REI Freedom

In this episode of the REI Freedom Podcast, Jeremy Beland sits down with Brian Biernat, a seasoned real estate investor from Jackson, Mississippi. Brian shares his inspiring journey from being a telecom executive to diving into the world of real estate investing, motivated by life-changing events in 2016. He discusses the challenges he faced during his initial foray into wholesaling and how he pivoted to short-term rentals, ultimately achieving financial freedom. This episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice for anyone looking to embark on their own real estate journey.

Brian's story highlights the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the right mindset in overcoming obstacles in the real estate industry. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your investing efforts, Brian's experiences and lessons learned will inspire you to take action and pursue your goals.

Time Stamps

• Life Events That Sparked Change (00:02:56)
• The Transition from Wholesaling to Short-Term Rentals (00:06:09)
• Challenges and Lessons Learned (00:09:09)
• Building a Successful Short-Term Rental Business (00:16:07)
• The Importance of Mindset in Real Estate (00:25:53)
• Opportunities in Jackson, Mississippi (00:31:52)

About Brian Biernat

Brian Biernat is a real estate investor based in Jackson, Mississippi, specializing in flips, short-term rentals, long-term rentals, and turnkey properties. With a background as a telecom executive, Brian made a significant career shift after facing personal challenges that prompted him to seek financial freedom through real estate investing.

Connect with Brian:
Phone: 769 209 7776

If you're inspired by Brian's journey and want to learn more about real estate investing, consider joining our coaching programs at  https://reifreedom.com/apply We offer various formats to suit your needs and help you achieve your financial goals.

Don't forget to subscribe to the REI Freedom Podcast for more inspiring stories and actionable advice from successful real estate investors! You can find us on your favorite podcast platform.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to break free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind and build a successful career in real estate? 

What if you could turn your life around after facing significant challenges? This week on REI Freedom, Jeremy looks  into the inspiring journey of Garrett Loring, a 22-year-old entrepreneur from Boston who transformed his life through real estate investing.

Garrett faced major life hurdles, including a year in jail at 17 and becoming a father at 19. Despite these challenges, he became a full-time real estate investor by 22, completing five deals in just two years. His story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of taking action.

Key Takeaways:

• Overcoming adversity can fuel your drive for success.
• Wholesaling can be a straightforward entry point into real estate investing.
• Building rapport with sellers is crucial for closing deals.
• The journey in real estate is ongoing; there’s always more to learn.
• Passive income through rental properties is a long-term goal worth pursuing.

Time Stamps

00:01:33 - Garrett's Background and Early Challenges
00:03:15 - Why Wholesaling?
00:04:54 - In-Person vs. Virtual Deals
00:07:01 - First Deal Experience
00:08:10 - Second Deal and Continued Success
00:08:30 - Transition to Flipping
00:08:57 - Coaching Program Promotion
00:10:16 - Future Goals: Buy and Hold Strategy
00:12:56 - Cold Calling and Probate Leads
00:14:04 - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
00:16:35 - Benefits of Real Estate Freedom

Connect with Garrett:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085677921564
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrettloring/

Join the REI Freedom Coaching Program:
Learn how to find and manage great properties with our coaching program. Visit reifreedom.com/apply to book a discovery call.

Don’t Forget to Subscribe!
Never miss an episode of REI Freedom. Subscribe now and join us every week for more expert insights, inspiring stories, and actionable advice.

Ready to take the leap into real estate investing? Join us for this motivating episode and discover how you can start your journey today! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a modest $17,000 profit into a staggering $204,000 in just one flip?

In this episode, Jeremy Sits  down with Mike DeCandia a power plant engineer turned real estate investor, who, alongside his wife  Katelynn , launched Mike DeCandia Property Investments in January 2023. Mike's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of taking action, even in uncertain times. From his first flip to his impressive profits, Mike shares invaluable insights that can inspire anyone looking to break into the real estate market.

Key Takeaways:

• Mindset Shift: Mike's journey began with a significant mindset change during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading him to explore personal development through books and podcasts.
• First Flip Experience: Despite initial doubts and a modest profit of $17,000 on his first flip, Mike learned crucial lessons about the real estate market and the importance of networking.
• Second Flip Success: By leveraging a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and private money, Mike transformed a two-bedroom home into a three-bedroom, two-bath property, resulting in a remarkable profit of $204,000.
• Networking Importance: Joining a local REIA group was pivotal for Mike, providing him with valuable connections and resources to enhance his real estate journey.
• Future Goals: Mike aims to acquire off-market properties and build a multifamily portfolio, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and growth in real estate investing.

Time Stamps

[00:02:23] Real estate investment mindset shift.

[00:04:14] Real estate investment journey.

[00:09:15] Leap of faith in investing.

[00:12:05] Funding real estate investments.

[00:15:28] Profit from house flipping.

[00:16:58] Off-Market Real Estate Deals.

[00:22:03] Taking massive and perfect action.

[00:25:27] Networking for real estate success.

[00:27:06] Family over career priorities.

[00:29:32] Acquisition coaching programs.

