For many of us, a new year means new goals…

But first, it’s important to ask yourself this awkwardly difficult question…

“How did I do on my 2022 goals?”

Unfortunately, many of us probably fell short of a few goals.

However, before moving on, it’s important to reflect on what went wrong because the richest lessons can be found within the biggest failures.

In this first episode of the new year, my friend, Jonny Cattani, comes on the show as the first repeat guest of Real Estate Milestones!

A year ago, on the podcast, Jonny set ambitious goals for 2022…

Although Jonny accomplished many impressive feats last year, in today’s episode we discuss why he fell short of his loftiest goals and how he is going to pivot in 2023.

Jonny shares many thought-provoking lessons about starting a business and adapting to change, so I encourage anyone who wants to accomplish big things in 2023 to tune in!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben

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If you want to learn more about Jonny, you can find him at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-cattani-53159b179/

https://cattanicapitalgroup.com/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

Principles - Ray Dalio

Lil Wayne

Curiosity and a Relentless Hunger for Growth.

These have been the defining characteristics of my year…

Today is the 1-year anniversary of the launch of my podcast, and to commemorate the occasion, I have a very special anniversary episode for you all…

Today’s episode is with Hunter Thompson, Host of one of my favorite podcasts, Cashflow Connections!

Hunter is a real estate Capital Raiser and Founder of Asym Capital, where he has raised over $70MM, and I’ve picked up on many powerful lessons while working with him…

In today’s special crossover episode, Hunter and I discuss the biggest lessons I’ve taken away from 100+ episodes of his podcast!

Here are just a few:

1. Competitive Advantage is Key:

Hunter only invests with sponsors that have an advantage that assures him that the return of a deal is asymmetrically large relative to the risk he is taking. For example, if a syndicator is vertically integrated they are better able to ensure timely execution, accurate expense assumptions, and economies of scale.

1. Diversification Wins in the Long Run:

Many people think diversification is a mix of stocks and bonds, but Hunter takes the idea much further. A diverse portfolio can include numerous various asset classes of real estate like multifamily, retail, industrial, and maybe even ATMs and mineral rights. Hunter also diversifies across sponsors with differing business models, risk profiles, and philosophies.

1. You don’t have to be an Expert to start a Podcast:

I was hesitant to start a podcast because I didn’t think I was an expert yet, but Hunter introduced me to the idea of The 4 Attractive Characters, The Leader, The Adventurer, The Reporter, and The Reluctant Hero, and I didn’t need to be an expert to bring you all expert insights. Nobody is truly an expert on more than 1 or 2 topics, but I can be The Reporter and interview the top experts on a variety of real estate topics.

There is a lot more to learn from Hunter’s experience and expertise in today’s episode, so make sure to tune in for a year's worth of real estate knowledge!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben Malech

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If you want to learn more about Hunter, you can find him at:

RaiseMasters: https://raisemasters.com/apply-webinar-3

Asym Capital: https://asymcapital.com/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/

Ben’s email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

Raising Capital For Real Estate - Hunter Thompson

The Machiavellians - James Burnham

When today’s guest said, “The history of Financial Technology comes down to ‘How trust is built.’” I realized something profound about the era we are living in…

If you aren’t prepared to keep your entire life’s savings in a vault in your basement, you have to rely on the trust you have in some external entity.

Governments have offloaded some of the trust we put into institutions through regulations and agencies like FDIC, but some people are even more wary of relying on governments.

However, with the speed of technological innovation, it is not always easy to know who and what to trust (ask any of FTX’s customers…).

In episode 51 of Real Estate Milestones, attorney, investor, and educator, Alex Talcott and I discuss the importance of trust in a world filled with rapid change.

Given how fast technology can progress, it’s no wonder why governments have a hard time creating and implementing appropriate regulations.

However, this means it’s more important than ever to be an educated steward of your own financial security, so it’s definitely not a bad idea to seek the perspectives of people with Alex’s experience in politics, technology, and law!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben Malech

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If you want to learn more about Alex, you can find him at:

New Constellation Capital: https://newconstellationcapital.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextalcottjd/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

Plato’s Symposium

Confessions - Saint Augustan

Proof of Stake - Vitalik Buterin

I recently watched Tulane’s Football Team win the AAC Championship, and I can only imagine how hard the players had to work to achieve that success.

