E58: Structuring Win-Win Deals with Creative Financing

In this episode, I walk you through how Jay and I find and structure creative financing deals—without relying on banks, credit checks, or big down payments. If you’ve ever felt stuck because of limited access to capital or credit, this episode shows you how to make real estate happen anyway.

From $10 purchases to lease options and land trusts, I unpack the exact ways we acquire properties using seller financing and subject-to strategies. I also break down how we talk to sellers, how we protect both parties, and how we exit these deals with profit and peace of mind.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – Why I kicked Jay off the mic today 😉

[0:42] – Our full real estate background in a nutshell

[2:15] – How we lost it all in 2005—and why we now help others avoid that

[3:20] – What creative financing actually means (subject-to, seller finance, etc.)

[3:39] – Where we find these deals: Zillow, Facebook, Craigslist & more

[5:07] – How we use bandit signs, call tracking, and smart marketing

[6:39] – What we say to sellers and how we structure the conversation

[9:05] – The $10 house we bought—and how we made it work

[10:12] – Explaining “payments for equity” in plain language

[11:26] – How we protect sellers and ourselves with land trusts

[13:27] – Due diligence: utilities, inspections, and title checks

[15:16] – Why maintaining seller relationships post-close is critical

[16:01] – What we do after acquisition: tenant vs. tenant-buyer

[17:29] – How we structure lease-option agreements for tenant buyers

[18:09] – How we price deals and work with future homeowners

[19:08] – Why vision drives our whole business model

[20:11] – Building a plan backwards from your goals

[21:14] – Creating your power team to support creative deals

[22:36] – What your market allows (and why that matters)

[24:22] – How to balance time vs. money in your strategy

[25:44] – Hiring your first helper (even just 10 hrs/week)

[26:07] – Why vision-focused planning has kept us consistent for 20 years

[26:52] – Free checklist offer & where to get it

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Creative financing gives you a way to buy without banks—if you understand the seller’s needs.

2. You can find great leads for free if you know where to look (and how to follow up).

3. Land trusts and lease options protect all parties while creating real profit potential.

4. A strong seller relationship and clear communication are your best closing tools.

5. Your business should be built around your vision—not just chasing the next deal.

If this episode sparked new ideas for how to grow your portfolio creatively, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. And as always—rate, review, and follow The Real Estate Ride so we can keep bringing you real stories, real tools, and real estate done your way.