In this episode of the Dream Start Own podcast, Edgar “The Connector” Salgado sits down with recruiter, AI strategist, and investor April Elias to unpack how she’s using creative finance, international real estate in Portugal, and AI to build freedom—without walking away from a W2 she actually loves.

April shares the story of their subject-to hybrid deal on Portugal’s “California of Europe,” how she and her brother are building on ocean-view lots near Lisbon, and why she’s planning investor scouting trips and workshops there in 2026. She also breaks down her fix-and-flip business across Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, including a luxury log cabin flip with Pace Morby that turned into a triple-digit profit.

You’ll learn:

• How April structured a subject-to + seller-finance hybrid deal in Portugal

• What it really takes for Americans to bank, build, and invest overseas

• Why she still keeps her W2 as a headhunter for AI/data talent

• Practical ways ANYONE can use ChatGPT and AI daily (even just from your phone)

• Her framework for focus: “Pick one or they all die”

• How she runs flips with family, partners, and private lenders

• Her Mount Everest: helping business owners not get left behind by AI

Connect with April:
Instagram: @aprilas.com

✨ ⚡ Every click fuels the dream. 🌙 Sleep better, dream bigger! ✨Affiliate link: Eight Sleep https://refer.eight.sl/edgardsalgado  🌙✨🔌 PLUG IN & SUBSCRIBE 🔌Instagram: / @edgartheconnectorTikTok: / @edgarsrei► Join The Subto Community fot Life & Learn Creative Finance from ⁨@PaceMorby⁩ ✌🏼https://join.nre.ai/mQ9T9vZ► Learn How to Make Money on Other People's Deals with the Gator Methodhttps://join.nre.ai/mQBDJK5► Get the tools I use for productivityhttps://linktr.ee/EdgartheConnector🚧🚧🚧 DISCLAIMER 🚧🚧🚧 We are not a CPA, attorney, insurance, contractor, lender, or financial advisor. The content in these videos shall not be construed as tax, legal, insurance, construction, engineering, health & safety, electrical, financial advice, or other and may be outdated or inaccurate; it is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This is a YouTube video for entertainment purposes ONLY.

In this episode of the Dream Start Own podcast, Edgar “The Connector” Salgado sits down with co-living investor and Subto Semesters instructor Dustin Geroski to unpack the “secret sauce” behind his high-performing rent-by-the-room portfolio, 10-bed co-living new builds in Houston, and how he’s raised over $2M through fractional partnerships.

Dustin shares how he went from wholesaling and a few co-living projects to building a full team with an operations manager, project manager, funding liaison, CFO, and overseas marketing support—all focused on Padsplit-style co-living in markets like Houston, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, and more. He breaks down how his Mount Everest evolved from helping 1,000 people find affordable housing to helping 10,000 investors buy their first co-living deal.

You’ll learn:

• How Dustin structures 10-bed/10-bath new-build co-living deals in Houston

• Why Padsplit is his primary platform for filling rooms and what markets he targets

• How fractional partnerships work, why investors are considered “active,” and what they actually do

• The Tuesday public office hours where anyone can bring deals to underwrite, and the private Thursday investor masterminds

• How he built his team (operations, project management, capital, bookkeeping, marketing) so he can focus on vision and deals

• Why getting around people doing what you want to do is the fastest way into real estate and entrepreneurship

Connect with Dustin:
Website & all links: buydealswithdustin.com

Follow Dream Start Own, rate this episode, and share it with someone curious about co-living, Padsplit, or partnering on fractional deals to create more affordable housing and cash-flowing assets.

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🚧🚧🚧 DISCLAIMER 🚧🚧🚧
We are not a CPA, attorney, insurance, contractor, lender, or financial advisor. This content is for entertainment purposes ONLY. Verify all information yourself.

In this episode of the Dream Start Own podcast, Edgar “The Connector” Salgado sits down with Peter Roisman, co-founding principal and CEO of REV, a multifamily leasing company that’s trained hundreds of leasing pros and created the REV Leasing University and REV Leasing Score to help owners fill vacancies and boost NOI.

Peter shares how he went from law and sports business to medical real estate development and then into multifamily, where he saw a massive gap in leasing talent, training, and accountability. He explains how REV’s mystery shops, scoring system, and online courses give owners a clear picture of how well their teams perform at the “tip of the spear” and how even small improvements in leasing execution can translate into meaningful revenue growth and higher property values.

