Invest and Roam with Dear Ngo

In this episode of Invest & Roam with Dear Ngo, real estate investors Jenn & Joe Delle Fave from Creative Finance Playbook break down how they scaled their portfolio without relying on banks, perfect credit, or large down payments — and how beginners can start doing the same.

If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting to qualify for traditional loans or saving for a 20% down payment, this conversation shows what’s possible using alternative investing strategies that most people never learn about.

Inside this episode:• What creative financing in real estate actually means• How to buy houses with as little as $100 down• Seller financing explained step-by-step• Subject-to real estate investing made simple• How rent-to-own creates strong monthly cash flow• Why banks limit investors (and how to work around it)• How to find off-market deals using Facebook and social media• Risks to understand before doing creative deals• How to scale from 1 deal per year to multiple deals per month• First steps beginners should take today

These strategies helped Jenn & Joe transition from traditional financing limits to building a scalable portfolio that supports financial freedom and location flexibility.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:15 Buying homes with $100 down

03:00 First seller-finance deal explained

05:00 Subject-to strategy breakdown

12:00 Scaling faster with creative finance

15:00 Finding deals through social media

18:00 Rent-to-own strategy explained

21:30 Risks investors should understand

31:00 Facebook lead generation strategy

35:00 Who should NOT use creative finance

41:00 Working together as a couple in real estate

58:00 First steps for beginners

Connect with Jenn & Joe:Instagram: @creativefinanceplaybookFacebook Group: Creative Finance PlaybookEmail: [email protected]: 585-329-4072

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In this episode, Lila Kaplan shares how she legally made $400,000 tax-free on a single property, transitioned from Wall Street into large-scale real estate investing, and now owns 445 doors across five states.

She explains why spouses in high-income households may be the biggest untapped wealth-building asset and how strategic real estate investing can dramatically reduce taxes while accelerating long-term financial freedom.

This conversation breaks down practical strategies for doctors, professionals, and high-income families looking to move from earning income to building wealth.

Main Takeaways

1. Capital gains exemptions can eliminate huge tax billsLiving in a property 2 of the last 5 years before selling may allow homeowners to avoid capital gains taxes.

2. Income does not equal wealth High earners often remain dependent on active income unless they invest strategically.

3. Spouses can unlock powerful tax advantagesOne spouse qualifying for Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) can offset the working partner’s W-2 income using depreciation.

4. Short-term rentals create another path to tax savingsEven without REPS status, meeting participation thresholds can allow depreciation to offset active income.

5. Multifamily investing scales faster than single-family portfolios

Instead of managing dozens of properties individually, investors can grow through syndications and partnerships.

Chapters ⏱️

00:00 How Lila Made $400K Tax-Free on One Deal

00:41 Meet Lila Kaplan (445 Doors Across 5 States)

01:03 Jersey City Condo Strategy Explained

02:54 Capital Gains Rule: Live 2 of Last 5 Years

04:21 Renovating Property While Living Overseas

05:30 Historic Dixon Mills Investment Story

07:18 Using Profits to Pay Off Medical School Debt

08:03 Leaving Wall Street After 15 Years

09:27 Meeting Her Surgeon Husband Changed Everything

10:29 The Goal: Retiring a Doctor Early

10:59 Average Medical School Debt Explained

13:48 Rich vs Wealthy (Critical Difference)

15:59 Tax Strategies for High-Income Households

17:11 Real Estate Professional Status (REPS) Explained

19:28 Why Spouses Have Massive Tax Power

21:01 Managing Family Life While Building Wealth

22:17 Why the IRS Code Rewards Real Estate Investors

23:47 How the Ultra-Wealthy Actually Build Wealth

25:08 Why the US Tax System Creates Opportunity

26:05 Short-Term Rental Tax Loophole Strategy

27:51 $1.7M Florida Property Depreciation Example

29:22 When Should You Claim REPS Status?

