In this week’s episode, I sat down with Jane from Elgon Financial Advisors, who specializes in helping foreign-born individuals navigate US finances. We covered everything you need to know about building US credit as a Canadian investor!

EP360 How to Restart Real Estate After Losing it All with Mathew Owens by Glen Sutherland

The podcast episode is a deep dive into creative financing for land deals, focusing on strategies like land contracts, due diligence, and automation in the land investing business. Here’s a summary of the key points:

Selling Land with Creative Financing

The guest discusses selling land using a land contract rather than a lease option or contract for deed.

A land contract ties the property to a promissory note and purchase-sale agreement, where the buyer makes payments until they fully own the land.

If the buyer defaults, there’s no need for foreclosure—after a 35-day cure period, the seller keeps the down payment and past payments and resells the property.

Why land contracts? They avoid the legal complexities and costs of foreclosure, which are required for contract-for-deed arrangements.

Managing Seller-Financed Land Deals

The guest automates payments through GeekPay.io, a software that manages payments, notifications, and prepayments.

The goal is to build a scalable business, not a high-maintenance job.

90% of the process can be automated using systems, processes, and virtual assistants.

Land Due Diligence & Market Selection

Due diligence for land is simpler than for houses. Key factors include:

Checking if utilities are available.

Verifying land use permissions (e.g., whether someone can build on it).

Avoiding Superfund sites (polluted land with expensive cleanup costs) using EPA.gov.

Targeting rural land within 1-3 hours of a city where demand exists.

Why Seller Financing Works for Land

Traditional banks won’t finance land, so seller financing fills the gap.

Hard money lenders also avoid land deals because they don’t want to hold the asset.

Buyers often care more about monthly affordability than the total price, making payments an attractive selling point.

Land Investing vs. Traditional Real Estate

Compared to fix-and-flip or rental properties, land investing avoids:

Tenants, repairs, and maintenance issues.

Regulations like Dodd-Frank and RESPA that apply to housing.

The business model is:

Buy land at 25-30% of market value.

Sell it at market price with seller financing.

Create passive income from monthly payments.

Coaching & Resources

The guest started teaching land investing after helping a student make $300K on a deal.

His mission is to help people escape solo economic dependency (trading time for money).

He offers free resources, a done-with-you program, and a done-for-you program for different experience levels.

His book "Dirt Rich" is available for free (just pay shipping).

Final Takeaway

Land investing through seller financing provides a scalable, low-maintenance way to generate passive income without the typical headaches of real estate investing.

https://landgeek.samcart.com/products/dirt-rich?utm_source=glen-sutherland&utm_medium=podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Ian Horowitz from Equity Warehouse to discuss the journey of scaling a real estate portfolio, managing risk, and knowing when to sell. Ian shares his experience transitioning from high-risk investments in Baltimore to more stable and profitable deals in primary markets like Philadelphia.

This episode explores the world of manufactured housing as a unique investment opportunity in the US. Glen is joined by Alden and Sean, who specialize in originating notes and investing in manufactured housing communities, providing insights into this niche market.

Key Highlights

1. Defining Manufactured Housing

Often confused with RVs or trailers, manufactured homes are single-move properties transported from the factory to a lot.

Typically found in established communities with amenities like pools, city utilities, and more.

Units are personal property, titled through the DMV, unlike traditional real estate.

2. Property Features

Focus on 3-4 bedroom homes (800-1300 sq. ft.) to cater to families.

Renovated properties with modern amenities like granite countertops and new appliances.

Homes are placed in family parks or 55+ communities.

3. Investment Opportunities

Note Investing: Individuals can purchase notes secured by manufactured homes, earning returns without managing tenants or properties.

Accredited Fund: The Silvercrest Opportunity Fund offers diversified portfolios of notes, with 1-year (10% net) and 3-year (12% net) investment terms.

4. Risk and Mitigation

Note Investing: Slightly higher risk due to potential non-performance, but supported by the fund's back-office services for repossession and resale.

Fund Model: Diversifies risk across multiple notes, with the management team handling repossessions, retitling, and remarketing.

5. Advantages of Manufactured Housing

Affordable housing demand continues to rise.

Investment provides opportunities for passive income, with lower risk than traditional real estate.

Evictions for non-performing notes are simpler and less costly than traditional foreclosures.

6. Underwriting Process

Buyers are rigorously qualified with credit checks, employment verification, and substantial down payments.

This reduces repossession risks and ensures steady cash flow.

Host’s Takeaways

Manufactured housing provides diverse investment pathways: individual notes, accredited funds, or direct property ownership.

Eviction is a cost-effective recourse compared to traditional foreclosure, minimizing potential losses.

Negative stereotypes around manufactured housing are outdated as the market evolves with modern communities and high standards.

