REI Deal Finders

The Responsible Way to Use Other People's Money in Real Estate

In this episode of REI Deal Finders, I break down one of the biggest growth tools in real estate: private capital. We talk about the difference between "money" and "capital," why that distinction matters, and how using private funding responsibly can help you move faster, take down more deals, and stop missing opportunities because you're waiting on the bank. I share how our business went from traditional loans and a failed first private lender experience to funding 82 deals in one year with private capital. If you're trying to grow your real estate business, this episode will help you understand how to find private lenders, present deals professionally, protect their money, and build long-term relationships that can fuel your next level. Episode Highlights [0:32] – Why we don't all think or talk about money the same way [1:05] – How we went from zero private deals to 82 in one year [2:16] – Our first private lender story—and what happened when the money disappeared [3:47] – How adversity forced us to get creative with funding [4:25] – Why "private funding" is different from just talking about money [5:11] – The role of capital in your real estate business [7:06] – Where most businesses get startup capital [9:49] – Why capital must be treated as a business tool, not spending money [10:07] – The importance of separating Other People's Money into its own account [12:04] – How access to capital lets you grab opportunities faster [15:17] – Why capital gives you speed, confidence, and more chances to win [20:17] – Why private capital is faster and easier than bank funding [22:09] – The success steps: find people, present deals, protect the money, and repeat [23:56] – How to start identifying potential private lenders [26:35] – What to say when sharing your real estate journey with friends and family [35:33] – Why creating a short private lender video can speed up the process [39:15] – How to protect private lenders with contracts, attorneys, notes, and mortgages [41:35] – Why communication keeps lenders confident and willing to lend again [45:36] – How private capital can support any size need in your business 5 Key Takeaways 1. Private capital is not spending money—it's a business tool 2. Friends, family, and your network are often the first funding pool 3. Access to capital creates speed, confidence, and more deal opportunities 4. Protecting lenders legally and emotionally is the key to long-term trust 5. You don't need one lender with $200K—private capital can fill smaller gaps too Links & Resources * REI Deal Finders Club [https://www.reidealfinders.club] – Join the community and apply for mentorship * Recommended Book: Profit First for Real Estate Investors * Private Money Club – Resource mentioned for connecting with private lenders * Deal Finder Data – Partner resource for finding and analyzing deals * Find & Flip Workshop – Two-day training on finding, funding, and flipping deals If this episode helped you rethink how capital can grow your business, do me a favor—rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share it with someone who needs to stop waiting on funding and start building their deal pipeline. Let's go get that next deal.

The Data-Driven System for Finding Discount Properties

In this episode of REI Deal Finders, we break down the full data-driven process of finding motivated sellers and discount properties—starting completely free and scaling up to powerful paid tools. If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out where to even look for deals, this episode walks you through exactly how to research, identify, and reach out to property owners before anyone else does. We cover everything from free county records and auction sites to the top three paid apps our team uses daily—Deal Machine, PropStream, and Deal Finder Data—including how AI is now predicting which homeowners are most likely to sell. Whether you're just getting started or looking to systematize your lead generation, this episode gives you the tools and mindset to move forward and take action. Episode Highlights [1:21] – The honest truth: most people won't take action—will you? [3:45] – Matching your strategy to your resources: time vs. money [6:46] – The best lists for finding motivated sellers and how AI predicts who's about to sell [8:03] – Free source #1: County websites—probate, divorce, bankruptcy, and liens hiding in plain sight [11:30] – Don't fall down the rabbit hole—what you actually need from county records [12:44] – Zillow, Realtor.com, and the truth about Zestimates [14:46] – Finding deals in the "For Rent by Owner" section and auction sites like Auction.com [19:21] – Deal Machine: driving-for-dollars app, AI seller prediction, and calling owners in real time [24:02] – Absentee owners: why this is the #1 list to target [25:13] – PropStream deep dive: comps, MLS + public record data, and why the MLS alone misses 50% of sales [34:00] – Deal Finder Data: AI Sale Predictor, bored investor leads, and filtering for likely sellers in one click [37:39] – Sending marketing directly from the apps and choosing tools you'll actually use consistently [41:37] – Your next step starts tomorrow: build your action plan and get on a call 5 Key Takeaways 1. Free data is everywhere—county websites, Zillow, and auction sites are untapped by most investors 2. AI tools now predict which homeowners are likely to sell, giving you a serious edge 3. PropStream pulls both MLS and public record data—giving you 2x the comps agents see 4. Absentee owners and bored investors are two of the highest-converting lead sources 5. Consistency beats perfection—use the tools you'll actually open every day Links & Resources * REI Deal Finders Club – Join the community: reidealfinders.club * Deal Machine – Driving for dollars app: dealmachine.com * PropStream – Investor research and comp platform: propstream.com * Deal Finder Data – AI-powered lead generation tool: dealfinderdata.com * Free lead sources: Zillow, Realtor.com, Auction.com, county tax assessor and clerk of court websites If this episode helped you see how data and the right tools can transform your deal-finding process, do us a favor—rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share it with someone who's ready to stop looking and start finding. Let's go get that next deal.

