Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life

What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next investment property isn't your savings account? In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with mortgage expert Reanna Walls for a practical conversation about creative financing using conventional lending products. From HELOCs and cash-out refinances to house hacking and non-QM loans, R...

Most investors are waiting for the market to get easier. Wendell Butler is doing the opposite. In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Wendell, founder of Hammerhead Capital, to discuss what it takes to build a real estate business in today's market—from raising private capital and making hundreds of offers to building systems that scale....

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life , Christina sits down with investor, broker, and creative deal-maker Kirk Hanson for a conversation about the side of real estate most people never see. From getting fired twice for "making too much money" to building a career around solving complicated real estate problems, Kirk shares how he found his niche in creative...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Kyle Moody from American IRA for a practical and eye-opening conversation about self-directed IRAs — and how investors can use retirement funds to invest in real estate, private lending, and alternative assets. Most people think retirement accounts only belong in the stock market. But Kyle explains how se...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Josh Nolan — entrepreneur, HVAC business owner, and real estate investor — for a deep dive into one of the most talked-about (and misunderstood) investing strategies right now: Airbnb arbitrage. If you’ve ever wondered: “Can you really make money on Airbnb without owning the property?” — this episode is f...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Life , Christina sits down with Airbnb expert Ashley Class for a real, behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to build (and keep) a profitable short-term rental portfolio. Ashley didn’t start with a perfect plan. She started with a flip that wouldn’t sell… and turned it into something that scaled faster than she ever expected. In...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Kayleigh Shively, founding attorney of Churchill Shively PLC, for a conversation every real estate investor needs to hear — whether you’re on your first deal or your fifteenth. Because here’s the reality: Most investors aren’t failing because of bad deals… They’re exposed because of what they didn’t set u...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life , Christina sits down with Sean Williams — founder of Cadence Wealth Partners, former Marine, and tax strategist who helps real estate investors keep more of what they earn. Because the truth is: Most investors are great at finding deals… but not at keeping their money. In this conversation, Sean breaks down the tax strategies and...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life , Christina sits down with Leanne, Education Director at Branch Wealth Partners, for a conversation about something many aspiring investors experience but rarely talk about: Why do so many people learn about real estate… but never actually take action? Leanne has spent years coaching students through their first deals, helping the...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life , Christina sits down with Ken Styron — insurance professional, Branch Wealth mentee, and aspiring investor — to talk about how artificial intelligence is changing the way investors analyze real estate deals. Ken is actively preparing for his first investment and using AI to evaluate opportunities, remove emotion from his decision...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Jessica — a member of the Branch Wealth Partners team who shares what it really looked like to move from learning about real estate to actually becoming an investor. After college and a year overseas as a missionary, Jessica never thought real estate investing was “for her.” Even while working inside the...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Life , Christina sits down with Matt — a NASCAR pit crew fueler, husband, dad of four, and one of Branch’s earliest mentees — to talk about what it really looks like to build real estate alongside a demanding career. Matt’s story isn’t about flashy deals or overnight success.  It’s about discipline, faith, teamwork, and taking action before...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Carolena and Brad Barringer — a husband-and-wife investing team who’ve built a real estate business together through long-term rentals, short-term rentals, flips, land, and new construction. Their journey didn’t start with confidence or a perfect plan. It started with budgeting, faith, and a willingness t...

Ever stayed in an Airbnb and thought: “How much does this place actually earn… and could I do this?” In this episode, Christina sits down with Dawon Millwood (Concord local + STR owner/operator) for an honest conversation on short-term rentals: what the numbers look like, what the work really is, and how to know if STRs fit your 2026 investing goals. You’ll hear about: ✅ How Dawon went from W-2 t...

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Jamie Richardson — Director of Marketing, Events, and Communications at Cooperative Christian Ministry and candidate for Kannapolis City Council — to talk about growth, community, and what it takes to shape a thriving city. From her years serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission, Chamber of Commerce, and c...

What really happens behind the scenes of a real estate closing? In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Michelle Wine, a real estate attorney with nearly a decade of experience untangling some of the toughest deals in North Carolina. From messy title issues and complicated estate sales to wholesaling and investor contracts, Michelle has seen it all — a...

On this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Tamara Bunte — a seasoned investor and sales coach — to uncover the surprising link between sales skills and real estate success. Tamara’s journey started like many others: attending a local investor meeting, learning the ropes, and buying her first properties. But along the way, she discovered that the real edge...

From French teacher to full-time real estate investor. In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Heather Littrell — a real estate agent, investor, and entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience across nearly every asset class. Heather shares: ✅ How she went from teaching French to building a rental portfolio in Concord, NC ✅ The lessons she lear...

Insurance is one of the least talked about — but most important — parts of real estate investing. In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Greg and Christina sit down with Jessica Tucker, their go-to insurance agent, to break down what investors need to know. Jessica explains the difference between landlord, homeowners, and umbrella policies, shares real stories of clai...

🏗️ From Apartments to Developments: How Greg Built from the Ground Up In this episode, Greg and Christina dive into one of their favorite topics: developing real estate. You’ll hear how Greg went from buying apartments to turning raw land into neighborhoods — and why development can sometimes be more predictable than a flip. What you’ll learn in this episode: -Why development isn’t as intimidating...

Welcome back to Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life — and in this episode, we’re flipping out. Literally. Greg sits down with Leanne, Director of Education at Branch Wealth, to talk about her flipping journey, how she got started with zero experience and a baby on her hip, and the lessons she’s learned after transforming dozens of properties. You’ll hear: 🔨 How Leanne got started fli...

This week we have a very special guest: Paula Yost. Paula is a local real estate attorney who specializes in estate planning. Her company is called  "The Country Law Shack"  Key Takeaways:  1. Can minors own real estate and what to do when they inherit some... 2. What to do when multiple people own a property  3. Is probate really that scary? This podcast is more than strategies and spre...

This week we are delighted to be joined by Matt, a 1031 exchange expert. In this video we will discuss what exactly a 1031 exchange is and how to use it to your advantage when investing in real estate! Key takeaways:  You CAN exchange land for a home as long as they're both business or residential properties  Have a good team: CPAs, Lawyers, Mentors. They can make your life so much easier and...

In this episode Carol, a local real estate investor who specializes in Duplexes and other Multi-family homes shares her story and insights into finding high quality tenants who are willing to pay Top Dollar.  Key Tips:  Don't be a stranger: Meet as many people as you can  Use your network and regular life to advertise and reach new tenants  Find ways to distinguish yourself from others in you...

From house hacking before the internet knew what to call it, to family traditions rooted in public service and giving back, this episode shares the heart and history behind Branch Wealth Partners. Here’s what you’ll hear: 🌿 Greg’s first house hack and how it set the stage for everything   🌿 The multi-generational meaning behind the name Branch 🌿 Christina’s reflections on the power of real esta...