Connect with Mike:
Facebook:  https://web.facebook.com/people/DeCandia-Property-Investments-LLC/100089459482051/

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

Phone:  781 443 2464

Join the REI Freedom Coaching Program:
Learn how to find and manage great properties with our coaching program. Visit reifreedom.com/apply to book a discovery call.

Don’t Forget to Subscribe!
Never miss an episode of REI Freedom. Subscribe now and join us every week for more expert insights, inspiring stories, and actionable advice.

In this episode of the REI Freedom Podcast, Jeremy sits down with Charlie Waitt, a New Hampshire-based real estate investor who has mastered the art of house hacking and short-term rentals (STRs). Charlie’s inspiring journey began with a simple house hack: renting out an in-law unit as a long-term rental. However, he soon discovered the immense potential of STRs by combining his passion for hospitality with his real estate goals.

Charlie shares how he transitioned from managing restaurants to managing properties, overcame challenges, and turned properties into income-generating assets. From creative financing to maximizing income through Airbnb, Charlie’s story is a must-listen for anyone curious about real estate investing, house hacking, or building a path to financial freedom.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your portfolio, this episode is packed with actionable insights and motivation to help you take the leap into real estate success.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Charlie discovered house hacking and used it to generate income.
• The transition from long-term to short-term rentals and why it worked.
• Lessons learned from a challenging 9-unit property in Laconia.
• The power of taking action, even when things aren't perfect.
• How short-term rentals can help you achieve time freedom and financial independence.
• Charlie’s advice for new investors on overcoming fear and getting started.

Resources Mentioned:

• Connect with Charlie:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Facebook: Loudon Mountain View Suite
  • Facebook: Loudon Mountain View Home
• Join the REI Freedom Coaching Program:
  Learn how to find and manage great properties with our coaching program. Visit reifreedom.com/apply to book a discovery call.

Don’t Forget to Subscribe!
Never miss an episode of REI Freedom. Subscribe now and join us every week for more expert insights, inspiring stories, and actionable advice.

At just 27 years old, Joey Long has mastered the art of creative acquisitions in real estate, turning obstacles into opportunities. After dropping out of college at 21 due to a medical issue, Joey used unconventional strategies like garage sales and seller financing to build a thriving portfolio—all starting with no money.

In this episode, Joey shares his inspiring journey, how he navigates the Florida real estate market post-hurricanes, and why building relationships is key to lasting success. Whether you’re new to wholesaling or a seasoned investor, Joey’s innovative insights and actionable tips will leave you motivated and ready to think outside the box.

Episode Notes:

Key Topics Covered:

• Joey’s inspiring journey from college dropout to successful real estate investor.
• Creative acquisition strategies, including using garage sales to find leads.
• Building lasting relationships with sellers to create win-win deals.
• Navigating FEMA regulations and post-hurricane challenges in Florida.
• Joey’s advice for new and experienced investors on solving seller problems creatively.

Follow Joey Long:

• Instagram: @JoeyLong.REI
• Monthly Meetup: Held on the second Thursday of every month at Pinellas Aleworks in St. Pete, Florida.

Stay Connected with REI Freedom:

• Join our Facebook Group: Off-Market Freedom Fighters
• Learn more about off-market property acquisitions: REIFreedom.com

🎧 Tune in now and start applying Joey’s strategies to your real estate journey!

In this week’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most crucial elements of success: learning how to fail forward. I’m joined by my coach and mentor, Steve Richards, who has built multiple successful real estate businesses and believes that failure is an essential part of any entrepreneur’s journey.

We discuss why the right mindset makes all the difference when facing setbacks and how embracing failure can lead to transformative growth. Steve shares his own stories of overcoming obstacles, hiring mistakes, and lost deals—and how these challenges ultimately fueled his success. We’ll explore the “fail forward” mentality and why being willing to fail is key to unlocking your potential.

Key Takeaways:

• How to develop a resilient mindset in the face of failure
• Turning setbacks into stepping stones for success
• Why failing forward is essential to real estate and business growth
• The role of mindset in building and scaling a team effectively

If you’re ready to rethink your approach to failure and embrace it as part of your path to success, this episode is for you. Tune in and learn how to turn challenges into opportunities with the power of a growth-focused mindset.

📌 Connect with Steve Richards:

• Join our Off-Market Freedom Fighters Facebook group and tag Steve directly to connect.
• Learn more about Team Architects and how they can help you find the right people to grow your business.

Additional Resources:

• Book a free coaching evaluation call: REIFreedom.com/apply

In this week's episode of REI Freedom, host Jeremy Bieland dives into the world of self-directed IRAs with expert guest Kaaren Hall, Founder and CEO of uDirect IRA Services, LLC. Kaaren brings decades of experience in real estate and financial services, offering invaluable insights for investors looking to leverage alternative assets to build their wealth.

Jeremy and Kaaren discuss the fundamentals of self-directed IRAs, explaining how they differ from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s and highlighting their unique potential for funding real estate ventures. Learn how to strategically deploy your IRA to avoid market volatility and maximize tax-free or tax-deferred growth.

