The Will Frederick Podcast

Can you buy real estate inside a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA)? Yes—but doing it wrong can trigger a 35%+ tax penalty and collapse your entire account.

In this episode of The Will Frederick Podcast, CPA Bob Norton from Norton Accounting Services returns to break down the exact rules, advantages, and dangerous traps of investing in real estate using retirement accounts.

We discuss why real estate investors don't see their income drop in retirement, how leverage inside an IRA can trigger unwanted taxes, using Self-Directed HSAs for tax-free real estate gains, and prohibited transactions that can destroy your portfolio.

Key Takeaways
What a True SDIRA Is: Why traditional brokers don't allow real estate and how specialized custodians work.

The Retirement Reality: Why financial advisors' advice about lower retirement tax brackets fails real estate investors.

The Debt Trap: Why borrowing money inside an IRA triggers Unrelated Debt-Financed Income (UDFI) tax at high trust rates (~35%).

Running a Business vs. Investing: Why wholesaling or charging banking fees inside an IRA voids tax exemptions.

Alternative Accounts: How Solo 401(k)s, Self-Directed HSAs, and 529 plans can be leveraged for real estate wealth.

Prohibited Transactions: Strict self-dealing rules regarding linear family (parents, children) and quid pro quo lending.

0:00 - Introduction & Welcome Bob Norton
0:46 - What Is a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA)?
2:03 - Traditional vs. Roth SDIRAs & SEPs
3:18 - Why Real Estate Income Doesn't Drop in Retirement
5:26 - Cash vs. Assets: The Inflation Trap
7:05 - The Leverage Trap: Why Debt Inside an IRA Triggers 35% Tax
8:45 - Lending vs. Wholesaling: Avoid "Running a Business" in an IRA
11:00 - Solo 401(k)s, Self-Directed HSAs & 529 Real Estate Hacks
13:30 - Lost Tax Benefits: Depreciation Inside Retirement Accounts
15:02 - Private Lending & Flip Rules Inside an IRA
17:05 - 1031 Exchanges, Options & Lease-Option Structuring
19:35 - Inflation, Gold, and the Devaluation of Cash
21:10 - Prohibited Transactions: Family & Self-Dealing Rules

Why did the real estate market suddenly tail off in mid-2026? Are interest rates ever coming down? And what exactly is a title company doing behind the scenes with billions of dollars?

In this episode of the Will Frederick Podcast, we sit down with veteran real estate attorney and title company owner, Jeff Lesashire of Florida Lee Title. With over 25 years of experience, Jeff shares raw insights into the strangest trends he’s seeing at the closing table right now, including a massive spike in deal cancellations.

We dive deep into generational buying habits (experiences vs. homeownership), the critical mistakes buyers make just before closing, the absolute necessity of title insurance, and pitfalls to avoid regarding Louisiana succession laws and investment properties.

Whether you are a first-time buyer, a parent looking to help your child, or a seasoned investor, this episode is packed with essential wisdom to help you navigate today's complex real estate landscape.

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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• August 2026 Market Update: Why things slowed down unexpectedly. • The generation gap regarding homeownership and wealth building. • Common mistakes that kill real estate deals right at the finish line. • A layman’s explanation of what a title company actually does. • The power of title insurance and holding attorneys accountable. • Investor advice regarding property managers and LLCs.

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⏱️ CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro & Welcoming Jeff Lesashire 1:26 - Current Real Estate Trends (August 2026) 2:44 - Interest Rate Forecasts & Global Unease 4:03 - Experiences vs. Homeownership: Generational Shifts 5:38 - Story: Closing a House for a 20-Year-Old 7:15 - Mistakes Buyers Make Before Closing 8:20 - The Danger of Misguided Parental Advice 10:30 - What Actually Happens at a Title Company? 13:00 - Handling Billions in Escrow & Fraud Prevention 14:26 - Title Insurance Explained: Why You Need It 17:28 - Pitfalls with Successions and Inheritance in Louisiana 20:00 - Real Estate as Emotional Support & Marriage Counseling 21:40 - Advice and Common Mistakes for Real Estate Investors

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Drop a comment below: Are you seeing the same market trends in your area?

Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more practical real estate advice, financial wisdom, and wealth-building insights!

What does it actually take to build a lasting family legacy and raise five successful entrepreneurs?

In this special episode of the Will Frederick Podcast, I sit down with my dad—the original Will Frederick. From growing up in Louisiana and hunting in the swamps to running businesses, building generational family wealth, and sharing over 51 years of marriage with my mom, my dad shares the timeless lessons that shaped our family.

