In this special episode of Getting Real with Monick Halm, we welcome Desiree Doubrox, founder and CEO of Homework, to dive deep into the world of real estate syndication—a powerful way to pool resources and invest in large-scale properties.

With over 30 years of real estate experience, Desiree has been a trailblazer in co-living, co-working spaces, and syndications, raising millions to fund property acquisitions across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. She shares her journey from entrepreneur to real estate investor and how she built a $10 million fund to scale her impact.

You’ll learn:
✅ What is real estate syndication? (And how you can leverage it to invest in bigger deals)
✅ Common myths about syndication—do you really need to be wealthy to get started?
✅ Lessons from investing internationally—including a shocking escrow horror story!
✅ Why the right partnerships & property management team are crucial to success
✅ How you can participate in Desiree’s "Syndication Simplified" Master Class

Desiree and Monick also discuss the power of giving back through real estate, the importance of leveraging OPM (Other People’s Money), and how women can break into the male-dominated world of real estate investing to build wealth and financial freedom.

In this episode of Getting Real with Monick Halm, we tackle one of the most common questions: How do I get started in real estate investing? Many aspiring investors believe they need a realtor’s license, an LLC, or large amounts of capital to begin—but Monick debunks these myths and shares what truly matters when stepping into the world of real estate.

You’ll learn:
✅ Why you don’t need to be a realtor or set up an LLC before investing
✅ The importance of defining your personal and financial goals before taking action
✅ How to choose the right real estate strategy based on your skills, interests, and lifestyle
✅ The five key resources needed for investing: Money, Time, Relationships, Education, and Experience
✅ How to take inventory of what you already have and leverage partnerships to fill in the gaps

Monick also introduces her Million Dollar Net Worth Activation Snapshot tool to help you assess your financial position and identify investment opportunities. She shares insights on using retirement accounts for investing, improving credit, and building a strong team—all essential steps for success.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this episode will guide you in creating a clear investment roadmap.

In this powerful episode of Getting Real with Monick Halm, we’re diving into a game-changing approach to investing—one that embraces the unique strengths of women. Traditional investment strategies are built on a masculine model, but as women, we are not just smaller, less hairy men! Our brains, stress responses, and motivations are different, and when we align with our natural feminine power, we can achieve greater success, fulfillment, and financial freedom.

Monick introduces the Goddess Secret Sauce—four key principles that transform not just how you invest, but how you show up in all areas of life. You'll learn:

✅ How men and women approach money, risk, and investing differently
✅ Why women who invest often outperform men—but fear keeps many from getting started
✅ The four essential elements of the Goddess Secret Sauce:
🌟 Pleasure – Ditch the "no pain, no gain" mindset and thrive through joy
🌟 Intuition – Strengthen your natural ability to make powerful, aligned decisions
🌟 Mindset – Rewire your beliefs to attract abundance with ease
🌟 Sisterhood – Leverage the power of community for greater success

Monick also reveals how the WEALTHY Formula helps women invest in a way that aligns with their natural strengths, ensuring financial growth without burnout. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just beginning, this episode will show you how to create wealth while honoring your feminine nature.

In this empowering episode of Getting Real with Monick Halm, we dive deep into the biggest roadblock to financial freedom—our mindset. As we celebrate Financial Freedom Day and Independence Day in the U.S., Monick shares how true financial independence starts within.

She breaks down how limiting beliefs, self-worth, and internalized money stories shape our financial reality. If your bank account or passive income isn’t where you want it to be, it may be time to shift what’s happening between your ears. Through personal stories, real-life examples, and powerful exercises, Monick guides you through key steps to align your beliefs with your financial desires.

You’ll learn:
✅ How childhood money experiences shape our adult financial patterns
✅ Why self-worth is directly tied to net worth—and how to increase both
✅ The "Who Are You Blaming?" exercise to reclaim your financial power
✅ A transformative Deepest Fear Inventory practice to uncover hidden money blocks
✅ Book recommendations to rewire your brain for wealth and abundance

Whether you’re just beginning your financial freedom journey or looking to scale to the next level, this episode will help you align your mindset with your goals so you can attract wealth with ease, grace, and joy.

