CJ Calio - The Deal That Changed My Life

In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, CJ Calio from WNN Properties shares the real estate deal that transformed his path from UPS driver to financial freedom in just four years. Based in Hawaii, CJ focuses on out-of-state investing, building wealth through buy-and-hold residential and commercial properties in more affordable markets.

CJ dives into the pivotal deal that changed everything: an 11-property portfolio he secured without having the cash in hand. By leveraging OPM (other people’s money), he raised $500,000 in under 30 days to close on the deal. This portfolio not only accelerated his journey to early retirement but also opened doors to larger opportunities, including a $3 million commercial property.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How CJ built financial freedom in 4 years through real estate

• The power of resourcefulness vs. resources in investing

• Leveraging private money and creative financing to scale

• Using the BRRRR method on a portfolio of 11 single-family homes

• Transitioning from residential to commercial real estate deals

Whether you’re a beginner investor or looking to scale your portfolio, CJ’s story is proof that with the right mindset and strategy, you can create financial independence through real estate.

🔗 Follow CJ on Instagram: @WNNProperties

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found value in this episode!

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Book Review - Take A Ride On The Wealth Elevator #251

In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve, we’re diving into Take A Ride On The Wealth Elevator by Lane Kawaoka — a book that breaks down how everyday investors can move from the “ground floor” to building long-term wealth through real estate syndications, accredited investing, tax strategies, and passive income.

We also chat about the balance between learning from books vs. podcasts, the importance of timing when financial lessons finally click, and why betting on yourself can often be the best investment strategy. From cash flow and infinite banking to scaling your business and leveraging locked equity, this discussion is packed with practical reminders and aha moments for investors at every stage.

📚 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Key takeaways from The Wealth Elevator and how to apply them

• Why passive income should be the top priority before legacy planning

• The power of combining books and podcasts for real-time learning

• Case studies and real-world applications from experienced investors

• How to leverage equity, syndications, and alternative assets for higher returns

Whether you’re just starting out, scaling your portfolio, or looking for fresh ideas to optimize your investing strategies, this conversation will give you insights you can put into action.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the show!

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Alan Franks - The Deal That Changed My Life

In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, we welcome back Alan Franks, Certified Financial Planner, author of Empower Money, and real estate investor based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Alan shares the real estate deal that changed everything for him—a $235,000 starter home purchased in 2015 that became the springboard for building a portfolio of rental properties, Airbnbs, and duplexes. What started with a $10,000 loan from a life insurance policy turned into a wealth-building strategy that leveraged equity, rental income, and HELOCs to create long-term financial freedom.

We dive into:

• How Alan used whole life insurance to fund his first real estate deal

• Turning one property into multiple rentals and Airbnbs

• The role of passive income (and why real estate isn’t always truly passive)

• Using leverage and syndications to grow wealth

• How real estate fits into an overall financial plan

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, an aspiring real estate investor, or someone looking to expand your portfolio, Alan’s story is a powerful example of how one deal can truly change your life.

🔗 Learn more about Alan Franks: https://empowered-money.com

👉 Don’t miss our first interview with Alan where we go deeper into financial planning and real estate strategies.

📌 If you found this episode valuable, please like, comment, and share—it helps us bring more real stories from real investors!

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

How Key Person Insurance Saved Joel Friedland’s Real Estate Portfolio - #250

In this episode of The Real Estate Reserve Podcast, we sit down with Chicago industrial real estate investor Joel Friedland to hear how decades of investing, market cycles, and a high-stakes partnership shaped his conservative, debt-free investment philosophy.

Joel started in industrial real estate syndications at just 22 years old, eventually building a portfolio of over 50 properties. Along the way, he experienced the highs of rapid growth, the pressures of the 2008 financial crisis with $70M in personal guarantees, and the painful reality of a partnership gone wrong. Through it all, key person insurance (also called keyman insurance) became the safety net that saved his business and his investors when tragedy struck.

But Joel’s story isn’t just about survival—it’s about lessons learned and how to build a portfolio designed to last.

