Real Life Real Estate

Real estate deals are falling apart at a higher rate than many investors have ever seen. Buyers are backing out. Terms are changing at the last minute. Deals that should close… don’t. In this episode, I break down a real deal that started unraveling and use it to explain why so many real estate transactions are falling apart right now — and more importantly, how experienced investors respond when...

In this episode I break down what really happened after our $200,000 renovation on our “White House” project: pot-smoking guests in a no-smoking STR, damaged walls, a government shutdown, lost bookings, and real revenue numbers from September–December. I walk through the actual VRBO/Airbnb income , the $4,500/month mortgage, cleaning costs, what the numbers looked like when a contractor crew wante...

Welcome back to Real Life Real Estate ! It’s been a minute, but this episode is worth the wait. In Episode 16, I take you inside our newest short-term rental project we’re calling “The White House” —a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 2,700 sq. ft. single-story home sitting on over an acre and a half in Northeast Florida. What started as a plan to buy a new primary residence turned into a massive pivot that...

In this rollercoaster episode of Real Life Real Estate , host Sam Lopez breaks down the twists and turns of a recent real estate deal that started as a simple primary residence purchase—but took a sharp pivot toward a lucrative short-term rental investment. Sam shares how a financing hiccup led to a hard money solution, a powerful tax strategy, and a deep dive into the BRRRR method. You’ll hear ab...

In today's episode, I share with you 10 places where you can go to get money. These are specific companies, most of which I am using or have used or have been approved through to secure approximately $375,000 to scale my real estate portfolio. I have no affiliation with nor receive any compensation from any of these companies. I'm just a brother trying to help his brothers and sisters reach their...

In todays episode we share how we are using a low money down option (5% conventional) loan, to get into a great BRRRR potential property with tremendous add value potential and how we'll utilize OPM to not only make it happen but also to launch us into our next investments! YOU CAN DO THIS TOO! I'll show you how!

This is IT! We've finally arrived to the last stretch of track before reaching Financial Independence . In this episode, I let you know what's had me SO preoccupied over the past few months, that's kept me from being able to post an update. We cover how the BRRRR finished up on the Ocean Park quadplex that we picked up Q1 of 2024. We go over how we were forced to pivot from doing a cas...

This episode is jam packed! Time being of the essence, episodes are usually much shorter, but in this episode, we have hit a gold mine. 2X'ing our recently acquired 4 unit apartment building, in both value and rental income, located in SE GA, we share the exact renovations we made to the property to reach these shocking returns. We discuss the local industry that led to the business model of o...

Welcome to this value packed episode, where S.E. GA Appraiser, Matthew Meeks of Meeks' Appraisals LLC, provides clear guidance to investors that want to reach the highest valuations during the refinance step, in their BRRRR strategy! Matt shares real life examples of how investors in small towns with little to no comps overcome that obstacle and still reach the highest valuations possible, and how...

In this episode, I update you on how the Gum St Duplex acquisition has been developing, after nearly a 60 day escrow, the status of the 10 Acre Hilliard fix and flip sale, and I introduce you to my new partnership opportunity that may become the accelerant that I've been desiring to reach my 9-5 exit goal, much faster!

Would you like be able to purchase a 1-4 unit primary residence property for 0-5% down, and repeat the process as often as you want? A little less than a year ago, the government released new regulations that allow for homeowners/would be investors to acquire 1-4 unit properties with a lot less down. Here's a strategy that I plan to help my parents implement to help them generate some extra cash f...

Do you feel like you may be stretching yourself a bit much in your efforts to scale, or even to get started? Listen as I describe the discomfort that we've had to learn to not only overcome, but also to become comfortable with, in our efforts to scale quickly to reach our goal of leaving my 9-5, in as quickly as 24 months.

Ever hear of someone relentlessly submitting offers, until they finally get the property. Well, that's basically what I'm doing. I've found a great opportunity in a great location and now I'm able to try this strategy. Listen in to hear what makes this the sort of opportunity where you can make these relentless offers, without wearing out the sellers, and see how it's turned ou...

Ever have a bad experience working with a real estate sales agent? As an investor, I've learned to avoid working with sales agents that don't know anything about investing. On occasion I'll teach one the ropes, if they are willing to learn. Unfortunately, in this scenario, I was doing a family friend a favor, by allowing her to split commission with another agent, but the other agent w...

Wondering how to get started in real estate investing. I'll share with you how I did it. "It was the year of COVID 19..."

In this episode I share a FANTASTIC finance program to help you buy the property and immediately get your funds back to finish your BRRRR. And, I update you on our current Spring Lake sale and possible 1031 exchange. I share some strategies on how to divide the proceeds to meet all of the purchase requirements and how to keep some tax free as well. Dave Foster is my 1031 exchange intermediary, wit...

It can be challenging when you acquire a new property with existing tenants. You may have intentions to raise rents, but can they afford it? What about renovation plans, are you prepared to let them out of their leases, if they’ll go, and forgo rent? Well, I had just acquired two properties at once, for my first time, and it stretched me pretty thin. But it was the necessary next phase of my evolu...

Are you and your partner or spouse exact opposites? One has vision and the other can't see past today? Well that’s us. Kate the CPA and tax auditor couldn't imagine carrying more debt than was absolutely necessary, or taking on "such risks". While Sam (me) was ready to leap into as much debt as needed to eventually become financially independent of my 9 to 5. Listen in to see how we finally overca...