Agent2Investor Podcast

The deal didn't fail — the tenant did. In this episode, Nico and I get into everything you need to know to place quality tenants and protect yourself as a landlord. We cover how to get your property legally rent-ready, how we build our screening criteria, what every lease needs, and the green and red flags we watch for. Plus, I share my fourplex from hell and the lessons that changed how I run...

0:00 – Intro 0:40 – ₹Using ChatGPT to win city council approval 2:32 – Why agents can't afford to ignore AI 4:08 – Reviewing HOA/condo resale packages with AI 7:38 – ChatGPT vs. Claude: When to use each 13:58 – Using AI to find insurance blind spots 18:21 – Real story: Recovering $9,300 on an insurance claim with Claude 22:35 – Training AI to write in your voice 24:30 – CRM campaigns, buyer/se...

Most agents freeze when a buyer asks, "So how does this actually help me with my taxes?" and that one moment can cost you the client. In this episode, Ana and Nico break down the tax side of real estate in plain English: depreciation, write-offs, paper losses, cost segregation, 1031 exchanges, and REPS so you can have confident tax conversations with investors and high-income W-2 buyers without pr...

You don't need to own rentals to attract investor clients you need to speak their language, run the numbers, and bring value. In this episode, Ana and Nico break down the exact playbook for positioning yourself as an investor-friendly agent before you ever buy your first property: the terminology to master, the rooms to be in, the green and red flags investors look for, and the one move you ca...

You bought your first rental — congrats! But how do you actually go from one property to many? In this episode, Nico and Ana break down the real strategies they've each used to scale their portfolios, with real numbers, real deals, and honest talk about what worked (and what they'd do differently). Chapters: 00:00 — Intro: You bought your first rental, now what? 01:00 — Ana's first dea...

Most investors fight over the same listed properties but the best deals never hit the market. In this episode, we break down the exact off-market strategies we've used to uncover hidden opportunities, build direct seller relationships, and close deals before the competition even knows they exist. From driving for dollars to leveraging networks and direct outreach, these are the tactics that ha...

Most agents freeze when an investor asks, "is this a good deal?" This episode walks you through how to actually answer that question, on a fix and flip and on a buy-and-hold rental, with real properties and two free tools.

Selling a rental property? You could owe thousands in capital gains taxes, or you could legally defer them to $0. In this episode, real estate attorney and qualified intermediary Sarah breaks down the 1031 exchange, the tax code strategy that lets investors sell, reinvest, and keep every dollar working for them. What you'll learn: - What a 1031 exchange actually is (in plain English) - The #1 mist...

Joe Dodson, a Cleveland-based occupational therapist and investor who began learning real estate through personal finance education, BiggerPockets, and mentorship from Chad Carson. Joe shares how an early conversation with a retired engineer sparked his interest, how he bought his first Cleveland triplex on-market through an investor-agent mentor, and what he values in investor-friendly agents, fa...

Moving from a high-pressure corporate recruiting job into real estate in 2004, starting with early flips during the 2005–2007 boom, and largely pausing during the 2008–2009 crash while living off a home equity line until commissions and deals returned. Jonathan explains why many agents don’t invest (risk tolerance and mental barriers), the value of RIAs and networking to find deals and private mon...

Alex Cortez was about to get fined $1,000 a day. His rental arbitrage business was thriving—until New York changed the rules. Instead of shutting down, he pivoted to a strategy most investors overlook: lease options. Now his tenants pay non-refundable deposits, handle their own repairs, and treat his properties like their own. Here's exactly how he structures the deals. 00:00 Intro 01:17 House...

In this episode of the Agent to Investor podcast, hosts Nico Garcia and Ana Bialek welcome Omni Casey, founder of the Cashflow Breakfast Club. They discuss Omni's ambitious goal of buying 100 properties in a year, the importance of setting big goals, and the strategies he employs to buy properties in bulk. The conversation also delves into the dynamics of tenant relationships, risk management in r...

In this episode of the Agent to Investor podcast, hosts Nico Garcia and Ana Bialek welcome back Kelli Jagmin to discuss her recent experiences with seller financing and the importance of understanding the seller's perspective. Kelli shares insights on navigating creative financing strategies, building relationships with agents, and the evolution of her investing approach from DIY renovations t...