You’ll hear: ✅ How Joel built his career in industrial real estate syndications ✅ The risks of personal guarantees, high leverage, and “saying yes” to the wrong deals ✅ Why he compares partnerships to marriage—and how ignoring red flags nearly cost him everything ✅ The 2008 financial crisis, seven banks pushing workouts, and what finally pushed him to adopt a no-debt/low-debt strategy ✅ How key person insurance and succession planning protect investors ✅ His current approach: debt-averse, small industrial buildings, long-term holds, and 7.5% preferred returns with investors ✅ Why he says IRR stands for “Irrelevant”—and why he focuses on cash flow and 14% average annual returns instead ✅ The importance of investor relationships, succession plans, and building a business you can sleep well at night with

Joel also shares candid reflections on lifestyle creep, partnership struggles, and why “breaking up is hard to do” when you’re living the good life—but necessary for long-term stability.

Plus, you’ll learn how he structures deals today, from raising 100% equity, to waterfalls and prefs, to creative solutions for investors who want to exit without selling a property.

This is a masterclass in risk management, succession planning, and conservative industrial real estate investing.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Brett Swarts - The Deal That Changed My Life

In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, we welcome back Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions. Brett shares two powerful stories—one about a life-changing real estate deal that gave his family the freedom to start a new chapter in Florida, and another about a missed opportunity that shaped his mission to help others avoid costly mistakes with capital gains taxes.

From a record-breaking property sale to the heartbreaking story of an investor who lost everything, Brett explains how these experiences inspired him to create strategies that unlock wealth, preserve families, and provide financial freedom.

If you’re a real estate investor, business owner, or entrepreneur facing a big exit, you’ll want to hear Brett’s insights on deferred sales trusts, capital gains strategies, and why having the right plan can make or break your financial future.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The real estate deal that changed Brett’s life and funded his family’s next chapter

• A cautionary tale of a $50M portfolio lost to poor tax planning

• Why capital gains tax solutions are critical for investors

• How deferred sales trusts can protect wealth and multiply impact

• Practical lessons for entrepreneurs, investors, and families

📍 Connect with Brett Swarts: Website: BrettSwarts.com Capital Gains Tax Solutions: CapitalGainsTaxSolutions.com

👉 If you found value in this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Share this with someone who needs to hear how the right tax strategy can change everything.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Lane Kawaoka’s Wealth Elevator: Legacy Building Through Real Estate & Businesses - #249

In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve Podcast, Jason and Ian sit down with Lane Kawaoka, a Hawaii-based real estate investor, author of The Wealth Elevator, and operator with 10,000+ rental units and over $2B in acquisitions. Lane shares his full journey from being an engineer buying single-family rentals to building large multifamily portfolios, syndications, and now expanding into business acquisitions.

We cover:

• Raising Capital vs. Finding Deals – why both are difficult, and how Lane fought to earn investor trust early on

• Building Broker Relationships – how to get taken seriously when you’re starting out and why brokers control deal flow

• Scaling from Class C to Class A – lessons learned from tough properties with high economic vacancy and how Lane shifted to better assets

• The Current Market – Lane’s perspective on interest rates, Fed policy, and why he thinks the market bottom may already be behind us

• Beyond Real Estate – why more investors are diversifying into businesses and other alternative assets for higher cash flow and flexibility

• The Wealth Elevator Framework – the stages of wealth building, from your first rental to financial freedom, and when to shift strategies at key net worth milestones

This is a masterclass in real estate investing, wealth building, and mindset from someone actively operating today — not just teaching theory.

👉 If you get value from the episode, please share it with another investor who’s serious about scaling their portfolio.

📌 Connect with Lane Kawaoka: Book: The Wealth Elevator → Available on Amazon Website: thewealthelevator.com

📌 Subscribe to the Real Estate Reserve Podcast for unfiltered conversations with operators building wealth in real time.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

The Secret to Buying Out-of-State Rentals Use the 1% Rule with CJ Calio -#248

Want to invest in real estate outside your local market? In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve Podcast, Jason and Ian interview CJ Calio, a successful real estate investor who built a profitable out-of-state rental property portfolio from Hawaii using the 1% rule.

