

Real Estate Reserve Podcast
Hard Money Bankers & Equity Warehouse
The #1 Podcast For Real Estate Investing. Jason Balin from Hard Money Bankers and Ian Horowitz From Equity Warehouse share real time information on what is going on today in our real estate and small business communities. They bring in local experts to share their opinions on what is currently happening in others businesses and communities in real time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2025 โข 8min
Joel Friedland - The Deal That Changed My Life
Joel Friedland - The Deal That Changed My Life In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, we welcome back Chicago industrial real estate investor Joel Friedland to share the incredible story of a deal that completely transformed his career. Joel has purchased more than 100 industrial buildings with over 250 investors across the Chicago areaโbut one deal in Elmhurst, Illinois, stands out above the rest. What started as a vacant 100,000-square-foot warehouse once home to Keebler turned into a 15-year lease with Comcast and an unbelievable 40% cash-on-cash return. From panic over a year-and-a-half vacancy to landing a dream tenantโand even getting his cable fixed along the wayโJoel breaks down what made this deal the best (and luckiest) of his career. ๐๏ธ In this episode: How Joel discovered and financed the Elmhurst deal The turning point that brought Comcast to the table Negotiating a 15-year lease and record returns Why taking risks (and keeping your sense of humor) matters in real estate Lessons learned from 100+ industrial investments If you love real estate success stories, investor insights, and candid conversations about risk, luck, and grit, this one's for you. If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Oct 29, 2025 โข 46min
How Mastering Foreclosure and Tax Sale Overages Led This Investor to Move to Puerto Rico - #256
How Mastering Foreclosure and Tax Sale Overages Led This Investor to Move to Puerto Rico - #256 In this episode of The Real Estate Reserve Podcast, hosts Jason and Ian sit down with Bob Diamond, a seasoned real estate attorney and investor now living in Puerto Rico, to unpack how mastering foreclosure and tax sale overages turned into a lucrative real estate businessโand ultimately gave him the freedom to live in paradise. Bob shares his journey from working at Arthur Andersen to building a real estate empire through foreclosure auctions, tax sale investing, and recovering excess funds for homeowners. He breaks down how overages work, why most people don't even know they're owed money, and how investors can turn this overlooked niche into a profitable venture. ๐ฌ Topics covered: How foreclosure and tax sale auctions really work Understanding overages and excess funds Why 70% of funds go unclaimedโand how to recover them Lessons from flipping, rentals, and tax sales The mindset behind successful investing Why Bob chose to move his business to Puerto Rico Whether you're a real estate investor, attorney, or just curious about passive income through unique strategies, this episode is packed with insight and experience from someone who's done it all. If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Oct 27, 2025 โข 5min
Lane Kawaoka - The Deal That Changed My Life
Lane Kawaoka - The Deal That Changed My Life In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, we welcome back Lane Kawaoka from The Wealth Elevator to share the pivotal real estate deals that shaped his journey. Lane dives into how he went from buying rental properties in Seattle in 2009 to managing 10,000 rental units across multiple U.S. markets. We explore: โ
The challenges and lessons of investing out-of-state โ
Transitioning from single-family homes to Class B apartments and development projects โ
How moving "upstream" toward less competitive, higher-quality deals can transform your portfolio โ
The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and networks โ
Key insights on navigating market cycles and scaling your investments Whether you're a new investor or a seasoned pro, Lane's story offers actionable strategies and mindset shifts for long-term success in real estate investing. ๐ Check out Lane's book: The Wealth Elevator on Amazon ๐ง Listen to Lane's podcast: The Wealth Elevator If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Oct 23, 2025 โข 32min
How to deploy $100,000 in todays Market - #255
How to deploy $100,000 in todays Market - #255 In this episode of The Real Estate Reserve Podcast, hosts Jason and Ian break down real-world strategies for deploying $100K in today's market โ whether your goal is fast growth, cash flow, or wealth preservation. They share how they'd personally invest $100,000 based on different scenarios โ from flipping houses and building active income to creating long-term passive income through rentals, private lending, or syndications. Jason and Ian also dive into risk tolerance, capital allocation, education and mentorship, and the mindset shift it takes to turn $100K into $1 million. ๐ฏ What You'll Learn: How to invest $100,000 in real estate right now The difference between active vs. passive investing Smart ways to grow your capital through flips and small deals How to partner with operators or syndicators When to prioritize education and mentorship Why betting on the jockey (operator) matters as much as the horse (asset) Whether you're a new investor looking to build wealth or a seasoned pro with extra capital to deploy, this episode is packed with actionable insight and hard-earned experience from two full-time real estate entrepreneurs. If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Oct 15, 2025 โข 32min
