Fractional vs Full-Time CFO - How to Unlock New Levels of Financial Clarity Like We Did | Ep. 30

Fractional vs Full-Time CFO - How to Unlock New Levels of Financial Clarity Like We Did | Ep. 30

Most real estate businesses use accounting as a way to confirm what they already know, or, at the very least, pay their taxes. But the best businesses, those in the top 5% or 10% of operations, use financial systems not only to see problems before they arise, but also to plan for growth years, even decades, in advance. That’s what we’ve done here at Sunrise Capital Investors [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep30], and today, our own CFO, Mike Hart, is helping you do the same. Mike has a 30-year track record working with the best in the business—from billion-dollar REITs to CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), one of the largest accounting firms in the country. At first, Mike came on as a fractional CFO, then, after seeing the durable growth of Sunrise, joined us full-time. This decision has helped Sunrise unlock new levels of financial clarity, see years ahead, and turn expenses into assets. When do you need a CFO? That’s the exact question Mike is tackling today, and how operators of all sizes can use the numbers you already have to grow your bottom line, forecast long-term returns, scale your portfolio as efficiently as possible, and get ahead of the hurdles headed your way—all using data you’ve been staring at this whole time. Sage Wisdom from Today’s Episode:  * Fractional CFOs vs. full-time CFOs: Who should (and shouldn’t) hire full-time? * How to forecast years of growth, opportunities, and dangers in advance  * When do you need a CFO: The clear signs your business will benefit from an expert  * You’ve got the numbers, here’s what to do with them to make a difference on your bottom line * The problem with aggressive growth and why slowing down can be more profitable than speeding up * My four-step framework for taking the numbers and turning them into action — Connect with Mike on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-h-8783272/] Recommended Resources: * Are you a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months? Build passive income and wealth [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/register-for-the-deal-room/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep30] by investing in real estate projects alongside Brian and his team!  * Learn more from Brian [https://brianspear.com/] and listen to past episodes of The Sage Investor  * Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian--spear] on LinkedIn

How the Ultra-Wealthy Use SDIRAs to Build $10M+ (Tax-Free) Retirements | Ep. 29

There’s $50 trillion sitting in retirement accounts—almost all of it tied up in stocks, index funds, mutual funds, and bonds. Their returns? Around 4% - 10%. The ultra-wealthy’s returns on retirement accounts? Often double that. How? Self-directed IRAs (SDIRA). Instead of trapping themselves in traditional retirement accounts, family offices and high-net-worth individuals tap into this account, unlocking access to alternative assets with higher return potential.  With an SDIRA, you can invest in real estate funds, rental properties, mineral rights, private money loans, and even professional sports teams, all while propelling your compounding and letting your wealth grow with purpose. Mat Sorensen, CEO and Founder of Directed IRA [https://directedira.com/], knows the ins and outs of SDIRAs like no other—how to invest 10x more in your IRA, how to avoid UDFI and UBIT taxes when investing in real estate and alternative assets, and the “discounted” Roth conversion strategy that saves investors thousands, if not tens of thousands. These expert-level tactics are what the ultra-wealthy use to supercharge their compounding and growth in their retirement accounts. Now we’re sharing the knowledge with you so that you can do the same.  Sage Wisdom from Today’s Episode:  * The SDIRA advantages that allow you better returns with no (or less) taxes on profits * Why you may be cutting your returns in half without even knowing it * Everything you can use an SDIRA to invest in—from real estate to soccer teams  * How to (legally) outmaneuver the UDFI and UBIT taxes so many investors are scared to touch * The “mega backdoor” strategy Mat uses to 10X his IRA contributions  * Cut your Roth conversion burden significantly using this strategy most investors have never heard about — Connect with Mat on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matsorensen] Mat’s YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@MatSorensen/] The Self Directed IRA Handbook [https://www.amazon.com/Self-Directed-IRA-Handbook-Authoritative/dp/061587343X] Recommended Resources: * Are you a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months? Build passive income and wealth [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/register-for-the-deal-room/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep29] by investing in real estate projects alongside Brian and his team!  * Learn more from Brian [https://brianspear.com/] and listen to past episodes of The Sage Investor  * Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian--spear] on LinkedIn 00:00 Intro 01:10 You're Missing THE Best Investments 03:57 Stop Cutting Your Returns in Half 07:00 When to Invest with an SDIRA 10:48 2 Sneaky Taxes (UDFI and UBIT) 16:20 How to (Legally) Avoid UDFI 19:58 10X Your Contributions 24:36 30% Less on Roth Conversions? 29:37 Become Your Own Family Office 33:33 Mat's Sage Principle 35:09 Work with Mat!  Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

What I Learned from Harvard’s Most Elite Real Estate Investor Group (YPO) | Ep. 28

