The Roots Podcast

How to Scale a Mortgage Business, Raise Capital & Invest in Commercial Real Estate | Derrick Christy Interview

In this episode of The Roots Podcast, founders Max Moore and Tyler Lingle sit down with Derrick Christy—CEO of Approved Mortgage, the largest and oldest mortgage banker in Indianapolis—to unpack the strategies behind scaling a financial services empire and investing in $150M+ of real estate.

With over $6.5B in funded loans, Derrick shares how early hustle, deep industry knowledge, and smart syndication structures propelled him from cutting grass in high school to owning vertically integrated companies across finance, real estate, insurance, and title.

From creative financing and commercial deal structuring to time-tested networking tactics and tax strategies, this conversation is a masterclass in building long-term wealth through real estate.

Connect with Derrick Christy
Website: https://www.derrickchristy.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickchristy

Helpful Links 
Investor Course: https://tylerlingle1.gumroad.com/l/rootsinvestorcourse
Come to our next event: https://rootsrealty.co/events
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rootsrealtyco

Book a Call with Our Team
Max: https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
Tyler: https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G
Start Your Real Estate Journey: https://bit.ly/3WoIRTN

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. This podcast is for informational purposes only—always consult a professional before making investment decisions.

In this internal episode of The Roots Podcast, Max Moore and Tyler Lingle break down the real numbers behind Tyler’s latest duplex investment in Indianapolis—and whether a $475K new build can actually cash flow.

🚨 Real numbers, real strategy: $475,000 purchase price, $120,000 down, $2,800/month PITI, and projected rental income up to $3,800/month.

This isn't just about monthly cash flow—it's about building equity, reducing maintenance, and investing for long-term appreciation in one of Indy’s hottest neighborhoods. Tyler shares how he converted equity from a headache quadplex into a turnkey duplex deal with real upside and less stress.

If you’re looking for duplex investing tips, how to invest in Indianapolis real estate, or real-world strategies to upgrade your rental portfolio, this episode is packed with insights you can use.

📈 Learn how to roll equity, analyze the numbers, and decide if new construction rentals are right for your investing goals.

👇 Ready to take the next step? Follow the plan below:

📩 STEP 1 – Stay in the loop
Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsrealty.co/blog#newsletter
Subscribe on YouTube:   / @rootsrealtyco 
Come to our next live event: https://rootsrealty.co/events

📅 STEP 2 – Get expert advice
Book a free intro call with Max or Tyler:
Max: https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
Tyler: https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G

🤝 STEP 3 – Get matched with an agent
https://rootsrealty.co/buy/book-a-con...

🎟️ Join the Next Masterclass NEXT WEEK (Aug 7th): https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass
🌱 Ready to Start Your Real Estate Journey? https://bit.ly/3WoIRTN

📸 Follow Us
Roots Realty Co:   / roots.realty.co 
Max Moore:  ...

In this internal Roots Podcast episode, Max and Tyler break down hard-won flipping lessons from their sit-down with Indy legend Dave Short (Ep. 16) and share how they’re applying them to the current market.

If you haven’t watched last week’s episode yet—go back and catch it. Dave’s 450+ deal track record is a flipping masterclass. This recap takes it further with on-the-ground insight for Indy investors.

They cover:
- Why the “messy middle” is where most flippers lose
- The only two types of flippers who actually make money today
- Dave’s no-paid-ads method for sourcing deals
- The pre-market inspection play that saves $10K+
- Smarter capital strategies: equity stacks vs hard money

👇 Stay connected and level up your investing game:

📩 Sign up for the Roots newsletter: https://rootsrealty.co/blog#newsletter
🎟️ Come to the next masterclass (AUGUST 7TH): https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass
📅 Book a call with Max: https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
📅 Book a call with Tyler: https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G

#IndianapolisRealEstate #FlippingHouses #RootsRealtyCo #IndyFlippers #RealEstateInvesting #EquityStack #MessyMiddle #IndyInvestors #RealEstateTips #RootsPodcast

In this episode of The Roots Podcast, founders Max Moore and Tyler Lingle sit down with Dave Short, a veteran house flipper and legendary figure in Indy real estate, to unpack what it really takes to flip houses at scale. With over 470 flips under his belt since the 1970s, Dave shares the hard-earned lessons that separate successful investors from the ones who burn out fast.

From structuring contractor crews and avoiding common rookie mistakes to securing private capital and running seven flips at once, Dave gets into the gritty details of building a sustainable flipping business. Whether you’re on your first deal or looking to scale to $2M+ in active projects, this episode is packed with gold. 

