What happens when small-town work ethic meets big-city finance? In this insightful episode, Neil Timmins chats with Derek Vander Veen—a commercial finance professional by day and a passionate real estate investor by night. From milking cows on an Iowa dairy farm to structuring deals and scaling a rental portfolio, Derek shares how curiosity, discipline, and long-term strategy helped him turn a side hustle into a serious investment journey. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to scale smart, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom.

5 Fresh Takeaways:

• Derek’s “one or two properties per year” strategy proves that real estate wealth can be built methodically and sustainably.

• Managing his own properties helped Derek sharpen his investor instincts and control cash flow—especially in the early years.

• Using low-down-payment financing options like FHA helped Derek jumpstart his portfolio without waiting years to save.

• Derek uses tools like Zillow, Rentometer, and investor feedback to dial in accurate, competitive rents in his markets.

• Derek’s evening commitment to reading, researching, and networking shows that a full-time job doesn’t have to slow down your investment dreams.

About Derek Vander Veen:

Derek Vander Veen is a commercial real estate finance professional and part-time single-family investor with properties in Kansas City and Des Moines. Originally from northwest Iowa, Derek’s roots in agriculture taught him grit and hard work, which now fuel his passion for building a rental portfolio alongside a thriving finance career. With a strategy rooted in consistency, Derek has built his portfolio one deal at a time—with long-term vision and a strong foundation in personal growth and financial literacy.

Contact Info:

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-vander-veen-28901b29/

What do football coaching and real estate have in common? For Jared Hottle, everything. In this inspiring episode, Neil Timmins sits down with Jared—a former college football coach turned real estate agent and investor—to uncover how discipline, strategy, and resilience on the field translated into success in the property game. From buying his first duplex during the 2020 uncertainty to scaling a portfolio of 36 doors and a storage facility, Jared’s story is a must-listen for anyone looking to pivot into real estate with purpose and grit.

5 Fresh Takeaways:

• Jared’s pivot from coaching to real estate after his football program was shut down shows how unexpected turns can launch fulfilling new paths.

• Just like in sports, small, consistent efforts in real estate—especially during early mornings or off-hours—compound over time.

• Jared’s leap into duplexes in Waterloo during COVID laid the foundation for everything he’s built since.

• From trailer parks to storage units, Jared’s success is rooted in community connections and creative deal structuring in a Midwest market.

• Whether it’s leading a team or managing tenants, Jared brings a game plan, discipline, and long-term mindset to every deal.

About Jared Hottle:

Jared Hottle is a real estate agent, investor, and entrepreneur based in Waterloo, Iowa. After spending nearly a decade coaching college football, Jared returned home in 2019 to start a new chapter. Fast forward five years, he’s now the owner of 36 rental units, a storage facility, and a steady stream of investment transactions totaling $5–7 million annually. Jared is passionate about educating others, giving back to his community, and building generational wealth through strategic property investments.

Contact Info:

Website | https://www.hottlerealestate.com/

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@jaredhottlere

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/JaredHottleRealEstate/

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredhottle/

What happens when a residential carpenter discovers a passion for restoring the past? In this episode, we sit down with Mark Hildreth, a seasoned contractor whose journey took him from building suburban homes to reviving iconic landmarks like Des Moines’ Val Air Ballroom. Mark dives into the nuances of historic renovations, the ripple effect of rising interest rates, and why understanding client emotion is as vital as blueprints and budgets. This episode is for anyone fascinated by the blend of heritage, hard hats, and forward-thinking construction.

What You’ll Learn:

• Mark shares how his early hands-on experience shaped his journey from residential builds to large-scale commercial projects and historic renovations.

• Discover how historic renovations not only require creativity and precision but can also unlock powerful financial incentives through tax credits.

• Mark explains why understanding client emotions in residential work was one of the most overlooked—but critical—skills he had to learn.

• Outside the job site, Mark finds expression in brewing, reflecting the same creativity and precision he brings to building restoration.

• From navigating interest rate impacts to exploring mass timber construction, Mark shares his take on what’s next in the evolving world of building and development.

About Mark Hildreth:

Mark Hildreth is a respected commercial contractor with deep roots in the construction world, starting in his father’s framing company. After trade school and years of hands-on carpentry, he founded his own general contracting firm. Mark now specializes in historic restoration, blending craftsmanship with strategy to breathe new life into Iowa’s architectural history. Whether it’s transforming forgotten spaces or crafting a new brew, Mark brings passion, patience, and precision to everything he builds.

Contact Info:

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hildreth-59258830/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mark.hildreth.5

Website | https://hildrethconstruction.com/