You’ll learn:

• Why leasing is the most under-appreciated but revenue-critical role in multifamily

• How REV’s Leasing Score and mystery shops reveal gaps in property, process, and people

• How better leasing performance can drive revenue more than simple cost-cutting

• Why many properties sit under 85% occupancy and how to get from “stuck” to stabilized

• How to use leasing assessments as a buyer or seller to uncover hidden upside in deals

• The career-path problem for leasing agents—and how treating leasing as a true profession changes everything

• How AI will support (not replace) leasing teams and where Peter is already using it

• Leadership lessons on failing forward, listening to clients, and striving for excellence, not just “good enough”

Connect with Peter & REV Leasing:
Website & demo request: rev-leasing.com

Sleep better, dream bigger! Affiliate link: Eight Sleep https://refer.eight.sl/edgardsalgado Follow Dream Start Own, rate this episode, and share it with investors, operators, and leasing teams who want to turn underperforming apartments into stabilized, cash-flowing assets.🔌 PLUG IN & SUBSCRIBE 🔌Instagram: / @edgartheconnectorTikTok: / @edgarsrei► Join The Subto Community fot Life & Learn Creative Finance from ⁨@PaceMorby⁩ https://join.nre.ai/mQ9T9vZ► Learn How to Make Money on Other People's Deals with the Gator Methodhttps://join.nre.ai/mQBDJK5► Get the tools I use for productivityhttps://linktr.ee/EdgartheConnector🚧🚧🚧 DISCLAIMER 🚧🚧🚧 We are not a CPA, attorney, insurance, contractor, lender, or financial advisor. The content in these videos shall not be construed as tax, legal, insurance, construction, engineering, health & safety, electrical, financial advice, or other and may be outdated or inaccurate; it is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This is a YouTube video for entertainment purposes ONLY.

In this episode of the Dream Start Own podcast, Edgar “The Connector” Salgado sits down with investor and builder Rayce Barnes to break down how he scaled from renting out spare rooms in his own home to running multiple high-performing Airbnb units, adding hot tubs and arcades, and even building new construction duplexes for short-term rentals in Central Washington.

Rayce shares how he started hosting in 2016, why he prefers short-term rentals over long-term tenants, and how he turned tenant damage and maintenance headaches into better systems, higher nightly rates, and a separate cleaning company that supports his STR portfolio. He explains how he uses dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs, smart locks, automated messaging, lighting, and sound to deliver a great guest experience while running everything in about 10–15 minutes a day.

You’ll learn:

• How Rayce house hacked with Airbnb rooms and then scaled into multiple STR units

• What really happens with hot tubs, game rooms, and other amenities—and how to price them

• Systems for cleaners, early/late check-in, and protecting your property from guest damage

• How dynamic pricing and occupancy work together to maximize STR revenue

• The pros and cons of Airbnb vs VRBO, and using Airbnb for rent-by-the-room

• How Rayce is now expanding into co-living markets like Houston, Vegas, Phoenix, and Tampa

• His “Mount Everest”: helping 1,000 contractors become owners through equity in new-build projects

Rayce also talks about being the visionary while his wife is the integrator, why action beats perfection, and how communities like Subto, Gator, and other real estate masterminds helped him level up faster with short-term rentals, co-living, and new construction.

Connect with Rayce:
Website: RayceBarnes.com
Instagram: @RayceBarnes
Facebook: Rayce Barnes

If you’re an aspiring Airbnb host, a busy investor, a contractor who wants to become an owner, or someone curious about co-living and STR systems, this episode will give you practical ideas you can start using right away.

► Get the tools I use for productivityhttps://linktr.ee/EdgartheConnector🚧🚧🚧 DISCLAIMER 🚧🚧🚧 We are not a CPA, attorney, insurance, contractor, lender, or financial advisor. The content in these videos shall not be construed as tax, legal, insurance, construction, engineering, health & safety, electrical, financial advice, or other and may be outdated or inaccurate; it is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This is a YouTube video for entertainment purposes ONLY.

In this episode of the Dream Start Own podcast, Edgar “The Connector” sits down with married investing duo Linda and Connor Holtz of M2RE (Married to Real Estate) to unpack how they scaled from a Chicago house hack during COVID to syndicating 100+ unit multifamily deals across the Texas Triangle and beyond.

They share how property management in Chicago, an FHA 203k house hack, and a big move to landlord-friendly Houston laid the foundation for their multifamily journey—plus why their motto “aggressive but selective” guides every partnership and deal they touch.

You’ll learn:

• How their first house hack, FHA 203k renovation, and sale set them up to scale faster

• Why they went passive first in a 65-unit deal to learn from the inside before becoming GPs

• What “aggressive but selective” looks like in real underwriting, partnerships, and red flags

• How they choose markets using the “path of progress” (jobs, population growth, Chick-fil-A, H-E-B & Amazon effect)

• The difference between C- to B-class value-add, newer B+/A- assets, and why they like 80s+ construction and 60+ units

• How tax benefits and cost segregation work for multifamily investors (with real examples and caveats like recapture)

• Why networking, masterminds, and communities like Subto/Owners Club changed their deal flow and confidence

• How they’re expanding into “unsexy” cash-flow businesses like car washes and thinking about future international investing in Europe

Linda and Connor also talk about their educational brand “Holtz the Door,” their judgment-free Q&A webinars, and why getting out of your comfort zone, finding mentors, and staying teachable are the real cheat codes in real estate and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Linda & Connor (M2RE – Married to Real Estate):
Website: married2realestate.com
LinkedIn: Linda Holtz
Socials, email & meetup info: linked through their website

Follow the show, rate this episode, and share it with someone who wants to scale from single family to multifamily, invest passively, or break into syndications through the power of relationships and networking.

