The Lo-Down

On this episode of The Lo-Down, we explore the ins and outs of real estate lending with Brenda Chen, Managing Director at Conventus Lending and Founder of Venus Ventures. Brenda demystifies the lending process, offering practical advice for anyone looking to dive into real estate investments or expand their portfolio. We talk about hard money loans, DSCR loans and other loan products offered by Conventus. Brenda discusses the challenges and opportunities in today’s market, giving listeners the tools they need to navigate this complex industry successfully. Brenda also discusses the importance of building a great network through hosting meetup and events, empowering investors and entrepreneurs. We dive into Venus Ventures and Brenda's experiences as a real estate investor focusing on house flipping. Please share and subscribe and give a 5 star review on your favorite listening channel! Hope you guys enjoy the show! 

Follow Brenda Chen on IG @Brendachen.re
[email protected]
cvlending.com/brendachen

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on IG @Lorenzo.Mercado_

In this episode of the Lo-Down, Lorenzo Mercado interviews Chris Luna, a multifamily developer and founder of the Backyard Billionaires community. Chris shares his journey from running a cell phone repair business to becoming a successful real estate investor. He discusses the importance of cash flow versus equity, the differences between multifamily and single-family investments, and his strategies for financing ADUs. Chris emphasizes the significance of delegation, building a team, and raising capital through trust and transparency. In this conversation, Chris shares his journey through significant setbacks in real estate, emphasizing the importance of learning from failures. He discusses the power of mindset and resilience, revealing how early morning routines and personal experiences shape his approach to challenges. The discussion also highlights the value of building connections through social media and networking events, as well as insights gained from interviewing influential figures in the industry. Chris reflects on the role of faith in his success and outlines his future aspirations in real estate development. Enjoy the show!

📌 Topics Covered:
✅ How to raise money for your first deal 💵
✅ The power of networking & mentorship 🤝
✅ Finding and structuring multifamily deals 🏢
✅ Mindset shifts for financial freedom 🚀

👍 If you enjoy, please share to anyone who would find value in the episode. Also please give a 5 star review on whichever platform you are listening on.

Subscribe on Youtube To Stay Notified For New Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@Lorenzo.Mercado


🔗 Follow Us:
Chris Luna
📷 instagram.com/chrisj.luna
📺 youtube.com/@chrisjluna 
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Lorenzo Mercado
📷 instagram.com/lorenzo.mercado_

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Chris Luna and His Journey
01:07 From Cell Phones to Real Estate: The First Deal
04:11 Understanding Cash Flow vs. Equity in Real Estate
08:14 The Differences Between Multifamily and Single Family Investments
10:06 Defining the Buy Box for Real Estate Investments
12:08 Navigating Permits and Construction Timelines
14:14 Strategies for Financing ADUs and Scaling Up
16:34 Overcoming Challenges in Scaling Real Estate Ventures
18:40 The Importance of Delegation and Team Building
20:50 Raising Capital: Building Trust and Transparency
23:24 Learning from Setbacks
27:40 The Power of Mindset
31:06 Building Connections through Social Media
35:39 Insights from Influencers
37:34 The Role of Faith in Success
41:12 Future Aspirations and Growth

In this episode of The Lo-Down, I sit down with Bay Area real estate flipper and residential developer Tom Tran. Tom started his journey as a realtor before diving into the world of fix-and-flips. Over time, he transitioned into larger projects, including home extensions, additions, and ADUs.

We dive into how he’s scaled his business, the key partnerships that have helped him grow, and the systems he’s put in place to manage longer, more complex projects. Tom shares valuable insights on leveraging relationships, structuring deals, and adapting to market changes as he’s moved from quick flips to high-value renovations.

If you're looking to learn how to level up your real estate game and move from small deals to bigger development projects, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Enjoy the show.

Follow Tom Tran on IG: @Tomasthebuilder
@flippingthebayarea

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on IG: @Lorenzo.Mercado_
Follow on Youtube @TheLo-Down 

What does it take to build a successful winery from the ground up? 

In this episode, Lorenzo Mercado interviews Akash Patel, the owner and operator of Akash Winery- a successful winery in Temecula, California. Akash shares the inspiring journey of how his family transitioned from the motel business to establishing a winery, emphasizing the importance of vision, hard work, and resilience. We discuss the challenges faced in the wine industry, including navigating permits and funding, building a strong team culture, and the significance of marketing and distribution strategies. Akash also discusses the unique offerings of his winery, future plans for expansion, and provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a real estate investor, or just someone who enjoys a good glass of wine, this episode is for you. Tune in, pour yourself a glass and enjoy!

