In this inspiring episode of The Deal Finders Podcast, we sit down with seasoned real estate investors Jay and Annie Adkins. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Jay and Annie share their incredible journey—from humble beginnings when they rented out their first home to amassing over 50 rental units today. Discover how they navigated real estate investing in a pre-internet world, learned creative financing techniques from library books, and built a thriving business that now includes multifamily properties, short-term rentals, and a coaching program.

 

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting, this episode is packed with actionable advice, including how to find your first deal, build a strong network, and overcome challenges with determination and resourcefulness. If you’re ready to take the plunge into real estate investing, this episode is for you!

 

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Introduction

[0:22] – How Jay and Annie got started in real estate with no modern tools like YouTube or ChatGPT.

[2:07] – Turning a personal home into their first rental property and catching the “real estate bug.”

[10:12] – Overcoming obstacles when banks said “no” by learning creative financing strategies at the library.

[15:14] – Leveraging personal networks to find deals and the power of simply asking, “Do you know anyone selling?”

[20:26] – The value of real estate communities and mentorship for new investors.

[22:04] – Scaling to over 50 rental units, including multifamily and short-term rentals.

[27:21] – Tips for screening tenants and starting strong in real estate investing.

 

Key Takeaways:

1. Start with What You Have: Jay and Annie began their real estate journey by renting out their personal home, discovering that even small steps can lead to significant results over time.

2. Learn to Overcome Obstacles: When the bank denied their loan application, Jay turned to the library and educated himself on creative financing methods like lease options, proving that resourcefulness can open new doors.

3. The Power of Networking: By simply asking people in their network if they knew of properties for sale, Jay and Annie secured some of their first deals, demonstrating the importance of leveraging connections.

4. Screen Tenants Thoroughly: The Adkins emphasize the value of proper tenant screening, including checking income, landlord references, and rental history, to avoid costly mistakes.

5. Consistency is Key: Over two decades, Jay and Annie scaled their portfolio to over 50 rental units. They highlight that staying in the real estate game long enough ensures success due to compounding cash flow and appreciation.

 

Links & Resources:

• Connect with Jay & Annie Adkins on Facebook.

• Visit their website: CreativeDealMakers.com.

• Learn more about The Deal Finders Club: DealFindersClub.com.

 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might find it helpful. Let’s grow the Deal Finders community together—see you on the next episode!