The Deal Finder's Blueprint to Flipping Houses for Profit

In this episode of REI Deal Finders, I break down the full process of finding, analyzing, and executing profitable flip deals—from sourcing opportunities to building your contractor team and managing your rehab timeline. If you've ever wondered why some investors consistently find great deals while others stay stuck, this episode lays it all out step-by-step. We dive into the systems behind deal finding, the importance of accurate comps, and how to confidently evaluate deals so you don't lose money before you even get started. Whether you're preparing for your first flip or looking to tighten up your process, this episode gives you the practical framework to move forward with confidence. Episode Highlights [0:21] – Why finding deals is a system—not luck or timing [0:44] – The 3 key stages: marketing, communication, and negotiation [1:09] – How to comp properties correctly (and avoid costly mistakes) [1:58] – Why active listings are NOT real comps [2:47] – What to do when you can't find comparable properties [3:39] – Why guessing ARV will kill your deal before it starts [4:51] – How lenders evaluate you based on your numbers [6:12] – Building a professional scope of work to secure funding [8:24] – The 3-step flip process: find, fix, and sell [9:31] – Why your contractor team is critical to your success [10:21] – Time vs. money: how delays destroy your profits [11:35] – Quick rehab cost estimates to evaluate deals fast [14:34] – Why you need a materials database (and how to build one) [16:54] – Labor vs. materials: where investors get taken advantage of [20:05] – Why you must inspect every deal before buying [22:29] – How to properly vet contractors (and avoid bad hires) [27:10] – The real cost of holding a property per day [30:00] – Why flipping is a system—not a one-time event [31:08] – The most important step: taking action and getting started 5 Key Takeaways 1. Deal finding is a system—build it and stay consistent 2. Accurate comps and ARV are the foundation of every profitable deal 3. Time kills deals—manage your timeline as tightly as your budget 4. Your contractor team can make or break your flip 5. Action beats perfection—your next step is what moves your business forward Links & Resources * REI Deal Finders Club [https://www.reidealfinders.club] – Join the community and connect with deal finders * Deal Finders Workshop – Deep dive into finding, funding, and flipping deals * Scope of Work Template (shared inside the community) * Connect on YouTube + Facebook @REIDealFinders If this episode helped you better understand how to find and execute flip deals, do me a favor—rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share it with someone ready to take action and land their first (or next) deal. Let's go get that next deal.