Health & Wealth: Why Real Estate Investors Must Prioritize Their Well-BeingIntroduction: Why Health Matters for Investors

Welcome to Getting Real! I’m Monick Halm, founder of Real Estate Investor Goddesses, and today we’re diving into a crucial but often overlooked topic—health.

As real estate investors and entrepreneurs, we focus on deals, financial growth, and business success, but without good health, none of that matters. After spending more time than I wanted in hospitals and ERs last year, I realized that if I wasn’t healthy enough to work, there would be no more deals.

That’s why I’m thrilled to have Sarah Bartell, a functional medicine nutritionist, with us today to discuss gut health, hormone balance, stress management, and practical steps for optimizing our well-being.

Sarah is a board-certified nutritionist with a Master’s in Functional Medicine and Nutrition. She specializes in digestion, hormones, energy, and weight balance using personalized lab testing, nutrition, and lifestyle interventions. She has worked with corporate wellness programs and is a former Ironman and ultramarathon athlete.

Sarah explains that high-achieving women—investors, executives, and entrepreneurs—often experience unexpected health challenges in their 30s and 40s.
🔹 Symptoms like brain fog, weight gain, fatigue, and anxiety appear.
🔹 Doctors often dismiss these symptoms as “aging” or prescribe medications that only mask the issue.
🔹 Root causes—like gut health, hormone imbalances, and stress—are rarely addressed.

Most of us want to keep growing, building wealth, and living vibrantly, but to do that, we must invest in our health just as much as we invest in real estate.

✅ Eat a Diverse Diet – Studies show that people with the best gut health eat 30-50 different plant foods per week (veggies, herbs, nuts, seeds, etc.).
✅ Increase Protein Intake – Many women don’t get enough protein, which impacts hormones, metabolism, and brain function.
✅ Balance Your Gut – Inflammation, leaky gut, and gut infections trigger anxiety, mood swings, and fatigue.
✅ Test, Don’t Guess – Sarah recommends lab testing for gut health, blood sugar, and hormones to identify underlying issues.

🚫 "Just eat less and exercise more." – As women age, hormones (not just calories) determine metabolism.
🚫 "Stress is unavoidable." – Chronic stress increases cortisol, causes belly fat, and triggers cravings.
🚫 "Self-care is selfish." – Prioritizing sleep, movement, and nutrition actually makes us better investors, professionals, and parents.

💡 Start your day with 5-10 minutes of meditation, prayer, or gratitude.
💡 Take short walks after meals to regulate blood sugar and improve metabolism.
💡 Eat without distractions—turn off the TV, take deep breaths before meals, and enjoy food mindfully.

Why Women Need Strength Training (Not Just Cardio)

As a former Ironman athlete, Sarah once believed that endurance training was the key to health. But she discovered that excessive cardio can:
🚨 Increase cortisol & stress
🚨 Cause gut inflammation & hormone imbalances
🚨 Lead to insulin resistance & weight gain

Instead, she recommends:
✔️ Weightlifting 2-3x per week – Strength training improves muscle, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.
✔️ Low-impact movement – Yoga, walking, and mobility exercises reduce stress and improve recovery.

🔥 Sleep is non-negotiable. Without 7-8 hours, you’re more insulin-resistant, leading to fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog.
🔥 Plan your meals in advance. Make sure meals are high in protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
🔥 Know your numbers. Get lab work done to track hormones, blood sugar, and gut health.

Success in real estate and business means nothing if your body is breaking down.

💬 Want to take control of your health?
📌 Get Sarah’s FREE Anti-Aging Guide: chatwithsarah.com
📌 Book a free health consultation: vibrantvia.com

How I Ended Up Owning a War Zone Property

This was one of my first multifamily investments. I was looking for a C-class property (working-class area) with value-add potential—a place I could renovate and improve.

