Path To Passive: Real Estate Investing For Technology Professionals

Send us Fan Mail Can you really build wealth through rental properties without ever setting foot in them? Melissa Nash says yes, and she’s done it. In this episode, Melissa shares how she built a 7-figure rental portfolio entirely out-of-state, all while living in California and raising four kids. She breaks down what passive investing actually looks like when you still want ownership and control....

Send us Fan Mail Are hidden fees eating away at your investment returns? In this episode, Steven Arita sits down with Robert Rolih, author of The Million Dollar Decision, to talk about what really hurts long-term investors, and it’s not just the market. Robert shares how even a small 1% fee can quietly cost you hundreds of thousands (or more), why short-term trading usually backfires, and how you...

Send us Fan Mail What if everything you’ve been told about retirement is wrong? In this episode, Steven sits down with Chris Miles, also known as the “anti-financial advisor,” as he shares how most traditional financial advice keeps people stuck, even those doing all the “right” things. He opens up about watching his own dad follow the system only to retire on a tight budget, and why he walked awa...

Send us Fan Mail What if the best time to think about your goals is not when you are rushing into a new year, but when things finally slow down? In this holiday episode, Steven talks about setting goals from gratitude instead of pressure. When work eases up and life feels a little quieter, it is easier to step back and think about what actually matters to you. We walk through a simple goal-setting...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could learn how the Hilton family invests, and apply some of those same strategies to your own money, even if you're not a millionaire? In this episode, Steven Arita chats with Mark Miller, co-founder of Hilton Tax and Wealth Advisors. Mark has spent decades working with the Hilton family office, and now he’s on a mission to bring those smart money principles to e...

Send us Fan Mail How does someone go from being an overworked civil engineer to building a $2 billion real estate portfolio? In this episode, Steven sits down with Lane Kawaoka as he shares his surprisingly relatable story. Lane breaks down how one simple rental in Seattle led to a whole new way of thinking about money, freedom, and how tech and engineering pros can get ahead faster by doing thing...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to walk away from a 14-year-old business and fully commit to passive real estate investing? In this episode, Steven chats with Ian Noble, founder of RunSteady Investments, as he shares how he scaled a 14-location service business in Austin, led 90+ employees, and ultimately exited in 2023. Now fully focused on helping others invest passively in real estate funds,...

Send us Fan Mail What if gratitude wasn’t just a “feel-good” exercise, but the key to seeing your life clearly? In this personal and real episode, Steven opens up about the kind of gratitude that actually means something, not the checklist kind, but the type that comes from lived experiences, growth, pain, and the people who showed up along the way. He shares what he's most thankful for this...

Send us Fan Mail Think your W-2 income is safe once you invest in real estate? Think again. In this episode, Rich Dad Advisors Garrett and Ted Sutton join Steven to break down exactly how tech professionals can protect their assets before problems happen. From the right way to use LLCs, to why insurance alone isn’t enough, this father-son legal team shares clear, practical strategies every investo...

Send us Fan Mail What would you do if your high-paying tech job suddenly disappeared? In this episode, Steven chats with Mike Deaton, who shares how getting laid off, alongside his wife, became the moment that changed everything. With no real estate background and a $1,000 land course collecting dust, they took a chance on land investing. Today, that business gives them steady income, control of t...

Send us Fan Mail Ever seen one of those picture-perfect hotel ads and thought, “Wow, I wish I was there”? That’s kind of what a real estate pitch deck is like; it looks amazing and full of promise. But what’s really inside? In this episode, Steven breaks down what you’ll actually find in a multifamily real estate pitch deck. He goes over what’s real, what’s just marketing, and what to look out for...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could legally keep up to 40% of your profits when you sell real estate, and most people don’t even know it’s possible? In this episode, Steven chats with Jon Hilley, aka “Mr. 1031,” to talk about one of the biggest tax-saving moves in real estate: the 1031 exchange. Jon explains what it is, how it works, and why more investors should be using it. He also shares his own...