How Does This Canadian Investor Own So Many Properties In The United States - #254
How Does This Canadian Investor Own So Many Properties In The United States - #254 In this episode of The Real Estate Reserve Podcast, hosts Jason and Ian sit down with Glen Sutherland, a Canadian investor who has built an impressive real estate portfolio โ entirely in the United States! ๐จ๐ฆโก๏ธ๐บ๐ธ Glen shares how he went from being limited by Canadian lending and tenant laws to owning dozens of properties across U.S. markets like Huntsville, Indianapolis, and Kansas City. He breaks down: โ
Why he chose to invest south of the border โ
How he financed his first deals using Canadian capital โ
The challenges of remote investing and managing U.S. contractors โ
Legal and tax differences between Canadian and U.S. real estate investing โ
Tips for other Canadians looking to buy, BRRRR, or syndicate deals in America From navigating lending rules to creating systems for managing renovations across borders, Glen's story is packed with real-world advice for international investors โ or anyone curious about building wealth through out-of-state real estate. ๐ง Tune in to learn: โข How Glen scaled from single-family homes to large multifamily deals โข The strategies that helped him transition from 9-to-5 to full-time investor โข Common mistakes Canadians make when investing in the U.S. โข How to protect yourself when hiring contractors remotely ๐บ Watch now to discover how Glen made cross-border investing work โ and how you can too! ๐ Connect with Glen Sutherland: ๐ง Canadian Investing in the U.S. Podcast ๐ https://acanadianinvestingintheusa.com/ If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Oct 8, 2025 โข 35min
How To Invest Anywhere with Mitchell England #253
How To Invest Anywhere with Mitchell England #253 In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve Podcast, Jason and Ian sit down with Mitchell, a mobile home park investor from Washington State, to dive deep into one of real estate's most misunderstood โ yet highly profitable โ asset classes: mobile home parks. Mitchell shares his inspiring journey from being a burned-out W2 employee to taking the leap into full-time real estate and entrepreneurship. He walks us through how reading Rich Dad Poor Dad changed his mindset, how he started small, and how he built his portfolio to include a 39-unit mobile home park across the country in North Carolina. If you've ever been curious about: ๐๏ธ Why investors are turning to mobile home parks for stable cash flow ๐ก How to analyze, underwrite, and finance MHP deals โ๏ธ The real expenses and management systems behind park ownership ๐ซ Common pitfalls (like overestimating vacant pad potential) ๐ช And what makes this space resistant to inflation โ โ this episode breaks it all down with firsthand experience and actionable insights. ๐๏ธ Key Topics Covered: Mitchell's background and mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur His first big commercial deal: a 39-unit mobile home park Understanding MHP expenses, utilities, and management models The truth about filling vacant pads and dealing with POH (park-owned homes) Why mobile home parks offer long-term stability and community What the future looks like for mobile home park investing ๐ Whether you're a seasoned investor or just exploring new opportunities in real estate, this conversation will change how you think about affordable housing and passive income. ๐ Subscribe for more real estate investing insights, interviews, and strategies every week. ๐ Like this episode? Share it to help us bring on more great guests! If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Sep 30, 2025 โข 41min
The Next Big Asset Class with Joe Downs - #252
The Next Big Asset Class with Joe Downs - #252 In this episode of The Real Estate Reserve Podcast, Jason and Ian sit down with Joe Downs, a Philadelphia-based investor with deep experience across multiple real estate asset classes. From distressed residential debt to self-storage, RV and boat storage, and even flex industrial space, Joe shares how he navigated market cycles, reinvented his business, and discovered what he calls the next big asset class. Joe's story highlights how he transitioned from distressed mortgage debt and hard money lending into building a self-storage portfolio of 20+ facilities nationwide. He dives into: โ
Why self-storage remains a powerful opportunity despite increased competition โ
Lessons learned from distressed debt investing and market downturns โ
The rise of "pro storage" and small-bay flex as niche investment opportunities โ