However, my friend Sorrell Brown, an alum of the team, is onto his next challenge, which may be even harder than college football… starting a construction company…

The first thing he realized was, “you don’t know what you don’t know.”

Although he knows all about how to do construction, he did not realize how important sales skills were to winning construction bids.

However, the adaptability and persistence that lead to his success as an athlete have led to his rapid growth as an entrepreneur, and it’s only a matter of time until he accomplishes his next goal.

In the 50th episode of the podcast, Sorrell and I discuss how he is using the lessons he learned as a football player in starting his own real estate construction company in New Orleans, Rellestate!

For the first time in Real Estate Milestones history, the conversation was recorded in person, to commemorate the 50th episode of the show, so tune in to hear Sorrell and I discuss teamwork, entrepreneurship, and philosophy!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben Malech

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If you want to learn more about Sorrell, you can find him at:

RellEstate: https://rellestate.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

Phone: (504) 470-3002

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorrellbrowntu/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

The Great Unknown - Marcus du Sautoy

Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari

It’s no secret that the economy is very shaky. Rising interest rates, rampant inflation, and hiring slow-downs are leading to uncertainty and fear.

However, we all know that volatile markets breed tremendous opportunities to learn incredible lessons, make revolutionary changes, and generate outstanding profits!

But, how do we find these opportunities and capitalize on them?!

This is a question for the pioneers of the real estate industry, and luckily for us, 3 leading experts were kind enough to share their insights and real-time knowledge on this panel in the Tulane A.B. Freeman School of Business!

John Payne:

Mr. Payne is the CEO of VICI Properties, the highest-performing REIT in the S&P 500 in 2022! They own Casinos and entertainment real estate, including more than half of the Vegas Strip with assets such as MGM Grand, Ceaser's Palace, and The Venetian.

Tara Hernandez:

Ms. Hernandez is the President of JCH+ Properties, a real estate investment firm that converts underutilized real estate into modern, cool, and creative spaces. She is currently developing the River District on the riverfront of New Orleans, a 10-year multiple-billion-dollar project that is changing the business and cultural landscape of New Orleans!

Callan Maumus:

Mr. Maumus is Managing Director of NORF Projects, overseeing the development of 55 projects representing hundreds of thousands of square feet of opportunity zone and historic tax credit developments.

Today you will get an inside perspective into:

- Emerging trends in the real estate industry

- The state of the real estate economy and investment market

- The cutting-edge technology disrupting the industry

- Which markets are booming with real estate investments and jobs

I hope you enjoy what these amazing leaders have to offer!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben Malech

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If you want to learn more about the Panelists, you can find them at:

John Payne: https://viciproperties.com/team-vici/john-payne/

Tara Hernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-hernandez-0093325/

Callan Maumus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cullan-maumus-4a01416/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

Would rather hold real estate debt or equity during a recession?

Obviously, there is no simple answer to this question, and it always depends on the specifics of the deal, but regardless of your choice, investment strategies need to change with the times…

Today’s guest has seen about a 20% drop in real estate prices from recent highs, as a holder of both residential debt and equity, she’s not too worried.

Heather Dreves is the Director of Funding and Fund Manager at Secured Investment Corp, where she oversees two portfolios of both debt and equity residential real estate investments across the U.S.A. for accredited and non-accredited investors.

Before The Fed’s recent rate hikes, most of her borrowers were fixing & flipping properties, but as values started to come down, she has seen a shift toward fixing and renting the houses out instead of selling at lower prices, which is a pivot she is also doing in her equity portfolio!

An advantage of holding debt during a downturn is that you continue to receive your interest payments even if values go down. However, you also carry the risk of having to foreclose on a distressed asset in the worst-case scenario.

Equity owners have the advantage of continuing to collect rents during a recession. However, there is always a chance your tenant won’t be able to pay, leading to eviction, or you might struggle to refinance your loan at high rates and lower value.

Luckily for Heather, she gets the advantage of owning both and has the expertise to work through problems on either side because she is an expert in both!

What do you all think: Debt or Equity? Tune in to hear, Heather and I talk about both!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben Malech

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If you want to learn more about Heather, you can find him at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-dreves/

https://securedinvestmentcorp.com/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

I’ve spoken to quite a few real estate investors over the past 3 weeks, and all of them are getting ready to invest in discounted opportunities over the next 18 months.

