The Messy Money Podcast

Real estate wholesalers are trained to find motivated sellers, negotiate the right price, and get deals closed. But what happens when a title or ownership problem gets in the way?

In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, Courtney Fricke sits down with Stephen Keighery of Home Buyer Louisiana to discuss how an established wholesaling operation approaches curative title issues without trying to turn its acquisitions team into title experts.

Stephen explains why wholesalers don't necessarily need a dedicated curative title division—they need enough competency to recognize potentially solvable problems, determine whether the economics justify pursuing them, and know who to call when the problem exceeds their expertise. 

ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.Connect with Stephen Keighery:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBFQ_43MCI9tJ8tB6m9q92gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenkeighery/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephenkeigheryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkeighery/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.keigheryX: https://x.com/stephenkeigheryWebsite: https://homebuyerlouisiana.com/about-us/stephen-keighery/Connect with Courtney Fricke:Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfrickeTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.frickeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/X: https://x.com/courtneyfrickeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfrickeWebsite: www.CourtneyFricke.com

Join Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle

Louisiana Real Estate Talks Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LouisianaRealEstateTalks Subscribe to the Messy Money Podcast for real-world conversations about combining curative title and creative finance to solve the messy problems that keep good real estate deals from getting done. And if you know an investor who could benefit from looking at complicated deals differently, share this episode with them.

If the Louisiana International Terminal gets built, how does St. Bernard Parish make sure St. Bernard actually benefits?

That was one of the most interesting parts of my larger conversation with St. Bernard Real Estate broker Mike Fernandez of Arpent Realty about the potential impact of the LIT Port on Real Estate and property values.

In this clip from the full episode, Mike makes the case that St. Bernard may need to think beyond simply whether the port should or shouldn't be built — and start considering what happens if it is built.

Thousands of direct and indirect jobs have been projected around the full buildout. But those workers don't necessarily have to live in St. Bernard. New businesses don't necessarily have to locate there. And the housing demand and investment associated with the project could potentially be captured by surrounding communities instead.

You don't have to be pro-port or anti-port to ask what happens if the project moves forward.

Because the bigger question may become:

What does St. Bernard do next?
🎥 This is a clip from our full conversation with Mike Fernandez. In the complete episode, we dig much deeper into the Louisiana International Terminal, including what Mike's research suggests could happen to St. Bernard property values, Violet, the areas closest to the port, rentals, housing demand, traffic, infrastructure and more.

Watch the full episode next to hear the complete conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5W28vPwRVU&pp=ygUaTElUIFBvcnQgU3QgQmVybmFyZCBQYXJpc2g%3D.

Link to Mike's LIT Real Estate Data Study/Article: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hoYdRbrtv7k_ZkEfk-EWdLhYhZpYFVUh/view?usp=sharing

ATTENTION:

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.

If you enjoy conversations focused on Louisiana's economy, Real Estate market, business climate, economic development, and long-term opportunities, make sure you're subscribed. Louisiana Real Estate Talks is dedicated to discussing what's actually happening on the ground in Louisiana, backed by real-world experience, data, and market observations.

Connect with Mike Fernandez of Arpent Realty:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.fernandez.5268 Email: [email protected]

Cell: 504-220-2777

Link to LIT Real Estate Data Study/Article: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hoYdRbrtv7k_ZkEfk-EWdLhYhZpYFVUh/view?usp=sharing

Connect with Courtney Fricke:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfricke

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/

X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke

YouTube: @courtneyfricke

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-fricke-705700149/

Website: www.CourtneyFricke.com

Join Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle

Subscribe to Louisiana Real Estate Talks for more conversations about the projects, laws, economic development, and market changes shaping Louisiana Real Estate.

