leases. Armand explains their appeal: predictable income, minimal landlord responsibilities, and corporate-backed leases. He contrasts this with the challenges of managing residential tenants, reinforcing why many investors transition to more passive models over time. Additionally, he discusses seller financing as a powerful wealth-building and tax-deferral strategy, and reflects on his decades in education, where he mentored students who later became highly successful entrepreneurs and real estate investors. Armand’s upcoming book, The Privilege of Adversity, encapsulates his philosophy that hardship is often the foundation of success. He reinforces that failure, struggle, and persistence are essential ingredients in achieving long-term wealth and fulfillment. Overall, this episode blends real estate tactics, life philosophy, and inspirational storytelling—offering both practical strategies and mindset shifts for investors at any stage.

The Birth of PropertyOnion: How One Man Solved the Foreclosure Data Problem

When Tony Stern, President of PropertyOnion entered real estate, he found a broken system — messy foreclosure data, hidden opportunities, and barriers for small investors. So he fixed it. In this episode, Tony explains how PropertyOnion started, the technology behind it, and how it’s changing how people buy foreclosures in the U.S. 🔍 Discover how accurate data and community are reshaping property investing. #PropertyOnion #ForeclosureInvesting #StartupStory Connect with Jerron: Jerron Kelley, Esq. www.kelleygrantlaw.com Connect with Larry: Larry Mastropieri https://www.discoversouthflorida.com

What If Commercial Loans Were The Key To Your Success?

In this episode, we sit down with David Purisch from Horvath & Wemblay to explore how property management strategies adapt to shifting mortgage rates and market conditions. A skilled property manager must navigate interest rates while maintaining steady passive income streams in today's dynamic housing market. Our discussion emphasizes the importance of financial education for both property owners and managers to make informed decisions in the current environment.

How to Build Trust and Lasting Value in Real Estate

In this episode of "Real Deal Investing", hosts Jerron Kelley, a seasoned real estate attorney, and Larry Mastropieri, a real estate broker and agent, talk with Danny Schwab, the CEO and Owner of KeyRenter South Florida. The discussions explore various aspects of real estate investment and property management, with a strong focus on building solid relationships, understanding tenants' needs, and creating effective management strategies. Danny, an experienced property manager, emphasizes the importance of patience and empathy when dealing with difficult tenant situations, including evictions and financial hardships. He shares stories where he helped tenants avoid eviction through creative solutions like “cash for keys,” aiming to maintain respectful, professional relationships while ensuring his properties are well-managed. Danny stresses the value of thorough lease customization, learning from each unique situation to create a “living document” that addresses specific issues and responsibilities clearly. He believes that managing tenants well means educating them and adapting the lease based on real experiences, which ultimately fosters trust and mutual respect. When acquiring new properties, he sees proper screening and understanding of tenants’ backgrounds as essential to avoid future conflicts. Looking to the future, Danny plans to expand his property management business in Florida, aiming to bridge operations between Jacksonville and South Florida through strategic acquisitions. His long-term goals include more real estate development, particularly transforming neglected properties into valuable assets, which he finds fulfilling. Throughout, Danny highlights the importance of a strong support network, including reliable attorneys, real estate brokers, and a well-trained team. He attributes much of his success to these partnerships, along with a personal commitment to honest communication and consistent client referrals. In addition, Danny’s involvement in networks like BNI has helped him build connections and expand his business. Ultimately, his approach combines practical strategies with a people-centered perspective, allowing him to create positive outcomes for tenants and investors alike.

Tax Liens & Deeds: How to Invest with Minimal Risk and Maximize Returns

In this episode of "Real Deal Investing", hosts Jerron Kelley, a seasoned real estate attorney, talk with Phil Kessler of the Property Onion Academy. Phil introduces tax lien and tax deed investing, focusing on Florida's tax-defaulted properties.  Kessler explains the basics: tax liens are essentially loans to property owners who haven't paid their taxes, allowing investors to earn interest over a set period. For instance, if a homeowner in Florida fails to pay property taxes, investors can buy a lien, earning up to 18% interest. If unpaid after two years, investors can initiate a foreclosure through a tax deed sale, where the property may be auctioned to recoup the lien and interest. Tax deeds, on the other hand, grant direct ownership of a property through foreclosure after unpaid taxes. During auctions, existing mortgages and certain liens are wiped clean, except government liens. Kessler emphasizes that tax liens offer a lower-risk entry into real estate investing because they generally represent a small percentage of the property’s value. This relatively safer, high-yield investment option, traditionally dominated by hedge funds, is now more accessible to individual investors. Overall, Kessler stresses the importance of thorough research and strategic bidding. He stresses that tax lien and tax deed investments can offer potentially profitable returns but require careful management to mitigate risks.