I spent a week surrounded by the best real estate entrepreneurs on earth—and something surprised me. This wasn’t a casual meetup that most real estate investors are used to. This was Harvard Business School’s YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization)—an elite organization of entrepreneurs, CEOs, family offices, REIT executives, and exceptional investors doing seven, eight, and nine-figure deals.  It quickly became abundantly clear. Those at the top are doing things much differently than the rest of the industry. And today, I’m sharing what is arguably an invaluable education from these elite investors.  The YPO program isn’t for the faint of heart. The caliber is unparalleled, the connections are priceless, and the lessons set apart the truly exceptional operators from those just trying to make a short-term gain. You’re sitting at dinner talking shop with investors doing billion-dollar deals—that is unmatched. But three key lessons stood out that cannot be ignored. From growth “guardrails” to the culture that scales businesses without burnout, and why you might be mistaken about AI. Whether you own a business, run a rental portfolio, or are trying to invest your capital like an elite CEO, these lessons are worth your full attention.   Sage Wisdom from Today’s Episode:  * What I learned from the world’s most elite real estate investors that most of the industry misses  * If you don’t have these growth “guardrails,” your business could come crashing down * Think the best in the business are all-in on AI? Think again (how we’re using it at Sunrise Capital Investors [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep28]) * How to cultivate a culture of excellence that removes toxicity and encourages winning at every level  * The exact frameworks we use at Sunrise Capital Investors [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep28] to grow elite teams  Recommended Resources: * Are you a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months? Build passive income and wealth [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/register-for-the-deal-room/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep28] by investing in real estate projects alongside Brian and his team!  * Learn more from Brian [https://brianspear.com/] and listen to past episodes of The Sage Investor  * Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian--spear] on LinkedIn

The “3-C” Framework That Turns Mobile Home Parks into Cash-Flowing Communities | Ep. 27

Anyone can buy a mobile home park, but only a few can run one. Your pro forma may look perfect on paper, but the way you manage, maintain, and mold your community changes everything about your returns. Today, we’ve brought on a pro, Todd De Leon, who has over two decades of experience in mobile home park management, overseeing more than 20,000 sites across 20 states and operating these assets as efficiently as possible. Todd isn’t only Sunrise Communities [https://mysunrisecommunity.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep27]’ President & Chief Operating Officer; he’s also been a high-performing athlete at the collegiate level and has even represented Team USA. If there’s one person who knows how to have the whole team win while doing his part to the best of his ability, it’s Todd. Todd introduces our “3-C” framework, which allows operators to turn fragmented, mom-and-pop mobile home park investments into thriving communities with higher rents, residents who stay longer, and a culture that drives lot fill rates. Plus, how to design your team to manage your mobile home park at an institutional level most operators in your market have never seen. This is how we turn mobile home parks into institutional-grade investments with durable, predictable cash flow, and a community residents actively seek out.  Sage Wisdom from Today’s Episode:  * The “3-C” framework Todd uses to turn mobile home parks into high-value communities  * What Todd does as soon as a deal closes to get the park turned around starting day one   * Why the culture of your park (and its managers) will determine your investment outcome  * Todd’s team setup that gives a complete overview of the park’s strengths, needs, and problems to fix  * The biggest problems you will immediately encounter after buying a mom-and-pop park — Connect with Todd on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/todddeleon/] Recommended Resources: * Are you a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months? Build passive income and wealth [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/register-for-the-deal-room/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep27] by investing in real estate projects alongside Brian and his team!  * Learn more from Brian [https://brianspear.com/] and listen to past episodes of The Sage Investor  * Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian--spear] on LinkedIn 00:00 Intro 03:40 After the Deal Closes 06:52 From Team USA to Leading MHPs 14:53 Mom and Pop to Institutional Quality 19:00 Managing the Parks (Exact Team) 34:20 1. Community 36:40 2. Curate 39:04 3. Convene 43:16 Todd's Sage Principle 49:04 Operations Determine Outcome

3 Kids Through College. 10+ Worldwide Trips. All Paid for By Real Estate. | Ep. 26

Investing isn’t the end goal—freedom is. Lane Kinney put three kids through college, took numerous trips to Africa, became a record-setting crossbow hunter, and now enjoys a comfortable retirement, all thanks to building a portfolio that prioritized freedom, not riches. No one would have expected a state law enforcement officer from rural Florida to become a sizable self-made entrepreneur, but that’s exactly what Lane did. A chance encounter with a mentor set him on an irreversible path that turned his hard-earned paychecks into properties, financial freedom to travel, paid-off college for his kids, and time to focus on his passions. But when the time came to pass down this durably wonderful, cash-flowing business, his children wanted little to do with it. The lightbulb clicked for Lane—passive income is true freedom. Since then, Lane has invested with Sunrise Capital Investors [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep26], giving him the “mailbox money” he sacrificed so many years for. Now, there are fewer tenants, toilets, and trash, and more trips and time with his family. This is how building a lifestyle by design, investing with low leverage (and low risk), and intelligently redeploying your capital gets you to the goal—freedom. Sage Wisdom from Today’s Episode:  * How a law enforcement officer with zero investing experience built a durable, cash-flowing portfolio his family can inherit * Scaling smarter and why using low leverage helps you skate through tough times * The one “greedy” investment that lost Lane money, but gained him an invaluable lesson * Building a portfolio your children will be proud to take over, not a handful of problem properties  * Buying your freedom through diligent, consistent investing, and when to switch from active to passive income — Recommended Resources: * Are you a high net worth investor with capital to deploy in the next 12 months? Build passive income and wealth [https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/register-for-the-deal-room/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=sage&utm_content=ep26] by investing in real estate projects alongside Brian and his team!  * Learn more from Brian [https://brianspear.com/] and listen to past episodes of The Sage Investor  * Connect with Brian [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian--spear] on LinkedIn 00:00 Intro 01:37 A Chance Encounter Changes Everything 06:15 First Deals - Farmhouse Foreclosures 08:49 Systematic Scaling (15+ Rentals) 11:23 Don't Touch Your Profit! 13:35 The Expert Eye 14:52 Surviving Big Property Problems 22:13 Buying Your Freedom 25:44 From Active to Passive Income 28:47 Pass Down Wealth, Not Worries 32:02 Real Estate Pays for It All 33:51 Lane's Sage Principle 36:54 Are You Investing for Freedom?