Brad Harper is a Broker at Century 21 North Homes Realty, where he serves military families, first responders, and veterans. With nearly 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, he consistently ranks among the top 3% of realtors globally for sales. Brad is recognized as a top relocation specialist and has received awards such as the President’s Award and the Pinnacle Quality Customer Service Award.

Real estate is a practical wealth-building strategy; yet, many professionals are stuck with underperforming rentals or feel unsure of where to begin. Rising interest rates, market uncertainty, and a lack of guidance often stop would-be investors before they start. How can you optimize your real estate assets to build long-term wealth?

According to top-producing real estate agent Brad Harper, strategic investments like short-term vacation rentals and second homes can become long-term wealth generators. Investors can employ cost segregation methods to improve tax outcomes for Airbnb properties and other vacation rentals. To create a steady flow of deals, Brad emphasizes proactively following up with leads, building a strong social media presence, and building relationships with referral partners like attorneys, property managers, and lenders.

In the latest episode of Work Hard, Play Harder, Jake Hanes sits down with Brad Harper, a Broker at Century 21 North Homes Realty, to discuss building long-term wealth through real estate. Brad shares his Airbnb investment strategy, how he builds his portfolio through disciplined work habits, and how military personnel can leverage VA loans.

Antonieta Putnam is a Licensed Real Estate Agent and Broker at Coldwell Banker, where she represents clients across various residential properties. She is also a Client Liaison at The Magnolia Group, where she focuses on hard money and commercial and investment lending. 

Navigating the real estate space — especially during major life transitions like inheritance, investment upgrades, or home buying — can feel overwhelming. From understanding title insurance to managing tax liability during sales, buyers and sellers often find themselves in unfamiliar territory. How can individuals protect their financial interests and ensure a smooth transaction in such a regulated and detail-heavy industry?

With over two decades of experience in title, escrow, and residential sales, Antonieta Putnam recommends purchasing title insurance to safeguard against ownership disputes and hidden liabilities. Buyers and sellers should also obtain expert counsel, such as real estate attorneys or experienced agents when handling inheritance properties, quitclaim deeds, or complex tax scenarios like 1031 exchanges. By staying informed on state-specific excise taxes, regulatory changes, and under-the-radar risks like FIRPTA, buyers and sellers can protect their investments. 

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Harder, Jake Hanes speaks with Antonieta Putnam, Licensed Real Estate Agent and Broker at Coldwell Banker, about how she protects clients during complex transactions. Antonieta talks about her integrity-driven approach, why property owners may need to purchase title or mortgage insurance, and how foreign seller tax impacts buyers in US real estate.

Jeffrey Putnam is a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at The Magnolia Group, a division of the mortgage brokerage firm NEXA Mortgage. In his role, he specializes in investor and short-term lending. Before joining NEXA Mortgage, Jeffrey held positions at Finance of America Mortgage LLC and PNC Mortgage.

Flipping homes and investing in real estate can be lucrative yet unpredictable. From financing to hidden repair costs and unreliable contractors, one wrong move can turn projected profits into painful losses. How can real estate investors avoid costly mistakes and fund their projects with confidence?

Short-term lending and real estate finance expert Jeffrey Putnam leverages smart investing techniques to minimize risks and maximize ROI on flips and construction projects. Hard money loans are ideal for real estate investors who need fast access to capital without the hurdles of traditional financing. Conversely, bridge financing allows investors to transition between properties seamlessly. With DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) lending, self-employed borrowers can qualify for loans based on rental income rather than tax returns. In addition to these strategies, Jeffrey recommends thoroughly vetting contractors, accurately estimating rehab costs, and planning for contingencies like unexpected repairs or delays.

Tune in to the next episode of Work Hard, Play Harder as Jake Hanes sits down with Jeffrey Putnam, Senior Mortgage Loan Officer at The Magnolia Group, a division of the mortgage brokerage firm NEXA Mortgage, to discuss smart financing strategies for real estate investors. Jeffrey discusses market trends, first-time buyer programs, and the lessons he learned from high-stakes flips.

Thai Nguyen is a real estate broker, investor, and coach who leads the Thai Nguyen team at eXp Realty, specializing in luxury homes and investment properties. With over 22 years of experience in real estate, she has sold over 400 properties. Thai mentors agents in sourcing, securing, and flipping properties while maintaining an investment portfolio. 

Scaling a real estate business requires building a strong team, leveraging marketing, and making smart investment decisions. Many agents and investors struggle with growth because they don’t have a clear strategy for acquiring clients, recruiting agents, or identifying profitable deals. How can you scale effectively while maintaining a work-life balance?

According to real estate industry veteran Thai Nguyen, real estate investors and business owners must focus on three key strategies: leveraging social media for organic client acquisition, building a strong referral network, and delegating tasks strategically. Posting consistent, engaging content on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn has helped Thai attract a steady stream of clients. She also emphasizes the importance of attending online and in-person networking events to build lasting relationships that lead to business growth.

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Harder, join Jake Hanes as he interviews Thai Nguyen of eXp Realty, about building a thriving real estate business. Thai shares how she encourages collaboration between agents and investors, her process for investing in real estate and flipping homes, and how she balances her career with family life.

Rachelle Willhite is the Founder and Real Estate Broker at Best Choice Realty, a top 10 independently owned brokerage that has grown to over 500 brokers. As an active contributor to the real estate industry, she served as President of the Northwest Independent Brokers Association and participated in various NWMLS task forces. Rachelle began her real estate career after purchasing her first investment property as a teenager. 

