Uncontested Investing

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we break down two powerful ways to fund real estate deals without taking on everything yourself: crowdfunding and syndication.

If you've ever felt like you don't have enough capital to get started—or to scale—this episode shows you how investors are leveraging these models to access bigger opportunities, generate passive income, and grow their portfolios faster.

We dive into how crowdfunding platforms allow you to start with smaller investments while learning from experienced operators, making it one of the easiest ways to get exposure to real estate. From there, we shift into syndication, where investors pool larger amounts of capital to acquire bigger assets like multifamily, commercial properties, self-storage, and mobile home parks.

You'll learn the key differences between equity and debt deals, how sponsors and limited partners structure these investments, and why these strategies allow you to participate in deals that would otherwise be out of reach.

Whether you're a new investor looking to get started or someone ready to step into larger deals, this episode breaks down how to use other people's money, reduce risk through diversification, and build passive income streams through real estate.

If you're serious about scaling your real estate business or finding alternative funding strategies, this is an episode you don't want to miss.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:31 Accessibility of crowdfunding platforms

02:29 The benefits of crowdfunding for new investors

03:50 Types of crowdfunding deals: equity vs. debt

05:05 What is a real estate syndication?

06:10 Common asset classes in syndication

07:33 The structure of a syndication

08:05 Advantages for investors: scale and diversification

09:44 Passive income and professional management

Quotables

"Crowdfunding is pooling funds from multiple investors via online platforms to invest in real estate projects. It's just a multitude of investors trying to secure one property together as a crowd."

"Real estate syndication is more so a group of investors pooling money to buy larger properties, typically led by a sponsor or syndicator."

"Crowdfunding is the gateway for a newer investor, and syndication is for the seasoned investor to kind of level up and get on a different playing field."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we continue our private lending mini-series by shifting from the upside of private lending to the real-world considerations investors need to understand before leaning on it too heavily. In Part 1, we covered what private lending is, why it exists, and how it helps investors move faster than conventional banks. In this Part 2, we get into the tradeoffs: higher rates, shorter timelines, the pressure of hitting rehab checkpoints, and the importance of having a real exit strategy before you ever sign the note. The point of this conversation is simple: private lending can absolutely help you grow, but only if you respect the structure, the deadlines, and the relationship.

We also talk about how short-term private loans can become long-term wealth when investors use them to execute the BRRRR method, transition properties into rentals, and then refinance or borrow against a growing portfolio. From there, we go one level deeper and discuss what happens when investors become private lenders themselves: the relationship risks, the legal documentation, the need for first-position security, and why lending to friends and family is usually a bad idea. We close with the borrower best practices that matter most, like transparency, communication, repeatability, and showing up prepared with every document ready to go.

If you want to use private lending the right way, or even become a private lender one day, this episode gives you the operational mindset you need.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:55 Higher interest rates are not automatically a deal-killer

01:35 Short-term flexibility vs. higher interest rates

02:15 What to look out for with shorter-term loans

03:04 Product substitutions and staying on schedule

04:01 Private lending for flips, long-term rentals, and BRRR deals

05:59 Why legal compliance matters in private lending

06:28 Investors becoming private lenders

07:18 First-position liens, attorneys, and documentation for private lenders

08:14 Best practices for borrowers: reputation, communication, and transparency

10:13 Having proper documentation and being prepared for your loan

Quotables

"The key to know about this is that on the short term loan, typically the way private lenders structure it is, it's going to be an interest only payment."

"These private lenders are tracking everything, every phone call, every email, every closed loan, every loan that doesn't make it to the finish line but got submitted."

"Lack of transparency creates lack of trust."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we kick off our private lending mini-series by breaking down one of the most important alternative funding tools in real estate investing. Private lending can be the difference between waiting on a bank and actually winning the deal, especially when speed, flexibility, and relationship-based financing matter most. This conversation is all about what private lending is, why it exists, and why so many investors eventually rely on it to grow beyond the limits of conventional financing. 

We walk through how private lending differs from banks and hard money, why flexibility is the real theme of this episode, and how strong lender relationships can lead to faster closings, better terms, and more repeatable deal flow over time. We also cover the types of deals private lenders commonly fund, what they actually care about when reviewing a loan, why your exit strategy matters so much, and how newer investors can position themselves to get stronger terms as they build credibility.

