In this podcast, Jason James, a Portland-based real estate investor and owner of That 1 Painter Oregon, shares how he built a real estate portfolio across four different states while living in Oregon. He breaks down out-of-state investing, the BRRRR strategy, and the mindset shifts that helped him stop waiting for the perfect deal and start taking action. If you’re looking to grow your portfolio and invest smarter, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you get started.

In this episode, Dane McKinney, Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Stack Asset Group, shares how he built a $30M real estate portfolio by age 26 through creative investing, capital structuring, and smart dealmaking. He reveals how to find and fund great opportunities, attract investors, and scale your business even in a shifting market. Packed with real-world insights, this episode is your playbook for building wealth and financial freedom through strategic real estate investing. 💼🔥

In this episode, Cliff Johnson, founder of PadSplit and co-founder of Vacasa, shares how he turned innovation into impact—scaling from startup success to transforming the affordable housing landscape. He reveals how shared housing creates both profit and purpose, and the mindset behind building lasting wealth through smart, mission-driven real estate investing.

In this episode: Marla Gomez shares how she scaled from 1 door to 7 in under a year using tech skills, creative financing, and design-driven strategy, all while balancing a full-time career and family. She dives into boosting property value with design, smart financing strategies, and tips for scaling a portfolio without burnout, all in this highlight from the Portland REI Meetup.

In this episode, Dwight Schwabs shares his incredible journey in real estate investing, revealing the strategies, lessons, and mindset that have shaped his 35-year career. From market insights to personal stories, Dwight offers valuable advice for both new and seasoned investors looking to build lasting wealth.

In this episode, real estate investor and entrepreneur Trevor Howard joins Chris Merz to share his journey from building a multimillion-dollar portfolio in his early twenties to losing it all—and coming back even stronger. 💪

They dive into how Trevor scaled to hundreds of doors, the lessons learned from failure, and the mindset shifts that led him to rebuild his empire through creative investing and resilience. 🏠

In this episode, real estate investor and educator Shona Lepis joins Chris Merz to share how she built lasting cash flow through mid-term rentals. They dive into her 16+ year journey in buy-and-hold investing, the shift to mid-term rentals, and how smart strategies can create freedom without the burnout of short-term hosting. 🏡

Discover the mindset, strategies, and lessons Sorcha Porter used to build a successful investing business in today’s competitive market.

In this episode, builder and developer Eric Thompson joins Chris Merz to dive deep into the world of middle housing and infill investing—and how overlooked city lots can become the foundation for scalable, community-focused real estate.

As the founder of Oregon Homeworks and the Snug cottage home brand, Eric has built over 250 homes across Portland and played a key role in shaping the city’s Residential Infill Project (RIP).

🎧 What You’ll Learn:

What middle housing is—and why it’s the future

How Eric identifies and transforms underused land into high-value properties

The zoning changes that are opening up huge opportunities for investors

Why small, smart homes are a big win for both returns and communities

Whether you’re a new investor, a seasoned pro, or just curious about building smarter—this episode is packed with insights on the real estate model that’s quietly transforming cities.

In this episode, Mel Dorman shares how she went from being a social worker with $500 to owning 34 rental units using seller financing. Recorded live at the Portland REI Meetup, this conversation dives into creative financing, building wealth without banks, and why financial freedom is possible for anyone willing to do things differently.