In this episode of the Dream Start Own podcast, Edgar “The Connector” sits down with construction expert and investor Jim Vani (“Jim Vani Builds”) to break down how he blends 15+ years of construction experience with creative real estate to build fix and flips, ground-up developments, and affordable housing projects across the country.

Jim shares how he went from growing up on job sites with his dad to running his own construction company, partnering with investors on multifamily and mixed-use projects, and becoming a Subto “Semesters” instructor teaching Fix & Flip and Construction Mastery 101 inside Pace Morby’s community.

You’ll hear:

• How to use construction as a lever on any real estate deal

• The biggest mistakes investors make on fix and flips (and how to avoid losing money)

• How Jim partners with investors nationwide as a construction-focused partner and “owner’s rep plus”

• Why markets like Chicago, Austin, and Phoenix are key hubs for his projects

• How FHA 203k rehab loans can help first-time buyers house hack multi-units

• Jim’s Mount Everest: creating affordable housing and co-living options for lower-income families and those in need

• Practical advice for starting a side hustle, knowing if you’re truly built to be “your own boss,” and when to leave (or keep) your W2

If you’re a real estate investor, aspiring flipper, project manager, or someone intimidated by construction risk, this episode will show you how the right systems, team, and mindset can turn construction from your biggest fear into your biggest advantage.

Connect with Jim:
Instagram: @JimVaniBuilds
Facebook & YouTube: Jim Vani Builds

Connect with Edgar:
Website: edgartheconnector.com
Instagram: @EdgarTheConnector

Follow the show, rate this episode, and share it with someone who wants to scale into bigger projects, safer flips, and impact-driven housing.

In this episode of the Dream Start Own podcast, Edgar “The Connector” sits down with capital raiser and mortgage veteran Joshua Sun to break down how he helps families in foreclosure, rescues investors from bad deals, and channels real estate profits into orphan care, anti-trafficking, and housing for domestic violence survivors.

Joshua shares how he went from 20 years in mortgage to becoming a full-time capital raiser, raising $550,000 in 3 days to save a single mom of five from losing her home to a predatory lender—and how his team now partners with investors to create strong returns while doing deeply meaningful work.

You’ll hear:

• How Joshua structures foreclosure rescue deals and raises private money fast

• How he uses content and social media to build trust with investors at scale

• Why “trust but verify” is critical to avoiding bad partners and bad deals

• How the weekly “Bad Deal Chat” helps investors unwind bad deals and recover capital

• The power of communities like Subto, Gator, and Owners Club for deal flow and funding

• How Joshua ties each foreclosure deal to rescuing children from trafficking

• The orphanage work in Mexico: new beds, education, AI-powered learning, and long-term vision

• Hope Haven Partners: multifamily projects to house survivors of domestic violence

If you’re a private money lender (or want to become one), an investor stuck in a bad deal, or someone who wants to use real estate and business to fund Kingdom-level impact, this episode will show you what’s possible when you align profit with purpose.

Connect with Joshua:
Instagram: @JoshuaSun26
YouTube: @JoshuaSun26 (capital raising, content & productivity classes)
Bad Deal Chat & orphanage support: DM Joshua on Instagram for links and details

Follow the show and rate this episode if it helped you think bigger about how to serve others through business, capital raising, and creative real estate. Every share helps expand the impact.

🚧🚧🚧 DISCLAIMER 🚧🚧🚧 We are not a CPA, attorney, insurance, contractor, lender, or financial advisor. The content in these videos shall not be construed as tax, legal, insurance, construction, engineering, health & safety, electrical, financial advice, or other and may be outdated or inaccurate; it is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This is a YouTube video for entertainment purposes ONLY.

In this solo episode of the Dream Start Podcast, Edgar "The Connector" Salgado shares how he's building a mission-driven real estate portfolio focused on impact first: affordable housing through rent-by-the-room, sober living communities, veteran housing, and solutions for young adults aging out of foster care.

Edgar opens up about growing up as a first-generation American, his early entrepreneurial hustle, and how mentorship from Pace Morby and the Subto community helped him scale from one house hack to multiple impact properties, including sober living homes in Texas and Tennessee, an Airbnb that covers his mom's cost of living, and a fourplex that serves veterans.

You'll hear:

• How rent-by-the-room, Padsplit-style co-living, and Airbnb can create both cash flow and affordable options

• Why sober living and veteran housing are more than "strategies" – they're lifelines

• The story of Edgar's brother, a fallen Marine, and why serving veterans is deeply personal

• How private money lenders can earn returns while backing mission-driven projects

• Why "Who Not How" and finding the right partners is the ultimate shortcut in real estate and entrepreneurship

If you're a private money lender (or want to become one), an entrepreneur, an executive assistant/integrator, wholesaler, or even a bird dog who wants to help find deals, this episode is your invitation to plug into the mission of creating 40,000 affordable beds and changing lives one room at a time.

Connect with Edgar:
Website: edgartheconnector.com
Instagram: @EdgarTheConnector
LinkedIn: Edgar Salgado

Follow the show, rate this episode, and share it with someone who cares about affordable housing, impact investing, or creative real estate. Every listen and share helps expand the mission.