Synopsis
Inspiring interviews with top landlords
Episodes
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House Hacking Is The Best Way To Buy Rentals & How To Get A 2% Mortgage Rate Today With Ryan Thompson (Ep 574)
19/05/2026 Duration: 29minRyan Thompson has gone all in on house hacking and believes it’s one of the fastest ways to build a rental portfolio. Ryan loves house hacking because of the favorable financing. Instead of putting 20–25% down like a traditional investment property, he was able to buy properties with as little as 5% down while also getting some of the best interest rates available.Today, Ryan generates over $30,000 a year in profit from just 5 rentals that all started as house hacks.On this episode, Ryan explains how he was able to live for free while doubling the mortgage payment with rental income from roommates and tenants. We talk about why he uses a property manager even though he lives in the properties, and how he sets up chores and systems to keep shared living spaces clean and organized. Ryan also talks honestly about what it was like moving every year for 5 years straight and why, despite how difficult it was, the financial freedom it created made it completely worth it.What makes Ryan’s story even more interesting
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Bonus: This Company Will Pay Your Rent If Your Tenant Stops Paying
14/05/2026 Duration: 20minWhen a rental sits vacant, landlords lose money every single day. In the past, many investors waited for the “perfect” tenant, but today, many renters who may look risky on paper could end up being great long-term tenants.The challenge for landlords is figuring out how to reduce the risk of a tenant stopping payment or damaging the property.On this bonus episode, we talk to Jamison Theander from TheGuarantors about how landlords can rent properties faster while reducing risk. Jamison explains how TheGuarantors offers a lease guarantee that will pay the rent if a tenant defaults, at no cost to the landlord.We talk about what TheGuarantors looks for when approving tenants, how quickly approvals happen, and why this can help landlords feel more comfortable approving applicants they might normally pass on.We also discuss the different types of coverage available, including protection for missed rent and damage coverage with deposit replacement protection. Jamison explains why this can provide landlords with signi
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A Lot Has Gone Wrong With His Rentals…But He Still Thinks Real Estate Is Worth It With Ari Rubin (Ep 573)
12/05/2026 Duration: 22minAri Rubin has been investing in rental properties long enough to know that eventually, something is going to go wrong. Really wrong. But despite dealing with nightmare situations that would make a lot of investors quit, Ari says it’s all been worth it.On this episode, Ari shares some of the craziest situations he’s dealt with as a landlord and investor. He talks about a contractor he didn’t hire who broke into one of his properties, demolished the kitchen, and planned to move into the house himself. He also shares the story of a “professional tenant” who moved in and never paid rent, and a property where he spent $60,000 on renovations only to discover a major foundation issue that caused the entire house to shift just six months later.We also talk about a property Ari almost bought that had a dangerously unsafe deck built by the tenant, so bad that contractors didn’t even want to tear it down.Ari shares another unbelievable tenant story involving someone who turned the backyard into a giant litter box.Throug
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He Paid Off His Rentals... And Now He Regrets It With Dave Jacobs (Ep 572)
05/05/2026 Duration: 24minDavethought he was making the smart move. By paying off several of his rental properties, he figured he’d lower his expenses, boost his cash flow, and simplify his portfolio. But after doing it, he started to feel like he made a mistake.Today, Dave believes he would have been better off keeping the debt and using that money to buy more properties. He shares why he thinks a larger portfolio with leverage could have outperformed a smaller, paid-off portfolio over the long run, and how losing the mortgage interest deduction changed the numbers.On this episode, we break down how Dave paid off his rentals, when the regret set in, and why he’s hesitant to do a cash-out refinance to pull that equity back out. We also talk about the benefits of owning properties free and clear, so you can hear both sides of the argument.We dig into Dave’s portfolio, including his strategy of owning properties in the same neighborhood and how self-managing helps him keep expenses low. He shares his actual numbers, including total rent
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Long-Term vs. Mid-Term Rentals: Which Is the Better Investment? With Bianca Barcelos (Ep 571)
28/04/2026 Duration: 23minBianca Barcelos has built her portfolio using both long-term and mid-term rentals, and on this episode, we break down what that actually looks like in the real world.Bianca walks through her experience with both strategies, comparing the pros and cons side by side. We dig into the income differences, the downtime between tenants, and the added effort required to furnish and manage mid-term properties. She shares what she typically spends to furnish a unit, the rent premium she can get, and how she weighs whether that premium justifies the hassle.We also talk about how Bianca is financing her deals and why she prefers smaller properties as part of her strategy. She explains how she budgets for maintenance and unexpected costs and shares a tough situation in which a major expense tested her system.This episode is a great look at how to think through risk, cash flow, and strategy when deciding between long-term and mid-term rentals, and how to build a plan that actually holds up when things don’t go perfectly.ht
