Raising the Flipping Bar with Derek Marlin

Welcome back to another episode of Raising the Flipping Bar!

If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start there — we covered John Paul and Carrie Maxfield's backgrounds, their design philosophy, and the real story behind their second deal ever: a seven-figure flip at Boulder Country Club. 

🔗 Listen to Part 1 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5JGh8zxIE0

In Part 2, we get into the nitty-gritty: the actual numbers behind the deal, a smart tax-timing decision that could have gone very differently, what it's really like running a business as husband and wife, and how mentorship through the ELEVATION Academy gave them the confidence to move fast on a project most people wouldn't touch as their second deal ever.

Here's what we dive into:

• Real estate project timelines and numbers: what a 12-month timeline and a 1.3-1.5x cash-on-cash return actually looked like on this deal
• Lessons learned from their initial projects, and what they'd do differently
• The importance of trust in partnerships — both business partners and marriage partners
• The community impact of property redevelopment, and what it means to bring a home "back to life"
• Market timing and tax implications: the decision they faced 16 days shy of the 366-day capital gains mark
• Pivoting strategies in development, including the story behind their Park Hill "pop-top" decision
• Building a community of investors and developers — and why mentorship is "standing on the shoulders of giants"
• Their vision for future growth and impact, including a goal of $100M in assets under management

If you've ever wondered whether mentorship actually moves the needle, or what it takes to go from ELEVATION Academy student to closing seven-figure deals with confidence, this episode gives you the real answer, straight from two people who've done it.

I'd love to hear from you guys — whether you're an ELEVATION Academy student, an investor, or just someone building something with a partner, what's one piece of advice you'd give someone about to take on a project that scares them a little? Get in touch via the show notes, or send us a DM on Instagram @elevationinvest.

🚨 We're Hiring a Real Estate Agent 🚨

 I'm looking for one more agent to join our team — someone who's a beast on the MLS, great at writing offers, and skilled at building relationships with other agents. If that's you, email me at [email protected] or text 720-545-0490.

📘 Want Our New Investor Ebook? Be on the list to get our latest investor ebook. DM "EBOOK" or email: [email protected]

Thank you for tuning in to this two-part conversation with John Paul and Carrie Maxfield. If you found value in it, don't forget to leave a review and share it with someone who's serious about real estate investing.

Keep fighting the good fight, and I'll catch you on the flip side.

Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties: 

Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin 

ELEVATION's website: https://elevationinvest.com/ 

ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/ 

ELEVATION on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties

Connect with John Paul & Carrie Maxfield: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/living_place_landscapes/ 

Living Place: https://livingplace.co

Subscribe & Listen to "Raising the Flipping Bar" on your favorite podcast player!

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #DenverRealEstate #PropertyRedevelopment #RealEstateNumbers #BoulderColorado #RealEstateEducation #ElevationRealEstate #ElevationAcademy

Welcome back to another episode of Raising the Flipping Bar!

Most investors talk about deals in terms of numbers — purchase price, ARV, margin. That's step one. But there's a whole other layer to real estate that doesn't show up on a spreadsheet: the feeling a home creates, and the story behind why someone chooses to redevelop it in the first place.

In this episode, I sit down with John Paul and Carrie Maxfield — ELEVATION Academy alumni, husband-and-wife team, and two people who think about real estate completely differently than most investors. They don't call themselves flippers. They call it property redevelopment, and the philosophy behind that distinction is honestly one of the most interesting conversations we've had on this show.

This conversation was so good, it turned into a two-part episode. In Part 1, we get into their backgrounds, how they define "home" versus "house," and the real story behind their second deal ever — a seven-figure flip at Boulder Country Club. Most people wouldn't take on that kind of risk that early. They did, and it worked.

Here's what we dive into:

• Carrie's background in teaching and lifelong love of design and real estate
• John Paul's philosophy of "magnetizing potential" and why he doesn't like the term "fix and flip"
• Why they call it property redevelopment instead — and what that distinction actually means in practice
• The "camping chair" method: sitting in a rough property and letting the room tell you what it wants to become
• Why they chose Boulder Country Club as their second deal, despite the size and risk
• The moment Carrie knew the house was "a family" — and how that shaped the design
• Favorite details from the finished home, including a bird's nest story mid-renovation
• Working with their general contractor, Felipe at MDC, and navigating permitting in Boulder County vs. the City of Boulder

 If you've ever wondered what it actually looks like to go from ELEVATION Academy student to successful investor — or what it means to treat real estate as redevelopment instead of just resale — this episode will change how you think about it. 

