Brick by Brick - Wealth Building Conversations

Brick by Brick - From the Flipping Trenches to Running a Fund

Most real estate investors chase the deal. Will Harvey chased the lesson — and eventually followed it all the way out of operations and into running a fund.   In this episode of Brick by Brick, Loren sits down with Will Harvey III, founder of Harvey Capital Funding, a Richmond, VA-based hard money lending operation. Will’s path is anything but straight: a college dropout, a recovering mortgage originator, a house flipper, a syndication LP and GP, a short-term rental operator who took a $70-80k loss on a functionally obsolete Northern Virginia property, and ultimately a fund manager who now says the operating life just isn’t wired into him. The candor in that admission — and what he built on the other side of it — is what makes this episode worth your time.   In this episode, you’ll learn: •          How Will went from residential loan officer to founding a dedicated hard money fund — and why the 2022 STR deal was the turning point that clarified everything •          The LP/GP alignment question most limited partners never ask — and why proformas are largely baloney •          How Will underwrites borrowers beyond the asset: credit score philosophy, face-to-face meetings with every borrower, and the red flags that end a deal conversation •          How both Will and Loren are embedding AI into their lending workflows — from call transcription to title review to portfolio monitoring •          What “looking down, not up” actually means in practice — and why Will now stress-tests downside before he ever runs upside   Will Harvey III is the founder of Harvey Capital Funding, a Virginia-focused private lending operation offering fix-and-flip, rental bridge, and refinance loans to real estate investors. He also manages a separate fund investing in seller-financed notes. He is based in Richmond, VA.   Topics covered: •          Double college dropout to mortgage originator •          House flipping and building a personal RE portfolio •          LP investing in 100+ unit multifamily syndications •          Leading his own syndications and operating a wedding venue and boutique hotel •          The 2022 Northern Virginia STR loss — deal goggles, a functionally obsolete house, and $70–80k in combined losses •          Founding Harvey Capital Funding in 2023 and spinning out a dedicated hard money fund •          Borrower underwriting: credit score philosophy, face-to-face meetings, red flags •          AI in lending: call transcription, CRM integration, title review, portfolio monitoring •          The GP mindset: conservative assumptions, verified track record, “look down not up”   If you got value from this show share it with your friends   Connect with Will Harvey: Website: harveycapitalfunding.com [http://harveycapitalfunding.com]   |   Email: will@harveycapitalfunding.com [will@harveycapitalfunding.com]

Financial Freedom Formula with Joey Mure

Are you tired of the relentless grind, sacrificing precious family time for fleeting wealth? Joey Mure reveals the bold truth about escaping the 9-5 trap, building genuine passive income streams, and redefining what retirement really means. This episode is your wake-up call to take control of your financial destiny and live with purpose and freedom. IN THIS EPISODE: * Why active income doesn't equal freedom and Joey's personal transformation story * The real meaning of financial freedom and the importance of passive income exceeding expenses * Why traditional retirement is a myth and how to embrace ongoing service and purpose * The formula for financial freedom and actionable steps to get there fast * How to identify your investor DNA and choose the right investment strategies * The pitfalls of relying on IRAs and tax deferral vehicles and what to focus on instead * How AI will revolutionize investing, lending, and business, reshaping margins and opportunities * Practical approaches beyond real estate, including online businesses, lending, and media assets * Overcoming misconceptions and making confident investment decisions RESOURCES & LINKS: * Well Without Wall Street Podcast [https://www.wellwithoutwallstreet.com/] * Passive Income Lab [https://www.wellwithoutwallstreet.com/passive-income-lab] * Joey Mure on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeymure] * Book: The Richest Man in Babylon [https://riverside.com/dashboard/studios/loren-wernettes-studio-XtrRB/projects/amazon.com/dp/B0026R54JE] by George S. Clason CONNECT WITH JOEY MURE: * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeymure] * Website [https://www.wellwithoutwallstreet.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/joeymure] ---------------------------------------- REMEMBER: Your financial freedom depends on the choices you make today. Stop trading time for dollars and start building assets that serve your purpose. The time to act is now. Your future self will thank you!

From Cycles to Chaos: Ari Rastegar on Human Behavior, and Building for What's Next

