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.

In this episode, we walk you through the exact framework we use to run successful rehabs—from small cosmetic flips to full gut jobs. Whether you’re brand new to flipping or scaling your renovation projects, this is the system that keeps our projects on budget, on time, and profitable.

We break down how we determine scope, organize trades, avoid common contractor delays, and create detailed estimates—before swinging a single hammer. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by rehab planning, or struggled with unknowns mid-project, this episode gives you the step-by-step clarity you need.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – Intro to the Rehab Masterplan and why you need one

[1:04] – The first thing we do before building a budget

[1:58] – Walkthrough videos: how they help you quote fast and accurately

[2:40] – Why order of operations is critical to avoid job site chaos

[3:20] – Our template: flooring, paint, kitchens, baths, HVAC, etc.

[4:35] – Creating line items with quantities and prices

[5:08] – How we group scopes for labor bidding efficiency

[6:27] – What we include in our full estimate (line by line)

[7:01] – Avoiding scope creep with early decision-making

[7:49] – The “wants vs. needs” list and why it protects your budget

[8:35] – Adding 15–20% contingency to every project

[9:12] – Why you need multiple crews or backup labor plans

[9:44] – Coordinating permits, inspections, and timelines

[10:31] – Why material pre-orders save time and money

[11:22] – What to document weekly to avoid miscommunication

[12:04] – How to evaluate when to DIY vs. outsource

[12:51] – Sample budget breakdown from one of our flips

[14:18] – The key numbers we track on every project

[15:07] – How this plan fits into the larger BRRRR or flip model

[16:03] – Final thoughts on being proactive vs. reactive in rehabbing

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Start with a detailed scope video—before bringing in a crew.

2. Pre-plan your order of operations to avoid costly delays.

3. Budget line-by-line with both labor and material separated.

4. Scope creep kills profit—know your “needs vs. wants” up front.

5. Always build in a contingency—15–20% protects your margin.

If this episode helped you simplify your next rehab, be sure to rate and review The Real Estate Ride. And don’t forget to share it with a friend who needs a better game plan on their next flip.

In this episode, I share a very personal and practical walkthrough of how Jay and I built our real estate business around our life—not the other way around. If you’re working 60+ hours a week, struggling with boundaries, or feeling like your business is your entire identity, this conversation is for you. I unpack how vision, boundaries, and intentional scheduling gave us our time back—and how you can do the same.

This isn’t theory. It’s what actually helped us go from 80-hour weeks to 12 weeks off per year, from chaos to clarity. I also break down one simple but powerful calendar exercise that changed everything for our family, our marriage, and our business.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – Why vision matters before business even begins

[1:13] – Our life before: Jay working 80 hours, 4 young kids, no balance

[2:07] – Realizing we needed to design our life and business together

[3:11] – The myth of hustle: why boundaries are more powerful

[4:34] – When you’re always available, you’re never fully present

[5:18] – How overwhelm sneaks in when you lack clarity

[6:10] – Why we plan our lives like people plan weddings or funerals

[7:03] – The calendar exercise: your week, your way

[8:12] – My top 3 non-negotiables for our family and business

[9:59] – You don’t need a full-time hire—start small

[10:39] – The shift that brought back Friday night date nights

[12:30] – Reframing client expectations and reclaiming time

[13:20] – Time is more valuable than money—and it’s non-refundable

[14:08] – Knowing your “genius zone” and outsourcing the rest

[16:03] – Starting with $9/hr help and getting more life back

[17:05] – If you have a day job, here’s how to start your RE biz

[18:20] – Find others who’ve built the life you want—and study them

[19:13] – Tell someone your goal. Accountability changes everything

[20:07] – Challenging the 9–5 mindset: why wait 40 years to live?

[21:03] – Coaching, meetups, masterminds—we use them all

[24:00] – How we went from burnout to 25-hour workweeks

[25:27] – Our yearly reset using the “Wheel of Life”

[27:00] – My audacious fitness goal—and what it taught me about vision

[29:08] – Reverse engineering your goals into daily steps

[30:02] – How we stay connected to our vision daily

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Don’t build a business that breaks your life. Design both together.

2. Clarity and boundaries are the secret to reclaiming your time.

3. You don’t need full-time hires—start with just a few hours a week.

4. Your calendar reveals your values. Block the time that matters.

5. A strong vision gives every task meaning—and prevents burnout.

If this episode gave you clarity, please share it with someone who’s in the thick of hustle. And don’t forget to rate, review, and follow The Real Estate Ride—it helps us keep bringing you raw, real, and helpful conversations like this one.

In this episode, we break down the 7 critical factors we evaluate before buying a flip—regardless of the market, neighborhood, or exit strategy. This is the exact checklist we use before making any flip offer, and it’s packed with lessons we’ve learned from doing this for over two decades.