We dive into the ultimate balance between hard work and family, why persistence always beats talent, the power of forgiveness, and the practical mindsets you need to handle whatever life throws at you.

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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• The Dual Father Example: Lessons learned from a hands-on craftsman and a seasoned businessman.

• Luck vs. Skill vs. Persistence: Why "luck" only favors those who are prepared for the opportunity.

• The Two Funnels Rule: Simple, powerful advice for managing money and getting ahead financially.

• Traditional Values in Action: How protecting and providing builds a strong cocoon for your family.

• The Power of Forgiveness: Why letting go of grudges is the secret ingredient to keeping families together.

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⏱️ CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro & The Original Will Frederick

1:40 - Growing Up in Louisiana: Swamps, Fishing, and Hard Work

5:05 - The Two Influences: Learning Hands-On Skills and Business

8:20 - Becoming the Youngest Shell Dealer in Louisiana

10:45 - Is Success Luck, Skill, or Persistence?

13:10 - Learning Positive Attitude & Zig Ziglar Lessons

15:30 - Raising 5 Entrepreneurs: The Role of a Father

18:50 - The Importance of Forgiveness in Family

21:15 - "The Two Funnels" Financial Advice

24:00 - Advice for Young Dads Building a Legacy

27:10 - Life is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

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Drop a comment below: What's the best piece of advice your father or mentor ever gave you?

Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more discussions on real estate, wealth building, family, and life!

Is there really such a thing as a "perfect home"? What are the sneaky defects sellers try to hide, and how do you navigate the most nerve-wracking part of buying a house without panicking?

In this episode of the Will Frederick Podcast, I sit down with Michael Klaus, owner of Louisiana Realty Inspections. With a background spanning architecture, property management, and over 1,500 home inspections completed, Michael breaks down what actually matters when evaluating a property.

We discuss the difference between major structural red flags and routine maintenance, how sneaky house flips hide dangerous wiring, and some of the craziest things he's uncovered inside homes—from attic marijuana grows to meth labs and Chinese drywall.

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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Pass vs. Fail Myth: Why home inspections aren't a simple test and how buyers misunderstand the process.
• The #1 Home Enemy: Why moisture intrusion is the most critical issue facing homeowners.
• Sneaky Renovation Hacks: How contractors hide old cloth wiring behind updated panels.
• Logic vs. Emotion: How to keep your composure during the most stressful phase of buying a home.
• Wild Inspection Stories: The unexpected and dangerous things found inside homes.

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 CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro & 1,500 Home Inspections Completed
2:10 - Real Estate Sales vs. Construction Knowledge
3:45 - What Separates a Good Inspector From a Bad One?
5:30 - Do Homes Ever Actually "Pass" or "Fail"?
7:40 - The #1 Enemy of Any Home: Moisture Intrusion
10:15 - Minor Maintenance vs. Major Structural Defects
13:00 - How Flippers Hide Old Cloth & Rubber Wiring
15:45 - Keeping Emotion Out of the Home Purchase
18:20 - Craziest Findings: Attic Grows, Meth Labs, and Chinese Drywall

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Drop a comment below: What’s the worst hidden defect you’ve ever discovered in a home?

Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more practical real estate advice, financial wisdom, and wealth-building insights!

How do you build financial stability and peace of mind when your life is in constant transition?

In this episode of the Will Frederick Podcast, I sit down with my sister, Jessica Angerman—a homeschool mom of four, Navy spouse, and absolute master of navigating chaos. With 9 moves in 15 years and her husband currently deployed as they prepare to move halfway across the earth to Guam, Jess shares the exact mindset that allowed them to build a powerful financial buffer against the madness.

We dive deep into how a practical, cost-conscious approach to life doesn't restrict you—it actually buys you the ultimate freedom to live life entirely on your own terms.

CHAPTERS

0:00 - Intro: Meeting the "Boss" of the Siblings

1:45 - 9 Moves, 4 Kids, and Military Deployment Reality

4:10 - From 0 to 3 Doors: How We Backed Into Our First Deals

6:30 - The Mental "Switch Cost" of Constant Life Upheaval

9:15 - Living Below Your Means so Your Wants Stay Small

11:50 - Islands, Typhoons, and the Stress of Out-of-State Real Estate

14:10 - Leveraging VA Loans & the Power of an Assumeable Note

17:00 - Buying New Cars vs. Buying Freedom


If you are trying to figure out how to balance family, a crazy schedule, and building a secure future, this conversation is exactly what you need to hear.