A property owner dies. No probate has been opened. You don't even know who the heirs are. Where do you start?In this Messy Money micro episode, Florida probate attorney Al Nicoletti and I break down how Real Estate investors can start identifying the potential heirs and family members of a deceased property owner.We discuss death certificates, obituaries, deeds, marriage and divorce records, and other public records that can help you start piecing together the ownership puzzle.Watch the FULL Florida Probate Masterclass with Al Nicoletti: https://youtu.be/Dutmzc9gb30 ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.Connect with Al Nicoletti:Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠Phone: (904) 999-0053Website: ⁠www.AlNicoletti.com⁠YouTube: @AlNicolettiFacebook Business: @flattorneynicoletti Facebook Personal: @AlNicoletti Instagram: @attorneynicolettiLinkedIn: Al Nicoletti, Esq.Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfrickeTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.frickeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/X: https://x.com/courtneyfrickeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfrickeWebsite: www.CourtneyFricke.comJoin Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle Louisiana Real Estate Talks Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LouisianaRealEstateTalks If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to the Messy Money Podcast and share it with another investor who could benefit from it. Every like, comment, subscription, and share helps us grow the curative title community and keep making content like this.

What happens when three heirs own a property, but one of them can't be found?

For many real estate investors and wholesalers, that's where the deal dies.

But that was only one of the problems with this New Orleans property.

In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, Courtney Fricke sits down with Stephen Keighery of Home Buyer Louisiana to break down a real curative title deal his team recently closed.

Home Buyer Louisiana originally spoke with the family in 2021. Five years later, the situation looked very different.

Instead of immediately writing it off as a dead lead, Steve's team kept asking a simple question:

Is there still an economically viable path to closing?

One of the biggest lessons from this case study is that you don't necessarily need to know the solution before pursuing the opportunity.

And sometimes that's the difference between a dead lead and a deal.

It's not always finding a more motivated seller. It's knowing what problem actually needs to be solved — and whether the economics justify solving it.

ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.

Connect with Stephen Keighery:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBFQ_43MCI9tJ8tB6m9q92gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenkeighery/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephenkeigheryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkeighery/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.keigheryX: https://x.com/stephenkeigheryWebsite: https://homebuyerlouisiana.com/about-us/stephen-keighery/CONNECT FURTHER with Courtney Fricke:Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfrickeTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.frickeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/X: https://x.com/courtneyfrickeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfrickeWebsite: www.CourtneyFricke.comJoin Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle Louisiana Real Estate Talks Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LouisianaRealEstateTalks If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to the Messy Money Podcast and share it with another investor who could benefit from it. Every like, comment, subscription, and share helps us grow the curative title community and keep making content like this.

Louisiana is investing $200 million to prepare sites for economic development before companies even show up.

It’s called Louisiana FastSites, and the idea is simple: instead of having land available but waiting years to build roads, extend utilities, improve drainage, add rail access or complete other infrastructure, Louisiana wants more sites ready when companies are deciding where to invest.

In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Talks, Courtney Fricke and Stephen Keighery break down Louisiana’s FastSites program, where the money is going and why this could matter for future economic development and real estate across the state.

The first round includes 19 sites across 16 Louisiana parishes, with investments ranging from infrastructure improvements to projects designed to open hundreds of additional acres for development. Another $50 million round opened October 1, 2026.

We also look at several FastSites already receiving investment, including:

• Esperanza Business Park in St. Charles Parish — a $10 million investment helping provide roadway and utility access to more than 1,000 acres.

• Acadiana Regional Airport — a $10 million FastSites investment supporting a $74+ million development connected to Aviation Exteriors Louisiana and projected new and retained jobs.

• Gulf South Commerce Park in St. Tammany Parish — a $2 million investment expanding development-ready acreage targeting manufacturing, logistics and distribution.

But there’s another piece of FastSites that makes the program particularly interesting: the money is designed to come back.

Projects include a repayment mechanism, allowing money to return to the fund and be invested into future Louisiana development sites.

ATTENTION:

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.

If you enjoy conversations focused on Louisiana's economy, Real Estate market, business climate, economic development, and long-term opportunities, make sure you're subscribed. Louisiana Real Estate Talks is dedicated to discussing what's actually happening on the ground in Louisiana, backed by real-world experience, data, and market observations.