The property was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in an area once called “The War Zone”—a huge red flag I ignored because:
✅ A new Starbucks and Planet Fitness had been built nearby.
✅ A neighboring apartment building had been renovated and was getting higher rents.
✅ It was across from a major hospital, suggesting potential tenants.

On paper, it looked like an up-and-coming area. In reality, I had stepped into a nightmare.

🚨 Shooting Before We Closed – The night before we bought the property, there was a shooting on the corner. Weeks later, someone shot into the building itself.
🚨 Fires & Crime – Two fires broke out in two years. Our property manager was held at gunpoint.
🚨 Drugs & Homeless Encampments – One vacant unit was broken into; inside, we found hypodermic needles and rose petals—a disturbing Valentine’s Day scene.

Despite spending thousands on security measures, crime remained rampant. Tenants left. Rents didn’t increase. The property struggled.

I was desperate to sell. Then, a miracle happened—our property manager introduced us to a 1031 exchange buyer willing to pay our price. We escaped with a small profit, but pure luck is NOT an investment strategy.

I relied too much on surface-level signs (new businesses, neighboring renovations). Instead, I should have:
✔️ Checked crime reports—not just overall rates, but violent crime trends.
✔️ Spoken to locals—tenants, business owners, and residents.

A neighborhood can feel safe at noon, but turn dangerous at night. Visit at:
✅ Morning, afternoon, and evening
✅ Weekdays and weekends

I relied too much on brokers, who were motivated to sell. Instead, I should have consulted:
✔️ Local real estate investors (at networking groups)
✔️ Property managers who work in the area

Areas with good schools and strong job growth attract stable, long-term tenants. War zones? Not so much.

We planned for long-term rentals but considered short-term and medium-term hospital stays. However, even the hospital didn’t refer tenants because they knew the area’s reputation.

We switched three managers before finding one who could handle the crime and tenant issues. In tough neighborhoods, you need:
✔️ A no-nonsense manager who enforces rules
✔️ 24/7 security measures

Some investors thrive in war zones, buying cheap, dealing with high-maintenance properties, and flipping neighborhoods. That’s not my style—and I learned that the hard way.

Introduction: The Reality of Real Estate Investing

Welcome to Getting Real! I’m Monick Halm, founder of Real Estate Investor Goddesses, and today, I’m sharing how I lost $25,000 in a Ponzi scheme—and the eight critical lessons you can learn from my mistake.

You often see the glamorous side of real estate investing—big checks, beautiful properties—but what you rarely hear about are the failures, setbacks, and costly lessons. My goal today is to help you avoid the mistakes I made.

I was introduced to Shamane Van Gundy, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Mobile Homes,” by two happy investors who vouched for her. She had a compelling success story and had previously delivered returns to investors.

I invited her onto my Real Estate Investor Goddesses Podcast and later included her in a book project. Over time, she spoke at my events and seemed credible and successful.

In 2020, I was launching a women-led real estate fund and considered including her. Before involving other investors, I decided to test her model by investing $25,000 in one of her mobile home deals.

🚨 No Deed Provided – My investment was supposed to be secured by a deed, but I never received it.
🚨 Late Payments – My first interest payment was months late—and it was the only payment I ever got.
🚨 Ponzi Scheme Exposed – Soon after, I learned she was under SEC investigation for taking $18.5 million from investors. Just days ago, she was ordered to repay $14 million.

I felt sick, embarrassed, and guilty, especially knowing that others had invested because of me. But instead of dwelling on it, I focused on the lessons I could take from the experience.

This investment was a test—and it saved me from bringing in more investors. It’s better to fail small than fail big.

Even the best investments carry risk. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.

I should have demanded the deed before transferring funds. No paperwork, no deal.

Reputation and past success don’t guarantee future results. Always do your own research.

Never put all your money into one deal or one person. Spread risk across multiple investments.

A real estate attorney could have flagged missing documents and prevented this mistake.

The more you learn, the better decisions you make. Education is your best protection against scams.

Successful investors make mistakes—but they don’t quit. I wanted to give up, but I didn’t. Now, I’m using my experience to help others avoid the same trap.