Part 2 is coming next — we get into the actual numbers, the tax strategy behind their closing timeline, and what's next for John Paul and Carrie. Stay tuned.

I'd love to hear from you guys — whether you're an ELEVATION Academy student, an investor, or just someone who loves a good design story, what does "home" mean to you versus just "house"? Get in touch via the show notes, or send us a DM on Instagram @elevationinvest.

🚨 We're Hiring a Real Estate Agent 🚨

 I'm looking for one more agent to join our team — someone who's a beast on the MLS, great at writing offers, and skilled at building relationships with other agents. If that's you, email me at [email protected] or text 720-545-0490.

 📘 Want Our New Investor Ebook? Be on the list to get our latest investor ebook. DM "EBOOK" or email: [email protected]

Thank you for tuning in to Part 1 of this conversation with John Paul and Carrie. If you found value in this episode, don't forget to leave a review and share it with someone who's serious about real estate investing.

Part 2 drops next — don't miss it.

Keep fighting the good fight, and I'll catch you on the flip side.

Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties: 

Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin 

ELEVATION's website: https://elevationinvest.com/ 

ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/ 

ELEVATION on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties

Connect with John Paul & Carrie Maxfield: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/living_place_landscapes/ 

Living Place: https://livingplace.co

Subscribe & Listen to "Raising the Flipping Bar" on your favorite podcast player! Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #DenverRealEstate #PropertyRedevelopment #RealEstateDesign #BoulderColorado #RealEstateEducation #ElevationRealEstate #ElevationAcademy

Everybody's focused on finding a good deal — and that's step one. But as margins get tighter and the market gets more challenging, the real difference-maker is what happens after you're under contract. In this episode, I sit down with our Senior Project Manager, Travis Masse, to break down what's actually driving rehab budgets in 2026 and how great project management can make or break a flip.

Here's what we dive into:

• Why material costs aren't coming back down, even after COVID and tariffs
• The biggest rehab budgeting mistakes new investors make (and why the lowest bid is often the most expensive one)
• Why contingency budgets exist — and why you should never spend them upfront
• The "Frankenstein house" problem: why buyers today want pieces of 20 different homes
• GC vs. self-managing: how to decide which one is right for your project
• The real pros, cons, and hidden markups of hiring a general contractor
• ELEVATION's hybrid model — how we buy fixtures and finishes direct to avoid markups
• Inside our "Big Four" of project management and the 107-step system we use to run every job
• Where we actually source materials (Floor & Decor, Wayfair, Amazon, and a few others)
• Rapid fire: Travis's favorite project, the most overrated upgrade, and the biggest surprise we've hit during demo
• What AI is going to change about rehab budgeting and project management in the next 5 years

If you've ever wondered why two contractors can quote wildly different prices for the "same" job, or how to keep a project from falling apart in the middle, this episode will change how you think about the construction side of flipping.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 – Introduction and Market Overview

1:02 – Market Challenges: Higher Interest Rates and Tight Margins

2:02 – Material Cost Increases and Tariffs Impact

5:18 – Common Mistakes New Investors Make

7:10 – Contingency Planning and Unexpected Costs

11:47 – GC vs. Self-Managed Projects

17:56 – Ideal Investor Profiles for Self-Managing

20:45 – Hybrid Approach to Material Purchasing

24:34 – The 107-Step Project Management System

36:55 – Rapid Fire: Best Projects, Overrated Upgrades & Demo Surprises

42:40 – The Future of AI in Project Management

🎉 Quick shoutout: Travis is celebrating his 5-year anniversary with ELEVATION next month — and he's about to go fully offline for a one-month sabbatical. Congrats, Travis, and enjoy the disconnect!

🚨 We're still hiring a real estate agent 🚨 If you're interested in joining our investor-focused team, DM us or email [email protected].

Thank you for tuning in to Raising the Flipping Bar. If you found value in this episode, don't forget to leave a review and share it with someone who's serious about real estate investing.

