The Most Dwanderful Real Estate Podcast Ever!

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A real estate career can look unstoppable right up until it doesn’t, and that is where the real lessons live. We sit down with Lawrence Dunning to unpack a journey that moves from high-income trading to a five-year pro MMA run, then into Chicago real estate investing, brokerage, and ground-up development. Along the way, he shares what happens when a partnership implodes during COVID, money gets trapped, lawsuits appear, and you still have to show up and rebuild for your family and your future.

We get specific about new construction development versus rehabs, why “surprises behind the drywall” make rehab budgets risky, and how builders think in repeatable systems once they know their numbers. We also talk opportunity zones and up-and-coming neighborhoods, where developers bet on block-by-block change while managing tight margins, rising construction costs, and shifting buyer demand. If you are trying to break into development, you will hear practical guidance on finding a mentor, building a reliable team, and underwriting for multiple outcomes.

Then we zoom out to the mindset that holds everything together: patience with long-term goals, resisting social media comparison, protecting your attention, and modeling healthy screen habits for kids. Lawrence shares the books that shaped his thinking, and we end on a simple word with real power: gratitude. Subscribe, share this with an investor friend, and leave a five-star review. What is your non-negotiable backup plan when the market turns?

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Most houses can be “nice” and still be totally forgettable. That’s why I loved talking with Denver real estate broker and developer Athena Brownson about the difference between building a home that simply checks boxes and creating a property people instantly remember.

Athena shares how she’s spent 13 years in residential real estate by specialising in relationships, not gimmicks, and how that trust turns into a referral-driven business. We dig into her move into luxury residential development with her father, and why she’s so determined to avoid the characterless white box trend. If you’re a builder, developer, or house flipper, you’ll hear specific ideas on sourcing finishes, making design choices that stand out, and why you don’t always need a bigger budget to create a better product. We also talk staging with a twist: estate sales and one-of-a-kind pieces that add history and personality without inflating costs.

Then the conversation takes a turn into something more personal and, honestly, more important: invisible illness. We talk openly about rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, brain fog, fatigue, and what it takes to keep showing up for clients, family, and yourself. Athena’s word of wisdom is “grit” and we unpack it as the art of showing up, even when it’s hard.

If you know someone in real estate who needs a smarter edge, or someone dealing with chronic health issues who needs to feel less alone, share this episode with them. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell us: what does grit look like in your life?

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Most people say they want a franchise, but what they really mean is “I want a proven path to business ownership without living inside a restaurant.” That’s exactly why we brought on Jon Ostenson of FranBridge Consulting to unpack the world of non-food franchising and show how broad the franchise landscape really is. We talk about why so many great opportunities are hidden in plain sight, and why the businesses that sound the least exciting can be the ones with the steadiest demand.

We get practical about money and structure. Jon breaks down typical all-in investment ranges for retail-style concepts versus service-based franchises, plus the real-world funding paths buyers use, including SBA loans and ROBS retirement rollovers. We also dig into the “semi-involved” model people call semi-absentee, what it takes to make it work, and why having the right operator and incentives matters more than chasing a brand name.

Then we go deeper on diligence and fit. Jon explains how to vet a franchise beyond glossy rankings, what to look for in leadership teams and support, and how talking to existing franchisees and reviewing the franchise disclosure document helps you see the full picture. Along the way, we explore categories like home services, seniors, B2B services, and even offbeat concepts that thrive because people love to outsource what they hate.

If you’re curious about franchise opportunities that are not fast food, listen through to the end, share this with a friend who’s ready to leave corporate, and subscribe, share, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

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We break down what an investor friendly mortgage broker actually does and why it can be the difference between a dead deal and a closed deal. We also get real about rehab timelines, underwriter pushback, and the “weekend warrior” trap that quietly wrecks budgets. 

