In this special episode, we flip the script! Annie and I were featured on The Al Nocletti Show, and we’re bringing the full conversation straight to you. Al invited us to dive deep into one of our favorite real estate topics—creative financing—and we held nothing back. From structuring seller terms and taking over multi-unit properties to converting tired landlords into partners, this episode is a masterclass in creative deal-making.

Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned investor looking to scale without banks, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how we uncover hidden opportunities, leverage our network, and turn unconventional leads into cash-flowing properties. Plus, we share actionable tips, powerful questions to ask sellers, and how to keep negotiations simple yet effective—even with zero money down.

Episode Highlights & Timeline:

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:46] - Our first taste of rental income and the moment it all clicked

[2:27] - Facing financing roadblocks—and how creative strategies changed the game

[3:06] - Acquiring two 8-unit buildings through relationship-based deals

[4:43] - Transforming under-rented properties and unlocking $250K in equity

[8:28] - Two simple, high-impact questions to ask every seller

[14:25] - Planning with the end in mind: why we decided to hold, not flip

[17:13] - How we got a non-paying tenant back on track—and boosted rent

[27:31] - Solving a foundation issue with a no-interest payment plan

[30:57] - Turning problem properties into opportunities with lease options

[34:56] - Harnessing your network and why Facebook Lives still work

[39:12] - Finding overlooked gems in the historic registry

[43:00] - Using grants and hard money loans to finance major renovations

[47:06] - The hard lessons we learned from rebuilding after Hurricane Ian

[52:10] - Keeping deals simple and conversations clear with sellers

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Your network is your goldmine – Most of our deals came from people we already knew or had worked with before. Relationships are everything.

2. Always ask: “What other properties do you own?” – This one question opened doors to major opportunities we would’ve missed otherwise.

3. Creative financing isn’t complicated—just keep it simple – Confused sellers say no. Speak in plain language and build trust.

4. You don’t need $75K to do big deals – If your deal makes sense, the money will follow. Leverage private lenders or partners.

5. Go where others aren’t looking – The historic registry, word-of-mouth, and even sticky notes can lead to deals most investors never see.

If this episode inspired you or gave you some fresh ideas, be sure to follow, rate, and review the podcast—and share it with a friend who needs to hear this. Your support helps us keep sharing real stories and real strategies!

In this special episode of The Real Estate Ride, Annie and I had the pleasure of joining Andrew Lucas on the REI Deal Finders podcast to share our full real estate story — from humble beginnings to building a diverse portfolio of over 50 rental units. We reveal how a need for more space led to our first rental property, how creative financing and an old-school library hack helped us scale, and the mindset shifts that kept us moving forward even when the bank said “no.”

We also pull back the curtain on the operations behind our business today, including our short-term rental strategy, how we’ve grown a self-sufficient construction team, and why helping people is still at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re new to investing or ready to expand, this episode is loaded with real-life wisdom, practical tips, and a few fun throwbacks to how we got started.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - How an overcrowded house sparked our real estate journey

[2:45] - Realizing real estate wasn’t as scary as it seemed

[5:07] - Why we decided to rent instead of sell our first home

[10:34] - The library hack that unlocked creative financing strategies

[14:38] - Our first lease option deals — and how we asked for them

[17:07] - How networking brought us our first off-market properties

[21:07] - The marketing tactic we still use today (and it’s free)

[22:25] - What our real estate business looks like now, 20+ years later

[25:43] - Why helping sellers shaped our growth and reputation

[26:31] - The best advice we’d give ourselves if we were starting today

5 Key Takeaways

1. Start with what you have – Our journey began by renting out the home we already owned. You don’t need everything figured out to get started.

2. When the bank says no, get creative – A trip to the library introduced us to lease options and creative deal structures that didn’t rely on bank approval.

3. Network intentionally – Our first real investment deals came from friends and acquaintances once we started telling people what we were looking for.

4. Keep it simple – We still find deals today just by asking, “Do you know anyone selling a house?” on social media. No fancy marketing needed.

5. Real estate is a people business – At every stage, focusing on how we can help others has opened more doors than any strategy alone.

If you got value from this episode, be sure to rate, follow, and review The Real Estate Ride. Share it with someone who’s thinking about getting started — or who just needs a little nudge to keep going. Thanks for riding along with us!

Hey, it’s Annie and Jay, and in this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we’re diving deep into one of our most unique and rewarding projects—a burned property we picked up from a wholesaler. We walk you through every gritty detail, from discovering the fire damage to navigating structural surprises, all the way to our final design and staging choices. If you’ve ever wondered whether a severely damaged home could become a profitable flip, this one’s for you.

We cover why we pursue the kinds of properties most investors avoid—think mold, foundation issues, and in this case, fire. Plus, we’re sharing the strategies we used to stay within budget, the rehab decisions that made the biggest impact, and how we’re using design tools and staging tricks to finish strong and sell fast. Whether you’re a seasoned flipper or just getting started, you’ll pick up real-world insights that can boost your next deal.

Episode Timeline:

[0:28] - Introduction

[0:28] - How we found the deal through a wholesaler and why burned properties don’t scare us

[1:16] - The extent of the fire damage and what parts we were able to salvage

[2:27] - Why most investors shy away from projects like this—and why we don’t

[3:23] - Using smoke sealants and keeping mechanicals in place to save costs

[5:09] - Discovering hidden structural issues and how we adjusted on the fly

[6:38] - Budget cuts: repurposing cabinets and creative cost-saving measures

[8:03] - Crunch time! Ramping up crews and hitting the market deadline

[10:22] - Miscommunications, surprises, and adjusting the design plan

[12:04] - How we use House Pro and other tools to streamline the design process

[16:24] - Why we chose this property and how it fits into our first-time homebuyer strategy

[18:46] - The role of staging in selling quickly and affordably

[24:12] - Landscaping and exterior prep that saves time and money

[25:25] - Final thoughts and updates on this high-pressure flip

3 Key Takeaways

1. Distressed properties can be goldmines when you understand how to manage the rehab and budget smartly.

2. Preparation and flexibility are crucial—from sealing smoke damage to adjusting for unexpected structural fixes.

3. Staging and design planning make a difference in both marketability and sale price, even when using repurposed or budget-friendly materials.

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate, follow, share, and review The Real Estate Ride. Your support keeps us going and helps others discover the show.