Today, we’re sitting down with an investor who’s quietly building one of the most impressive modern real estate brands in the luxury short-term rental space.Brad Martin is the founder of Reve Estates, a company known for creative deal structuring, clean operations, and high-end STRs in top destinations. Reve isn’t just about buying properties it’s about building systems, teams, and experiences that scale without sacrificing quality.But Brad’s journey didn’t start with luxury properties or polished systems.In this episode, Brad breaks down his origin story, the early wins and painful lessons that shaped him, and how Reve Estates evolved into a recognizable brand in a competitive market. We dive deep into how he sources deals today, how he thinks differently about luxury STR investing, and the systems that allow his team to operate at a high level.We also zoom out and talk about where the STR market is heading into 2025, common mistakes new investors are making, and what skills the next generation of operators must develop to stand out.This conversation is packed with real talk, practical insights, and mindset lessons for anyone looking to build a serious real estate business — especially in short-term rentals.This episode is a must-watch for investors who want to think bigger, operate smarter, and build a brand that lasts.📌 Timestamps00:00–02:53 – Intro — Brad Martin’s journey into real estate02:54–04:00 – Why STR + Case Study04:01–04:00 – How do you find your markets and deals?05:15 - 06:27 - How do you find your clientele and how do you brand?06:30 - 07:35 - Investor Hotspots07:36 - 09:44 - Operations - Systems and Hires and Team9:45 - 10:50 - Common Mistakes10:51 - 12:14 - STR Trends12:15 - 14:02 - What they're working on?14:03 - 15:18 - Hardest Failure15:19 - 16:33 - Mindset16:34 -17:38 - Mentor, Books, Podcasts17:39 - 19:46 - Best way to get started19:47 - 21:02 - What's next21:03 - 22:58 - Fun question and how to connect with Brad🔗 Connect with Brad MartinWebsite: https://reve-estates.com/LinkedIn:   / bradmartin  🔗 Connect with Us🌎 https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at https://motivatedsellers.com/

Today, we’re sitting down with someone who completely reshaped how real estate investors attract motivated sellers and convert online leads at scale.He’s the founder and CEO of Carrot.com, the industry-leading website and CRM platform trusted by thousands of investors, agents, and entrepreneurs nationwide. Carrot has powered millions of inbound leads, ranked on the Inc. 5000 list five years straight, and become the #1 platform for high-converting real estate websites.But Trevor’s journey started long before Carrot.At just 21 years old with only $600 to his name he bought his first multifamily property and began building a career rooted in resourcefulness, impact, and leadership. Today, he’s not only running one of the fastest-growing bootstrapped SaaS companies in the country… he’s on a mission to amplify leaders and help entrepreneurs build businesses that create profit and purpose.In this episode, Trevor breaks down the biggest mistakes investors make online, how top performers use Carrot differently, the future of SEO and paid ads, and exactly how he would build his online presence from scratch today.This is a masterclass for any investor who wants to attract more motivated sellers, automate their marketing, and build an inbound machine that lasts.📌 Timestamps00:00–00:50 – Intro — Who Trevor Mauch is & why Carrot changed the game00:51–06:49 – Origin Story — How Carrot was created to solve a real investor pain point06:50–17:28 – Biggest Mistakes — What most investors get wrong with online lead generation17:29–22:19 – How Top Investors Leverage Carrot — What the highest performers do differently22:20–24:59 – SEO vs. Paid Ads — Where investors should focus first25:00–28:19 – From Hustle to Brand — When it’s time to shift from grinding to inbound28:20–32:59 – Future of the Industry — Where investor lead gen is heading33:00–38:29 – Becoming a Leader — How investors can build mission, impact & influence38:30–43:59 – Books & Podcasts — What inspires Trevor and fuels his innovation44:00–45:59 – Why “Carrot”? — The story behind the name46:00–47:30 – Connect with Trevor — How to follow his work & plug into CarrotConnect with Trevor🌐 Website - https://carrot.com/https://www.trevormauch.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevormauch/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/trevor.mauch/?hl=enConnect with Us🌎 https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at https://motivatedsellers.com/