📌 Connect with Dave Short:

📧 Email: [email protected]

📱 Phone: 317-590-4499

Check out our INVESTOR COURSE: https://tylerlingle1.gumroad.com/l/rootscourse

Meet us in person: https://rootsrealty.co/events

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RootsRealtyCo?sub_confirmation=1 --

🎟️ Join the Next Masterclass: https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass 

📅 Book a Call with Max: https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW

📅 Book a Call with Tyler: https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G 

🏡 Ready to Start Your Real Estate Journey? https://bit.ly/3WoIRTN 
Powered by @Properties

 
Follow Us:

📸 Roots Realty Co. Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/roots.realty.co/

📸 Max Moore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxxmoorre/

📸 Tyler Lingle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler_lingle/ --

🎙️ Listen on Your Favorite Platform:

 🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4j6vvFm

 🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/426vnji

 🎧 Link to all platforms: https://rootspodcast.transistor.fm/

 time stamps: 0:00 – 1:00 – ... 

🚨 Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. This podcast is for informational purposes only—always consult a professional before making investment decisions.

Looking for a rental under $200k? Want a safe house hack play for 2025? We’ve got you.

In this mini episode of the Roots Podcast, Max and Tyler open up about where not to invest in Indy—and the unexpected neighborhoods and towns they’re placing real money behind. From Mars Hill and Anderson to Danville and Westfield, they break down the logic behind their picks and share real investor advice based on boots-on-the-ground experience.

Plus: why Broad Ripple still makes the cut and what small towns are about to boom.

👇 Ready to take the next step? Follow the plan below:

📩 STEP 1 – Stay in the loop
Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsrealty.co/blog#newsletter
Subscribe on YouTube:    / @rootsrealtyco 
Come to our next live event: https://rootsrealty.co/events

📅 STEP 2 – Get expert advice
Book a free intro call with Max or Tyler:
Max: https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
Tyler: https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G

🤝 STEP 3 – Get matched with an agent
https://rootsrealty.co/buy/book-a-con...

🎟️ Join the Next Masterclass: https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass
🌱 Ready to Start Your Real Estate Journey? https://bit.ly/3WoIRTN
Powered by @Properties

📸 Follow Us
Roots Realty Co:   / roots.realty.co 
Max Moore:   / maxxmoorre 
Tyler Lingle:   / tyler_lingle 

Disclaimer:
This video is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in this video should be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making any real estate investment decisions.

#IndyInvestorCourse #IndianapolisRealEstate #RootsRealtyCo #RealEstateInvesting #BuyRentalProperty #HouseHacking #PassiveIncome #RealEstateEducation #IndyInvestors #FinancialFreedom

In this episode, Max and Tyler sit down with Addison Newell, founder of Funani Homes and Kiote Investing, who’s flipping the script on real estate. Addison doesn’t start with the property — he starts with the tenant. His tenant-first model builds strong communities, long-term wealth, and zero-vacancy portfolios. They talk about how a simple framework changed everything, the first tenant Addison ever bought a home for, and how he pays back investors without refinancing. If you care about investing with purpose, this one’s for you.

Connect w/ Addison:
 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addisonnewell

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:
 https://www.youtube.com/@RootsRealtyCo?sub_confirmation=1
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🎟️ Join the Next Masterclass: https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass

📅 Book a Call with Max: https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
📅 Book a Call with Tyler: https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G

Ready to Start Your Real Estate Journey? https://bit.ly/3WoIRTN
Powered by @Properties

Follow Us
 📸 Roots Realty Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roots.realty.co/
 📸 Max Moore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxxmoorre/
 📸 Tyler Lingle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler_lingle/

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 🎙️ Listen on Your Favorite Platform:
 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4j6vvFm
 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/426vnji
 🎧 All Platforms: https://rootspodcast.transistor.fm/

Timestamps
 0:00 – Intro: What Is Tenant-First Investing?
2:51 – Addison’s Journey From South Africa to Indy
16:27 – How a 2x2 Matrix Sparked the Tenant-First Investing Model
18:36 – The First Tenant Addison Bought a Home For (And Why Most Landlords Get It Wrong)
24:25 – What Redemptive Entrepreneurship Looks Like
28:47 – How Addison Funds Deals Without Refinancing
39:58 – The Power of Full Occupancy & Long-Term Tenants
45:27 – Breaking Down the Needhammer Project & Vision for Scaled Impact
55:52 – Rapid Fire: Favorite Indy Spot, Habit, Area of Growth 

🚨 Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own. This podcast is for informational purposes only—always consult a professional before making investment decisions.
#IndyRealEstate #TenantFirstInvesting #AddisonNewell #RedemptiveEntrepreneurship #RootsRealty #IndianapolisInvesting #RealEstateWithPurpose #TheRootsPodcast

In this Roots Pod Recap, Max and Tyler break down their biggest takeaways from Trent Kiester’s episode—what made him stand out, how he house hacked with just $10K, and why he’s become a cornerstone of the Roots team.