Keep fighting the good fight, and I'll catch you on the flip side.

Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties:

Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin 

ELEVATION's website: https://elevationinvest.com/ 

ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/ 

ELEVATION on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties

Subscribe & Listen to "Raising the Flipping Bar" on your favorite podcast player! 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #DenverRealEstate #RehabBudgeting #ProjectManagement #GeneralContractor #RealEstateTips #ConstructionManagement #RealEstateEducation #ElevationRealEstate

Welcome back to another episode of Raising the Flipping Bar!

Everybody's favorite question these days: "How's the market?" In this episode, I'm answering it honestly — it's a weird ass market. I'm breaking down 4 real deals from our pipeline over the last few weeks, and what they reveal about where things stand in Q3 2026.

Here's what we dive into:

• A Golden property where the seller's asking price was basically made up out of spite — and what happened when we sat in his living room
• Losing a Westminster property to another investor by $60K, and why that actually felt like a win
• A Boulder standoff over a $15K gap that could cost the seller a lot more than that
• The hoarder house so bad we masked up to inspect it — and the seller psychology behind an unrealistic asking price
• Why we think investors are overpaying and losing deals right now
• What "cash conversion cycle" means and why Q3 requires extra caution
• The data on the best times to list a flip in 2026

If you're flipping in Denver right now — or just trying to make sense of a market that doesn't seem to follow normal rules — this episode will give you a real-world look at what's actually happening out there.

Episode Highlights:

00:21 Market Overview: A Weird Time for Real Estate

02:18 Case Study 1: The Golden Property

07:09 Case Study 2: The Westminster Property

12:08 Case Study 3: The Boulder Property

15:00 Case Study 4: The Hoarder House

19:56 Cash Conversion Cycle: Navigating Q3 Challenges

I'd love to hear from you guys — whether you're an agent, an investor, or an entrepreneur, what weird things are you seeing in the market right now? Get in touch via the show notes, or send us a DM on Instagram @elevationinvest.

🚨 We're Hiring a Real Estate Agent 🚨 

I'm looking for one more agent to join our team — someone who's a beast on the MLS, great at writing offers, and skilled at building relationships with other agents. If that's you, email me at [email protected] or text 720-545-0490.

📘 Want Our New Investor Ebook? Be on the list to get our latest investor ebook. DM "EBOOK" or email: [email protected]

Thank you for tuning in to Raising the Flipping Bar. If you found value in this episode, don't forget to leave a review and share it with someone who's serious about real estate investing.

Keep fighting the good fight, and I'll catch you on the flip side.

Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties: 

Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin 

ELEVATION's website: https://elevationinvest.com/ 

ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/ ELEVATION on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties

Subscribe & Listen to "Raising the Flipping Bar" on your favorite podcast player! 

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv 

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #DenverRealEstate #RealEstateMarket #HouseFlipping #RealEstateTips #InvestmentStrategies #SellerPsychology #MarketUpdate #RealEstateEducation #ElevationRealEstate

In this episode, I'm breaking down another Deal Analysis — one of my favorite formats on this show because it's not guru talk, it's real numbers from a real deal we just closed. This one turned into a wild ride: a rough Arvada property that wasn't ready for the market, a textbook acquisitions process, a tight rehab budget, and a sales process that had 36 showings in three weeks before a buyer's grandma tanked the first contract three days in.

I walk through exactly how we found the deal through our cold calling program, the numbers behind the rehab, what it's like managing a project alongside real estate students from the EPIC school, and the pricing lessons we learned the hard way when the deal almost didn't close.

If you want to see what a real "bread and butter" flip looks like from acquisition to close — including the mistakes — this episode is for you.

🎓 Quick shoutout on this one: this deal doubled as a project for students in the EPIC Campus real estate track, an entrepreneurship program we've supported through Littleton Public Schools for three years now. First semester, students come into our co-working space at the Broadway Collective and learn the fundamentals of real estate investing. Second semester, they get to work a live flip as their class project — which is exactly what happened here. The students walked this property, sat in on a full presentation covering deal analysis, project management, and design, and one of them even talked us into a gold toilet for the primary suite.