Building Agent Relationships That Bring You More Deals

In this episode of REI Deal Finders, I sit down with a panel of experienced real estate agents to break down what's really happening in today's market—and how investors can better work with agents to find and close more deals. We dive into everything from industry changes and commission conversations to what actually makes an investor stand out (or get ignored). This episode is packed with real, unfiltered insight from the people on the front lines of deals every day. If you've ever wondered how to build stronger relationships with agents, get access to better opportunities, or avoid costly mistakes when working with buyers and sellers—this conversation will change how you approach your business. Episode Highlights [0:00] – Meet the agent panel and their experience in the real estate market [2:20] – Breaking down the NAR lawsuit and what it means for investors and agents [3:43] – Why commissions have always been negotiable (and what's changing now) [6:15] – Why investors should interview agents—and why agents should interview you [7:33] – The importance of loyalty and building long-term agent relationships [8:13] – What to look for in a great real estate agent (ethics, reputation, network) [10:58] – The risk of sharing too much without an agency agreement in place [12:46] – What's happening in today's market: inventory, buyers, and opportunities [14:32] – How creative deal structuring can help you win more deals [15:29] – "Now is the time to buy"—why waiting could cost you [18:36] – Why sitting on the sidelines is the biggest mistake investors make [21:45] – What agents actually need from investors to help you succeed [22:08] – Why cutting corners on rehab can kill your deal at the finish line [24:32] – The danger of being a "bully investor" and burning agent relationships [26:05] – Why your network is your biggest advantage in this business [29:07] – What drives successful agents—and why that matters to you as an investor 5 Key Takeaways 1. The best deals come from strong agent relationships—not one-off transactions 2. Loyalty and communication with your agent will unlock more opportunities 3. Reputation matters—agents talk, and it affects your ability to win deals 4. Don't cut corners on rehabs—buyers will notice, and it will cost you 5. Waiting for the "perfect time" to invest will keep you stuck on the sidelines If this episode gave you a new perspective on working with agents and finding better deals, do me a favor—rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share it with someone who needs to build stronger relationships in real estate. Let's go get that next deal.

The BRRRR Strategy Is Back: How to Build Wealth with Lower Rates

In this episode of REI Deal Finders, I break down why the BRRRR strategy (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) is making a major comeback—and how falling interest rates are opening the door for investors to build wealth faster than we've seen in the past couple of years. I walk you through exactly how BRRRR works in today's market, what changed when rates went up, and why it's becoming easier again to find deals that actually cash flow. If you've been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right time—or wondering if BRRRR still works—this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a step-by-step approach to getting started. Episode Highlights [0:00] – Why I'm saying "the BRRRR is back" (and what's changed with interest rates) [1:32] – Why BRRRR never died—it just required deeper discounts [2:16] – "Don't wait to buy real estate—buy real estate and wait" [3:12] – Why the 30-year mortgage is one of the best financial tools ever created [3:55] – Breaking down BRRRR: Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat [5:22] – Who BRRRR is for (and who it's NOT for) [6:12] – The #1 rule: you make your money when you buy [7:07] – Top ways to find deals (agents, deal finders, FSBOs, driving for dollars) [8:34] – Why bad underwriting kills deals before they start [11:19] – The 1% rule and how to quickly evaluate rental deals [13:02] – How lenders determine how much money you get back [14:18] – What a cash-out refinance really means (and why it's powerful) [17:16] – Seasoning periods and how long you need to hold before refinancing [20:05] – The truth about financing costs (and why most people ignore them) [24:10] – Real deal breakdown: turning a quad into a cash-flowing asset [33:40] – Why knowing your rental strategy (long-term vs short-term) matters [38:03] – Rates are dropping: why lenders are ready to fund your deals now [47:06] – Turning BRRRR into a repeatable system and long-term business 5 Key Takeaways 1. BRRRR never went away—it just got harder when rates were high 2. Your profit is made at the purchase—buy right or don't buy at all 3. Cash-out refinancing lets you recycle capital and scale faster 4. Interest rates and lending terms can make or break your deal 5. Consistency and systems turn one deal into a scalable business If this episode helped you understand how to use BRRRR in today's market, do me a favor—rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share it with someone ready to start building real wealth through real estate. Let's go get that next deal.