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Harmonie Borden, a real estate capital raiser, debt investor, and impact-driven entrepreneur who turned adversity into financial momentum.After spending more than a decade in healthcare and serving military families, Harmonie noticed a painful pattern: hard-working people were trading time for money with no real roadmap to build wealth. Everything changed when she relocated to Utah during COVID, found herself living in a hotel with her son, and made the bold decision to step into real estate investing.In just 7 months, she achieved what had been a 3-year financial goal for her family.In this conversation, Harmonie breaks down how she got started with debt investing, why she chose lending first, and how she evaluates deals for safety and returns. She opens up about raising capital, the differences between debt and equity investing, and the exact mistakes new investors make when deploying capital.We also talk about the mindset shifts required to build wealth, how to take action without having everything figured out, and how Harmonie built financial confidence from the ground up. Beyond real estate, she shares her work as Vice President of Elevate Côte d’Ivoire, a nonprofit focused on job creation and education across Africa, and how she balances profit with purpose.If you’re looking to build wealth through passive real estate, overcome fear, or learn how to evaluate deals like a pro, this episode is packed with real-world insight.📌 Timestamps00:00–00:50 – Intro00:51–03:17 – Before Real Estate you spent over a decade in healthcare and working with military families—can you tell us more about what you do today?03:18–06:41 – Moving to Utah mid-COVID, living in a hotel with your son, and still jumped into real estate. What was going through your mind when you said yes to your first deal? 06:42–10:10 – You hit a 3-year financial goal in just 7 months. What specific actions or decisions allowed you to accelerate that quickly?10:11–12:49 – What mistakes do you see investors making when it comes to placing capital in real estate deals, and how can they avoid them?12:50 – 14:49 - Many people think they need to “have it all figured out” before investing. How do you help people move past fear and take their first step?14:50 - 18:14 – You weren’t “great with money” when you started. How did you build the financial literacy and confidence you needed along the way18:15–19:09 – What's next for you?19:10–19:44 – Mindset Shifts — Wise words19:45–20:21 – How to connectConnect with Harmonie Borden  / %f0%9f%8e%bcharmonie-borden%f0%9f%8c%ba-a9...  Connect with Ushttps://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at https://motivatedsellers.com/

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Melanie Sikma and Byron McBroom, the powerhouse duo behind One Stop Tax Strategists, a firm dedicated to helping investors and business owners legally keep more of the money they earn.Unlike traditional accountants who simply file forms, Melanie and Byron take a proactive, strategy-first approach—digging into each client’s business, asking the questions most CPAs never think to ask, and uncovering tax-saving opportunities that routinely save their clients tens of thousands of dollars every year.Their journey into tax strategy wasn’t accidental—it came from seeing how many investors were overpaying, missing deductions, and structuring their businesses incorrectly simply because no one had ever sat down to explain how the tax code actually works for entrepreneurs.In this conversation, Melanie and Byron break down the real rules behind taxes for investors: what you can actually deduct, when an LLC does or doesn’t make sense, how entity structures really work, and why most people file taxes in a way that leaves money on the table. They also explain advanced strategies like cost segregation, real estate professional status, short-term rental loopholes, capital gains planning, and depreciation tactics that even seasoned investors often overlook.Whether you’re just starting your real estate journey or you’re managing a growing portfolio, this episode will help you understand how to structure your business the right way—and how to stop donating extra money to the IRS unnecessarily.📌 Timestamps00:00–00:50 – Intro00:57–04:49 – Origin Story — How Melanie & Byron built One Stop Tax Strategists04:50–05:39 – What Makes Their Approach Different — Beyond form filing05:40–08:39 – Foundational Advice — Deductions every new investor should use08:40–10:09 – LLCs & Myths — The truth behind “start an LLC to write things off”10:10–18:59 – Entity Structures — When to use holding companies, Nevada, Wyoming19:00–21:34 – Overlooked Tax Strategies — Missed deductions & hidden savings21:35–25:09 – Cost Segregation & Depreciation — How investors save big25:10–28:09 – #1 Habit for Tax Season Success — The system every investor needs 28:10–28:59 – What’s Next — Upcoming initiatives from One Stop Tax Strategists29:00–30:32 – Connect — How to work with Melanie & ByronConnect with One Stop Tax Strategists🌐 Website - https://www.onestoptaxstrategists.com/📘 Resources - https://www.flipsnack.com/AF5D56ED75E... https://www.flipsnack.com/AF5D56ED75E...https://www.flipsnack.com/AF5D56ED75E...📞 Free Tax Assesment - https://calendly.com/d/cqcw-bq4-9w9Connect with Us🌎 https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at https://motivatedsellers.com/