 Learn more about the program here: https://www.littletonpublicschools.net/o/epiccampus

Property: 8506 Union Circle, Arvada, CO 80005 

🔗 See the full listing on Redfin: https://www.redfin.com/CO/Arvada/8506-Union-Cir-80005/home/34337037

📸 Before & After Photos 

🔗https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1u28IejhRToqfjXADeLzDdbsMB_kPHPPs?usp=sharing

Episode Highlights:

 0:00 – Introduction and Overview 

1:13 – Deal Analysis: The Property Background

 4:59 – Acquisition Process and Cold Calling Campaign

 9:58 – Rehab Strategy and Design Choices 

17:34 – Sales Strategy and Market Response 

20:40 – Financial Metrics and Profit Analysis 

30:06 – Conclusion and Future Opportunities

🚨 We're Hiring a Real Estate Agent 🚨 

I'm looking for one more agent to join our team — someone who's a beast on the MLS, great at writing offers, and skilled at building relationships with other agents. If that's you, email me at [email protected] or text 720-545-0490.

📘 Want Our New Investor Ebook? Be on the list to get our latest investor ebook. DM "EBOOK" or email: [email protected]

Thank you for tuning in to Raising the Flipping Bar. If you found value in this episode, don't forget to leave a review and share it with someone who's serious about real estate investing.

Until next time — keep raising the bar, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties!

Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin
ELEVATION’s website: https://elevationinvest.com/
ELEVATION on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevationinvestmentproperties
ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/
ELEVATION on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties

Subscribe to “Raising the Flipping Bar” on your favorite podcast platform!

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

Watch “Raising the Flipping Bar” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #DenverRealEstate #ArvadaRealEstate #DealAnalysis #HouseFlipping #RealEstateTips #InvestmentStrategies #ColdCalling #RealEstateAgents #RealEstateEducation #ElevationRealEstate

In this episode, I break down the two paths I see people taking in real estate and entrepreneurship: the high-growth business model versus the lifestyle business model. I talk about what each path really looks like, the trade-offs involved, and how to think strategically about where you are in your current season of life and business.

I also share some personal reflections about building ELEVATION over the years, what scaling a company actually requires, the importance of systems and delegation, and why I’ve been thinking differently lately about growth, leverage, and time.

Whether you’re flipping houses, wholesaling, building a real estate team, running a side hustle, or trying to create more intentionality in your business, this episode is designed to help you think more clearly about the direction you’re heading.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Exploring Business Paths: Growth vs. Lifestyle
04:30 - Defining High Growth Business Strategies
09:51 - Navigating the Lifestyle Business Approach
14:37 - Adapting to Market Challenges and Personal Growth
20:51 - Finding Clarity in Your Business Goals

I’d also love to hear from you guys — what path are you leaning into right now? Are you building for scale, freedom, flexibility, legacy, or something in between?

Please comment, DM us, or send me an email directly at [email protected]. I’m genuinely curious to hear where you’re at in your business journey and what you’re building toward.

We’re also excited for our upcoming ELEVATION Academy on June 3rd, and right now we’re offering $100 OFF for the final 8 seats available. This one-day, hands-on investing event is designed to help you learn real-world strategies for finding deals, analyzing flips, managing rehabs, building systems, and scaling your real estate business in today’s market. Past attendees have gone on to make over $65K net profit on their first flip, over $100K net profit and transition into building new homes, and even over $180K net profit on a single project. If you’re serious about leveling up your investing business and surrounding yourself with the right people, this is an event you won’t want to miss. 

Grab your seat now and save $100! 

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Raising the Flipping Bar. Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from it. Until next time, keep reaching for those goals, and I’ll catch you on the flip side!

Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties!

Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin
ELEVATION’s website: https://elevationinvest.com/
ELEVATION on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevationinvestmentproperties
ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/
ELEVATION on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties

Subscribe to “Raising the Flipping Bar” on your favorite podcast platform!

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

Watch “Raising the Flipping Bar” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting

Resources:
10X is easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan
Traction by Geno Wickman
Lifestyle Business Playbook by Daniel Priestley
The Diary of a CEO Podcast by Stephen Bartlett
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #LifestyleBusiness #RealEstateBusiness #Scaling #BusinessSystems #Leadership #FixAndFlip #RealEstateEntrepreneur #WealthBuilding #BusinessStrategy #GrowthMindset #DenverRealEstate

In this episode, I’m tackling a question I hear all the time—is flipping dead in 2026?