31:08 Why You Need a Specialized Real Estate CPA

32:57 What a Tax Strategist Actually Does

34:36 Scaling From Condo to Multifamily Investing

35:45 Losing $50K on a Flip (Important Lesson)

37:43 Turning a Burned Property Into Profit

40:06 Selling the Fourplex for $650K

41:48 The Real Lesson From Rich Dad Poor Dad

43:30 What Real Estate Syndication Means (Simple Explanation)

45:53 How Limited Partners Benefit From Depreciation

47:27 Why Some Syndications Underperformed Recently

49:09 How to Evaluate a Multifamily Deal

51:32 Bridge Loans Created Today’s Buying Opportunity

53:59 Why 2026 Is a Strong Market for Buyers

55:35 Why Investors Should Act Before 2027

56:32 Bonus Depreciation Returns to 100%

57:37 How to Connect With Lila Kaplan

Connect with Lila Kaplan

Lila Kaplan bio:IG: @lilamengkaplan

Lila Kaplan is a mom of three, an only child, and the wife of orthopedic surgeon Daniel Kaplan. She has lived in four countries and about twelve cities, and has traveled to 40 countries and 40 states, which gave her a big picture view of people, markets, and opportunity. Professionally, she spent 15 years on Wall Street, including six years in Singapore in relationship management and business development across Asia Pacific.

key message:

You don’t have to accept high taxes as a given. I’m imploring lawful strategies, diligent planning, and professional guidance to optimize your financial picture as the spouse of a high income earner.

In this episode, we sit down with Bitcoin educator Myles Dhillon to discuss why bitcoin today is still missing from most portfolios and whether traditional investing advice is failing modern investors. Myles shares his journey and why he believes Bitcoin offers a path to financial freedom, emphasizing financial education and personal growth. We also cover the impact of inflation on purchasing power and strategies for managing your money effectively.

Myles shares his 13-year journey with Bitcoin, how it transformed his perspective on money, and why he believes it offers a path to financial freedom. From debunking crypto myths to discussing long-term wealth strategies, this episode challenges everything you thought you knew about investing.

00:00 – Why Bitcoin is missing from most portfolios

02:40 – Bitcoin vs Crypto (Huge difference explained)

08:45 – Myles’ Bitcoin journey (13 years experience)

12:30 – Why traditional investing fails most people

16:20 – Are people overcomplicating investing?

18:20 – Is Bitcoin too volatile?

24:00 – Bitcoin vs Gold debate

30:00 – Dollar Cost Averaging strategy

33:00 – Traveling the world with family

40:00 – Quantum computing & Bitcoin security

43:30 – Rapid fire questions

Myles Dhillon Bio:

https://mylesdhillon.com/

Bitcoin educator, author and speaker. I help people build wealth and live with conviction through faith, character and financial freedom. I host the Should I Invest in Bitcoin? podcast and co-founded the Faith & Bitcoin Gathering in the UK.

Key message: that bitcoin is worth investing some more time into learning about

Final Thoughts

This episode isn’t just about Bitcoin, it’s about rethinking money, time, and freedom. Myles offers a fresh perspective on how to build wealth without sacrificing your life.

Burnout is not the cost of success — it’s a systems problem.

In this episode of Invest & Roam, Dear Ngo talks with Amanda Fornelli, real estate investor and founder of The Systems Academy, about how she escaped 80-hour workweeks, constant Airbnb interruptions, and business burnout by building systems that scale.

You’ll learn:

• Why burnout is a signal to change your business

• What SOPs actually look like in real life

• How to decide what to automate vs delegate

• The $10/hr vs $1,000/hr task rule

• How one automated email SOP brought in $240,000

• Amanda’s LEAN Framework for scaling without chaos

If you’re building wealth but losing time, energy, or relationships along the way — this episode will change how you operate.

Today’s episode is a masterclass in designing a life that feels like freedom.

I’m joined by Sarah Weaver — real estate investor, author, international speaker, and full-time world traveler. Sarah owns 20 rentals across four states (including 11 furnished mid-term rentals), runs three successful companies, and still makes time to hop on African safaris, climb Kilimanjaro, and lead international investor retreats.

All from her laptop.
All while visiting 56 countries on 7 continents.

In this episode, we dive into:
• Why mid-term rentals outperform long-term & short-term

• Exactly who stays 30–90+ days and how to attract them
• How Sarah built multiple businesses entirely remote
• The mindset shift every remote investor needs
• How to buy a rental in 90 days — without visiting the property
• The truth about managing fear, uncertainty, and growth
• How to design your life with intention (and the “Wheel of Life” method she uses)

Sarah’s story is proof that you don’t have to choose between success and freedom — you can build both with intention, strategy, and community.

Website: www.sarahdweaver.comInstagram: @sarahdweaverLinkedIn: /in/sarahdweaverFacebook: @sarahdweaverpage

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Follow Dear on IG: @dearngox2Join the Investor Club: www.remrayequity.com
Follow along for episodes on real estate, wealth building, and living life by design.