Follow Akash Patel on IG: @A_cassh
Akash Winery: @akashwinery
Akash Brewery: @akashbrewing

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on IG @Lorenzo.Mercado_
Youtube: TheLo-Down

In this episode, Lorenzo Mercado interviews Nick Sehy, an investor based in Seattle who has made big moves in the Detroit real estate market. Nick shares his journey from working at Microsoft to becoming a successful real estate investor, detailing his experiences with the BRRRR strategy, the challenges of investing in Detroit, and the importance of having solid contracts in place. He discusses his first deal, the lessons learned from various investments, and how he navigates the complexities of property management and theft in the market. Nick emphasizes the need for a strong support system and the value of taking action in real estate investing. Nick shares his journey in real estate, focusing on his transition from wholesaling to flipping properties. He discusses strategies for finding deals, the importance of good partnerships, and the systems he has implemented to scale his business. Nick emphasizes the significance of setting ambitious goals and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the real estate market. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring investors, highlighting the importance of passion and persistence in achieving success. Thanks for tuning in. Hope you enjoy the show!

Follow Nick Sehy on IG: @nick.sehy

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on IG: @Lorenzo.Mercado_
Follow on Youtube: @TheLo-Down


Takeaways

• Nick has completed 25 to 30 deals in real estate.
• He averages about $300 cash flow per rental property.
• Nick started investing in real estate to create a passive income.
• The BRRRR strategy allows for infinite investment potential.
• Choosing Detroit was strategic due to lower costs and support systems.
• Nick emphasizes the importance of solid contracts in partnerships.
• He faced challenges with theft, particularly with furnaces in properties.
• Nick's first deal was a successful BRRRR that provided significant equity.
• He advises new investors to analyze many deals to understand the market.
• Building a team and delegating tasks is crucial for scaling a real estate business. Nick started flipping properties in 2023-2024.
• He successfully negotiates lower prices on MLS listings.
• Having a good realtor and contractor is crucial for success.
• Nick's recent flip yielded an impressive profit of $90k.
• Scaling up requires effective systems and processes.
• Partnerships can help manage funding and resources.
• Setting clear expectations with partners is essential.
• Nick aims to complete 20 flips in 2025.
• Continuous small progress leads to significant growth.
• Finding a niche and sticking to it is key for new investors.

In this soLo episode, I’m sharing what’s been going on behind the scenes and how I’m making moves to grow my real estate business. First, I talk about my decision to switch real estate brokerages—what led to the change, how it’s helping me align with my goals, and why being surrounded by like-minded, action-oriented people is a game-changer.

I also dive into my latest projects: two new flips, and I’m excited to walk you through how I found these opportunities, what I’ve learned, and what’s next for the properties.

Another big win- Hiring my first cold caller. This was a huge step for me because it’s allowed me to buy back time and focus on the bigger picture—analyzing deals, building partnerships, and scaling MERCASA Ventures.

This episode is all about taking action, embracing change, and building the systems and team you need to level up. If you’re growing in real estate, business, or any other area of life, this episode will inspire you to make moves and keep pushing forward. Thanks for tuning in. Enjoy the show.

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If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5 Star review and share with others.

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on instagram: @Lorenzo.Mercado_
Follow Lorenzo on Youtube @TheLo-Down

In this episode of The Lo-Down, Addie Ning, share her story as a successful real estate investor who transitioned from a career in biotech to full-time real estate investing. Addie tells of her first real estate deal out of state, the challenges, and her recent acquisition of a 12-unit apartment building. She discusses the importance of relationships in real estate, the lessons learned from her experiences, and her strategies for raising capital. Addie emphasizes the long-term nature of real estate investing and offers valuable advice for aspiring investors. Hope you guys enjoy the show and thanks for watching!

Follow Addie Ning on IG: @Addie_Invests

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on IG: @lorenzo.mercado_

Takeaways
-Addie transitioned from biotech to real estate after being laid off.
-Her first investment was a condo in San Diego, which taught her valuable lessons.
-Investing out of state was a strategic decision due to high California prices.
-The importance of relationships in real estate cannot be overstated.
-Addie's first deal was a learning experience with many challenges.
-She emphasizes the need for confidence when raising capital.
-Addie plans to renovate the 12-unit property over time to increase value.
-Real estate investing is a long-term game that requires patience.
-She encourages aspiring investors to take action despite fears.
-Social media is a powerful tool for building credibility and attracting investors.