If you are a real estate investor looking for faster approvals, customized loan structures, and a funding partner that actually understands investor strategy, this episode gives you the foundation you need before we move into Part 2.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:08 How flexibility sets private lending apart from other funding

02:05 Private lending as a solution to a real need in the market

03:03 The evolution of uses for private lending

04:01 Building relationships with private lenders

04:44 Private money vs. Hard money lending

05:10 Faster approvals and closings

06:06 When experience changes how risk is perceived in private lending

07:03 How speed helps you win properties

08:01 Exploring creative strategies with the right private lender

09:16 Why the collateral is the most important part of the deal

10:04 How your exit strategy will impact your deal with a private lender

11:25 Loan-to-value and preparing your capital stack

Quotables

"It's loans from individuals or private companies. Not banks or institutional lenders."

"Flexibility is one of the ways that private lenders can kind of rise above the competition and win on deals that are specifically geared towards investors."

"Private lending kind of came in as one of those options that can save the day and really be an investor-first funding institution."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we are back with Part 2 of our Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) series, and this time we're talking about REIT risks, real-world considerations, and how to actually use REITs inside your investing strategy. In Part 1, we covered what REITs are and why they can be a powerful income and diversification tool. In this follow-up, we dig into interest-rate sensitivity, stock-market volatility, sector-specific risk (like office and retail), and the fee and transparency differences between public, non-traded, and private REITs.

We also get tactical about portfolio allocation, how new investors can "learn from REITs" before buying their own doors, and how to think through equity REITs versus mortgage REITs based on your risk tolerance and stage of life. Finally, we touch on tax advantages, using REITs inside retirement accounts, scrutinizing fees and redemption rules on private REITs, and building a long-term nest egg without getting over your skis.

If you've ever wondered not just what a REIT is, but how much to put into them and what can go wrong, this episode will help you build a more informed, balanced REIT strategy.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:07 Market volatility and the double-edged sword of liquidity

02:08 When rents drop and markets underperform

03:13 Sector risk and leverage: retail, office, and COVID lessons

04:06 Why real estate is about playing the long game

05:05 Portfolio allocation: how much in REITs?

06:26 Asset selection: equity vs mortgage vs hybrid REITs

07:12 Diversifying across sectors, not just deals

08:21 Choosing between equity and mortgage REITs

09:41 Learning to read the current environment

10:20 Wrapping up REITs 101 in the alternative funding series

Quotables

"Sometimes if you only hear one side of the story, you can think something's great, there's no pitfalls, there's no reason to be concerned."

"With public REITs, they're going to fluctuate with equities. Unlike steady rental income from a physical property, that market volatility is always going to be prevalent."

"You don't want to get burned too early on in your career, something that's going to scare you out of the marketplace forever."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Suzanne and I kick off a new mini-series on alternative funding sources by breaking down one of the most common — and most misunderstood — tools out there: Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs. We walk through what a REIT actually is, why they exploded after the 2008 mortgage crisis, and how they've shaped the single-family rental space over the last decade.

We cover the different types of REITs (equity, mortgage, and hybrid), the difference between public, non-traded, and private REITs, and what that means for access, liquidity, and risk depending on where you are in your investing journey. We also dig into the real advantages for real estate investors: consistent dividend income, daily liquidity compared to traditional property sales, built-in diversification across markets and asset classes, professional management, and powerful tax treatment — including holding REITs inside IRAs and 401(k)s.

If you've been curious how REITs fit into a real estate investor's portfolio (instead of just a Wall Street portfolio), this Part 1 episode will give you a clear framework to decide if they belong in your strategy. 

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:38 What is a REIT?

02:30 Publicly traded REITs and current market challenges

03:20 Types of REITs: Equity, mortgage, and hybrid

04:00 Public vs. Non-traded/private REITs

05:06 Consistent income stream from REITs

06:02 How REITs provide more liquidity for investors

06:50 Diversification of portfolio

07:34 Professional portfolio management

08:21 REIT tax structure benefits for investors

08:54 Holding in retirement accounts

Quotables

"A company that owns, operates or finances income producing real estate. They're required to distribute at least 90% of the taxable income to their investors or their shareholders."

"Well, the publicly traded REIT's probably going to give you the ease of entry in that. That's like buying a stock. No different than that."

"It's a great way for you to enter a different way of investing in real estate."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we continue our deep dive on laws and regulations that every real estate investor needs to understand. In Part 1, we focused on what to know before you buy. In this Part 2, we move into post-purchase responsibilities: landlord–tenant laws, disclosures, security deposits, habitability standards, fair housing, pets and service animals, ongoing compliance, taxes, and insurance.