Managing a real estate brokerage is no small feat — recruiting top agents, maintaining profitability, and avoiding legal pitfalls are constant challenges. Many brokerage owners struggle with scaling their businesses while maintaining high service quality and compliance. How can brokers create a strong foundation for growth while protecting their agents and clients?

Seasoned real estate broker and leader Rachelle Willhite has mastered growth strategies that have allowed her to scale her independent brokerage across multiple states. She emphasizes recruiting skilled agents who align with the company’s values and long-term vision. Maintaining clear communication with agents and stakeholders, developing legal foresight, and executing strong training programs allow brokers to manage potential risks proactively. Additionally, by leveraging social media, AI-driven marketing tools, and transaction coordinators, brokers can streamline operations and scale efficiently while maintaining personal relationships with clients. 

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Harder, Jake Hanes and Stanley Daniels II interview Rachelle Willhite, the Founder and Real Estate Broker at Best Choice Realty, about the secrets to running a profitable real estate brokerage firm. Rachelle shares how brokers can navigate evolving industry regulations, the impact of NWMLS on the real estate industry, and the key characteristics of top-performing real estate agents.

Kevin Weir is a Business Consultant and Certified Business Coach at ActionCOACH Business Coaching, an award-winning business and executive coaching franchise with more than 1,000 coaches in over 70 countries. With 20 years of experience in executive coaching and corporate leadership, he has received the ActionMAN award five times and has been inducted into the ActionCOACH Founder’s Club. Kevin is the author of multiple books, including First Aid for a Wounded Business and Stuff That Works. 

Many entrepreneurs struggle with growth, feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks and unable to scale their businesses. They want more revenue, more customers, and ultimately more freedom, but they don’t know how to achieve these goals. How can you build a business that grows profitably and runs without you?

Veteran business coach Kevin Weir has developed the five-way formula to increase leads, conversion rates, transaction frequency, average sale value, and profit margins. By making small, incremental improvements of just 10% in each of these areas, business owners can boost their revenue and profit. Kevin also recommends optimizing each growth area. This includes improving lead generation through content marketing, enhancing conversion rates with structured sales processes, increasing transaction frequency with customer retention tactics, boosting average sale value with strategic pricing, and maximizing profit margins through cost control and efficiency improvements.

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Harder, Jake Hanes invites Kevin Weir, Business Consultant and Certified Business Coach at ActionCOACH Business Coaching, to discuss his process for business growth. Kevin shares how he helps companies scale without owner involvement, the value of consistent referrals, and how business owners can take time off without losing momentum. 

Stanley Daniels II is the Co-owner of DH Investors LLC, a real estate investment company. He is also the Director of Enterprise Sales at iBreakthrough, which provides technology, online events, and training sessions for business owners. Stanley’s experience includes developing sales teams for Fortune 100 companies. Before his current roles, he had a career in professional football, playing as an offensive lineman for teams like the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, and Cleveland Browns.​

Many aspiring real estate investors dive into house flipping or rental properties without fully understanding the risks. They underestimate renovation costs, struggle to identify profitable deals, and lack the sales skills to negotiate effectively. How can investors avoid common pitfalls and build a thriving real estate business?

Rather than trying to make money during the sale, NFL player turned real estate investor Stanley Daniels II emphasizes maximizing profits when purchasing a property by analyzing deals thoroughly. Mastering sales techniques is essential for identifying and closing profitable real estate deals. Whether negotiating a purchase price, convincing a lender to finance a project, or selling a renovated home for top dollar, Stanley advises maintaining effective communication, building rapport, and uncovering sellers’ motivations. 

In today’s episode of Work Hard, Play Harder, Stanley Daniels II, the Co-owner of DH Investors LLC, joins Jake Hanes to talk about the fundamentals of real estate investing and deal-making. Stanley discusses strategies for networking in sales and real estate investing, his career in the NFL, and how sales builds business acumen. 

Jake Hanes is the Owner and a CPA at Action Tax Service, LLC, which provides tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services to individuals and businesses. As a motivational speaker and executive coach, he is also the Founder of Transbundance and the best-selling author of The 7 Strategies of Highly Successful Business Owners. As a serial entrepreneur, Jake co-owns the Epicenter in Puyallup, a family entertainment center featuring escape rooms, miniature bowling, and virtual reality gaming experiences.

Running a business is never a straight path; every entrepreneur faces challenges, from financial struggles to failed ventures. When setbacks threaten to derail everything you’ve built, how can you turn mistakes into lessons and use them to fuel future successes?

Accountant Jake Hanes knows firsthand how failure can be a brutal but effective teacher. After successfully managing his CPA firm, he decided to expand into new industries — only to watch one of his ventures, a clinical day spa, collapse within a year, costing him $230,000. Jake realized he had entered an unfamiliar industry without proper research or the right team. Determined not to repeat the mistake, he sought out mentors, embraced business coaching, and refined his approach to risk-taking. He encourages other business owners to set clear, intentional goals for each business or venture. 

In the first episode of Work Hard, Play Harder, guest host Chad Franzen of Rise25 sits down with Jake Hanes, the Owner and a CPA at Action Tax Service, LLC, to discuss mindsets and strategies for entrepreneurial growth. Jake shares how he overcame epilepsy through a life-changing surgery, his mission to impact over one million people, and how he became a motivational speaker and business coach.