Drop a comment below: What’s the biggest hurdle holding you back from starting your next big project when life gets crazy?

Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes on wealth building, money, mindset, and life!

How do you scale a real estate portfolio to 17 doors, manage continuous house flips, and survive the day-to-day chaos of raising six kids under the age of ten?

In this episode of the Will Frederick Podcast, Will sits down with his youngest brother, top-producing real estate agent and seasoned investor Jeff Frederick. Jeff pulls back the curtain on how he transitioned from manual construction labor into a thriving investment business built on private lending and strategic partnerships.

Jeff shares the exact shift in mindset that required him to "buy back his time" and stop swinging the hammer on his own properties. From navigating handshake deals built on 100% trust to converting an absolute nightmare foreclosure into an incredibly lucrative $25,000-per-partner payday, Jeff explains how prioritizing other people’s needs will naturally secure your own wealth building legacy.

Whether you're an aspiring flipper trying to find private money, a busy parent wondering how to scale your business, or an entrepreneur struggling to delegate tasks to a team, Jeff’s blueprint on slow-and-steady legacy wealth provides the real-world strategy you need to hear.

Updated YouTube Chapters
00:00 - Meeting the Bookends: Introducing Jeff Frederick
02:15 - Graduating into the Great Recession: The Construction Roots
04:10 - [SPONSOR PLACEHOLDER] Building with the Right Team
05:40 - Running and Gunning: Turning an Agent License into Investment Deals
08:05 - The Power of Organic Partnerships: 17 Rentals with Zero Conflict
11:30 - Scaling to Match a Legacy: 6 Kids under 10
15:00 - The Pivot into Flipping: Managing Hidden Chaos and Medical Bills
18:50 - Institutional Hard Money vs. Trust-Based Private Lending
22:15 - "Clarity is Power": Keeping Handshake Agreements and Promissory Notes Legal
26:40 - Putting Partners First: Why Sowing and Reaping Dictates Profit Splits
31:05 - The $57,000 Seed: Building a Referral Tree by Doing the Right Thing
34:55 - Dropping the Hammer: Learning to Delegate Construction to Subs
39:40 - Buying Back Your Time: Figuring Out Your Actual Dollar-Per-Hour Value
44:15 - The Shovel Realization: Why Doing It Yourself is Often Stupid
48:30 - The Turning Point Deal: How a Sheriff’s Sale Foreclosure Sparked a $25k Payday
51:45 - Navigating the Real Estate Sheriff’s Sale: Auction Rules and Cash Proofs

"I'm not bold. I'm scared of everything." Meet Jenny Frederick. She’s not your typical "alpha" real estate mogul. She’s a small business owner who built a 7-door rental portfolio through panic attacks, tree-fall disasters, and zero "investor jargon."

In this episode, Will sits down with his sister Jenny to pull back the curtain on the "Peace and Security" path to wealth. If you've ever felt like you aren't "investor-ish" enough to get started, this conversation is for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

The "Mommy Loan": How Jenny used family creativity to fund her first deal.

Investing for Cowards: Why being risk-averse can actually make you a better investor.

The $0 Down Strategy: How Jenny bought 4 houses without spending a single dime of her own savings (using HELOCs and equity).

Worst Case Scenario: What happens when a tree crushes your uninsured rental house? (And the miracle that followed).

One Door at a Time: Why you don't need an "Empire" to find financial freedom.

00:00 - The "Will Ferrell" Debate: Why Will Hates the Legend
02:15 - "Bad Rap": Comedy, Initials, and The Office
03:50 - [SPONSOR] Building Wealth Your Way 05:10 - Meet Jenny Frederick: The "Non-Investor" Success Story
07:45 - "I’m Scared of Everything": Investing with Anxiety
10:15 - 7 Doors in 10 Years: The Portfolio Breakdown
13:30 - The "Mommy Loan" & The First Step (Iowa St. House)
17:05 - The "Shell Game": Self-Employment vs. Bank Financing
21:40 - The HELOC Strategy: Buying Houses with $0 Out of Pocket
25:50 - Worst Nightmare: The Uninsured Tree Disaster
30:15 - Turning a Crisis into a Payday: The Insurance Miracle
35:20 - Peace vs. Empires: Finding Your Own Comfort Zone
41:10 - Believing You Can Do It: How to Start Small
45:45 - What Financial Peace Means for a Single Business Owner
49:30 - Final Advice: Get Wisdom, Then Pull the Trigger

Stop paying the "Success Tax" on your real estate deals. In this episode of the Will Frederick Podcast, we sit down with tax expert Bob Norton (Norton Accounting Services) to deconstruct the 1031 Exchange.

