Life by Design

Summary In this episode of the Life by Design Podcast, Jessilyn and Brian Persson discuss the tax advantages associated with real estate investing. They emphasize the importance of understanding how to leverage personal residences, the concept of return of capital, and the significance of maintaining good bookkeeping to maximize deductions. The conversation highlights the need for consulting tax p...

Summary In this special holiday edition of Life by Design, the hosts discuss the importance of showing appreciation to tenants, investors, and team members in the real estate industry. They emphasize the value of personalized gifts, effective communication, and the law of reciprocation in building strong relationships. The conversation also highlights the significance of self-care and celebrating...

Summary In this episode, the hosts challenge the conventional wisdom that paying off a mortgage is the best financial strategy. They share their personal experiences and financial strategies, illustrating how leveraging a mortgage can lead to greater investment opportunities and cash flow. The discussion covers the benefits of refinancing, the importance of understanding good versus bad debt, and...

Summary In this episode, Brian and Jessilyn share how real estate investing became the foundation that carried them through job loss, burnout, the pandemic, and multiple major life transitions. They break down how couples can build financial fortitude through emergency reserves, HELOC strategies, insurance, and “what-if” scenario planning. They also discuss designing an investment portfolio that c...

Summary In this conversation, Brian and Jessilyn explore the detrimental effects of hustle culture on health and financial well-being. They discuss the importance of recognizing burnout, the need for intentional rest, and how to design a sustainable wealth plan that aligns with personal values and mental health. The conversation emphasizes the significance of clarity, boundaries, and the ability t...

Summary In this episode, we explore the concept of generational wealth and the importance of intentional financial parenting. The discussion emphasizes the need to instill financial values, habits, and mindsets in children from an early age. Key topics include raising wealth-minded kids, understanding the difference between assets and liabilities, the balance between legacy and entitlement, and th...

Summary In this episode of the Light by Design Podcast, Jesslyn and Brian Pearson discuss their journey in real estate investing, sharing valuable lessons learned along the way. They emphasize the importance of going bigger sooner, finding mentors, and shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset. The couple also highlights the significance of understanding good debt and how it can be...

Summary In this episode of the Life by Design Podcast, hosts Jessalyn and Brian Pearson discuss the critical relationship between health and wealth. They emphasize that health is the foundation of wealth, exploring how stress and poor health can lead to financial leakage and missed opportunities. The conversation also highlights the importance of investing in longevity and making conscious choices...

Summary In this episode of the Life By Design Podcast, Jessilyn and Brian Persson discuss the importance of taking action in real estate investing, even when conditions aren't perfect. They share personal experiences and lessons learned from their journey, emphasizing the significance of mindset, the value of learning through action, and the courage required to leap into new opportunities. The con...

Summary In this episode of the Life By Design Podcast, hosts Jessilyn and Brian Persson explore the concept of obsession and its impact on personal and financial success. They discuss their different styles of obsession, their journey into real estate, and the importance of being fully committed to one's goals. The conversation highlights the significance of learning from mistakes, the role of obs...

Summary In this episode of the Life By Design podcast, Jessilyn and Brian Persson discuss the importance of embracing discomfort as a pathway to growth. They highlight both personal and financial development, emphasizing that true progress often happens outside of our comfort zones. The conversation touches on networking, financial decisions, and the role of fear in pointing us toward necessary ch...

Summary In this episode of the Life By Design Podcast, Jessilyn and Brian Persson discuss the concept of 'micro freedom moments' achieved through real estate investing. They explore how small wins in real estate can lead to significant financial and personal freedom, emphasizing the importance of time, emotional well-being, and lifestyle choices. The conversation highlights their personal experien...

Summary In this episode of Life by Design , Jessilyn and Brian Persson dive into the world of passive investing in real estate, with a special focus on the exempt market and private equity opportunities. They unpack why these lesser-known strategies are gaining traction, how they work, and the advantages they offer—like tax benefits, portfolio diversification, and professional management. You'll a...