Ever wondered how to start investing in multifamily without a pile of cash? Or why raising capital feels awkward — and how to make it effortless?

In this episode, Dear Ngo talks with Eric Nelson, founder of Wild Oak Capital, who scaled from single-family rentals to over 1,000 multifamily units and now lives abroad in Spain with his family.

Eric breaks down how syndications actually work, why anyone can get started with little capital, and how real estate can buy back your most valuable asset: your time.

You’ll learn:

💡 The first steps to break into multifamily investing — even on a small budget

💬 How to raise money ethically and confidently

🌍 How real estate can give you true location freedom

Favorite Quote:

“You’re not asking for money; you’re providing an opportunity.”

🎙 Hosted by Dear Ngo, founder of Remray Equity and host of Invest & Roam — the show where we talk about living life by design, building wealth, and traveling the world freely.

Connect:

• Follow Eric: wildoakcapital.com | ericnelsoncoaching.com
• Follow Dear: instagram.com/dearngox2 | remrayequity.com/

What if Rich Dad, Poor Dad was written for women?

In this episode of Invest & Roam, Dear Ngo sits down with Liz Faircloth, co-founder of The Real Estate InvestHER, to talk about why women still fear investing, how to build wealth confidently, and what it really takes to own your power without burning out.

From her background in social work to building a multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio, Liz shares the real talk behind money, motherhood, mindset — and how women can finally stop playing small.

In This Episode We Cover:

• Why so many women still hesitate to invest 💭
• The confidence gap and how to close it fast
• How to stop “dimming your light” and own your success unapologetically
• What Rich Dad, Poor Dad got wrong about women and wealth
• How to build wealth and freedom without losing yourself
• Real strategies for today’s real estate market — and how women can win

Chapters

00:00 – Cold Open: Why Women Still Fear Investing

00:42 – Intro: Women, Wealth & Confidence

01:45 – The Birth of The Real Estate InvestHER

03:30 – From Social Work to Real Estate: Turning Purpose into Profit

06:50 – Why Women Play Small in Money Conversations

08:10 – Confidence vs. Exposure: How to Build Investing Courage

09:50 – Community as the Shortcut to Wealth

10:50 – Legacy & Impact: The Power of The InvestHER Movement

13:20 – Raising Confident Girls & Teaching Money Early

16:00 – If Rich Dad, Poor Dad Was Written for Women

19:00 – Stop Dimming Your Light — Own Your Power

22:45 – The Feminine Advantage in Real Estate

25:00 – Why Women’s Caution is a Secret Superpower

26:40 – What’s Working in Today’s Market

31:30 – Boundaries, Burnout & Protecting Your Energy

33:45 – Mental Health = Financial Health

36:00 – How The InvestHER Movement Has Evolved

40:50 – Why Women Must Ask for What They Want

43:00 – Emotional Awareness: “What’s Coming Up for You?”

44:20 – Rapid Fire: Advice for Women Scared to Start

45:10 – What Liz Would Tell Her 25-Year-Old Self

46:00 – What’s Next for The InvestHER & InvestorCon

47:10 – Closing: Don’t Wait Until You’re Ready — Start Now

About Liz Faircloth

Liz Faircloth is a real estate investor, speaker, and co-founder of The Real Estate InvestHER — a global community helping women create financial freedom through real estate and aligned living. With 20+ years of investing experience, Liz blends real estate strategy with personal growth to help women own their wealth with confidence.

🌐 TheRealEstateInvestHER.com

📸 @therealestateinvesther

About Invest & Roam

Invest & Roam is hosted by Dear Ngo, real estate investor and founder of Remray Equity — helping investors create freedom through multifamily and mobile home park investments.

🌎 Connect with Dear: @dearngox2

Remray Equity: www.remrayequity.com

Resources Mentioned

• The Real Estate InvestHER Community
• InvestorCon 2025 – Scottsdale, AZ
• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
• Boundary Boss by Terri Cole

Key Quotes

“Waiting until you feel ready is exactly what keeps you stuck.” – Dear Ngo

“Women don’t need permission to build wealth — they just need a plan.” – Liz Faircloth

“Stop dimming your light to make others comfortable.” – Liz Faircloth

Subscribe for More

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👍 Like this video & comment: What’s one fear you’re ready to let go of in your wealth journey?

📩 Share this with a woman who’s ready to stop playing small.

In this eye-opening episode of Invest & Roam, Adrian Rae, creative strategist and founder of HeyRaise Creative, breaks down how the wealthy quietly build generational wealth using a strategy most people have never heard of: the Infinite Banking Concept.