If you are a real estate investor, this is the single most powerful tool in your arsenal to build generational wealth and keep your investment "snowball" rolling without the IRS taking a 40% cut.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

The "Golden Rule" of 1031s: Why you MUST call your accountant before you close the deal.

The 45-Day & 180-Day Deadlines: Missing these dates could cost you hundreds of thousands.

The "Parking" Strategy: Bob’s high-level tactic for when you can’t find a replacement property in time.

Flippers vs. Investors: Why the IRS treats your "inventory" differently and how to plan around it.

The Step-up in Basis: How to eventually wipe out your tax bill entirely for your heirs.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your journey toward financial freedom, this deep dive into Section 1031 will change how you look at your portfolio.

Connect with Will Frederick:
https://www.instagram.com/thewfteam/

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Why Tax Planning beats Tax Preparing
2:15 - What exactly is a 1031 Exchange?
4:30 - The #1 Mistake: Calling your CPA too late
7:45 - Running the numbers: When a 1031 isn't worth it
11:20 - Dealer vs. Investor: Why flippers can't use 1031s
15:10 - The "Like-Kind" Rule explained
18:40 - The 5-Year Rule for personal residences
22:15 - Deadlines: The 45-day identification window
28:30 - Pro Tip: The "Parking" Strategy with "Financial Friends"

#RealEstateInvesting #1031Exchange #TaxStrategy #WealthBuilding #RealEstatePodcast #CapitalGains #FinancialFreedom #WillFrederickPodcast

Is real estate investing all about the numbers, or is it a mind game?

In this episode, I’m joined by my cousin and longtime friend, Ryan Shields. Ryan isn’t a "guru"—he’s a real investor who transitioned from fixing up his primary residences to managing a rental portfolio. We go deep into the psychological hurdles that stop most people from ever buying their first property.

We discuss the reality of "Analysis Paralysis" and how Ryan overcame it by running 50 "pretend" deals before finally pulling the trigger. Ryan also shares how he achieved infinite returns on his second property using a HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) and the BRRRR method.

But it’s not all wins. Ryan gets vulnerable about a massive sewer main repair that drained his savings and shook his confidence. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re "tough enough" for the rental business, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

How to use your primary residence to fund your first investment.

The math behind "Infinite Returns" and why cash flow isn't the only metric.

Overcoming the fear of risk and building "confidence muscles."

The $20k repair: How to handle major setbacks without quitting.

Why tracking your Net Worth monthly is the ultimate "why" for long-term wealth.

Resources Mentioned:

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel

Same as Ever by Morgan Housel


#RealEstateInvesting #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #HELOC #RentalProperties #Mindset #PassiveIncome #BRRRR

In this episode of The Will Frederick Podcast, Will sits down with his brother Jeremy Frederick for an honest, no-fluff conversation about two very different investing philosophies — and why both can work.

Jeremy takes a debt-free, pay-cash, slow-and-steady approach inspired by thinkers like Dave Ramsey, while Will leans into leverage, assets, and scale, a style often associated with Robert Kiyosaki. Same upbringing. Same values. Completely different execution.

This episode isn’t about who’s “right.” It’s about understanding risk, personality, peace of mind, speed, and long-term consistency — and choosing a strategy that actually fits you.

If you’ve ever been stuck between playing it safe and scaling faster, this conversation will help you think more clearly about what “better” really means.

What we cover

• Cash vs leverage: two real-world investing strategies
• What “risk” actually means (and why it’s different for everyone)
• Why personality matters more than tactics
• The role of emergency funds, buffers, and peace of mind
• Rental properties vs index funds
• Forced savings vs intentional discipline
• Why starting matters more than picking the “perfect” strategy
• How family, mindset, and life goals shape financial decisions

Sponsors

Norton Accounting Services — Strategic tax planning and accounting for people building real wealth, not just filing returns.
Fleur de Lis — Proud supporter of local business and The Will Frederick Podcast.
lid.media — Helping businesses grow through content that actually matters. Strategy, filming, editing, and execution — all done for you.

Join the conversation

Are you Team Cash or Team Leverage?
Drop a comment below and let us know — and tell us why.

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