Key to the City of Angels

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Mor Milo , co-founder of Rally, to explore how real estate investing is evolving. Mor explains how Rally is opening access to institutional-quality real estate deals for everyday investors, the shifting dynamics of capital raising, and why markets like Los Angeles are uniquely challenging. The conversation dives...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Brad Greiner , founder of Open Air Homes , for a deep dive into the short-term and mid-term rental market in Los Angeles and beyond. Brad shares how he got started with Airbnb, how regulations and price-gouging laws affect rentals, and why guest experience, systems, and quality properties separate winners from losers...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to City of Angels , host Rick Albert welcomes Andrea Freeman of Authentic Home for an in-depth conversation about what really goes on behind the scenes of interior design. With over 24 years of experience, Andrea explains why design is far more than picking finishes from Pinterest, breaking down the logistics, decision-making, sourcing, and project management that hom...

🚀 In this episode, host Rick Albert sits down with Jim Sprouse , founder of Ember Pro, to break down wildfire risk mitigation, California fire compliance laws, defensible space requirements, and the growing insurance crisis. Jim explains AB 3074, Zone Zero, home hardening strategies, and how proactive mitigation can protect homes, lower insurance risk, and save millions in replacement and displac...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Harrison Stevens , VP of Marketing at TurboTenant, to talk about the future of small-to-mid-size landlords. From AI screening, maintenance automation, and digital communication to the growing trend of self-management, Harrison breaks down the tech that’s changing the rental industry. He also shares behind-the-sce...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert welcomes Ian Mayer , founder of IM Home Inspections, for a deep dive into the evolving world of home inspections. From early experiences in wholesale mortgage to 11+ years of inspecting thousands of homes, Ian shares the biggest trends, common misconceptions, new standards, and the growing influence of insurance companies on re...

🚀 In this special solo episode, host Rick Albert breaks down the Los Angeles City Council’s newly passed rent increase regulations. Rick explains what the 4% cap means, how utility charges are changing, and what ripple effects tenants, landlords, and investors can expect across LA’s housing ecosystem. From rising maintenance costs to long-term affordability challenges, Rick provides a clear, bala...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with James Davis , founder of Awarded RFP , to uncover the hidden world of government property management contracts . With over 17 years of experience managing large housing portfolios, James breaks down how government RFPs (Requests for Proposals) work, what cities like L.A. and San Francisco look for, and how proper...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Sally Gimon , tax educator, strategist, and real estate investor, to uncover the legal tax-saving strategies used by the wealthy — and how anyone can apply them. Sally shares her powerful journey from struggling employee to successful investor and trust expert after a life-changing event pushed her to take contro...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Chay Lapin , Olympic water polo athlete turned real estate investor and entrepreneur. Chay shares his fascinating path from sports to founding K Properties and Walk Your Plans LA — a company revolutionizing how developers visualize and refine architectural projects. He dives deep into the power of debt-free inves...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Brett Chotkevys , Co-owner of Platinum Resort Assisted Living and Assisted Living Mansion , to explore how luxury real estate and compassionate care are merging into one transformative business model. Brett shares his journey from flipping houses to building high-end assisted living “mansions” — designed not just...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Devon Aguirre , Market Manager at PadSplit , to discuss the future of co-living and rent-by-the-room investing. Devon explains how PadSplit helps investors maximize cash flow, reduce vacancy, and create affordable housing solutions in competitive markets like Los Angeles. They dive into zoning, tenant management,...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Biju Ashokan , founder and CEO of Radius , to discuss how technology and AI are reshaping the real estate brokerage model. From the recent Compass–Anywhere Real Estate acquisition to inefficiencies in traditional brokerages, Biju explains why the industry is at a breaking point—and how AI-powered tools can drive...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert welcomes Dave Seymour , CEO of Freedom Venture Investments. From his early struggles with debt as a firefighter to becoming the star of A&E’s Flipping Boston and now leading multimillion-dollar private equity projects, Dave shares his powerful story of resilience, faith, and entrepreneurship. Learn how he built a business a...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Josh Lawler , partner at Zuber Lawler law firm, to explore how blockchain, AI, and emerging technologies are reshaping industries—including real estate. From tokenizing property ownership to redefining contracts and transparency, Josh explains the legal, practical, and ethical implications of this fast-moving tec...

In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Seth Phillips—also known as “Mr. ADU” —to dive deep into the world of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). From flipping houses to pioneering ADU development in Los Angeles, Seth shares how this strategy can create value, generate cash flow, and solve housing challenges. They also unpack the latest California housing la...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with trial attorney Hillary Johns to uncover the legal complexities of real estate in Los Angeles. From disclosure issues and HOA conflicts to insurance loopholes and landlord liabilities, Hillary shares her expertise on how to protect yourself as an investor, buyer, or landlord in today’s evolving market. 🎧 Hosted b...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert sits down with Robert Feldman, CEO and Co-Founder of Wows Insurance. They dive deep into the current insurance crisis in California, the rising costs of rebuilding, and how fire hardening can protect homeowners and investors. Robert shares insider knowledge from 27+ years in the insurance industry, offering practical steps home...

🚀In this episode of 'The Key to the City of Angels,' Rick Albert interviews Brett Swarts from Capital Gains Tax Solutions. They discuss innovative strategies for navigating Los Angeles' real estate market, including tax deferral and truly passive income. Brett shares his journey from multifamily brokerage to focusing on tax deferral strategies, stressing the importance of cash flow, tax flow, and...

🚀 Rick Albert hosts Mark Gomez from Gomez Law on 'The Key to the City of Angels' to discuss various legal aspects of real estate in Los Angeles. Mark shares insights into his journey as a lawyer starting from the 2008 mortgage meltdown, tackling foreclosure lawsuits, and dealing with real estate fraud. They also cover current legal issues like partnership disputes, the impact of wildfires...

🚀 In this insightful episode of The Key to the City of Angels , Rick Albert welcomes Aaron Letzeiser , co-founder of Obie Insurance, to explore the escalating challenges of property insurance in California. From widespread carrier cancellations to navigating deductibles, regulatory hurdles, and the importance of umbrella policies, Aaron shares real-world strategies that every homeowner and real e...

🚀 In this eye-opening episode, Rick Albert is joined by KC Chohan, founder of Together CFO. They discuss Chohan’s journey into accounting and finance, wealth-building strategies, and the importance of tax planning, especially for high-net-worth individuals. Chohan highlights the transition from basic tax loopholes to more complex strategies like creating private foundations for asset protection a...

🚀 In this engaging episode, Rick Albert sits down with Justin Baker  of Baker Wealth Strategies to talk about the process of business succession. It outlines strategies for effectively passing on leadership roles and ownership within a company. Emphasis is placed on preparing for a seamless transition to ensure the continued success of the business. 🎧 Hosted by: Rick Albert 👤 Guest: 🏡 Justin B...

🚀 In this essential episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert welcomes nationally recognized asset protection attorney Brian Bradley of BTB Legal. Brian unpacks the real risks facing investors and entrepreneurs today and shares how to build a layered legal defense against lawsuits, audits, and predatory claims. From piercing the corporate veil to the truth about LLCs, trusts, an...

🚀 In this episode of The Key to the City of Angels , host Rick Albert is joined by reverse mortgage specialist Tiffany Nyiri of Active Lending Group. They dive deep into how reverse mortgages work, common myths, strategic uses (not just need-based!), and how they can empower seniors to live with more freedom, stability, and even help their children buy homes. 🎧 Hosted by : Rick Albert 👤 Guest :...