What if the real forces moving real estate had nothing to do with interest rates? In this episode, we sit down with Ari Rastegar — founder of Rastegar Capital, WSJ/USA Today bestselling author of The Gift of Failure, and one of the most contrarian voices in Texas real estate — for a conversation that cuts through the noise and gets to what actually drives markets: human behavior. Ari breaks down why old cyclical models no longer apply, how to read demographic and migration data as a lead indicator, and why the Sun Belt — particularly Texas — isn't a trend. It's a structural shift. From 3D-printed homes and zoning battles to the "J curve" of exponential change, this is a masterclass in thinking long while moving fast. What You'll Learn: * Why human behavior — not interest rates — is the real engine of real estate markets * How demographic shifts, remote work, and lifestyle changes are reshaping investment priorities * The Texas advantage: population growth, corporate relocations, and central geography * Why traditional cyclical models are dead — and what the J curve means for your portfolio * How to use migration data as a lead indicator before headlines catch up * Micro-market investing: why precise location and hyper-local data beats macro noise * How 3D printing and construction innovation could solve the housing shortage * Active vs. passive investing — and how to build wealth without the operational burden * Why a down market may be the best time for disciplined investors to act Timestamps: 00:00 — Seismic shifts & why human behavior drives real estate 02:15 — COVID, rates, and geopolitics: stress and opportunity 05:28 — Demographic evolution: remote work and lifestyle shifts 07:50 — The Texas advantage: population growth and corporate relocations 10:45 — Why systematic growth is dead — enter the J curve 13:20 — Migration lead indicators: Austin, Dallas, Florida 16:00 — Micro-location investing: precise data over headlines 18:20 — Zoning, bureaucracy, and 3D printing shaping future supply 21:00 — Essential housing and building for affordability 23:45 — The myth of institutional dominance 26:00 — Policy and accelerating housing development 29:30 — Long-term thinking, local laws, and land banking 33:00 — Government policy, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, systemic rate shifts 36:00 — Why now is a perfect storm for disciplined investors 38:00 — Active vs. passive: investing smart without the hassle 41:00 — Education, partnerships, and time in the market About Ari Rastegar Ari Rastegar is the founder and CEO of Rastegar Capital, a vertically integrated real estate investment firm based in Austin, Texas. Known as "The Oracle of Austin," he has developed over 4.9M sq ft across 13 states and 38 cities. Featured in Forbes, GQ, WSJ, and The Real Deal. Connect with Ari: 🌐 rastegarcapital.com [http://rastegarcapital.com] 💼 linkedin.com/in/arirastegar [http://linkedin.com/in/arirastegar] 📸 Instagram: @rastegar 📖 The Gift of Failure — available on Amazon

How Tax Sales Actually Work with Brian Seidensticker

The conversation covers the transition from real estate to tax liens, the risks and opportunities in tax liens, and the differences between tax liens and tax deeds. It also delves into the process of tax liens and tax deeds, including the auction platforms and the risks involved. The conversation covers the distinction between tax lien and tax deed, the transition from tax lien to tax deed, the tax deed process and associated risks, the capital-intensive nature of tax deeds, and an overview of tax sale resources and the fund. The discussion provides valuable insights into the tax lien and tax deed investment space, as well as the resources available for investors. Takeaways * Tax Liens vs. Tax Deeds * Transition from Real Estate to Tax Liens * Risk and Opportunities in Tax Liens Tax Lien vs. Tax Deed * Tax Sale Resources Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Tax Liens and Tax Deeds * 27:13 Tax Lien vs. Tax Deed * 37:33 Tax Sale Resources and Fund Overview

Wow Factor Marketing: How Bold Offers Beat Discounts (with John Dwyer)

SUMMARY In this engaging episode of Brick by Brick, Loren Wernette hosts marketing expert John Dwyer, known for his innovative direct marketing strategies and his collaboration with Jerry Seinfeld. They discuss the evolution of marketing from traditional methods to modern digital strategies, emphasizing the importance of direct response marketing. John shares insights on creating impactful marketing campaigns, the significance of incentives, and the art of taking customers' eyes off the price. The conversation also touches on the power of creativity in marketing and the value of surrounding oneself with entrepreneurial spirits. KEYWORDS direct marketing, John Dwyer, incentives, marketing strategies, Jerry Seinfeld, digital marketing, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, customer engagement, price strategy TAKEAWAYS * Direct response marketing focuses on immediate sales rather than brand awareness. * Incentives can significantly boost customer engagement and sales. * Creativity is key in differentiating your marketing strategy. * Surrounding yourself with entrepreneurial spirits can inspire innovation. * Taking customers' eyes off the price can lead to better sales outcomes. * Digital marketing allows for quick adjustments and real-time feedback. * Understanding your target audience is crucial for effective marketing. * Offering high perceived value incentives can outperform price discounts. * The evolution of marketing tools has made campaigns more dynamic. * Collaborations with celebrities can amplify marketing efforts. TITLE OPTIONS * Unlocking the Power of Direct Marketing * John Dwyer's Marketing Masterclass * From Seinfeld to Sales: Marketing Insights * The Art of Incentive-Based Marketing * Creative Strategies for Modern Marketers * Direct Response Marketing Unveiled * Engage and Convert: Marketing Tactics * Price vs. Value: A Marketing Dilemma * Entrepreneurial Insights with John Dwyer * Marketing Evolution: From Traditional to Digital SOUND BITES "Direct response is all about results." "Incentives take eyes off the price." "Creativity sets your brand apart." "Surround yourself with innovators." "Digital tools make marketing dynamic." "Know your audience, know your success." "High value beats price cuts." "Celebrity endorsements amplify reach." "Marketing is about engagement, not just sales." "Adapt and thrive in the digital age." CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction to John Dwyer * 00:00:00 The Evolution of Marketing * 00:00:00 Direct Response Marketing Explained * 00:00:00 The Power of Incentives * 00:00:01 Creativity in Marketing * 00:00:01 Digital Marketing Strategies * 00:00:01 Entrepreneurial Insights