Real estate isn’t just about winning—it’s about learning and growing. If my story saves one person from making the same mistake, then my $25,000 loss wasn’t in vain.

💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode? Comment below!

Thank you for being here. I’ll see you next week for another episode of Getting Real!

What’s really holding you back from financial freedom? It’s not lack of opportunity, money, or knowledge—it’s your mindset. In this episode of Getting Real, Monick Halm dives deep into the #1 biggest barrier to creating financial independence: limiting beliefs, self-worth, and the stories we tell ourselves about money.

As we celebrate Freedom Week—with Financial Freedom Day and Independence Day in the U.S.—it’s the perfect time to reflect on what financial independence truly means. At Real Estate Investor Goddesses, our mission is to help one million women achieve financial freedom through real estate investing, but the path to wealth starts in the mind.

💡 Self-worth = net worth. If you don’t believe you’re worthy of financial success, you’ll unconsciously block yourself from achieving it.

In this raw and real conversation, Monick opens up about her own struggles with money—how childhood experiences shaped her beliefs and led to financial chaos, avoidance, and stress—and how she finally broke free. She shares the mindset shifts and exercises that transformed her relationship with money, allowing her to build sustainable wealth with ease, grace, and flow.

✅ The hidden money beliefs that keep you stuck (and how to reprogram them)
✅ How childhood experiences shape your financial thermostat
✅ Why your deepest fears might actually be about getting what you want
✅ Three powerful exercises to break through limiting beliefs
✅ Book recommendations to help you shift your mindset and self-worth

💥 Ready to rewire your brain for financial success? Join Monick as she walks you through exercises like "Who Are You Blaming?", the Deepest Fear Inventory, and key mindset shifts that can help you break free from financial struggle.

💬 What limiting beliefs have been holding you back? Share your thoughts in the comments or send a message—your story could be featured in a future episode!

In this episode, you’ll discover:

✅ The hidden money beliefs that keep you stuck (and how to reprogram them)
✅ How childhood experiences shape your financial thermostat
✅ Why your deepest fears might actually be about getting what you want
✅ Three powerful exercises to break through limiting beliefs
✅ Book recommendations to help you shift your mindset and self-worth

💥 Ready to rewire your brain for financial success? Join Monick as she walks you through exercises like "Who Are You Blaming?", the Deepest Fear Inventory, and key mindset shifts that can help you break free from financial struggle.

To be completely honest, Getting Real wasn’t just born from a desire to expand my content. It came from one of the darkest times in my life.

I partnered with someone who turned out to be a fraud. Investors who had trusted me—because I trusted her—were hurt. They lost money.

The fallout was devastating. Investors were angry, lawsuits were filed, and I was attacked online. I felt ashamed, scared, and I wanted to hide. I wanted to quit.

But then, two mentors gave me life-changing advice:
💡 “Instead of hiding, you need to get real.”

They told me that sharing my struggles, mistakes, and setbacks wasn’t just the best way forward—it was how I could truly help others.

And they were right.

Being open about my failures has been a powerful way to heal. Shame thrives in silence, but the antidote to shame is sharing. By talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly, we can all learn, grow, and get better together.

So that’s why we’re here. This show isn’t just about success—it’s about everything. The failures, lessons, resilience, and the messy reality of building wealth through real estate.

Sabrina Guler, a young and talented entrepreneur, has made her mark in the real estate investing world by co-founding Techvestor, a successful short-term rental fund that has raised an astonishing $40 million within a year. Prior to Techvestor, Sabrina honed her skills in the tech industry, working as a project manager for Apple's AirPods product line. Her passion for real estate and design led her to flip, furnish, and design over 65 houses since 2021, creating a solid foundation for her flourishing business. With a nomination for Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2023, Sabrina is an inspiring figure for aspiring real estate investors.

Highlights:

Connect with Sabrina Gueler:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinaguler

Website: https://techvestor.com/

Connect with Monick: 

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/monickhalm/?hl=en 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monickpaulhalm

Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063481243125&_rdr

Website: https://www.realestateinvestorgoddesses.com/