Closing Remarks:

Alden and Sean emphasize the significant opportunities in manufactured housing, particularly for investors seeking affordable entry points and consistent returns. They invite listeners to explore this growing sector further, highlighting its potential to diversify portfolios.

Kayla Andrade emphasizes the importance of landlords staying informed and advocating for policy changes to better support the housing industry in Ontario.

She encourages collaboration with elected officials and industry experts to address issues like tenant accountability and affordable housing.

Tenant Screening and Rent Reporting:

Tenant screening is crucial to avoid problematic tenants. Kayla advises landlords to:

Conduct their own long-form credit checks (e.g., through Equifax).

Match tenant application details with credit data to identify discrepancies.

Avoid accepting credit reports directly from tenants, as these can be falsified.

Monthly rent reporting is a valuable tool that benefits both landlords and tenants:

It helps tenants build their credit with on-time payments.

It acts as a deterrent for tenants who might not pay rent consistently, ensuring accountability.

Challenges in the Housing Sector:

Kayla highlights systemic issues such as shelters being overcrowded, reliance on motels as housing, and the use of shipping containers for accommodations. These reflect broader problems in addressing housing needs effectively.

Advocacy as a Solution:

Kayla encourages landlords to become professional and customer-service-oriented while protecting their investments.

She calls for more government support for landlord education and policy reform to address current challenges.

Kayla herself provides one-on-one consultations, educational resources, and runs the Ontario Landlord Watch Facebook group to support landlords.

Personal Insights:

Kayla shares her own experiences, such as dealing with tenants who split up and the importance of setting clear expectations upfront.

She mentions her reluctance to enter politics due to personal commitments but remains focused on helping landlords through advocacy and education.

Call to Action:

Landlords should join advocacy groups like Ontario Landlord Watch and stay informed about policy changes.

Collaboration and proactive efforts are needed to create a better housing environment for both landlords and tenants.

This podcast episode of Canadian Investing in the USA features Rich Monroe, an experienced real estate investor based in Atlanta, Georgia, who focuses on short-term rentals, Airbnbs, and boutique hotels. Over his 20-year career, Rich has worked with single-family homes, multi-family properties, and hotels. His main focus has shifted toward distressed property investments, particularly boutique hotels, due to the flexibility and value creation opportunities they provide.

Key Points:

Geographic Focus: Rich primarily invests in the southeastern U.S., including Atlanta, Tampa (Florida), North Georgia mountains, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Investment Strategies:

Fix and flip distressed properties for short-term rentals.

Rental arbitrage by leasing properties for Airbnb use.

Management of short-term rentals for other investors (earning ~25% management fees).

Shift to Hotels:

Hotels offer flexibility since value is based on net operating income, not appraised property values.

They allow for higher returns by leveraging operational efficiencies, remodeling, and licensing advantages, particularly in markets with strict Airbnb regulations.

Ongoing Projects: Rich is working on a 104-room cabin resort in North Georgia that includes amenities like a wedding venue, spa, restaurant, and horseback riding. He’s also exploring distressed hotels and conversions into boutique-style accommodations.

Regulatory Challenges: Short-term rental regulations in cities like Atlanta and New York have pushed Rich toward the hotel space, which has more stable licensing structures and fewer restrictions.

Creating Experiences: To differentiate his properties, Rich focuses on creating unique guest experiences with amenities like pools, pickleball courts, fire pits, and organized activities such as yoga or events.

Collaborative Approach: Rich emphasizes partnering with experienced professionals in the hotel space to reduce risk and streamline operations. He’s also exploring innovative strategies like hotel-to-condo conversions, offering individual investors opportunities to buy rooms.

The discussion highlights the strategic advantages of hotel investments and the importance of diversifying income streams in real estate.

This podcast features a conversation with a real estate investor who specializes in the "rent-by-the-room" strategy, particularly targeting college students near major universities. The guest shares their expertise on identifying suitable properties, adapting spaces to maximize rental income, and navigating financing challenges in this niche.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Researching Locations and Understanding the Market

Safety First: Tools like Reddit and CrimeGrade.org are invaluable for researching neighborhoods and identifying safe locations. Reddit provides direct insights into student preferences through word-of-mouth discussions.

Student Preferences: Understanding what students seek in off-campus housing helps in selecting suitable properties.

2. Pricing and Rental Rates

Use platforms like Facebook housing groups, Roomies.com, and Craigslist to determine average rental rates per bedroom.

Pricing must align with the local market while ensuring profitability.

3. Maximizing Rental Income

Repurposing Spaces: Convert bonus rooms, offices, or large living rooms into additional bedrooms to increase income.

General Guidelines: Bedrooms must meet local egress and size requirements (typically 10x10 feet or larger).

Estimating Bedroom Potential: Divide total square footage by 300 to estimate the number of bedrooms a property can support.

4. Financing Strategies

Lenders typically use market-wide rental comps, even for rent-by-the-room setups.