In this episode of the Agent to Investor podcast, hosts Nico Garcia and Ana Bialek welcome appraiser Mike Giampa to discuss the intricacies of appraisals in real estate. They cover the basics of what an appraisal is, the importance of comparable sales (comps), and the guidelines appraisers must follow. Mike shares insights on how to navigate appraisal challenges, factors that influence property va...

Terrance built 6 rental properties across 4 states while working full-time in finance and raising two kids. No fancy strategies. No quitting his job. Just 20% down, long-term rentals, and the right relationships. Here's exactly how he did it. 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Getting Into Real Estate 05:54 Lessons Learned 06:40 Financing First Deals 17:03 Self-Managing vs. Property Managers 20:59 Vetti...

Rob Chevez went from making six figures in recruiting to watching the 2008 market crash unfold and he was ready for it. In this episode, Rob breaks down how he survived (and thrived) through multiple market cycles, why he deliberately downgraded his lifestyle to keep buying, and the brutal truth about what happens to people who don't pivot fast enough. He also reveals the playbook behind Grid...

Everyone's asking the same question, should I buy now or wait? In this episode, Nico and Anna share what they saw in 2025 (hint: a frozen market), why the latest housing policy headlines won't move the needle, and their honest take on whether 2026 is the right time to make a move. Whether you're a first-time buyer or an investor hunting for deals, this one's for you. 00:00 Introduc...

In this episode of the Agent to Investor podcast, Kyle Doriety shares his inspiring journey from a traditional W-2 job to becoming a successful real estate investor. He discusses the challenges he faced in his early days, including his first property deal, and how he scaled his investments through networking, mentorship, and proactive lead generation. Kyle emphasizes the importance of long-term re...

This conversation delves into the intricacies of property financing, focusing on the roles of mortgage notes and seller financing. Sierra explains how financing works when purchasing property, the creation of promissory notes, and how these notes function as IOUs secured by the property. The discussion also highlights the benefits of receiving monthly payments through seller financing instead of d...

You're closing deals, cashing commission checks, and growing your business—but are you actually building wealth? Erion Shehaj came to the US from communist Albania at 17 with zero understanding of real estate. Today, he owns 15 rental units across Texas and runs a brokerage and property management company built for investors In this episode, Erion breaks down why 100% of agents claim they inve...

Real talk on credibility, property management, tenant screening, and what each of us is betting on in 2026. Aaron shares how he and his wife raised $2.9m for a ground-up luxury assisted living project in Houston and what it took to earn trust fast. Anna breaks down the messy reality of out-of-state rentals, including a routine property visit that turned into a swat situation and why she now manage...

In this episode, we talk about what it really feels like to lose everything, rebuild confidence, and take action anyway. Our guest shares how trusting the numbers helped him move past fear, why his first deal back was a 12-unit, and why your deals don’t need to be perfect, they just need to not wreck you. If you’ve been stuck in your head, worried about making the wrong move, or waiting for the “r...

In this episode of the Agent to Investor podcast, hosts Nico Garcia and Ana Bialek welcome back Ben Vidovich to discuss his journey in real estate investing. Ben shares insights on his evolution as an investor, focusing on out-of-state strategies, building a reliable team, and navigating lending products. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, accountability, and teaching financi...

Kyle Wegg went from South Side Chicago and cannabis farms in Northern California to Bitcoin-funded BRRRRs, out-of-state partnerships, and industrial outdoor storage deals. In this episode, he shares the wins, the losses (including a failed Thailand project), and the lessons that shaped how he invests today. 00:00 Intro  01:22 Kyle’s Early Life & Hustle 06:35 Personal Development & Mindset...

n this episode, Chris Thompson shares his 19-year journey from new agent to owning 28 rental properties. We talk through his first deals, how he survived the 2008 market, what makes a true investor-friendly agent, and the creative finance strategies he uses today. If you’re an agent looking to build long-term wealth, this one hits home. 00:00 Intro 04:44 Lessons Learned from His Dad 10:38 First De...