In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Scott Trench, former CEO of BiggerPockets, co-host of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, and author of "Set for Life." Their conversation dives into how Scott achieved financial independence through real estate and frugality, and how new investors can build the confidence and skills to invest from a position of strength.

Scott shares how his own path began with house hacking and strict expense management while working as a financial analyst. These early habits laid the foundation for his first duplex purchase and ultimately his real estate success. He explains that the core pursuit behind investing for most people isn't financial wealth. It's time freedom. Real estate offers one of the most accessible paths to achieve that, especially for everyday Americans with median incomes.

The conversation highlights the importance of personal accountability and developing an in-person community. While online education has its place, Scott emphasizes the lasting value of learning from real people, joining masterminds, and taking action on knowledge, not just theory. He also explains how engaging directly with tenants, even when difficult, builds the playbook necessary for long-term success.

Jonathan and Scott discuss why now might actually be an excellent time to buy, especially in smaller multifamily sectors. While high interest rates have sidelined many investors, price adjustments in certain markets have created new windows of opportunity. Scott reflects on his experience with both direct ownership and passive investing in syndications, candidly sharing why he prefers the control and reliability of local real estate over national trends.

They also touch on the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement and what early retirement actually means. For Scott, financial freedom isn't about never working again. It's about creating more choices. He encourages listeners to ignore the noise, avoid overpriced guru programs, and focus instead on sustainable investing strategies that fit their lives.

Throughout the episode, Scott keeps the advice actionable. He urges new investors to think critically, avoid fads, and build a strong foundation through frugality, education, and reps in the field. Whether you're house hacking, looking at syndications, or considering commercial opportunities, the key is to approach each decision with discipline and awareness. The ultimate goal? Gaining control over your time, finances, and future.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The mindset shift that turned Scott Trench from employee to investor
• Why house hacking creates a low-risk way to build skills and equity
• Where many new investors get stuck and how to get unstuck
• The importance of being a transparent and human landlord
• Strategies Scott uses to handle difficult tenants without evictions
• The hidden value of investor forums and local meetups
• Why it's smart to stay skeptical of real estate fads
• The case for small multifamily in today's market
• Scott's view on FIRE and time freedom as the real end goal
• Ways to assess college vs. trade school from an ROI perspective

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Supporting Resources:

BiggerPockets website - www.biggerpockets.com

BiggerPockets on YouTube - www.youtube.com/biggerpocketsmoney

Find BiggerPockets on Facebook - www.facebook.com/groups/BPMoney

Scott Trench's Instagram - www.instagram.com/scott_trench

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/scott-trench-53056a22

Scott's TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@strenchbp

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - [email protected]

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.