Short answer: not even close. But the game has changed.

I break down what I’m seeing right now in the Denver market, where the real opportunities are, and how smart investors are still finding profitable deals despite tighter margins and increased competition. This isn’t about guessing—it’s about using real data, understanding market dynamics, and making strategic decisions that actually work in today’s environment.

I also dive into the top submarkets in Denver where I’m seeing the most activity, the lead generation strategies that are producing real opportunities, and the biggest mistakes I see new investors making that are costing them time and money.

If you’re serious about flipping in 2026, this episode will help you stay ahead of the curve and avoid learning lessons the hard way.

Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Is Flipping Dead in 2026?
01:42 – Understanding the Denver Market Dynamics
06:35 – Hotspots for Flipping in Denver
09:37 – Lead Generation Strategies for Success
13:13 – Avoiding Rookie Mistakes in Flipping
19:16 – Final Thoughts and Resources

🚨 We’re Hiring a Real Estate Agent 🚨
I’m actively looking for a driven real estate agent to join our team and plug into a system that’s already generating real opportunities.

For more details to apply, click HERE or send me an email at [email protected], DM me on social media, or call 720-545-0490.

📘 Want Our New Investor Ebook?
Be on the list to get our latest investor ebook.
DM “EBOOK” or email:
[email protected]

Thank you for tuning in to Raising the Flipping Bar. If you found value in this episode, don’t forget to leave a review and share it with someone who’s serious about real estate investing.

Until next time—keep raising the bar, and I’ll catch you on the flip side.

Connect with me and ELEVATION Investment Properties:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin
Website: https://elevationinvest.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties

Subscribe & Listen to the “Raising the Flipping Bar” on your favorite podcast player!

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #FixAndFlip #DenverRealEstate #RealEstateTips #InvestmentStrategies #LeadGeneration #RealEstateAgents #HouseFlipping #MarketInsights #RealEstateEducation #ElevationRealEstate

In this episode, I’m doing something a little different.

Instead of breaking down a deal or strategy, I’m opening up an opportunity — and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how I’m building and scaling our real estate team heading into 2026.

Right now, deal flow isn’t the issue. The real challenge is having the right people in place to handle the volume, convert opportunities, and continue pushing the business forward without slowing momentum.

After recently expanding the team with high-performing acquisitions reps, I’m now looking for a different kind of player — someone who can step into a fast-paced environment, manage relationships, convert leads, and help drive the next phase of growth.

This isn’t a traditional retail real estate role. This is about operating inside an investment-focused ecosystem — working off-market opportunities, collaborating with a high-energy team, and being part of something that’s scaling quickly.

If you or someone you know is ready to break out of the average, increase income potential, and plug into a system already producing real opportunities, this episode is for you.

 Episode Highlights:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Raising the Flipping Bar, and Why We’re Expanding our Team
• 01:28 - Opportunities for Real Estate Agents
• 04:13 - The Need for a New Team Member
• 06:51 - The Role and Responsibilities of the New Agent
• 09:23 - Who This Position is For and Not For
• 11:56 - Compensation and Joining the Team

Join a company that values quality over quantity and is dedicated to developing the next generation of successful real estate professionals.

For more details to apply, click HERE or send me an email at [email protected], DM me on social media, or call 720-545-0490.

Thank you for tuning in to this special episode of Raising the Flipping Bar. Don't forget to leave me a review and share this episode with anyone who might benefit from it. Until next time, keep reaching for those goals, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #InvestmentRealEstate #DenverRealEstate #RealEstateAgents #HiringNow #RealEstateJobs #RealEstateCareer #DispositionManager #RealEstateOpportunities #ElevationRealEstate #LeadGeneration #SalesManagement #GrowthAndSuccess #ReferralBonus

Connect with Derek Marlin and ELEVATION Investment Properties!
Derek on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekmarlin
ELEVATION’s website: https://elevationinvest.com/
ELEVATION on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevationinvestmentproperties
ELEVATION on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationinvest/

ELEVATION on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationinvestmentproperties

Subscribe to the “Raising the Flipping Bar” on your favorite podcast player!