Connect with Stephen Keighery:

YouTube:  ⁨@StephenKeighery⁩ 

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephenkeighery

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkeighery/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.keighery

X: https://x.com/stephenkeighery

Website: https://homebuyerlouisiana.com/about-us/stephen-keighery/

Connect with Courtney Fricke:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfricke

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/

X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke

YouTube:  ⁨@courtneyfricke⁩ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-fricke-705700149/

Website: www.CourtneyFricke.com

Join Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle

Subscribe to Louisiana Real Estate Talks for more conversations about the projects, laws, economic development, and market changes shaping Louisiana Real Estate.

A property with a $210,000 ARV. A seller who originally thought she owned 50%. And now she's willing to sell her potential 25% interest for just $7,000.

Would you buy it?

In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, Courtney Fricke walks through a real-world curative title lead and breaks down how she analyzes whether a messy ownership problem is actually worth solving.

Courtney breaks down how to build the fact pattern, separate facts from assumptions, determine what an ownership interest is actually worth, and work backward through the potential costs and risks standing between buying the interest and eventually getting paid.

ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.CONNECT FURTHER with Courtney Fricke:Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfrickeTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.frickeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/X: https://x.com/courtneyfrickeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfrickeWebsite: www.CourtneyFricke.comJoin Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle Louisiana Real Estate Talks Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LouisianaRealEstateTalks If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to the Messy Money Podcast and share it with another investor who could benefit from it. Every like, comment, subscription, and share helps us grow the curative title community and keep making content like this.

New Orleans is putting more than 140 vacant properties up for auction, with bidding starting at just $4,000.

But cheap land doesn't necessarily mean a good Real Estate deal.

In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Talks, Courtney Fricke and Stephen Keighery break down the 2026 New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) property auction and what buyers need to know before placing a bid.

The auction includes more than 100 residential lots throughout New Orleans, along with approximately 40 properties designated for non-housing development options.

We discuss how to evaluate these properties before bidding, why a $4,000 starting bid can be misleading, and why buyers need to understand the economics of developing the property before getting caught up in the excitement of an auction.

Courtney and Steve also break down how a developer should work backward from the finished value of a property by considering construction costs, soft costs, holding costs, insurance, potential resale value, required profit, and ultimately the maximum amount that makes sense to pay for the land.

The NORA auction is scheduled for September 29–30, 2026. If you're considering bidding, review the official auction documents, property-specific requirements, and NORA information before making a decision.

NORA INFORMATION:

https://www.noraworks.org/news/287-nora-to-auction-more-than-140-properties-citywide

AUCTION / PROPERTY LIST:

https://www.tranzon.com/key5200

ATTENTION:

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, Real Estate, or investment advice.

Auction terms, development requirements, zoning, title, financing, construction costs, and property conditions can vary by property and situation. Buyers should conduct their own due diligence, review the official auction documents, and consult qualified attorneys, title professionals, contractors, lenders, insurance professionals, and other appropriate experts before purchasing or developing Real Estate.

Connect with Stephen Keighery:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBFQ_43MCI9tJ8tB6m9q92g

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephenkeighery

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkeighery/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.keighery

X: https://x.com/stephenkeighery

Website: https://homebuyerlouisiana.com/about-us/stephen-keighery/

Connect with Courtney Fricke:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfricke

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/

X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfricke

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-fricke-705700149/

Website: www.CourtneyFricke.com

Join Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle

If you care about what's happening in Louisiana Real Estate, subscribe to Louisiana Real Estate Talks.

We break down the projects, policies, market changes, economic developments, and opportunities shaping Real Estate across Louisiana, and more importantly, what they actually mean for the people buying, selling, investing, developing, and doing business here.

If you found this episode helpful, like the video, leave a comment, subscribe to Louisiana Real Estate Talks, and share this episode with someone considering bidding in the NORA auction.

Every like, comment, subscription, and share helps us get these conversations in front of more people who care about the future of Louisiana Real Estate.