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Addie Ng and Her Journey
03:04
Transition from Biotech to Real Estate
06:05
First Real Estate Deal: Lessons Learned
08:56
Out-of-State Investments: The Decision Process
12:06
Scaling Up: From Single Family to Multifamily
15:00
The 12-Unit Apartment Building: Finding the Deal
17:58
Raising Capital: Challenges and Strategies
21:07
Operational Plans for the 12-Unit Property
24:05
Mindset Shift: From Optimism to Realism
26:49
Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Investors
29:47
Future Goals and Closing Thoughts

In this episode of The Lo-Down, I sit down with Laith Nsour, a trailblazing entrepreneur in his early 20s who’s proving that success doesn’t have to follow the traditional route. After deciding to skip college, Laith dove straight into the world of business and entrepreneurship and he’s been making big moves ever since.

We talk about:
-How Laith started a gym right out of high school
- His role in building a successful real estate wholesaling company
- Starting an inbound marketing agency specializing in PPC/PPL on Facebook
-The mindset, challenges, and strategies that have fueled his success

Laith’s story is an inspiring example of what happens when you bet on yourself and embrace unconventional paths to achieve your goals. Whether you’re a young entrepreneur, someone considering a career pivot, or just looking for a dose of inspiration, this episode is for you.

Follow Laith Nsour on Instagram @TheLaithNsour

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on Instagram @Lorenzo.Mercado_

This is a great episode, especially for all my fellow healthcare workers. I sit down with Alex Sabio, a successful entrepreneur in the hospitality space, particularly in Airbnb and hotel management. Alex shares his journey from being a respiratory therapist to investing in real estate, detailing his experiences with long-term rentals, the transition to short-term rentals, and the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses the importance of networking, the lessons learned from managing properties, and the strategic decisions that led him to acquire a hotel. The conversation emphasizes the significance of adaptability, calculated risks, and the value of understanding market dynamics in the hospitality industry. Alex shares his insights on succeeding in the Airbnb market, emphasizing the importance of unique amenities and understanding market saturation. He discusses the value of networking in real estate, the benefits of leveraging tax loopholes for short-term rentals, and the significance of mindset and learning from influential figures. Alex also reflects on balancing personal life with business growth and offers ways for listeners to connect with him for further insights. Hope you guys enjoy the show.

Follow Alex Sabio on Instagram: @The_real_alexsabio

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on IG: @Lorenzo.mercado_

Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Alex Sabio and His Journey
02:59
Transitioning from Healthcare to Real Estate
05:39
The First Airbnb Experience
08:17
Scaling Up: From Airbnbs to Hotels
10:53
Navigating Challenges in Short-Term Rentals
13:54
The Hotel Acquisition Journey
17:08
Key Lessons in Hospitality Management
19:36
Networking and Finding Partners
22:32
Strategies for Standing Out in Hospitality
26:09
Navigating Market Saturation in Short-Term Rentals
28:31
The Power of Networking in Real Estate
31:21
Leveraging Tax Benefits in Short-Term Rentals
35:52
Mindset and Learning from Influential Figures
39:36
Balancing Growth and Personal Life
42:28

What does it take to turn a single real estate career into a multi-business empire? In this episode of The Lo-Down, I sit down with Brian Tran, cofounder of Fifty Hills real estate brokerage in Millbrae,CA and the visionary behind seven other successful businesses. I am also joined by Raymond Cho, the CEO of the Fifty Hill's house-flipping business and acquisition manager for real estate leads. Together, they provide an insider look at how they’ve structured their flipping business, built systems for growth, and maintained a relentless focus on scaling and success.

We discuss the challenges of building multiple businesses including Boba shops, an overseas virtual assistant company, property management and many more. The duo also discuss the strategies they use to identify and capitalize on opportunities, and the mindset needed to turn a single venture into an empire. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, or seasoned investor or just curious about what it takes to achieve this level of success, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Tune in to hear how Brian and Raymond are transforming the real estate industry here in the Bay Area, CA. Enjoy the show!


Follow Brian Tran on IG  @Mr.BrianTran 

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Follow Raymond Cho on IG @ray.luvay

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Follow Lorenzo Mercado on IG @lorenzo.mercado_

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Time Stamps
0:00 – Introduction
2:15 – Brian Tran's journey from realtor to entrepreneur
8:30 – Transition into house flipping
15:45 – Founding and scaling multiple companies
22:10 – Raymond Cho's role as CEO and acquisition manager
28:50 – Strategies for lead acquisition and deal evaluation
35:20 – Building and managing a successful team
42:00 – Overcoming challenges in scaling operations
48:15 – The importance of mentorship and partnerships
54:30 – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors
1:00:00 – Closing thoughts and future plans