We unpack why your lease can't waive tenant rights, why you must disclose things like lead-based paint, how security deposits are supposed to be held and returned, and what "habitable" really means when it comes to heat, hot water, alarms, and repairs. We also dig into entry-notice rules, the Federal Fair Housing Act, how to handle pets and service animals without getting yourself in trouble, and why compliance is not a one-time box to check but an ongoing part of your job as an investor.

If you want to keep your assets protected, avoid nasty surprises, and build a reputation as a pro in your market, this episode will give you a practical framework to stay on the right side of the law after you own the property.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

00:33 Landlord–tenant laws and base-level lease requirements

01:03 Lead-based paint disclosure and due diligence

02:13 Security deposits: how much, where, and when

03:20 Habitability and required repairs

04:17 Hot-water safety and plumbing examples

05:10 Entry-notice requirements for landlords

06:02 Fair housing and anti-discrimination basics

07:40 Compliance reminders for investors

08:37 Service animals, pets, and insurance

09:01 Staying compliant is an ongoing job

10:44 Property taxes, assessments, and penalties on rentals

11:30 Insurance and liability coverage for investors

Quotables

"Leases can't waive tenant rights, and they must disclose lead-based paint if pre-1978."

"You can't just come in and do check-ups just because you want to. You really need to reach out to the tenant ahead of time, and it has to be for something that you want to check on the property."

"The thing about compliance, understanding laws and regulations, is it's something that's ongoing. It's a fluid situation."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we wrap up our "Understanding the Investor Mindset" series by digging into one of the least sexy but most important topics in real estate: laws and regulations. Before you buy another rental, flip, or multifamily property, you need to know exactly what local zoning, building codes, permits, licensing rules, and environmental issues you're stepping into.

We talk through why every real estate investor should treat the local code officer as a partner, not an enemy, and how skipping basic due diligence can lead to fines, profit loss, or even losing the property altogether. We cover zoning and land use, HOA restrictions, environmental hazards like septic and well water, building and safety codes, permits for multifamily and commercial projects, and licensing requirements for property managers and contractors.

If you want to protect your portfolio, sleep at night, and avoid learning the hard (and expensive) way, this "laws and regulations" episode will give you a practical checklist to work from before you ever let a tenant set foot in your property.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Town-by-town zoning differences

02:10 Code officers are friends, not foes

03:30 Contracts, contingencies, and written agreements

04:02 Title companies, liens, and boundary issues

05:09 HOAs and condo rules as first-position roadblocks

05:39 Environmental hazards and health risks

06:31 Regular inspections and monitoring occupancy

07:55 Educating tenants for peace of mind

08:28 Building and safety codes at state and local levels

09:15 End-to-end solutions and tenant exit laws

09:52 Local permits and multifamily projects

10:19 Ask questions until you're "blue in the face"

11:10 Permits, inspections, and following the process all the way through

12:25 Licensed contractors, insurance, and OSHA compliance

13:01 Property management licensing

14:02 Security deposits, escrow accounts, and interest

Quotables

"Failure to perform this due diligence ahead of time can really lead to fines, substantial fines, profit loss and really sink your portfolio."

"You should not consider your code officer a foe. They are your friend. They know the nuance of every asset in that town."

"There's so many questions to ask and things to learn, and an investor that's an expert in this kind of thing is an investor that's going to be extremely successful."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we pick up Part 2 of our "Hitting Reset on a Property" series and go past basic cleaning into what really separates a forgettable rental from a must-have home. We break down the repairs and touch-ups you cannot ignore, how to choose materials that are easy to maintain across multiple rentals, and why hiding flaws will always cost you more in reviews, referrals, and ROI.

We also talk about bringing in trusted pros to inspect plumbing and electrical, using smart-home tech for early-warning alerts, and simple wow-factor upgrades like lighting, fixtures, backsplashes, and welcome gifts that make tenants feel like they "have to live here." Finally, we walk through the final inspection process, photos, safety checks, and smart-home handoff so you can protect yourself, protect the asset, and erase "vacancy" from your investor vocabulary.

