Rod Khleif is a Dutch immigrant, multifamily investor, and high-performance mentor who has owned over 2,000 single-family homes and thousands of apartment units across the U.S. He hosts “Lifetime Cash Flow Through Real Estate Investing,” one of the largest commercial real estate podcasts, where he teaches investors how to use multifamily, senior housing, and other commercial assets to create long-term wealth. After watching his net worth jump $17 million in 2006 and then losing roughly $50 million in the 2008–09 crash, Rod rebuilt by focusing on mindset, goal setting, and identity work—turning that “seminar” into a blueprint he now shares with students worldwide.​

On this episode we talk about:

Rod’s journey from broke Dutch immigrant kid in Denver to watching his mom buy a $30,000 rental that appreciated $20,000 and realizing real estate could change his life.

Getting his broker’s license at 18, struggling for two years, then jumping to over $100k in income after discovering the power of mindset, psychology, and the right mentor.

Building a massive portfolio of single-family and multifamily properties, seeing his net worth rise by $17 million in one year, and then losing around $50 million in the 2008 crash.

How Rod reframed that loss as a “$50 million seminar,” refused to let real estate become his identity, and used aggressive goal setting and identity statements to rebuild.

The current state of commercial real estate, including distressed multifamily deals due to interest rate shocks, emerging opportunity in senior housing/assisted living, and why he’s cautious on office but bullish on other asset classes.

Top 3 Takeaways

Your business is just a vehicle—if it fails, you are not a failure; separating identity from outcomes is essential if you want to recover from big losses and take bigger swings.

Clear, emotionally charged goals combined with “I am” identity statements and massive action create the momentum needed to push through fear, limiting beliefs, and comfort zones.

Right now is a rare window for prepared buyers in commercial real estate and small business acquisitions, with distressed multifamily assets and retiring Baby Boomer owners creating outsized opportunities.

Notable Quotes

"They’re only failures if you don’t get back up—otherwise they’re just very expensive seminars."

"Anything you put the words ‘I am’ in front of becomes an identity statement, and your life will rise or fall to match it."

"Don’t fear failure; fear regret—because not living the life you’re capable of is the real nightmare."

Connect with Rod Khleif:

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