• why a mortgage broker adds flexibility by shopping 50 plus lenders 
• how the 2022 rate jump pushed lenders toward investor loan products 
• what DSCR and fix and flip financing look like in real life 
• why underwriters hesitate on first time investors and how we document the deal 
• 12 month interest only rehab loans plus sell or refinance options and extensions 
• why DIY rehabs often fail on time, permits, and true labor and material costs 
• the three first steps before buying a rehab: credit, contractor, and ARV 
• how Epic Mortgage expanded from Chicago into nationwide investor lending 
• Dante’s next goal to publish a second book and why education matters 

“And if you’re new to Dwanderful, I want you to go to my website, Dwanderful.com, and just opt in.” 
“If you have enjoyed talking to Dante and listening to us chat today, I want you to do me a favor and I want you to like and follow and leave a five-star review.” 

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The fastest way to lose money in real estate is to win the deal and fumble the loan. We talk with Jonathan Yoo from Convoy Home Loans about investor financing that’s built for how real investors operate: moving fast, protecting downside, and qualifying based on the asset not just a neat W-2. If you’ve been hearing about DSCR loans, bank statement loans, and other non-QM mortgage options, this conversation turns the buzzwords into a clear decision framework.

We get specific about what DSCR actually measures, why 1 to 4 unit rentals can underwrite differently than commercial property, and how terms change when coverage is strong or weak. Then we tackle a topic more investors need to take seriously: closing in an LLC, the fine print that makes “transfer it later” risky, and how AI tools are giving servicers new ways to detect title and vesting changes. Subject-to deals and due-on-sale clauses have lived in a gray zone for years, and the monitoring environment is not what it used to be.

From there we zoom out to the market: mortgage rates, the 10-year treasury, why the bond market matters, and why short fixed periods can create forced refinance pain. Jonathan also shares three actionable tips for newer investors around liquidity and reserves, repair and lease-up reality, and making sure the numbers work with a real buffer.

If you want a smarter way to finance rentals and build a portfolio that survives volatility, press play. Subscribe, share this with an investor friend, and leave a five-star review with one sentence about what you learned.

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We talk with real estate veteran and coach Debbi DiMaggio about what actually creates long-term success in real estate and why most people stall right before they need to take action. We dig into coachability, simple systems that compound over time, and the mindset shift behind her word of wisdom: motion. 
• Debbi’s background as a 35-year residential real estate agent, coach and author 
• What Debbi coaches agents on inside a large brokerage and team environment 
• Why being coachable matters more than collecting advice 
• The frustration of reinventing the wheel and how to avoid it 
• How we choose who we can coach and why fit matters 
• Foundation for Success basics like collaboration and relationship building 
• Colleagues not competitors and why referrals grow faster with trust 
• Building forums that create community like networks, events and podcasts 
• Practical marketing habits including newsletters, blogging and Substack 
• Why handwritten notes still beat most digital outreach 
• Stop being a secret agent and clean up social profiles, headshots and LinkedIn 
• Mindset In Motion’s five-step method: goal, believe, internalise, share, activate 
• Why activation is the step that stops most people 
• Debbi’s marathon story as a real example of mindset and follow-through 
Go to Dwanderful.com, take the quiz, we’ll do a 45-minute call and I’ll answer your questions

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What’s really stopping you from closing your first real estate deal? We pull back the curtain on the ten roadblocks that keep smart people stuck—fear, “no money,” not knowing what to say, paperwork panic, even the surprising fear of success—and we turn each one into a practical next step. From a raw story of getting fired at Denny’s to knocking on foreclosure doors with a baby on the hip, we show how action, not perfection, builds confidence and checks.

We walk you through the easiest on-ramp in the game: wholesaling with a $10 earnest deposit and a clear, ethical seller conversation. You’ll hear the exact script to open doors, how to frame solutions without pressure, and why title companies and mentors can keep your paperwork clean. Then we move from first wins to a real plan: sustain momentum with daily lead habits, grow into rentals and small commercial, and eventually lend your capital to scale without the grind. Throughout, we tackle market anxiety head-on—why adaptable investors profit in boom or bust—and reframe failure as tuition you only pay once if you learn fast.