How COVID changed storage operations, technology adoption, and valuations โ
The benefits of long-term coaching, masterminds, and partnerships in scaling Whether you're a multifamily operator, private lender, or a new investor looking for your next move, this episode is packed with candid insights about what it takes to pivot, adapt, and thrive in today's market. ๐ง Don't miss this conversation if you want to understand where the real estate investing world is headed next! If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Sep 26, 2025 โข 4min
CJ Calio - The Deal That Changed My Life
CJ Calio - The Deal That Changed My Life In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, CJ Calio from WNN Properties shares the real estate deal that transformed his path from UPS driver to financial freedom in just four years. Based in Hawaii, CJ focuses on out-of-state investing, building wealth through buy-and-hold residential and commercial properties in more affordable markets. CJ dives into the pivotal deal that changed everything: an 11-property portfolio he secured without having the cash in hand. By leveraging OPM (other people's money), he raised $500,000 in under 30 days to close on the deal. This portfolio not only accelerated his journey to early retirement but also opened doors to larger opportunities, including a $3 million commercial property. Topics covered in this episode: How CJ built financial freedom in 4 years through real estate The power of resourcefulness vs. resources in investing Leveraging private money and creative financing to scale Using the BRRRR method on a portfolio of 11 single-family homes Transitioning from residential to commercial real estate deals Whether you're a beginner investor or looking to scale your portfolio, CJ's story is proof that with the right mindset and strategy, you can create financial independence through real estate. ๐ Follow CJ on Instagram: @WNNProperties ๐ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found value in this episode! If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Sep 23, 2025 โข 41min
Book Review- Take A Ride On The Wealth Elevator #251
Book Review - Take A Ride On The Wealth Elevator #251 In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve, we're diving into Take A Ride On The Wealth Elevator by Lane Kawaoka โ a book that breaks down how everyday investors can move from the "ground floor" to building long-term wealth through real estate syndications, accredited investing, tax strategies, and passive income. We also chat about the balance between learning from books vs. podcasts, the importance of timing when financial lessons finally click, and why betting on yourself can often be the best investment strategy. From cash flow and infinite banking to scaling your business and leveraging locked equity, this discussion is packed with practical reminders and aha moments for investors at every stage. ๐ What you'll learn in this episode: Key takeaways from The Wealth Elevator and how to apply them Why passive income should be the top priority before legacy planning The power of combining books and podcasts for real-time learning Case studies and real-world applications from experienced investors How to leverage equity, syndications, and alternative assets for higher returns Whether you're just starting out, scaling your portfolio, or looking for fresh ideas to optimize your investing strategies, this conversation will give you insights you can put into action. ๐ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the show! If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Sep 19, 2025 โข 5min
Alan Franks - The Deal That Changed My Life
Alan Franks - The Deal That Changed My Life In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, we welcome back Alan Franks, Certified Financial Planner, author of Empower Money, and real estate investor based in Atlanta, Georgia. Alan shares the real estate deal that changed everything for himโa $235,000 starter home purchased in 2015 that became the springboard for building a portfolio of rental properties, Airbnbs, and duplexes. What started with a $10,000 loan from a life insurance policy turned into a wealth-building strategy that leveraged equity, rental income, and HELOCs to create long-term financial freedom. We dive into: How Alan used whole life insurance to fund his first real estate deal Turning one property into multiple rentals and Airbnbs The role of passive income (and why real estate isn't always truly passive) Using leverage and syndications to grow wealth How real estate fits into an overall financial plan Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, an aspiring real estate investor, or someone looking to expand your portfolio, Alan's story is a powerful example of how one deal can truly change your life. ๐ Learn more about Alan Franks: https://empowered-money.com ๐ Don't miss our first interview with Alan where we go deeper into financial planning and real estate strategies. ๐ If you found this episode valuable, please like, comment, and shareโit helps us bring more real stories from real investors! If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777