Send us Fan Mail Ever open a thick investment packet and think, “Yeah… not reading all that”? You’re not the only one. In this episode, Steven breaks down the Private Placement Memorandum, or PPM, that long, legal-looking document most new investors ignore (but really shouldn’t). If you’re in tech and starting to look at private real estate deals, funds, or syndications, this episode will show you...

Send us Fan Mail What if the landlord you’re renting from sparks your path to financial freedom? That’s exactly what happened to Christopher Lento, a mechanical engineer turned real estate investor who now manages over 1,000 units. In this episode, Chris walks us through his 10+ year journey, starting from house hacking in Boston to building EM Capital and raising investor money. He shares honest...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wish you could invest in real estate without dealing with tenants, repairs, or late-night calls? In this episode, Rick and Crystal Rumer share how they went from overwhelmed landlords to building a business that brings in steady, passive income, all by “being the bank.” They break down how they buy land and homes, set up notes, and help other investors earn 10–12% returns wit...

Send us Fan Mail How do some real estate investors manage to pay little or even no taxes while staying completely legal? In this episode, Steven Arita talks with Jason Melillo, CPA and co-founder of KBKG, about the tax strategies smart investors use to keep more money in their pockets. With 25+ years of experience and billions saved for clients, Jason explains cost segregation, bonus depreciation,...

Send us Fan Mail What if you found out there’s money sitting on the table? Money that could save your real estate project or put more cash in your pocket? In this episode, Steven talks with Charles de Jager, CEO of Energy Credit Consulting, about how energy incentives can help both developers and investors save big. Whether you're starting a new build or renovating an existing property, Charl...

Send us Fan Mail Is chasing high returns worth the stress, or is steady, reliable income the real goal? In this episode of Path to Passive, host Steven Arita sits down with Ruben Izgelov, co-founder of WeLend, to talk about why more investors, especially tech professionals, are turning to private lending for consistent monthly cash flow. Ruben shares how he went from high school dropout to success...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could sell your property, skip the big tax hit, and stop dealing with all the hassles of being a landlord? In this episode, Steven chats with Ben Carmona, a financial advisor who’s been helping people do just that for over 20 years. Ben breaks down how strategies like 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) work, and how they can help you keep more of your...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could earn steady rental income without ever having to fix a leaky faucet or chase down a tenant? In this episode, Steven chats with Lindsay Davis, CEO of Spartan Invest, as she explains how her team helps busy professionals build real estate income through fully managed, turnkey single-family homes. No landlord duties. No guesswork. Just a clear process that handles e...

Send us Fan Mail Most real estate investors don’t realize they could be saving thousands on their taxes. In this episode, Steven chats with Brian Kiczula, founder of Cost Seg Rx, as he shares how cost segregation can help you do just that. He explains what it is, how it works, and why it matters whether you own a single-family rental, an RV park, or anything in between. You’ll also hear what to wa...

Send us Fan Mail Ever think about what it’s really like to make 100 podcast episodes? In this special episode, Steven looks back on the journey, from being nervous and over-prepared to finding his rhythm and sharing more of his own story. He talks about what worked, what didn’t, and how letting go of perfection made all the difference. You’ll hear about the feedback that meant the most, the listen...

Send us Fan Mail What would you do if your company went under, not once, but twice? That’s exactly what happened to John Casmon, and it became the turning point that led him into real estate. In this episode, Steven sits down with John Casmon as he shares how he went from house hacking a duplex to leading over $150 million in multifamily apartment deals. He talks honestly about the fear, the doubt...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how investments actually make money? In this episode of the Smart Tech Investor mini series, Steven keeps it simple and walks you through real examples—from apartments and self-storage to retail spaces, warehouses, land development, and more. If you’re in tech or just starting to explore investing, this one’s for you. Steven explains where the money comes from, who’s p...

Send us Fan Mail Is luxury real estate really just about the price? In this episode, Steven Arita sits down with Debbi DiMaggio, real estate veteran, coach, and author, to unpack what truly defines luxury in today’s market. With over 35 years of experience in the Bay Area, Debbi shares how service, presentation, and emotional connection matter far more than price tags. She talks about working with...