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The Story of How One Investor Lost His Rental Portfolio With Greg Hall (Ep 570)
21/04/2026 Duration: 22minGreg Hall did what a lot of investors dream about, he scaled fast.In just three years, Greg built a portfolio of more than 100 rental properties, buying mostly single-family homes in a market about three hours from where he lived. His strategy was simple and effective: buy low, renovate smart, and create quality rentals in solid neighborhoods.He wasn’t slapping lipstick on properties, he was turning distressed homes into places good tenants actually wanted to live. On paper, everything worked.But then something happened that most investors never even consider…The city stepped in and started condemning and demolishing his properties.On this episode, we break down how that’s even possible. What triggers something like this? What happens when you still have a mortgage on a property that no longer exists? And most importantly, how can you protect yourself from a situation like this?Greg shares the full story, what went wrong, what he would do differently, and how he bounced back. We also talk about how his invest
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The HELOC Strategy That Lets Him Buy Rentals Over and Over With Ryan Blackstone (Ep 569)
14/04/2026 Duration: 30minRyan is using a simple but powerful strategy to build his rental portfolio, and it all starts with a HELOC.Instead of going through traditional financing, Ryan uses a line of credit to buy properties, using what appears to be cash. That gives him a huge advantage when making offers. After closing, he funds the renovations with the same credit line, focusing on cosmetic upgrades like flooring, fixtures, and paint to dramatically increase value.Once the property is stabilized, Ryan completes a cash-out refinance, pays off the HELOC, and repeats the process.On this episode, Ryan breaks down the exact system he’s using and explains what he believes are the two key steps to building wealth with real estate.We also get into:How he qualified for his HELOCCreative ways to access lines of credit (even outside of real estate)A full breakdown of one of his dealsPurchase price, rehab costs, rent, and mortgage numbersHow he budgets for expenses and manages riskhttps://rentalincomepodcast.com/episode569Thanks To Our Sponso
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How He's Building Generational Wealth With A Small Portfolio With Mike Thompson (Ep 568)
07/04/2026 Duration: 23minMike Thompson isn’t trying to build a massive rental empire. His goal is simple: a handful of solid properties that generate income for retirement and create something he can pass down to his kids.Mike started by buying a 4-unit property in Ohio, where he was living at the time. He self-managed and handled his own maintenance. He enjoyed the hands-on approach and quickly learned the business. But after relocating to South Carolina, everything changed. Turning the property over to a property manager didn’t go as planned, and within a year, Mike decided to sell… walking away with a profit.After taking time to understand his new market, Mike got back in by buying two condos that he now self-manages. On this episode, we break down his numbers, how he budgets for expenses, and how he’s finding deals in today’s market.https://rentalincomepodcast.com/episode568Thanks To Our Sponsors:Flock Homes - Retire from real estate investing and landlording (whether it’s one problem property or your whole portfolio) through a 7
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He Gives Himself An "F" As A Landlord (But Still Makes 6 Figures) With Tom McGreevy (Ep 567)
31/03/2026 Duration: 22minOn this episode, Tom McGreevy might not sound like your typical landlord. He doesn’t raise rents, doesn’t charge late fees, and even admits he might be “too nice” to his tenants. In fact, Tom says he’d give himself a failing grade as a landlord.But despite that, he’s built a portfolio that generates over $200,000 a year in rental income.Tom breaks down how his strategy actually works. His long-term rentals provide steady, reliable cash flow that covers all of his fixed expenses, giving him a solid financial foundation. Then his Airbnb properties, which are more unpredictable, become the upside and drive his profit. He also shares why having those short-term rentals located three hours away has turned out to be an advantage rather than a drawback.We also talk about the role his W2 job plays in his investing strategy, and how it’s allowed him to take bigger risks without relying on rental income to live.Tom shares how he’s sold properties along the way and how working with a knowledgeable CPA helped him legally
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A Realistic Look At Building New Rentals With Kaycee Miller (Ep 566)
24/03/2026 Duration: 24minOn this episode, Kaycee Miller shares the real story behind building new construction rentals, including the wins and the unexpected challenges.Kaycee started out buying foreclosures and rehabbing them, but began to wonder if building from the ground up could be more profitable.She walks us through her transition into new construction, why it can sometimes be more cost-effective than buying existing properties, and how building new can lead to higher rents and better long-term returns. Kaycee breaks down her experience developing an 8-unit property in the downtown area of her small town, including how she found the lot.We also dive into a unique deal where she purchased an old church that had been converted into a single-family home, but was zoned for multifamily use. That opportunity came with its own hurdles, including navigating historic district regulations and working through the approval process with the historic commission.But not everything went according to plan. Kaycee shares the reality of lease-up