If you’re ready to stack “gold bricks” in your money, health, relationships, and faith, this conversation gives you the mindset and the method. No license needed. No perfect timing required. Just a simple system, steady courage, and a community that has your back. Start with the $10 move, bank your first assignment fee, and let that proof reshape what you believe is possible. If this fires you up, share it with a friend who needs a push, subscribe for more step-by-step strategy, and leave a quick review to tell us what fear you’re ditching first.

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Head to Dwanderful right now to claim your free real estate investing kit.

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We map a clear path to leave a 9–5 and go full-time in real estate using a simple salary system, strict discipline, and smart rentals. Close two deals, build a cash runway, avoid risky credit, and scale into permanent cash flow.

• framing the top question: how to go full-time
• Dwan’s story of hardship, resolve and early mistakes
• why credit card funded quitting is dangerous
• the two-deal runway and $1,000 weekly pay
• doubling pay after four deals and holding discipline
• targeted debt payoff from new profits
• buying cash-flow rentals in affordable markets
• keeping salary stable while assets grow
• out-of-state investing with managers and vendors
• resisting lifestyle creep and staying on budget
• case study of rapid freedom through focus
• simple, repeatable steps for the first two years

Subscribe to the podcast, give me a five-star review, watch these on YouTube, share them, take my webinars, take my workshops, get involved with me, take my real estate investing quiz at dwonderful.com. Let's do a strategy session. I will change your finances if you will just let me do it.

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Thanks again for listening. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a FIVE-STAR review.

Head to Dwanderful right now to claim your free real estate investing kit.

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What if the difference between a stalled dream and a thriving investing business was 92 door knocks and the courage to keep going? We open the playbook on real estate’s real tradeoffs—time freedom, income control, and generational wealth—balanced against the very human hurdles of self-motivation, information overload, and patience for the first win.

I walk you through the exact path from fired night-shift waitress to 2,000+ deals and even buying a small town. We start with the early days: living inside rehabs to cut costs, learning every tool at Home Depot, mapping foreclosures by hand, and using hard money to move fast. Then we break down the shift that changed everything—wholesaling—and how stacking predictable assignment fees can fund rehabs and rentals without the feast-or-famine cycle. You’ll hear how a simple toolkit—Excel, a calendar, and a call list—beats fancy CRMs when the real job is talking to sellers, solving problems, and getting contracts signed.

We also get honest about the cons. Staying self-driven when it rains or when your bank account looks comfy is a real test. Education can help or hurt—choose one mentor, one process, and go deep instead of chasing every new system. Busywork is a trap; measurable action is the cure. Setbacks at the closing table will happen; build buffers and backups so a busted deal doesn’t break your stride. And yes, the first check might take months. That’s not failure—that’s the ramp. Once it clicks, you’ll forecast income by deal count, not wishful thinking.

If you want a roadmap to work for yourself, control your hours, and build assets your kids and grandkids can steward, this conversation is your starting line. Tap play, take notes, and then take action. If it helped, follow the show, leave a quick review, and share this with someone who needs a push to knock on door number 92.

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Thanks again for listening. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a FIVE-STAR review.

Head to Dwanderful right now to claim your free real estate investing kit.

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We lay out a simple, repeatable plan to find distressed properties, lock a clean contract, and assign it to a proven buyer for a fast, ethical profit. Along the way, we share where the best leads hide, how to build a buyer list in days, and why six parties win on one deal.

• wholesaling defined and why it pays fast
• 10% target assignment fees by price point
• pulling 90‑day foreclosure lists at the courthouse
• using Craigslist for hidden motivated sellers
• helping homeowners exit foreclosure with dignity
• using state contracts without a license via equitable interest
• finding buyers at REIA, on social, and through title companies
• crafting win‑win‑win outcomes for sellers, buyers, and lenders
• low‑cost marketing that beats expensive ads
• door knocking mindset and scripts for conversions

Take my 5‑minute quiz at dwanderful.com to book a free 45‑minute strategy session with me personally. Leave me a five‑star review, like, follow, and please share. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook at Dwanderful. The truth is in the red letters.

Support the show

Thanks again for listening. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a FIVE-STAR review.

Head to Dwanderful right now to claim your free real estate investing kit.

And follow:

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Make it a Dwanderful Day!