They also lay out the 3-step roadmap to building $1M in net worth through action, ownership, and relationships—plus how to spot the right people and partnerships along the way.

📺 Watch Trent’s full story on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bJt8kCUgZsc?feature=shared
🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RootsRealtyCo?sub_confirmation=1 

🤝 Connect with Trent: https://rootsrealty.co/about/trent-kiester

Ready to Start Your Real Estate Journey? Check out https://rootsrealty.co
Powered by @Properties

🎟️ Join the Next Masterclass: https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass

📅 Book a free intro call:
Max – https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
Tyler – https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G

Follow Us
📸 Roots Realty Co. https://www.instagram.com/roots.realty.co/
📸 Max Moore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxxmoorre/
📸 Tyler Lingle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyler_lingle/

In this episode of The Roots Podcast, Max Moore and Tyler Lingle dive deep into Trent Kiester’s inspiring story—how he went from working as a barback at a golf course to buying his first investment property with just $10,000—all while becoming one of Indy’s top-producing agents. From overcoming fears and leveraging house hacking to building long-term wealth and adapting along the way, Trent shares the exact steps and mindset shifts that made it all possible. Our mission is to help you plant roots, build wealth, and grow in every area of your life—and this episode is no exception.

Connect w/ Trent: https://www.instagram.com/trentkiester/?hl=en 

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMfCmulyLFz8Fb_uh3JUygA 

👇 Ready to go deeper? Follow the plan below:
Sign up for our newsletter:
 https://bit.ly/4jVk0R8

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:
 https://www.youtube.com/@RootsRealtyCo?sub_confirmation=1 

📍 Come to our next live event:
 https://rootsrealty.co/events

📚 Check out our investor course:
 https://tylerlingle1.gumroad.com/l/roots-investor-course

📅 Book a free intro call:
 Max – https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
 Tyler – https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G

🎟️ Join the Next Masterclass:
 https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass

🌱 Ready to Start Your Real Estate Journey?
 https://bit.ly/3WoIRTN
Powered by @Properties

Follow Us!
 Roots Realty Co. – https://www.instagram.com/roots.realty.co/
 Max Moore – https://www.instagram.com/maxxmoorre/
 Tyler Lingle – https://www.instagram.com/tyler_lingle/

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app:
 Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4j6vvFm
 Apple – https://apple.co/426vnji
 All Platforms – https://rootspodcast.transistor.fm/

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Timestamps
0:00 - Intro and Trent’s transition from barback to investor and top selling new agent
1:50 - Trent’s biggest fear before buying his first investment property
3:50 - Trent’s strategy and journey to purchase his first real estate investment
8:15 - Breaking into real estate investing requires a hunger for learning
9:45 - Tyler’s agent perspective on Trent’s first deal
12:19 - The importance of decision making and leveraging relationships
17:35 - Tyler’s three steps to building $1M net worth before you’re 30
18:36 - The differences between being a real estate agent and wholesaling 
26:16 - The philosophy behind Trent's first house hack
35:52 - Life lessons that changed Trent's his day-to-day
41:43 - Finding tenants while under contract 
43:33 - The Reality of Cash Flow and the Pitfalls of Short-Term Rentals
47:15 - Subsidized Housing & Section 8, Cash Flow Strategies, and Turnkey Deal Management
52:12 - Trent's go-to Indy food spot
52:55 - Trent's #1 habit that changed his life
55:44 - Where Trent is currently trying to grow in his life
58:00 - Wrap Up

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. The views expressed by our guests are their own.
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#RootsPodcast #RealEstateInvesting #IndyRealEstate #RootsRealtyCo #FinancialFreedom #PassiveIncome #HouseHacking #IndyInvestors #Entrepreneurship #BuyRentalProperty #RealEstateEducation
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Guy East's Journey to Success -- In this episode of The Roots Podcast, Max Moore and Tyler Lingle sit down with Guy East, a seasoned real estate investor who has successfully pivoted from short-term rentals to midterm rentals. Guy shares his journey from building homes for the underserved in Mexico to launching a thriving midterm rental business in Indiana. He dives deep into the lucrative world of midterm rental properties, insurance housing, and workforce housing, discussing how to scale your real estate portfolio with these high-demand rental strategies. This episode is perfect for anyone interested in real estate investing, cash flow strategies, and how to capitalize on midterm rental demand in emerging markets.