Kaaren also shares real-world examples of how investors can utilize their self-directed IRA for property purchases, private lending, and raw land investments. Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned investor, this episode is packed with actionable advice on using self-directed IRAs to unlock new avenues of income.

Key Points Covered:

• The basics and benefits of self-directed IRAs
• How to move funds from a 401(k) into a self-directed IRA
• Real-life applications and strategies for investing in off-market properties
• Understanding non-recourse loans and UDFI tax implications
• The importance of due diligence in IRA investing

Links and Resources:

• Book a free consultation with Kaaren Hall: uDirect IRA Services
• Follow uDirect IRA Services on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
• Explore educational articles and resources on self-directed IRAs at the uDirect Blog.

Stay tuned for a special announcement about Kaaren’s upcoming masterclass in the REI Freedom Facebook group, where she’ll share even more insights on how to maximize your investing potential with self-directed IRAs.

Join the Conversation: Connect with us and other real estate investors on our Facebook Group for exclusive discussions, tips, and upcoming events.

Tune in, take notes, and transform your investing journey. This episode is your guide to achieving REI Freedom through strategic retirement investing!

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of passive real estate investing with Jeremy Dyer, founder of Starting Point Capital. Jeremy shares his journey from active property flipping to a well-diversified portfolio of passive investments in syndications. For anyone curious about growing wealth in real estate without the daily hustle, this episode is packed with actionable insights on vetting deals, diversifying investments, and leveraging tax advantages to build long-term wealth.

Key Highlights:

• The Power of Passive Investing: Jeremy explains the difference between active and passive real estate roles and why passive investing can offer excellent returns with far less day-to-day work.
• Top 5 Criteria for Vetting Sponsors: Discover Jeremy’s essential steps to ensure you’re investing with trustworthy and experienced sponsors.
• Importance of Diversification: Jeremy emphasizes how diversifying across sponsors, asset types, and markets can mitigate risk.
• Building Wealth Over Time: With smart reinvestments and strategies like the 1031 exchange, learn how to grow your capital consistently, even through uncertain times.

Connect with Jeremy:

• Website: Starting Point Capital
• LinkedIn: Jeremy Dyer
• Upcoming Book: The Fundamental Investor (Releasing in mid-November)
• Podcast: The Freedom Point

Resources Mentioned:

• Jeremy’s 5 Key Steps to Vetting Sponsors (Connect with him directly for more info)
• Insights on 1031 exchanges and depreciation for tax-efficient investing

Tune in to learn how passive real estate investing can help you create wealth without the heavy lifting! And as always, if you’re interested in off-market acquisitions, book a discovery call with us at REI Freedom or join our Facebook group for more tips on building your real estate portfolio.

In this inspiring episode of REI Freedom, host Jeremy sits down with Enis Shehu, co-founder of Whiteacre Properties, licensed General Contractor, and creator of the Boston Real Estate Connection Meetup. Enis shares his incredible journey from running a family-owned restaurant to building a successful real estate investment business in the Greater Boston area.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Enis’s early years as an immigrant from Albania and his experience running a restaurant with his family.
• The transition into real estate investing, sparked by the desire to find new opportunities.
• How Enis built Whiteacre Properties, focusing on off-market deals, wholesaling, wholetailing, fix and flips, multifamily conversions, and new development.
• The challenges of scaling a real estate business, from accounting and financial management to sourcing deals.
• A deep dive into a recent deal in Hyde Park, Boston, where Enis navigated a two-year process to secure approval for a 34-unit development.
• The importance of surrounding yourself with a strong support network and taking calculated risks.
• Key advice for new investors: take action, learn from mistakes, and stay persistent in the face of challenges.
• Enis’s philosophy on REI freedom and the long-term vision for real estate success.

Resources Mentioned:

• Whiteacre Properties on YouTube
• Boston Real Estate Connection Meetup
• Follow Whiteacre Properties on Facebook and Instagram

In this episode of REI Freedom, we’re diving deep into the world of seller financing with special guest Wyatt Reed. Wyatt shares his journey into real estate and how mastering seller financing has transformed his business. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, Wyatt’s insights on seller financing are invaluable for anyone looking to win more deals and maximize profits.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• Wyatt’s personal story of breaking into real estate investing
• The basics of seller financing and how it works
• Why seller financing is a powerful tool for off-market acquisitions
• How Wyatt structures his deals for maximum cash flow
• The difference between cash offers and seller financing when negotiating with sellers
• Marketing strategies for finding motivated sellers and tired landlords
• The benefits of offering seller financing on the back end
• Challenges and solutions when working with seller financing

Wyatt also gives us a sneak peek into his coaching program, where he helps students all over the country learn how to leverage seller financing to build their real estate empires.

Resources & Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Learn more about Wyatt’s coaching program: SellerFinanceDeals.com
• Follow Wyatt on social media: Linktree - Wyatt Reed
• Join our Facebook group for more tips on off-market acquisitions: Off Market Freedom Fighters
• Book a discovery call with us: REIFreedom.com/apply

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! We’ll see you next week with more insights and strategies to help you find success in real estate investing.