If you’re trying to avoid costly mistakes, surprise delays, or deals that turn into dead weight, this one’s a must-listen. We share stories from past flips that didn’t go as planned, and exactly how to budget, inspect, and plan better on your next project.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – What this episode is about: the 7 things we check before every flip

[0:25] – Why you don’t want to flip next to a hoarder house

[1:13] – How one neighbor’s mess cost us two years of rent delays

[2:16] – Neighborhood red flags: crime, sex offenders, and neglected yards

[3:50] – How to budget for fences, landscaping, and visual barriers

[4:20] – Rental-heavy neighborhoods: flip them or skip them?

[5:08] – Rehab timelines: why speed and neighborhood trends matter

[6:00] – What delays gas, power, or inspections—and how to avoid it

[6:52] – Holding costs, contractor availability, and supply chain issues

[7:48] – Why you need a 15% cushion for unknowns

[8:04] – Coordinating trades and managing a reliable project schedule

[9:25] – Are you acting as the GC—or paying someone who is?

[10:17] – How to add value through layout changes and creative renovations

[11:39] – Turning formal dining rooms into master suites

[12:00] – Creative additions: patios, garages, and mini-splits

[12:36] – Checking the comps: how many, how recent, how similar?

[13:37] – What finishes and photos tell you about the local market

[14:30] – Days on market, pricing trends, and market timing

[15:00] – Your action step: pull a property and evaluate it today

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Always walk the neighborhood—don’t just look at the house.

2. Rehabs take longer (and cost more) than your contractor promises.

3. Plan for surprises—behind every wall could be termites or worse.

4. Don’t assume you can flip anywhere—comps and neighbors matter.

5. A 15% contingency and strong scheduling will save your profit.

Links & Resources:

• Tools mentioned: Zillow, Rentometer, MLS, Realtor.com

• More on our process: JayAndAnnieAdkins.com

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend, rate it, and leave a quick review. Every flip starts with a smart buy—use this checklist before you commit.

In this episode, we sit down for a strategy session about the bigger picture: where we’re going, why we’re focusing on Ohio, and how we plan to grow intentionally in 2025. We lay out our full business model—including flipping, long-term rentals, short-term rentals, and how we’re layering in our construction team, admin support, and boots-on-the-ground leadership.

If you’ve ever wanted to hear the inner workings of a real estate business as it scales—this is your inside look. From how we structure deals to how we delegate tasks, this is the blueprint we’re building right now. Transparent, strategic, and full of hard-earned lessons.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – What the “Masterplan of Ohio” really means to us

[0:57] – Reinvesting into infrastructure: construction, admin, systems

[1:38] – Our current business model: flips, STRs, LTRs, and project management

[2:11] – Using our own crews and how that changes our margins

[2:55] – Why 2025 is about intentional, controlled growth

[3:48] – Assigning leads and ownership across departments

[4:36] – Systems we’re using to manage more deals without more chaos

[5:23] – Building a pipeline of consistent leads through organic methods

[6:13] – Strategic use of project managers on-site

[7:02] – Why we’re focused on stabilizing internal operations before expanding

[8:08] – How new team members are stepping into leadership roles

[9:01] – Delegating with purpose: why we’re no longer doing it all ourselves

[9:56] – Final thoughts on scale, clarity, and planning forward

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Scaling starts with systems. If you can’t delegate it, you can’t grow it.

2. Organic marketing still works—especially when it’s consistent.

3. You don’t need more deals, you need better infrastructure.

4. Focus on one market, one vision, and build outward with clarity.

5. Put the right people in the right roles—and then get out of their way.

If you got value from this episode, take 30 seconds to rate, review, and follow The Real Estate Ride. It helps more people learn how to grow smarter—not just faster.

In this episode, we walk you through one of our most talked-about creative financing deals—where we acquired a house for just $10. That’s right. Ten dollars. No bank, no credit check, no traditional financing—and still a solid, cash-flowing property.

We break down the story behind the deal, the problems the seller faced, how we negotiated terms, and how we used our BRRRR Master Plan to turn this into a cash-producing rental. This is a real-world example of how creative real estate works, even if you don’t have a ton of cash or perfect credit. You’ll hear exactly what we paid, how we structured the deal, and what the end result looked like.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – Intro to the $10 house case study

[0:32] – No credit checks, no bank—how we got the property

[0:57] – The BRRRR Master Plan we use with our students

[1:49] – Overview of the deal structure and terms

[2:12] – What made this a “creative financing” opportunity

[3:16] – Property details: 3-bed, 1-bath, detached garage, B-class area

[4:05] – How a family connection led to this off-market deal

[4:55] – Why the seller didn’t want to deal with the property anymore

[5:47] – Seller concerns and how we addressed them (taxes, repairs, insurance)

[7:13] – Getting bank approval to take over the loan

[8:49] – Deferring $2,000 to closing instead of upfront payment

[9:06] – Our multi-exit strategy approach: flip, rent, wholesale

[10:16] – Light repairs and added equity: what we did and spent

[11:11] – Option to sell with a lease option tenant-buyer

[12:42] – Total costs, income, and profit breakdown

[13:14] – The lease option strategy and how we qualify tenants

[14:09] – Timeline: from acquisition to rent-ready in under 90 days

[14:54] – The A-Team that made this deal possible

[15:19] – Importance of title searches and legal review

[16:38] – How we use the MLS, Rentometer, and market tools

[17:52] – Why we built our own construction company (and why you don’t have to)

[18:57] – Our admin team and the systems behind our scale

[20:25] – How we market properties across multiple channels

[21:16] – Tools we use to manage leads and applicants

[22:07] – Invitation to join our real estate community

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Creative financing lets you buy without banks, credit, or cash—if you solve the seller’s problem.