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She Bought Rentals And Everything Went Wrong With Anna Mendoza (Ep 565)
17/03/2026 Duration: 25minAnna Mendoza started investing out of state because she believed it would produce better returns. Living in an expensive market, the $60,000 she had saved wasn’t enough to buy anything locally. But in other parts of the country, that same money could buy multiple rental properties. It seemed like a great way to build cash flow and start growing a portfolio.Instead, things quickly went off the rails. What looked like a promising investment turned into a nightmare.Anna dealt with unreliable contractors, break-ins, unexpected repairs, and tenants that required far more time and money than she anticipated. The expenses piled up and the cash flow she expected never materialized.On this episode, Anna walks through exactly what she bought, why the properties didn’t perform the way she expected, and the hard lessons she learned from trying to manage rentals from a distance.But the story has a happy ending. Anna eventually sold those properties and used the money to pivot into a completely different strategy.Instead o
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Why Owning Just One Rental Property Is So Risky With Carlo Finotti (Ep 564)
10/03/2026 Duration: 26minOn this episode, Carlo Finotti explains why owning just one rental property can actually be riskier than owning several.When you only have one property, a major repair or a few months of vacancy can wipe out your cash flow for years.Carlo shares how building a portfolio of multiple rentals creates a safety net, where income from other properties can help cover unexpected expenses. Carlo also talks about the two challenges investors face when buying their second rental. The money side and the mental side.He explains how he overcame both and how adding more properties allowed him to benefit from economies of scale and reduce risk across his portfolio.We also talk about how many doors Carlo had before he finally felt comfortable with repair risk, how his perspective has changed as his portfolio has grown, and the worst thing that has happened to him as a rental property investor.https://rentalincomepodcast.com/episode564Thanks To Our Sponsors:Ridge Lending Group - Making the investment mortgage process simple an
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When His Rentals Weren't Working, He Had To Pivot With Seamus Nally (Ep 563)
03/03/2026 Duration: 27minOn this episode, Seamus Nally shares a powerful lesson every investor eventually faces: if it’s not working, pivot.Seamus originally set out to build a portfolio of student rentals. The plan made sense. The numbers worked. The demand was there. Then the university expanded its own housing and the student demand he was counting on dried up. Instead of digging in and hoping things would turn around, Seamus made a bold move.He pivoted and began renting rooms to residents in an addiction recovery program. When new challenges surfaced with that strategy, he adjusted again, eventually transitioning the property into a traditional long term rental. By then, market rents had risen and the deal that once struggled was suddenly producing strong, stable cash flow.We also talk about what it’s like investing alongside family, as Seamus partners with his brothers on their properties.Plus, we get into one of the most overlooked investing advantages: building strong relationships with neighbors. Seamus explains how being pro
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The Long Game: Building Rental Wealth Over 10 Years With Jacob Martinez (Ep 562)
24/02/2026 Duration: 26minJacob Martinez is five years into a 10-year plan to build long-term wealth with rental properties, and he’s thinking much bigger than just next month’s cash flow. Jacob believes a decade gives neighborhoods time to improve, properties time to appreciate, and rents time to rise.While every property he buys must be cash flow-positive, he doesn’t treat rental investing as a short-term game. For him, steady growth and smart positioning matter just as much as the monthly numbers.On this episode, Jacob shares how surrounding himself with experienced mentors has shaped his decisions and helped him avoid costly mistakes. We talk about how he’s found strong deals by buying directly from sellers, how he came up with the money to purchase his rentals, and how he’s navigated the challenge of rising property taxes without derailing his plan.Jacob also opens up about his nightmare first deal and what he learned from it, along with some of the wins that have kept him motivated.'If you’re building a portfolio with a long-ter
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The Numbers Didn't Work Locally. Here's How He Invested Out Of State With Thomas Hollingsworth (Ep 561)
17/02/2026 Duration: 22minThomas lives in a high-cost area where buying rentals locally simply didn’t make sense for cash flow, especially as a newer investor with limited capital.Instead of forcing a bad deal in his backyard, Thomas made the decision to invest out of state.On this episode, he walks us through how he chose the markets he invested in and whether he physically visited the areas before buying.Thomas didn’t just pick one market and hope for the best. Diversification was important to him, so he invested in three different areas. We talk about why he spread out his risk, how he found the properties, and why he focused on homes that needed rehab.He also explains how he built a team from a distance, including how he found contractors and property managers in multiple markets, and whether managing relationships in three different cities was as challenging as it sounds.If you’re thinking about investing out of state but feel nervous about being far from your properties, this episode is packed with practical insight. Thomas shar