If you own rentals or manage properties for other investors, this episode gives you an A-to-Z turnover checklist that turns move-outs into opportunity.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:17 Durable, easy-to-clean flooring and carpet choices

02:13 Buying in bulk and standardizing across your rentals

03:15 Protecting countertops and high-wear surfaces

04:13 Plumbing and electrical: service before showings

05:11 Smart-home tech for early warning and protection

06:29 Hardware, smoke detectors, and safety compliance

07:47 Code issues, legal risk, and online reputation

09:31 Vacancy: an investor's least favorite word

10:20 Heat pumps and energy efficiency as selling points

11:10 Show off energy-efficient appliances and better lighting

12:04 Modern fixtures and neutral, stylish backsplashes

13:11 Using Home Depot and Amazon to track trends

14:15 Welcome gifts and starting the relationship the right way

15:37 Final walkthrough: your last quality check

16:16 Photo documentation, deposits, and future marketing

17:04 Protecting yourself in tenant disputes

18:37 Smart-home dashboards, tenant control, and privacy

19:45 The full turnover process from A to Z

Quotables

"Don't just reposition furniture in front of holes in the wall. Patch those holes up. Repaint any scuffs on the wall. These are things that the tenant's eye is going to always gravitate towards and check on."

"You should now be confident going into the next turnover. Don't fret losing a tenant. Take that as an opportunity to give the property the desired facelift."

"We're going to erase 'vacancy' from the investor dictionary. That's the goal with this episode."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we break down what really happens when you lose a tenant and need to hit reset on a rental property. Instead of panicking about vacancy, we walk through how to use the turnover process to upgrade the unit, improve first impressions, and attract better tenants who stay longer and take care of the property.

We cover how to think like a resident when you walk your own property, why digital first impressions matter more than ever, and the exact cleaning and prep details that separate a "broom swept" unit from a truly rent-ready home. We also talk about code issues, filters, fixtures, blinds, smells, and how a clean, tight turnover leads to better reviews and referrals.

If you own rentals or manage units for other investors, this first part of "Hitting Reset On A Property" will help you tighten up your turnover process and turn every vacancy into an opportunity.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Digital first impressions and setting expectations

02:37 Renovation choices that make future turnover easier

03:11 Turnover is not "just hiring a cleaner"

05:03 Why you should fix small issues now

06:18 How turnover impacts reviews and referrals

08:01 Setting the base with a deep cleaning checklist

09:38 Bathrooms as a deal-maker for prospective tenants

11:00 Cleaning windows, blinds, fans, and vents

12:02 Air filters, HVAC protection, and tenant participation

13:37 Blinds, colors, and visual consistency

Quotables

"When you lose a tenant as a real estate investor, that can be a pretty scary time. But it is about hitting that reset button, giving the property a facelift, and being optimistic for the next tenant."

"A first impression truly does matter. Ask yourself the question: would you want to live there?"

"If you keep kicking those small repairs down the road, those can lead to bigger issues, tenant complaints, and maybe even an early move-out."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, Suzanne and I wrap up our two-part series on cultivating strategy by dialing in one of the most important levers in your real estate business: your team. Inspired by our conversation with Tanya Willis, we break down the core partners every real estate investor needs around them to scale and stay in the game long term, including the right real estate agent, lender, contractor, and property manager. 

We talk about how to vet an investor-friendly agent, why you should treat lenders and contractors like true partners instead of one-off vendors, and when it is time to hand the keys to a property manager so you can stop "fixing" and start "building." We dig into responsiveness, negotiation, unit count, renovation comfort zones, funding types, reviews, trial periods, and why every relationship should make your process smoother and your profits stronger.

If you are serious about growing a real estate portfolio that is sustainable and scalable, this episode will help you design a team that supports the strategy you built in Part 1.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Process and profit: the two tests for every team member

02:35 What a good investor-focused agent actually does

03:30 How to vet a real estate agent for investing

05:23 Trust goes both ways: being a good client for your agent

06:40 Longevity, commitment, and not burning relationships

08:32 Why you need 1 or 2 go-to funding partners

09:25 Stop scattering deals across 12 lenders

10:31 Being top of the stack: documents, responsiveness, relationship

13:02 Private lenders versus conventional banks

14:35 Contractor as both rehab and maintenance partner

15:25 Setting up the relationship for steady work

16:30 How to structure and vet contractor work

17:23 Why a property manager becomes essential as you scale

18:47 How to vet a property manager

20:24 Reviews, responsiveness, and trial periods

23:25 Strategy plus team equals longevity

Quotables

"You do not want to be a love them and leave them kind of transaction. They want to be there. They want to be the partner. Give them the chance to earn it on the other side."

"If you are stuck fixing, you are not then building."

"A property management company that says no to that is that red flag that you are looking for."

Links

RCN Capital

https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast

https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/

[email protected]

REI INK

https://rei-ink.com/