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Frank Gallinelli, a renowned real estate educator, author, and founder of RealData, whose software has helped investors analyze billions in real estate deals for over four decades.Frank’s journey began in the early days of digital real estate analysis, where he developed tools to help investors make smarter, data-driven decisions. But what started as a software company soon evolved into something much bigger—an education platform that has shaped how generations of investors think about cash flow, risk, and return.He’s the author of the bestselling classic What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow… And 36 Other Key Financial Measures, a book that’s become a must-read for anyone serious about mastering the numbers behind successful deals. Today, Frank also teaches at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, sharing decades of hard-won experience with the next generation of real estate professionals.In this conversation, we explore how Frank went from building software to building minds, what inspired his bestselling books, and why understanding cash flow is still the #1 skill for every investor. He also breaks down the biggest mistakes investors make when analyzing deals, how to leverage tools like RealData for smarter decisions, and what major trends he sees shaping the industry in the years ahead.Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your portfolio, this episode is packed with timeless lessons on the fundamentals of real estate investing and how to think like a pro.📌 Timestamps00:00–00:50 – Intro00:51–04:59 – Career Journey — From software to author and educator05:00–09:29 – Writing & Books — The story behind his bestselling classic09:30–10:36 – Key Lessons from Books — Core takeaways that stand the test of time10:37–15:09 – Teaching & Collaboration — Bringing real-world investing to the classroom15:10–22:59 – Quote or Core Philosophy — The principle that guides his work23:00–25:49 – Market Trends & Industry Outlook — Where real estate is heading next25:50–26:29 – Common Investor Mistakes — Misconceptions about deals and risk26:30–28:19 – Resources for Investors — Must-have tools and knowledge28:20–30:14 – Starting Over Advice — How to begin with just $5,00030:15–32:09 – What’s Next — Upcoming projects and focus areas32:10–32:39 – Connect — How to learn more from Frank🔔 Subscribe for more 1-on-1 interviews with the nation’s top real estate investors and educators.Connect with Frank:📘 https://realdata.com/📗 What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow https://www.amazon.com/Estate-Investo...💼   / frankgallinelli  Connect with us:🌎 https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at MotivatedSellers.com

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Tez Arbertha, a powerhouse real estate investor and founder of Verified Flippers, a company transforming distressed properties into thriving homes while empowering other investors to succeed.Tez got his start in real estate through hands-on experience and a passion for creating opportunities. Over the years, he’s built a business that balances profit with purpose, flipping homes for strong returns while fostering an investor community focused on mentorship and growth. His approach blends tactical deal-making with systems, tools, and negotiation strategies that allow him to scale efficiently while making a meaningful impact on the neighborhoods he serves.In this conversation, we cover how Tez found his start in real estate, the defining deal that made him commit long-term, his step-by-step flipping process, top markets and property types, negotiation tactics, systems for investors, and lessons from both wins and challenges. Whether you’re a new wholesaler, aspiring flipper, or seasoned investor, this episode is packed with actionable insights and advice for building a profitable, community-driven real estate business.📌 Timestamps:00:15–00:49 – Opening00:50–03:39 – How Tez Got Into Real Estate03:40–04:59 – Building an Investor Community05:00–06:09 – The Deal That Made Him Commit to Real Estate06:10–07:29 – Tez’s Process for Flipping Properties07:30–08:49 – Top Markets & Property Types He Focuses On08:50–09:59 – Step-by-Step Process for Pursuing Leads10:00–11:54 – Negotiation Tactics That Win Deals11:55–12:39 – Best Systems & Tools for Real Estate Investors12:40–13:39 – Common Mistakes New Wholesalers Make13:40–16:19 – Biggest Lesson Learned from a Tough Deal16:20–17:54 – What He’d Do Differently If Starting from Scratch17:55–19:29 – What’s Next for Tez & Verified Flippers19:30–20:51 – Tez’s Quote & Advice for New Investors20:52–End – Where to Find & Connect with Tez🔔 Subscribe for more 1-on-1 interviews with the nation’s top real estate investors.Connect with Tez Arbertha:  / coachtez  https://www.instagram.com/tezarbertha...  / tez-arbertha-a15770113  Connect with us:https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at https://motivatedsellers.com/