👇 Ready to go deeper? Follow the plan below:
Sign up for our newsletter:
https://bit.ly/4jVk0R8

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@RootsRealtyCo?sub_confirmation=1

📍 Come to our next live event:
https://rootsrealty.co/events

📚 Check out our investor course:
https://tylerlingle1.gumroad.com/l/roots-investor-course

📅 Book a free intro call:
Max – https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
Tyler – https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G

🎟️ Join the Next Masterclass:
https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass

🌱 Ready to Start Your Real Estate Journey?
https://bit.ly/3WoIRTN
Powered by @Properties

Follow us on Instagram:
Roots Realty Co. – https://www.instagram.com/roots.realty.co/
Max Moore – https://www.instagram.com/maxxmoorre/
Tyler Lingle – https://www.instagram.com/tyler_lingle/

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app:
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4j6vvFm
Apple – https://apple.co/426vnji
All Platforms – https://rootspodcast.transistor.fm/

—
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Guy East’s Real Estate Journey
06:18 – Building Homes in Mexico and Pivoting to Short-Term Rentals
13:57 – The Shift to Midterm Rentals: Why Workforce Housing is the Future
19:42 – Maximizing Profits with Motel Conversions and Insurance Housing
21:07 – Understanding the Midterm Rental Demand and How to Profit from It
33:10 – Cash Flow Strategies: Building Wealth with Midterm Rental Properties
40:55 – How to Manage Midterm Rentals and Attract the Right Tenants
47:24 – Navigating the Challenges of Motel Conversions
51:12 – Guy’s Approach to Growing a Real Estate Portfolio with Midterm Rentals
56:02 – The Advantages of Insurance Housing for Real Estate Investors
59:31 – Guy East's Rapid-Fire Round: Quick Insights to Wrap Up the Episode

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only. Always consult a licensed professional before making any financial decisions. The views expressed by our guests are their own.

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#RootsPodcast #MidtermRentals #WorkforceHousing #InsuranceHousing #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlowStrategy #RealEstateTips #PropertyManagement #RentalPropertyInvesting #IndyRealEstate #BuildWealth #InvestmentStrategies

This episode is for every entrepreneur, agent, and lender who's tired of chasing shiny objects and ready to build something real.

We sat down with John Murphy, President of MJW Mortgage, who’s scaled a values-based mortgage company with zero fluff. He breaks down how lending really works, the lies most agents believe about loans, and the truth about why most people stay broke. From mastering your revenue/expense mindset to becoming mentally tough, John lays out what it actually takes to lead, provide, and win in business — without losing your soul in the process.

📱 Connect w/ John:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammurfdog
MJW Mortgage: https://mjwmortgage.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-murphy-mjw

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@RootsRealtyCo?sub_confirmation=1

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🎟️ Join the Next Masterclass: https://bit.ly/rootsmasterclass
📅 Book a Call with Max: https://bit.ly/4fQMRmW
📅 Book a Call with Tyler: https://bit.ly/3PMrJ6G
Start Your Real Estate Journey: https://bit.ly/3WoIRTN
Powered by @Properties

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🎙️ Listen on Your Favorite Platform:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4j6vvFm
Apple: https://apple.co/3VR5tFp

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⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 - 07:49 | What Actually Makes a Great Mortgage Broker 💼
7:50 - 11:23 | The Ethics That Make or Break You 🧭
11:24 - 13:25 | Why Owning Real Estate Still Matters 🇺🇸
13:26 - 17:40 | TikTok Complaints & Industry Frustrations 😂
17:41 - 20:19 | How Hard is it Really to Be a Lender?
20:20 - 21:58 | How Lenders Actually Get Paid 💵
21:59 - 26:45 | Entrepreneur Lessons That Actually Matter
26:46 - 29:22 | Want to Win? Expand the Pie 🍰
29:23 - 32:40 | Leveling Up as a Business Owner
32:41 - 36:55 | Revenue & Expenses Should Match
36:54 - 45:22 | The #1 Driver of Long-Term Success
45:23 - 51:22 | How to Stop Being Broke (For Real)
51:23 - 55:17 | You Spend Too Much Money 💸
55:18 - 59:36 | Get Mentally Tough & Grounded 🧠
59:57 - 1:04:41 | Rapid Fire: Faith, Family, and Business
1:04:42 - 1:17:48 | Fatherhood, Balance & Being a Better Dad ❤️

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Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Roots Realty Co or its affiliates. This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial or real estate advice.