Episode Title 43 -  Raising Entrepreneurial Kids: Mindset, Money & Life Lessons  Summary In this episode of the Life By Design Podcast, Jessilyn and Brian Persson discuss the importance of raising entrepreneurial kids and instilling financial literacy from a young age. They share personal experiences and practical strategies for teaching children about money management, the value of work, and the...

Episode Title 42 - Sylvia and Arran - Shiny Objects, Setbacks & Strategies Summary In this episode of the Life by Design podcast, hosts Jessilyn and Brian welcome Sylvia and Arran, who share their journey in real estate investing. They discuss their initial experiences with fix and flips, the challenges they faced, and their transition to multifamily investments. The conversation highlights the im...

Episode Title 41 - Crazy Real Estate Stories Summary In this episode of the Life by Design podcast, Jessilyn and Brian Persson share their personal stories and insights from their journey in real estate investing. They discuss the importance of networking, trusting your partner's instincts, navigating challenges in property management, and the unreasonableness often required in real estate. They a...

Episode Title 40 - Zorya & Patrick Belanger: Navigating the Transition to Full Time Real Estate Investors Episode Notes In this episode of the Life by Design podcast, hosts Jessilyn and Brian Persson interview Zorya and Patrick Belanger, a power couple who transitioned from engineering careers to successful real estate investors. They discuss their journey, the challenges they faced, and the minds...

Episode Title 39 - Real Estate Investing & Work-Life Balance   Episode Notes:   In this episode of the Life By Design podcast, hosts Jessilyn and Brian Persson discuss the intersection of real estate investing and work-life balance. They explore their personal experiences and practical strategies for achieving financial goals while maintaining a fulfilling personal life.    The conversation delves...

Episode Title 38 - Money Mindset Blocks & Flow Episode Notes In this episode of the Life by Design podcast, hosts Jessilyn and Brian welcome Angela Goodman, a real estate investor and mindset coach. Angela shares her journey in real estate, the importance of understanding money blocks, and how childhood experiences shape financial decisions. She discusses the lessons learned from a significant fin...

Episode Title 37 - Overestimating Your Time & Underestimating Your Value Episode Notes In this episode of the Life by Design Podcast, Jessalyn and Brian discuss the common pitfalls in real estate investing, particularly the underestimation of time and costs associated with renovations and property management. They emphasize the importance of valuing one's time, the mental costs of DIY projects, an...

Hosts Jessilyn and Brian Persson dive into the common traps that real estate investors find themselves in when they fail to plan for the unexpected. Many first-time investors focus solely on the purchase price, overlooking hidden costs that can arise down the line. Jessilyn and Brian share their personal experiences of early missteps—like purchasing properties without a clear Plan B, underestimati...

In this episode, Jessilyn and Brian Persson break down the often-overlooked expenses of property ownership that can make or break your investment success. From mortgage and closing costs to property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, they explain why budgeting beyond the purchase price is essential. They share real-life stories of costly surprises—like a $50,000 foundation repair—and highlight the...

Jessilyn and Brian Persson conclude this 3-part series with an overview of real estate investing in this episode, they offer valuable insights for couples looking to build wealth together. They emphasize the importance of aligning your financial goals, understanding your personal comfort levels, and developing the right mindset for success. The discussion covers four key takeaways: creative financ...

In part 2 of this 3-episode series, Jessilyn and Brian Persson discuss different real estate investment strategies. While many new investors feel excited about the different strategies, Jessilyn and Brian emphasize the importance of starting with one asset class, especially as new investors. They share their preference for suited properties over single-family homes and condos due to higher cash fl...

In this part 1 of 3 episode series, Jessilyn and Brian Persson dive into the essentials of real estate investing, starting with understanding your financial goals and comfort levels. They discuss the importance of defining your "why" behind investing and clarifying short-term versus long-term objectives. They highlight the importance of recognizing your risk tolerance and addressing the discomfort...