The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show

How should the average Minnesotan approach real estate investing in 2025? Real estate content on the internet/social media can be inspiring and helpful - but not always practical when it comes to everyone's market and financial situation. Adam gives his two cents on the downsides to real estate "influencers", ideas for practical investing in 2025, the current state of the market, and much more. 

Building wealth through a small but strategic residential portfolio

St. Paul submarkets and investor-friendly neighborhoods

Representing investors as a Realtor

Challenges and lessons from tenant management

Planning for retirement through real estate

In TCREI Show #12, Linda Alter joins us to share her story of slow, steady, and smart real estate investing. A real estate professional since the mid-1990s, Linda has called St. Paul home for most of her career. Through a few key residential purchases — mostly 1–4 unit properties — she’s built a comfortable foundation for retirement and created long-lasting relationships in the process.

Linda brings valuable perspective on what it’s like to represent investors as a Realtor, especially in a market like St. Paul where the 1–4 unit space presents both opportunities and challenges. We dive into submarkets, tenant horror stories, and the kinds of properties that make the most sense for long-term stability. Her advice is rooted in experience, realism, and heart.

Linda Alter

Shuk Rentals

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Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel

Investing in out-of-state residential and small multifamily

Transitioning to commercial and mixed-use buildings

Commercial real estate brokerage in the Twin Cities

Finding value in Minneapolis properties

Investor mindset, ego, and practical deal-making

In TCREI Show #11, we sit down with Kurt Pauley, a commercial real estate broker and investor who brings a calm, confident perspective to our local market. Kurt began his investing journey with residential and small multifamily properties in out-of-state markets, gaining experience and learning the ropes. As his portfolio and confidence grew, he moved into the commercial space, focusing on mixed-use buildings in Minneapolis.

Kurt is now a broker helping clients buy and sell similar properties, and his ability to stay grounded, be direct, and cut through hype makes this episode especially refreshing. We talk about real returns, realistic strategies, and how ego plays (or doesn’t play) a role in real estate success.

Kurt Pauley

Shuk Rentals

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Apply with Tim – Mortgage Application

Book a Strategy Call with Adam

Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel

How an unsold flip led to a short-term rental career

Building a 5-property Airbnb portfolio in the Twin Cities

Lessons learned from managing large homes as STRs

The importance of blunt advice and practical systems

How to get help setting up or managing a STR business

In TCREI Show #10, we’re joined by Tanya Rooney, a Twin Cities-based real estate investor, short-term rental operator, and podcaster. Tanya entered the world of Airbnb by accident — after a flip didn’t sell in St. Paul’s Summit-University neighborhood, she decided to rent it out short-term. Four years later, that decision has turned into a thriving 5-property Airbnb portfolio.

Tanya brings incredible energy, clarity, and honesty to this episode, offering sharp advice for anyone interested in Airbnb, STR investing, or creative real estate pivots. Whether you’re an active host or just STR-curious, you’ll walk away with practical tips and new perspective.

Looking for help setting up or managing your own Airbnb? Tanya and her team are a great resource.

Tanya Rooney

Shuk Rentals

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Apply with Tim – Mortgage Application

Book a Strategy Call with Adam

Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel

Lessons from the 2008 market crash and recovery

Class-C property management stories and takeaways

Trends shaping the Twin Cities real estate market

Mindset tips for agents, investors, and entrepreneurs

Coaching and career advice for new real estate professionals

In TCREI Show #9, Matt Brown joins Tim and Adam to reflect on his decades-long career in real estate — one that includes weathering the 2008 housing crash, scaling operations, and mentoring hundreds of real estate professionals. Matt is the VP of Growth for Coldwell Banker’s regional team and also a longtime investor and real estate coach.

This episode covers the resilience it takes to stay in the game, how the local market has evolved, and what Matt sees as the biggest mindset shifts that determine success. He also shares insights from managing class-C rentals, the psychology of real estate sales, and how he continues to support new agents and investors across the Twin Cities.

If you’re thinking about a career in real estate or mortgage lending, Matt would love to hear from you — reach out via text: (651) 343-3304.

Matt Brown

Shuk Rentals

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Apply with Tim – Mortgage Application

Book a Strategy Call with Adam

Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel

Lending guideline updates for 2024

FHA and conventional loan limit increases

Using border income for qualification

The latest effects of St. Paul's rent control

Investor access and affordability in the changing market

In TCREI Show #8, Tim and Adam take the mics solo to cover two timely and high-impact topics: 2024 lending updates and the continued saga of St. Paul rent control.

Tim outlines key mortgage guideline changes, including raised FHA and conventional loan limits — a significant win for househackers targeting 2–4 unit properties. New flexibility around boarder income also opens the door for more renters-turned-investors to qualify for their first properties.

Then the hosts pivot to local policy and its fallout. Despite the intent of rent control, permits are down, landlord uncertainty is rising, and rents are going up. What does that mean for investors — and where does the market go from here? Tune in for honest insight and practical takeaways.

Here is a link to the official city rules: https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/rent-buy-sell-property/rent-stabilization

If you still aren't clear on a rule, call the city! They have been helpful every time we've contacted them for specifics.