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Michael Pinter, CEO of Real Property Buyers a Long Island investor who’s been mastering one of the toughest markets in the country for over two decades.Born and raised in New York, Michael built his business buying, renovating, and wholesaling homes across Long Island and the five boroughs—long before “We Buy Houses” became a national trend. His no-nonsense approach combines deep local knowledge with systems that allow him to scale in one of the most competitive and regulated markets in the U.S.In this conversation, Michael breaks down how he got started in real estate, the key systems that helped him grow, and what it really takes to find and close deals in New York. He also shares his biggest lessons the wins, the setbacks, and how he’s adapting to today’s changing market.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to build a real estate business in New York, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.📌 Timestamps00:54 – 02:03: How did you first get into real estate, and what made you choose Long Island as your market?02:04 – 03:14: Can you share the story of your very first deal and what you learned from it?03:15 – 03:59: What do you do today?04:00 – 05:19: New York is one of the most competitive markets in the country—how do you consistently find and win deals here?05:20 – 07:44: What are the biggest benefits of investing in New York?07:45 – 12:19: For investors in high-cost markets like New York, what’s your blueprint for getting traction quickly?12:20 – 17:09: What are the core systems every investor should have in place before trying to scale?17:10 – 18:59: What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned in real estate that ultimately made you better? Any quotes or principles you live by?19:00 – 20:19: If you had to start over today with nothing but your wisdom and $20K, what would be your first move in today’s market?20:20 – 21:55: What’s next for Michael?🔔 Subscribe for more 1-on-1 interviews with the nation’s top real estate investors.Connect with Michael:🌐 [rpbuyers.com](https://www.rpbuyers.com)📸 [@findingdiscountedproperty](  / findingdiscountedproperty  )💼 [LinkedIn](  / michael-pinter-5b3a063  )📘 [Facebook](  / mpinter1  )Connect with us:👉 [linktr.ee/motivatedsellers](https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellers)Ready for exclusive off-market deals?➡️ [MotivatedSellers.com/invest] (https://motivatedsellers.com)

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Dan Brisse, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Granite Towers Equity Group, a multifamily investment firm managing over $300M in assets and helping hundreds of investors achieve financial freedom through real estate.Before real estate, Dan spent 13 years as a professional snowboarder, earning multiple X-Games gold medals and worldwide recognition as one of the best urban snowboarders in the game.But when the cameras stopped rolling, Dan started looking for a new challenge one that could give him the same sense of purpose and freedom he’d found on the slopes. That’s when he discovered multifamily real estate.Today, he leads acquisitions, operations, and investor relations at Granite Towers, where his team focuses on cash-flowing Class B multifamily assets across the U.S. He’s also the Co-Host of the Keeping It Real-Estate Podcast and Co-Author of 4 Steps to Successful Passive Investing, a practical guide for anyone looking to build wealth through syndications.📌 Timestamps:00:00–01:02 – Opening01:03–02:59 – You were at the top of the snowboarding world—X Games gold medals, global recognition. What made you shift gears and dive into real estate?03:00–04:30 – What parallels have you found between professional athletics and real estate investing specifically in mindset and discipline?04:31–06:39 – What was your very first real estate deal, and how did that experience shape your investing philosophy?06:40–09:34 – Why did you choose multifamily over single-family or other asset classes?09:35–13:22 – What are the key metrics you look for when analyzing/assessing a new multifamily deal?13:23–14:31 – What’s been your most effective strategy for raising capital from new investors especially those who are brand new to syndications and hesitant about wiring $50K or more into a deal?14:32–16:52 – What are the keys to managing properties well after the acquisition phase?16:53–19:04 – You co-wrote 4 Steps to Successful Passive Investing. What’s the biggest mistake new passive investors make—and how can they avoid it?19:05–20:22 – If someone’s listening with $50K–$100K and wants to start passively investing in multifamily, what’s the first step you’d recommend they take?20:23–22:01 – What’s the long-term vision for Granite Towers? Do you see yourself staying focused on multifamily, or expanding into other verticals over time? What’s next for you on a personal level?🔔 Subscribe for more 1-on-1 interviews with the nation’s top real estate investors.Connect with Dan:🌐 https://granitetowersequitygroup.com🎧 Keeping It Real-Estate Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keeping-it-real-estate-show/id1528859236 📘 4 Steps to Successful Passive Investing 📸 https://www.instagram.com/danbrisseConnect with us:🔗 https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at MotivatedSellers.com