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

Watch “Raising the Flipping Bar” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevationRealEstateInvesting

Welcome back to Raising the Flipping Bar.

In this episode, I wanted to slow things down and talk about something dominating headlines — institutional buyers, hedge funds, and Wall Street “owning all the homes.”

There’s a lot of noise, fear, and political rhetoric around this topic. So instead of reacting emotionally, I wanted to look at the actual data and break down what’s really happening — nationally and here in Metro Denver.

I’m not here to get political. I am here to be factual.

Drawing from our direct experience working with institutional buyers on both the buy side and sell side — and backed by data from the GAO, CoreLogic, Urban Land Institute, and more — this episode separates myth from reality and explains what this really means for affordability, investors, agents, and buyers heading into 2026.

If you’re worried about housing affordability, trying to buy your first home, or investing in real estate, this is an episode you’ll want to hear.

In this episode, I cover:

🏘️ How many homes institutions actually own nationwide
📊 The real breakdown of Wall Street vs. Main Street investors
🧱 Why the 2008 crash created a new rental asset class
📉 What happened when institutions stopped buying in 2022
📍 Why Metro Denver isn’t impacted the way headlines suggest
🌎 The top U.S. markets where institutional ownership is concentrated
⚖️ Who wins and loses if institutional buyers are restricted
🏗️ The real drivers of affordability (hint: it’s not hedge funds)
🔍 Potential unintended consequences no one is talking about
📈 How investors should think strategically about 2026

If you’re a real estate investor, agent, homeowner, or someone trying to understand where the housing market is actually headed — this episode will help you replace emotion with data and build a smarter strategy.

🔗 Connect with me and ELEVATION

LinkedIn (Derek): /derekmarlin
ELEVATION Website: https://elevationinvest.com

LinkedIn (ELEVATION): /elevationinvestmentproperties
Instagram (ELEVATION): /elevationinvest
Facebook (ELEVATION): /elevationinvestmentproperties

🎧 Subscribe to Raising the Flipping Bar

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3ByYmxv

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3WbUCeQ

YouTube: /@elevationrealestateinvesting

📌 Hashtags

#RaisingTheFlippingBar #RealEstateInvesting #HousingMarket
 #InstitutionalBuyers #WallStreetRealEstate
 #HousingAffordability #DenverRealEstate
 #RealEstateData #ElevationInvesting #2026Investing
 #RentalHousing #PrivateCapital #MainStreetVsWallStreet

Welcome back to Raising the Flipping Bar.

In this episode, I wanted to slow things down and talk about something that’s coming up more and more in my day-to-day conversations — private money lending.

As we head into 2026, deal flow isn’t the problem. The real challenge is being properly capitalized and structuring deals in a way that protects downside while still creating strong returns. That’s where private money comes in.

I break down exactly what private money lending is, how it’s different from hard money, and why it’s becoming such an important piece of the puzzle for both operators and investors. We talk real numbers, real structures, real risks — and how to do this the right way.

Whether you’re flipping houses, wholesaling, lending capital, or sitting on cash wondering how to put it to work, this episode is meant to give you clarity and a framework you can actually use.

In this episode, I cover:

💰 What private money lending really is — and what it isn’t
 🏦 The difference between private money and hard money
 📊 Typical interest rates, deal structures, and timelines
 🧱 How private money is secured and why asset-backed lending matters
 ⚠️ The real risks involved and how to mitigate them
 📉 Why distressed opportunities are starting to show up again
 🔑 First position vs. second position lending explained
 🔄 Exit strategies every private money lender should understand
 📈 Why velocity of money matters just as much as yield
 🏗️ How operators and private lenders can win together long-term
 🧠 Who private money lending makes sense for heading into 2026

If you’re a real estate investor, business owner, high-income professional, or someone looking to diversify outside of traditional stocks and bonds, this episode will help you think more clearly about risk, structure, and opportunity.

Connect with me and ELEVATION

LinkedIn (Derek): /derekmarlin
 ELEVATION Website: https://elevationinvest.com

LinkedIn (ELEVATION): /elevationinvestmentproperties
 Instagram (ELEVATION): /elevationinvest
 Facebook (ELEVATION): /elevationinvestmentproperties

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