However, I’m interested to see how they get deals done if lenders continue to hold back…

Some investors are seeking Private Money loans, which are loans from high-net-worth individuals who want exposure to real estate without needing to execute the investment plan.

Private Money might be a good option for investors because PM lenders are more flexible on loan terms and don’t have the strict borrower requirements of banks.

Many wealthy investors are looking to lend out their money, so they want to generate a return and hedge inflation while they wait to take advantage of discounted opportunities, as well!

Jay Conner is the President of The Private Money Authority, and started using private money loans when his bank stopped lending during The Great Financial Crisis.

In today’s episode of Real Estate Milestones, Jay and I discuss the pros and cons of Private Money lending and how investors can get access to Private Money for their deals!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben Malech

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If you want to learn more about Jay, you can find him at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/privatemoneyauthority/

Jay’s Book: https://www.jayconner.com/book-details/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

Og Mandino's University of Success

When I drive past a rundown house with overgrown grass and a tattered fence, I used to think it was a shame that the owner would leave their property in such a condition…

Now, when I drive past, I wonder how much the owner is willing to sell the house for!

This is because the eyesore represents an opportunity.

No matter what the reason is for the property's condition, odds are that the owner does not want to deal with it and would be happy for someone to take it off their hands.

But who would want to buy it?

Today’s guest began his real estate journey doing just that.

Zack Boothe is the Founder of DFD Mastery, where he teaches students how to identify, contact, and buy neglected and undervalued properties through strategies such as Driving For Dollars and Wholesaling.

The concept is simple:

If you can buy these rundown properties for their fair market value and then put time and money into improving them, you’ll be able to sell them for a lot more in a few months!

However, if you don’t have the skills or money to do this, you can still get started in real estate by using a strategy called Wholesaling, which Zack and I discuss in today’s episode!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben Malech

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If you want to learn more about Zack, you can find him at:

Driving for Dollars Mastery: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL9LDToGJCruOImtdwvnXBw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackboothe/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki

Sam Bates is the founder of Bates Capital Group, a real estate investment company committed to acquiring value-add investment opportunities for their investors. Their principal objective is to acquire high-quality assets that provide risk-adjusted returns to their investors. In today's episode, Sam Bates talks about the hottest real estate markets and the best strategies for navigating them.

Keep Making Milestones, Ben Malech

Subscribe to my Mailing List!!!! https://benmalech.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=350ca1e8dcceca79189398d18&id=6b0fe0bcca

If you want to learn more about Sam, you can find him at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambatesiv/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

If you are a student in college, the last thing you are probably thinking about is retirement.

However, Right Now, many of us have a unique opportunity to set ourselves up to retire in paradise by making a few wise choices…

For example, if you start investing your money in a Roth IRA Now, while you have a low or no tax rate, you will not have to pay any taxes on the gains when you withdraw during retirement.

Another exciting strategy is to use a Self-Directed IRA, which would allow you to invest in real estate using your retirement funds!

In today’s episode, Josh Plave tells the story of how he began saving his money in a Roth IRA at 16 years old after working a summer job down the street from his home in Rockville, MD!

We are not tax advisors, so make sure to consult a CPA for specific tax advice, but if you want to learn about fascinating ways to create your best possible retirement, tune in to today’s interview!

Keep Making Milestones,

Ben Malech

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If you want to learn more about Josh, you can find him at:

Josh’s Homepage: https://walltomain.com/about/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshplave/

To learn more about Ben, connect with him through:

Ben’s Website: https://benmalech.com/

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-malech/h

Ben’s email: [email protected]

Resources Mentioned:

Blue Ocean Strategy - Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim

Shownotes:

1:00 - Where did Josh go to High School?

2:00 - What was Josh’s first real estate investment?

3:00 - Josh’s first retirement account

5:30 - How he made 12% passively

7:30 - Different types of retirement accounts

9:30 - Self-directed IRAs

12:30 - Investing in real estate for the best retirement

14:45 - Limitations on IRAs

17:00 - Passing retirement accounts to beneficiaries

18:30 - How to prevent taxes using retirement accounts

20:30 - Roth Conversions

23:00 - What is UBIT?

27:00 - How Josh’s LP experience makes him a better GP

28:50 - Lightning Round!!!