Sponsor

Shuk Rentals

Listen on Spotify

Apply with Tim – Mortgage Application

Book a Strategy Call with Adam

Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel

Flipping experience in the early 2000s

Real estate brokerage leadership and team-building

Residential market data and the BRIX Market Meter

Construction background and how it informs client decisions

Best practices for home sales, property management, and market timing

In TCREI Show #7, we’re joined by Kirk Duckwall, a 20+ year real estate professional and co-owner of BRIX Real Estate, a boutique brokerage serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Kirk’s journey began in the construction world, which eventually led him into flipping and full-time agency work. His flipping experience had its highs and lows, but it gave him insight that’s hard to find in textbooks.

While Kirk isn’t actively acquiring investment properties today (beyond his primary residence, cabin, and office space), he brings tremendous experience in construction, sales, brokerage operations, and data analytics. We explore how his background has shaped his real estate philosophy — and how he helps both clients and agents make better decisions using tools like the BRIX Market Meter.

Kirk Duckwall

Shuk Rentals

Listen on Spotify

Apply with Tim – Mortgage Application

Book a Strategy Call with Adam

Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website

BRIX Market Meter

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel

Househacking in Long Lake, MN

Legal guidance for landlords and small business owners

Dealing with tenant disputes through deescalation and compromise

Kwame’s experience representing hundreds of tenants

Tips for landlords on lease agreements and eviction process

In TCREI Show #6, we welcome Kwame Osafo-Addo, an attorney and real estate investor based in Long Lake, MN. Kwame lives in a househacked duplex and offers legal counsel to small business owners and landlords, particularly in the realm of landlord/tenant disputes. His career began by representing hundreds of tenants in legal actions, giving him a unique perspective on housing law that he now uses to advise landlords with empathy and strategic clarity.

We discuss how Kwame got started in real estate, how he applies deescalation in his legal practice, and the tools landlords can use to stay out of trouble. Whether you’re self-managing a duplex or considering your first investment, this episode is a helpful crash course in the legal side of rentals.

Kwame Osafo-Addo

Shuk Rentals

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Apply with Tim – Mortgage Application

Book a Strategy Call with Adam

Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website

Eviction Instructions – MN Courts

Bar Association Approved Residential Lease

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel

Starting as a college househacker and scaling up

Completing 850+ real estate transactions as agent and investor

Flipping 20+ homes a month with multiple crews

Managing operations, growth, and momentum

Staying focused through setbacks, stress, and challenges

In TCREI Show #5, we highlight the other end of the investing spectrum — with Liz Sibet, one of the most prolific and experienced real estate investors in the Twin Cities. Liz started as a college househacker in the early 2000s, learning firsthand how to renovate, manage tenants, and survive tight cashflow. She didn’t start with major advantages, but she’s now completed over 850 deals and manages a full-scale operation.

Today, Liz flips more than 20 homes a month, runs multiple crews, and remains deeply involved in the local real estate scene. This episode is about grit, systems, and resilience. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, Liz’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you simply show up and do the work.

Liz Sibet

Shuk Rentals

Listen on Spotify

Apply with Tim – Mortgage Application

Book a Strategy Call with Adam

Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel

Liz would love to help you with your property services needs - appliance repair, lawn/snow, cleaning, turning units - you name it, they can probably help you. I (Adam) personally use her for cleaning and appliance repair, always great pricing and services. Liz can be reached at 763.221.9397.

St. Paul rental market performance

Housing sales data in St. Paul neighborhoods

Trends in 2–4 unit multifamily deals

How to apply market data without overanalyzing

Monthly meetup data recap and context for new investors

In TCREI Show #4, Adam and Tim go deep into the St. Paul real estate market, sharing insights and takeaways from their latest Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Meetup. This episode focuses on rental, housing, and small multifamily data in St. Paul — and how investors can apply this information without becoming spreadsheet-dependent.

The biggest takeaway? Perspective is more valuable than precision. Understanding how a listing compares to the market gives investors the confidence to act quickly — or walk away. Whether you’re eyeing a 4-unit in Highland Park or just exploring your first duplex, this episode provides helpful benchmarks to guide your process.

Want the numbers behind the discussion? Download the data files directly at TwinCitiesRealEstateInvesting.com.

No guest in this episode.

Shuk Rentals

Listen on Spotify

Apply with Tim – Mortgage Application

Book a Strategy Call with Adam

Book a Strategy Call with Tim

Twin Cities Investing Facebook Group

Twin Cities Investing Meetup Group

Twin Cities Investing Website – 🎁 Download the St. Paul data from this episode here!

Contact Adam: [email protected]

Contact Tim: [email protected]

If you found this episode valuable, leave a review, subscribe on Spotify, and share it with a fellow investor or friend in your network.

The Twin Cities Real Estate Investing Show is hosted by Tim Swierczek, a mortgage expert with over 22 years of experience and 2,000+ loans closed, and Adam Tafel, a top-producing Realtor and Twin Cities investor. Each week, they dive into real-world investing strategies, share local market insights, and interview active investors to help you grow your portfolio — one smart decision at a time.

Tim Swierczek

Adam Tafel