Can you get into curative title investing with little or no money?

Technically, yes.

But if you're struggling financially and looking at curative title as a low-money, get-rich-quick strategy, I'm not going to hold your hand and lie to you.

Curative title can be a high-risk, high-reward business. Deals may take months or even years to resolve, and while finding the opportunity or acquiring an initial interest can be inexpensive, the cure itself is often where the deal becomes capital intensive.

ATTENTION:

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.

CONNECT FURTHER with Courtney Fricke:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfricke

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/

X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfricke

Website: www.CourtneyFricke.com

Join Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle Louisiana Real Estate Talks Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LouisianaRealEstateTalks

If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to the Messy Money Podcast and share it with another investor who could benefit from it. Every like, comment, subscription, and share helps us grow the curative title community and keep making content like this.

Do you need years of real estate experience before getting into curative title investing?

Not necessarily.

But that doesn't mean there isn't a barrier to entry.In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, I break down what I believe actually makes someone qualified to work curative title deals and why years in real estate don't automatically equal competency.

ATTENTION:

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.

CONNECT FURTHER with Courtney Fricke:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfricke

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/

X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfricke

Website: www.CourtneyFricke.com

Join Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to Courtney's podcast. Liking episodes, subscribing to the channel, and sharing with others really helps.

Messy Money Podcast(Curative Title & Creative):https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_t1CjX04xMtBIyWGIO5Mvi2FDn2f436N

Louisiana Real Estate Talks Series with Stephen Keighery:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_t1CjX04xMsUc4TcAH_uyYDMPzzU6xRy

It’s officially been one year since I moved from Louisiana to Florida, but I never stopped investing in Louisiana.

In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Talks, we flip the microphone and Stephen Keighery interviews me about what the first year has actually looked like.

We talk about starting over in the competitive Tampa Bay real estate market, questioning whether my skills would transfer to a new state, and why I've had to be more cautious investing in Florida than I expected.

We also get into what it takes to continue operating a Louisiana real estate business while living hundreds of miles away, including maintaining relationships, building a boots-on-the-ground network, becoming more selective about deals, and why complex title and ownership problems have become an even bigger part of my business.

Have a question for me? ASK ME ANYTHING in the comments.

Whether it's about moving to Florida, investing in multiple states, operating remotely, starting over in a new market, Louisiana real estate, or what I've learned over the last year, drop your question below.

If we get enough questions, I'll record a Part 2 answering them.

Whether you're a Real Estate investor, business owner, developer, policymaker, or simply someone who cares about Louisiana's future, this episode provides an honest discussion about where Louisiana stands today and where it may be headed next.

ATTENTION:

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax rules, and regulations vary by state and situation. Always consult with a qualified attorney, CPA, or other licensed professional before making any Real Estate or financial decisions.

If you enjoy conversations focused on Louisiana's economy, Real Estate market, business climate, economic development, and long-term opportunities, make sure you're subscribed. Louisiana Real Estate Talks is dedicated to discussing what's actually happening on the ground in Louisiana, backed by real-world experience, data, and market observations.

Connect with Stephen Keighery:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBFQ_43MCI9tJ8tB6m9q92g

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stephenkeighery

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkeighery/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.keighery

X: https://x.com/stephenkeighery

Website: https://homebuyerlouisiana.com/about-us/stephen-keighery/

Connect with Courtney Fricke:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneyfricke

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@courtney.fricke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyfricke19/

X: https://x.com/courtneyfricke

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@courtneyfricke

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-fricke-705700149/

Website: www.CourtneyFricke.com

Join Curative Title Investing Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/curativetitle

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to Courtney's podcast. Liking episodes, subscribing to the channel, and sharing with others really helps.

Messy Money Podcast(Curative Title & Creative):https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_t1CjX04xMtBIyWGIO5Mvi2FDn2f436N

Louisiana Real Estate Talks Podcast with Stephen Keighery:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_t1CjX04xMsUc4TcAH_uyYDMPzzU6xRy