CJ shares his personal journey from working at UPS to achieving financial freedom through real estate investing, including:

• How to find cash flow-positive rental properties in other states

• Using the 1% rule to analyze deals and maximize returns

• Overcoming challenges of long-distance real estate investing

• Leveraging turnkey properties, local networks, and property managers

• Scaling from single-family rentals to commercial real estate

• Key strategies for building passive income and generational wealth

Whether you’re a first-time investor or looking to expand your rental property portfolio out-of-state, this episode gives actionable insights to help you succeed in real estate investing, no matter where you live.

📍 Follow CJ Calio and learn more: Instagram @WNNProperties

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Joe Root - The Deal That Changed My Life

We’re back in the studio with multifamily investor Joe Root, diving into the deal that changed his life.

Joe shares the story of his very first building purchase in Chicago—an investment that nearly went sideways during the 2008 financial crisis. With seller financing, a looming balloon note, and a lender unwilling to refinance, Joe found himself in a high-pressure situation that tested both his strategy and his resilience.

In this episode, we cover: ✅ Joe’s first multifamily deal in 2006 and lessons learned during the Great Financial Crisis ✅ Creative financing strategies and refinancing challenges ✅ How executing a business plan is critical to long-term success ✅ The importance of resilience, timing, and surrounding yourself with the right people ✅ Joe’s outlook on multifamily investing and where he sees opportunities today

Joe’s story is a powerful reminder that even in tough markets, execution and perseverance can turn a near-disaster into a long-term win.

🔗 Connect with Joe:

• Root Property Group: rootpg.com

• ESAPER Real Estate Partners: esrepartners.com

If you enjoy real conversations with real investors, share this episode with a friend and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories that inspire and educate.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Empowered Money: Creating Your Own Wealth Strategy with Alan Franks - #247

💰 Ready to take control of your money and build real, lasting wealth? In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve Podcast, we’re joined by Alan Franks — Certified Financial Planner, author of Empowered Money, and a master at helping people create financial strategies that actually work in real life.

From breaking free of commission-only sales to building a thriving fee-based planning practice, Alan shares his insider playbook for growing wealth, minimizing taxes, and using debt the right way.

Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ How to combine “gas pedal” investing with “brake pedal” risk management for a balanced wealth strategy ✅ Smart ways to use leverage to accelerate your financial growth (without blowing up your plan) ✅ The Millionaire’s Dilemma: Should you invest first or pay off debt? ✅ Why mortgage equity might be quietly underperforming for you ✅ Powerful uses for HELOCs and securities-backed lines of credit ✅ Tax-saving strategies like cost segregation and bonus depreciation ✅ The truth about Dave Ramsey’s advice — what works, what doesn’t, and what wealthy people really do instead

Whether you’re a real estate investor, entrepreneur, or high-income earner, this conversation is packed with strategies you can start applying today to grow and protect your wealth.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

From Acquisition to Now: Whitehouse Manor Project Update - #246

In this powerful episode of the Real Estate Reserve Podcast, Jason and Ian break down the full lifecycle of a major multifamily investment—the 76-unit Whitehouse Manor project in Baltimore, MD—a deal they've been involved in for the past 5 years.

What started as a $5 million acquisition with 90% seller financing turned into a rollercoaster of refinancing, near-sales, market changes, and valuable lessons. From a missed $8.8M exit to today's valuation closer to $8.2M, they unpack what went right, what went wrong, and what’s next.

🔥 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How seller financing helped acquire a 76-unit apartment complex

• The real impact of rising interest rates, expenses, and DSCR challenges

• Why timing your exit is everything—and how ego can cost you hundreds of thousands

• The $700K mistake: choosing not to sell when they should have

• The mindset shift from investor to family office

• How to create liquidity without adding headaches

• The importance of opportunity cost and being ready to pivot

• Why it's crucial to keep your capital working—for equity AND cash flow

• The mental bandwidth cost of being an operator vs. passive investor

• A brutally honest look at selling, refinancing, and portfolio rebalancing

💡 Who should watch this:

• Multifamily & rental property investors

• LPs considering passive income strategies

• Real estate operators & syndicators

• Anyone juggling the trade-off between cash flow vs. equity

• Investors thinking about when to sell, refinance, or reposition assets

🔄 Whether you’re holding too long, or second-guessing your exit, this candid conversation will reshape how you evaluate your deals, your ego, and your equity.

✅ Like, comment, and subscribe for more real-world investing talk, transparent case studies, and honest reflections from the trenches.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777