Adrian shares how she uses whole life insurance to help people fund their freedom—without depending on traditional banks. She breaks down how to structure a whole life policy for Infinite Banking, why most financial advisors get it wrong, and how you can use it to fuel your next real estate deal or passion project.

We cover:

* Why the wealthy use Whole Life insurance to build tax-free wealth

* The simple breakdown of Infinite Banking (and how to start)

* How to use your policy to fund real estate deals and investments

* The biggest myths about Whole Life insurance keeping people broke

* How branding and wealth intersect when raising capital

* What it means to truly be your own bank

Bio:

Adrian Rae is the founder of HeyRaise Creative, a brand and wealth strategy firm that helps entrepreneurs raise capital, grow their influence, and design freedom through creative storytelling and the Infinite Banking Concept. Adrian is passionate about helping creatives and investors unlock liquidity, fund opportunities, and build generational wealth outside the traditional banking system.

🌐 Website: [www.adrianrae.com](https://www.adrianrae.com)

📸 Instagram: [@adrian.rae](https://www.instagram.com/adrian.rae)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianrae/

🔗 Mentioned:

** [HeyRaise Creative](https://www.adrianrae.com)

* Book: *Becoming Your Own Banker* by R. Nelson Nash* https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianrae/##

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Follow *Invest & Roam* for new episodes each week on building wealth, investing smarter, and living life by design.

Connect with Dear on Instagram: [@dearngox2](https://www.instagram.com/dearngox2/)

In this inspiring episode of Invest & Roam, Dear Ngo sits down with powerhouse real estate developer, capital raiser, and coach Marci Surfas. After launching her real estate career later in life, Marci built a multi-million-dollar portfolio of luxury flips and student housing — while helping others do the same through her coaching programs.Mindset, deals, and the capital-raising playbook that turned her vision into reality. This is the story of second chances, bold risks, and redefining success at any age.**Here’s what you’ll learn:**- How Marci started in real estate at 50 and built a multi-million portfolio- The biggest mistake she made — and how it became her best lesson- How to raise capital even when you don’t have a network- Why she turned down millions from the wrong investors- The mindset shifts that separate doers from dreamers- How women can succeed in real estate *without* adopting “male” strategies- The truth about leverage, risk, and when to walk away### **About Marci Surfas:**Marci Surfas is a real estate developer, investor, capital raiser, and coach based in the U.S. She specializes in luxury flips, student housing developments, and investor coaching. Her mission is to empower others — especially women — to build wealth and freedom through real estate at any stage of life.🌐 Website: marcisurfas.com📸 Instagram: @marcisurfashomes🔗 LinkedIn: Marci Surfas🚀 **Follow & Subscribe:**If you loved this episode, please rate & review!Follow *Invest & Roam* for new episodes every week on building wealth, investing smarter, and living life by design.👉 Connect with Dear on Instagram: [@dearngox2](https://www.instagram.com/dearngox2/)👉 Website: https://remrayequity.com👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearngo👉 Virtual Coffee: https://calendly.com/dearngo/coffee

Dawn Matze is a general contractor, value-add investor, and author of Nailed It! Reach Financial Freedom Faster Through Value-Add Investing. Dawn helps women investors master renovations, structure deals, and create wealth through real estate.

We dig into the gritty side of investing — what can go wrong, how to protect yourself, and why renovations are the fastest way to scale your wealth if you know the right playbook.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• 🔨 Why value-add investing is the fastest path to freedom.
• 💸 The biggest mistakes investors make during renovations (and how to avoid them).
• 🏠 How to use construction coaching to add six figures of value to your next deal.
• 🚀 The mindset shift women in real estate need to play bigger and win bigger.
• 📈 Dawn’s “freedom metrics” beyond money that drive her investing decisions.

Dawn’s insights will change the way you approach investing.

🔗 Links:

• Connect with Dawn on IG: @womanbuilderdawn
• https://womanbuilder.com/
• Dawn’s Book: Nailed It! Reach Financial Freedom Faster Through Value-Add Investing

🚀 Follow & Subscribe:

If you loved this episode, please rate & review!

Follow Invest & Roam for new episodes every week on building wealth, investing smarter, and living life by design.

👉 Connect with Dear on Instagram: @dearngox2

👉 Website: https://remrayequity.com

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearngo

👉 Virtual Coffee: https://calendly.com/dearngo/coffee