2. Always have multiple exit strategies in mind before committing to a deal.

3. A strong team (title company, attorney, contractors) is essential to move fast and stay compliant.

4. Lease options can provide upfront income and a path to long-term profit.

5. Systems and tools are the secret to scaling without burnout.

   
   

If this episode opened your eyes to what’s possible with creative deals, please subscribe, rate, and share The Real Estate Ride. We’re here to help you take that next step—one smart deal at a time.

In this episode, we sit down with Joe McCall to share the full story behind our journey into real estate—from flipping with no money, to building a rental portfolio, to helping others create financial freedom on their own terms. We talk about the early mistakes, the hard lessons, and the strategies that helped us go from broke bartenders to full-time investors and coaches.

You’ll hear how we bought our first deals creatively, how we built momentum without bank financing, and why we’re so passionate about helping others do the same. Whether you’re brand new or struggling to scale, this conversation is packed with mindset, practical tips, and encouragement from two people who’ve lived the before and after.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – Intro with Joe McCall: how we first got connected

[1:32] – Our first deal (and the sex offender next door that pushed us into it)

[3:45] – Creative financing before we even knew what it was

[5:12] – Transitioning from bartending and daycare to real estate full-time

[7:00] – The mindset shift that changed our trajectory

[8:18] – How we bought 12 rentals with no bank loans

[10:14] – What we look for in a property and why

[12:02] – Using seller finance, subto, and private lenders

[13:46] – Why we never depend on just one strategy

[14:55] – Finding deals in small-town markets

[16:25] – How our coaching program helps new investors get traction

[17:52] – Building a lifestyle business around family and freedom

[19:08] – What we’d do differently if we started again

[21:17] – Top advice for investors trying to get their first deal

[23:06] – Our Airbnb strategy and short-term rental pivots

[24:40] – Building real estate into your long-term wealth plan

[26:30] – Final thoughts on belief, grit, and getting started today

5 Key Takeaways:

1. You don’t need your own money to get started in real estate.

2. Creative financing works—especially in smaller markets.

3. Mindset and grit matter more than having the perfect plan.

4. A good deal solves a problem—for the seller and for you.

5. Freedom is possible—but it takes intention and consistent action.

If this episode fired you up to chase your first deal—or your next—rate and review The Real Estate Ride. Then share it with a friend who needs that push to get started.

In this special guest appearance on the Kenner French Show, we open up about our early beginnings, our unique journey into real estate, and how we built a lifestyle business around coaching and investing. From high school sweethearts to managing multifamily properties and helping others design lives they love, we cover a lot of ground—including real estate strategies for every stage of the journey.

Whether you’re just starting out, thinking about leaving your W-2, or ready to scale past 10 properties, this conversation is packed with real talk, practical tips, and stories from the trenches—including the deal that doubled in value in just four months.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – Opening chat with Kenner: How our story began in high school choir

[1:36] – Our biggest advice to high-net-worth and beginner investors

[2:14] – Why we believe in massive action and lifestyle-driven investing

[3:15] – How we pivoted from hospitality jobs to real estate

[4:40] – Launching our coaching business and keeping it intentionally small

[6:02] – The sex offender next door that sparked our first rental property

[7:07] – Getting denied by banks—and how it led to creative financing

[8:04] – Buying in a crash: why we leaned in when others leaned out

[9:18] – How to start investing with no money down

[10:12] – Using hard money and private lenders as a beginner

[12:02] – Building a custom blueprint and reverse engineering your goals

[14:14] – Coaching students nationwide: from flips to short-term rentals

[15:23] – Using AI for deals, budgets, marketing, and more

[17:09] – How we acquired 24 rentals in one year

[19:15] – Creative multifamily partnership case study: the 4-month turnaround

[22:02] – Financing with equity from existing rentals

[25:35] – Turning a $475 rental into a $1,200/month Airbnb

[27:04] – Coaching details: cost, structure, and success stories

[28:46] – Our Amazon bestselling book—and beating Khloe Kardashian!?

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Creative financing unlocks massive opportunity—even without your own money.

2. You can build wealth and freedom with a lifestyle-driven business model.

3. AI can be your secret weapon in analyzing deals and running operations.

4. Talk about what you do—referrals and visibility bring deal flow.

5. Success starts with clarity: know your vision, and reverse engineer it.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for The Real Estate Ride. Let’s keep growing together—and remember, your vision is your foundation.