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How She Makes $2,000/Month From One Mid Term Rental With Mary Andress (Ep 560)
10/02/2026 Duration: 24minMary spent years on the road as a travel nurse, living in mid term rentals across the country. After seeing firsthand how well these properties served traveling professionals, she decided to become an investor herself.We break down exactly what Mary looks for when buying a mid term rental, including location, and the best bedroom count to look for.She shares how much she typically spends to furnish a property, how long her tenants usually stay for, and how much of a rent premium she gets vs if the property was a traditional long term rental.We also dig into the real numbers behind a recent purchases. Mary walks through total rent collected, monthly expenses, and the profit the property produces.https://rentalincomepodcast.com/episode560Thanks To Our Sponsors:MidSouth HomeBuyers – Turnkey Rentals In Memphis & Little Rock. Instant Cash Flow On Day One. (Priced between $100,000 to low $200's)Ridge Lending Group - Making the investment mortgage process simple and stress-free. Sign up for a free 30-minute inv
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A Few Paid Off Rentals Is All You Need For Financial Freedom With Jeremy Smith (Ep 559)
03/02/2026 Duration: 24minOn this episode, I’m joined by Jeremy Smith, an investor who proves you don’t need hundreds or thousands of rental properties to be successful. Jeremy owns just a few rentals, but they generate enough monthly cash flow to cover all of his living expenses.Jeremy still works a full-time job, but his rentals give him a powerful safety net. If his income dips in a slow month or an unexpected expense pops up, the extra cash flow from his properties helps absorb the hit and keeps stress low.We talk about why Jeremy focuses on low-maintenance, high-quality properties instead of chasing scale, and how that approach has allowed him to keep things simple. He shares how he paid off his rentals, how long it took, and why minimizing personal overhead has been just as important as optimizing his investments.We also discuss the constant temptation of lifestyle inflation and how he works to keep it in check.Jeremy opens the books and walks through his real numbers, including total rent collected, expenses, and cash flow. We
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Bonus: Lower DSCR Loan Rates l Lower Down Payments l How To Get Approved For A Mortgage
29/01/2026 Duration: 25minThis bonus episode features Caeli Ridge from Ridge Lending Group, breaking down what’s happening right now with DSCR loans and why they’re getting so much attention from rental property investors.Caeli explains how DSCR loan rates have been coming down and are now very close to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rates. We talk about why DSCR loans are often simpler than conventional mortgages, how they qualify based on the deal instead of the investor’s personal income, and why that makes them especially attractive for investors.We also discuss how increased competition from DSCR lenders has pushed Fannie and Freddie to lower their down payment requirements. Single-family rental properties now require as little as 15 percent down. Caeli also walks through the documentation needed for conventional loans and what credit scores lenders are looking for.Listen in on a coaching call with Caeli and a client: https://rentalincomepodcast.com/bonus-tinaContact Caeli:Websiteinfo@ridgelendinggroup.com1-855-747-4343
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Easy Ways to Increase Your Income (Without Buying More Rentals) With Joel Miller (Ep 558)
27/01/2026 Duration: 23minJoel has been investing in rental properties for 48 years and has figured out how to increase rental income without buying more properties.On this episode, Joel shares practical strategies he uses to get more cash flow from the rentals he already owns. We talk about how he keeps up with rent increases to make sure his properties stay profitable, along with inexpensive upgrades that help units look better and command higher rent. Joel explains his approach to flooring, including LVP vs. carpet, and whether it makes sense to make tenants responsible for washer and dryer repairs.The conversation also covers how pets can be profitable, whether landlords should charge a pet fee or pet rent, and how to reduce vacancies during the slower winter months. Joel shares his thoughts on when an upgrade stops making financial sense, which improvements often fail to deliver a good return, and how to avoid over-improving rental properties.https://rentalincomepodcast.com/episode558Thanks To Our Sponsors:Fundrise Income Fund -
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How He Built His Rental Portfolio With No Money With Tim Delaney (Ep 557)
20/01/2026 Duration: 25minTim Delaney has built a diversified real estate portfolio that includes long-term rentals, a short-term rental, and a strip mall.What makes his story especially interesting is that his very first deal was the strip mall, and he bought it with zero money out of pocket.On this episode, Tim breaks down how that deal came together and how a simple conversation with his banker introduced him to the BRRRR strategy. Tim knew he wanted to rehab properties, but he also knew his limits. He wasn’t a contractor and didn’t have deep construction knowledge. Instead of forcing it, he partnered with a friend who was a contractor.That partnership became a key turning point, with his partner handling rehabs while Tim focused on management, financing, and the numbers.We also dig into the day-to-day reality of managing rentals. Tim shares how much time property management actually takes, and the software he uses to stay organized.Finally, we talk about Tim’s Airbnb and whether the higher returns are truly worth the extra time an