Refinancing to use actual rental income requires at least one year of ownership and showing income on tax returns.

DSCR loans (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) may be harder to approve for room-by-room models during refinancing.

5. Target Tenant Base

Focus on colleges with professional programs (e.g., medical, dental, law) where students stay for several years.

Students are generally reliable tenants, with parents or financial aid often covering rent. Evictions are rare in this demographic.

6. Getting Started and Scaling

Start with a single-family home and convert spaces to add bedrooms.

Creating additional bedrooms is cost-effective (around $1,500–$2,500 per room).

Once a system is established, the process can be repeated for future properties.

7. Advantages of Rent-by-the-Room Strategy

Potential to net $1,500–$2,500 per month in cash flow per property.

The U.S. has a vast market with colleges in every state, providing consistent tenant demand.

Real estate investing offers compounding growth through leverage, equity paydown, and cash flow.

Closing Thoughts

The guest encourages new investors to consider this strategy due to its accessibility and profitability.

They highlight the importance of developing a repeatable system to scale investments efficiently.

Real estate investing provides financial independence and control over one’s future.

Resources:

The guest offers a free guide and coaching program through their website, newbierealestateinvesting.com.

In this engaging episode, we sit down with Scott Kidd, a seasoned yacht manager and real estate investor, to explore the fascinating parallels between managing luxury yachts and navigating the world of real estate syndication. Scott shares valuable insights from his unique career journey, emphasizing leadership, problem-solving, and building strong relationships as the keys to success in any industry.

Key Takeaways:

The Power of Team Alignment: Whether managing a yacht or a real estate syndication, having a cohesive team with shared goals is crucial for success. One misaligned team member can disrupt the entire operation.

Lessons from Yacht Management: Scott draws on his experience handling high-pressure situations for billionaire clients, emphasizing the importance of quick problem-solving and adaptability—skills that seamlessly translate into real estate investments.

Syndication Insights: For those exploring real estate syndications, Scott outlines red flags to watch for:

Vet the operator's track record and experience, especially during challenging market cycles.

Assess their communication style—transparent, consistent updates are essential.

Ensure their interests align with yours by verifying they have "skin in the game."

Luxury Investments – Boats vs. Real Estate: Scott shares a candid comparison between investing in yachts and real estate. While yachts are depreciating assets with high maintenance costs, real estate, particularly multi-family properties, offers more sustainable long-term returns.

Networking and Collaboration: Scott discusses the importance of networking and learning from others, highlighting his group, the Yachty Real Estate Investors, which welcomes anyone eager to grow and share knowledge.

About Scott Kidd:

Scott is the founder of InvestWithScottKidd.com, where he provides resources, podcasts, and investment opportunities. He also hosts the Yachty Podcast, which originally focused on real estate investing for yacht professionals but has expanded to include a broader audience.

Links and Resources:

Visit Scott’s website: InvestWithScottKidd.com

Join the Yachty Real Estate Investors group for networking and support.

Stay tuned for Frederick’s guest appearance on the Yachty Podcast (links in the show notes)!

Final Thoughts:

This episode is a masterclass in applying leadership, communication, and teamwork principles across industries. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting your journey, Scott’s advice will inspire you to think critically, act decisively, and build strong connections. Tune in and discover how to navigate your own path to success!

Glen Sutherland hosts Canadian Investing in the US with guest Dave Mastronardi.

Dave runs a real estate investment firm in Canada focused on the southern US, particularly Florida. He is also a partner at Midfield Investments, focusing on multifamily properties in Texas.

Dave's Real Estate Journey

Previously the CEO of a large manufacturing company; transitioned to real estate full-time after the business was sold.

Started with smaller, self-funded projects in Ontario before expanding into larger multifamily investments in the US.

Emphasized the importance of scaling through partnerships, capital raising, and team-building.

Current Project: 120-Unit Property in Montgomery, Texas

The deal involves a brand-new multifamily property purchased from a developer at $142,000 per unit—significantly below typical Canadian prices.

Located near Houston, in a growing area with strong commercial and residential development, including amenities like a new Home Depot and other retail spaces.

Demographic appeal includes commuters to Houston and residents drawn to nearby Lake Conroe (comparable to Muskoka, Ontario).

Deal Highlights

Seller Financing: Favorable terms allow flexibility and a path to HUD financing.

Cash Flow from Day One: No significant renovations required; focus on minor amenity additions.

Low Risk: De-risked due to immediate cash flow, strong market demand, and equity on purchase.

Avoiding high-risk "value-add" strategies common in previous hot markets, given interest rate fluctuations and renovation uncertainties.

Final Notes

Glen and Dave highlighted the importance of shifting strategies based on market conditions.

Dave emphasized prioritizing cash flow and minimizing risk in the current environment, as opposed to high-risk renovation-heavy projects.

The project stands out due to its favorable terms, location, and growth potential.