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Chad Harris, founder of True Wealth Investors, a Dayton, Ohio–based investor who’s built a thriving real estate business without relying on banks.Chad’s story is one of resilience and reinvention.In 2012, he lost his teaching job and found himself living in a borrowed house, driving a borrowed car, and facing mounting bills. With no savings, no job, and no safety net he went all in on real estate.Through the BRRRR method and by building trust with private lenders, Chad scaled smart—acquiring and managing 50+ rental properties while avoiding the stress and risk most landlords face.Today, he’s not only a full-time investor but also the host of the True Wealth Investors Podcast, where he shares his journey and teaches others how to build income, freedom, and impact through real estate.If you’ve ever wondered how to start from zero and build a life of financial freedom through real estate—this episode is for you.📌 Timestamps:00:00–01:24 – Intro01:25–05:14 – Let’s go back to 2012—what was going through your head when your job ended and you decided to dive into real estate with no money, no car, and bills piling up?05:15–10:42 – Most people would’ve looked for another job—what gave you the confidence to bet on yourself and start investing full-time?06:55–14:55 – You bought your first 50+ doors without any bank financing—how did you structure those early deals, how did you find those deals?11:25–19:30 – Tips for investors starting out13:20–23:10 – Creative financing strategies working for Chad15:15–17:09 – You now manage over 50 doors without the headaches most landlords complain about—what are the key systems you’ve put in place?17:10–18:59 - What was your biggest “oh no” moment as an investor—and what did you learn from it? Hardest part of being an investor19:00–20:49 - Hardest part of being a real estate investor20:50–22:19 - Why private money?22:20–23:34 - How to find private money?23:35–24:39 - Where is the market heading to?24:40-26:14 - If he has to start his real estate career from scratch today, how would he do it?26:15-27:59 - More bout his podcast28:00-end - What's next for Chad?🔔 Subscribe for more 1-on-1 interviews with the nation’s top real estate investors.Connect with Chad:🎧 True Wealth Investors Podcast  / truewealthinvestors   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...https://www.truewealthinvestors.com/m...https://open.spotify.com/show/6Cj9Ams...Connect with us:🔗 https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at MotivatedSellers.com

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Mike Benton, a 20-year real estate and mortgage veteran who’s done it all from flipping 250 homes and redeveloping a 120-unit apartment complex to running a leading mortgage division.Mike is currently the Division President at Responsive Mortgage, where he leads a team dedicated to making home loans simple, fast, and stress-free for buyers and investors alike. Before that, he built and sold a successful real estate redevelopment company to a family office in 2017 and now focuses on developing 25 new single-family homes in Port St. Joe, Florida some to sell, others to hold as rentals.In this conversation, Mike shares how he got started in real estate, what he’s learned from two decades of flipping, lending, and developing, and the biggest financing mistakes investors should avoid in today’s market. We also dive into how to build a sellable business, find overlooked markets, and use creative deal structures to stay competitive even as rates fluctuate.If you’ve ever wondered how to transition from operator to builder or how to scale in both real estate and lending—this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.📌 Timestamps:00:17 – Intro02:00 – How Mike got started in real estate and his first deal04:05 - Responsive Mortgage06:00 - As both an investor and Division President at Responsive Mortgage, what’s the biggest financing mistake you see investors make—and how can they avoid it?06:50 - With lending tightening and rates fluctuating, what should investors know about structuring deals or loans creatively in today’s market?08:15 - You’re known for helping buyers close fast—what can investors do to speed up financing and stay competitive in a hot market? Scale to 20 mill9:40 - Case Study11:00 – How Mike scouts undervalued or emerging markets12:00 – If starting over with $100K how would he do it?13:40 - Push VS Pause in Real Estate15:30 - A failure he would have done differently19:06 – Daily routines, staying sharp, and what’s next🔔 Subscribe for more 1-on-1 interviews with the nation’s top real estate investors and entrepreneurs.Connect with Mike:https://www.responsivemortgage.com/te...  / mikegbenton    / mikegbenton    / mikegbenton  Connect with Or:  / orsapir    / orsapir11  Connect with us:https://linktr.ee/motivatedsellersReady for exclusive off-market deals?👉 Get started at MotivatedSellers.com/