In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we dive into the real, boots-on-the-ground strategies that are helping investors connect directly with sellers in today’s shifting market. Whether it’s through organic outreach on Facebook, door knocking, or driving for dollars, I share actionable ways to make your approach stand out—and actually start conversations that lead to deals.

We also explore the challenges of the current real estate climate, including low housing inventory, rising interest rates, and the Section 8 housing program that’s leaving landlords and tenants equally frustrated. We unpack creative financing options, what it takes to get permits for home renovations, and how mindset and adaptability play a huge role in long-term success.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:17] - Finding sellers using Facebook groups, skip tracing, and direct outreach

[1:29] - Writing personal, inviting messages that resonate with homeowners

[2:46] - Storm damage and how it impacts the construction business

[3:08] - Why homeowners are reluctant to sell in a high-interest rate market

[4:17] - Lack of new housing developments and what it means for inventory

[5:50] - The rise of “affordable” housing projects and the real cost behind them

[8:25] - Breaking down the chaos in Columbus’s Section 8 program

[14:12] - A case study: managing delays and tenant transitions between properties

[20:40] - Social media marketing tactics that actually get attention

[23:42] - Buying fire-damaged properties when no one else will

[26:00] - The risks and realities of door knocking today

[30:07] - Text blast strategies and starting the conversation

[31:02] - Creative financing and owner-carry deals in a tight lending market

[34:13] - Planning and budgeting a home office addition

[39:02] - Navigating permits and working with local city guidelines

[43:03] - Business credit, funding delays, and how to be financially ready

[49:00] - Legal insights on how landlords can navigate Section 8 obligations

[57:14] - A personal story of faith, resilience, and financial recovery through recession

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Relationships matter more than credentials. Approaching sellers as a family or small team is often more effective than leading with your resume.

2. Facebook still works. Organic social posts can bring in more leads than expensive marketing campaigns—if you know how to play the algorithm.

3. The Section 8 system is broken. Understand the risks and delays involved before relying on it for consistent cash flow.

4. Creative financing is making a comeback. From short sales to owner-financed deals, flexibility is key in today’s environment.

5. Build with purpose. When expanding your home or adding value to a property, know your local permitting process and budget realistically to avoid delays.

Thanks for tuning in to The Real Estate Ride! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow the show, and share it with a fellow investor or friend. Your support helps us keep the conversations real and valuable.

In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we take you behind the scenes of one of the most powerful and transformational exercises we’ve ever done—writing your personal and business vision. This practice, which we first embraced five years ago through a coaching mastermind, completely shifted the way we approached our lives and careers. It’s not about setting ordinary goals—it’s about crafting a vision so clear and compelling that it becomes the filter through which every decision flows.

We break down the “why” and “how” behind creating a living, breathing document that evolves with you. You’ll hear our personal experiences of writing seemingly impossible goals that later became reality, and we’ll guide you through the categories to focus on, from spirituality and personal development to career, fun, and family. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining your path, this is your invitation to think bigger and live with intention.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - The life-changing impact of writing a personal vision

[2:24] - Why vision must come before goal-setting

[5:01] - Creating both personal and business visions for alignment

[7:14] - Using your written vision to stay grounded through tough times

[10:42] - Daily visibility: Where and how to keep your vision front and center

[12:23] - Morning routines that reinforce your vision and affirmations

[18:04] - Why your sacred morning time should be distraction-free

[23:13] - Thinking without limits—writing your vision without constraints

[26:01] - The eight life categories to include in your vision

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Your vision should be limitless – When writing your vision, remove all constraints like time or money and dream as if nothing is holding you back.

2. It’s a living document – Your vision will evolve as you grow, so treat it as a dynamic part of your life, not a one-and-done task.

3. Clarity leads to alignment – A clear vision helps you say “yes” and “no” more easily in both your personal life and business.

4. Visibility matters – Keep your vision front and center—on your mirror, your desk, your phone—to stay connected to it daily.

5. Start with personal, then business – Your personal vision lays the foundation; when that’s solid, your business vision will follow more naturally.

If this episode sparked a new level of clarity for you, we’d love it if you followed, rated, and reviewed the show. And don’t forget to share it with someone who’s ready to rewrite their own vision!

In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, I break down a deal that looked promising on the surface—but quickly unraveled when we took a deeper dive into the numbers, comps, and financing terms. This is a must-listen if you’re in the early stages of flipping or still learning how to properly analyze a property.

We dig into a Cincinnati property where assumptions about the ARV and comparable sales led to flawed expectations and a denied private money loan. I show you how to use PropStream to uncover the real story, how to determine whether comps are valid, and why one misplaced financing term on your contract can cost you both money and legal protection. If you’ve ever wondered how to avoid getting burned on your first (or next) flip, this is your blueprint.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:51] - The importance of including financing contingencies in contracts

[1:13] - Overview of a Cincinnati deal lenders passed on and why

[2:25] - Using PropStream effectively when you don’t have MLS access

[3:05] - Evaluating PropStream’s valuation against agent insights

[4:21] - How closing and holding costs can quietly kill your profits

[5:30] - The danger of relying on optimistic resale values

[6:20] - How an appraiser dropped value by $8,000 despite multiple offers

[7:18] - Disputing appraisals: what works, what doesn’t

[8:20] - Expired comps, off-market listings, and misleading analysis

[10:29] - How to use PropStream to filter true comparables

[11:11] - Why you can’t depend solely on your Realtor’s advice

[12:00] - How using the term “cash” in a contract can become a legal liability

[14:08] - Consequences of misrepresenting loan terms on purchase offers

[16:41] - Why property type and structure must match in your comps

[17:11] - The one valid comp and what it reveals about real value

[18:24] - Inconsistent values across neighborhoods and why it matters

[20:09] - How to read heat maps of sales activity to gauge stability

[21:58] - The difference in value between ranch and multi-story homes

[23:17] - Seller markups and minimal rehabs that don’t add up

[24:02] - Spotting emotional decision-making in bad deals

[25:01] - Final advice: Don’t let this be your first flip

Key Takeaways

1. Run Your Own Numbers, Always

   Never rely solely on what a Realtor or wholesaler tells you. Use tools like PropStream to verify comps, value, and neighborhood trends for yourself.

2. Contracts Must Reflect Reality

   If you’re using private money, your contract should say so. Mislabeling a loan as “cash” can not only cost you earnest money but open you up to legal risk.

3. Thin Margins Are Not Worth the Gamble

   Even small holding costs and appraisal gaps can wipe out your profits. If your numbers only work in a best-case scenario, it’s not a deal—it’s a liability.

If this episode gave you a clearer lens on how to evaluate deals and avoid costly mistakes, take a second to rate, follow, and share The Real Estate Ride. Every review helps us support more investors making smart, informed decisions.

In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, I finally sit down with Chad Kusner, founder of Credit Repair Resources. We unpack everything from the misunderstood world of credit scoring to what actually works in credit repair—and why so many people get it wrong. Chad pulls back the curtain on how his team gets real results while staying fully compliant with both state and federal regulations.

We dig into why your credit score might drop when you pay off a debt, the dangers of identity theft (and why most people don’t even know they’ve been compromised), and the evolving scoring models that could reshape lending as we know it. Whether you’re a real estate investor, agent, or just someone trying to level up your financial game, this episode will give you a totally new perspective on credit.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:02] - Chad’s personal credit story and the “aha” moment that launched his credit repair business

[4:52] - The credit score confusion: free consumer sites vs. mortgage scores

[6:48] - How a consumer litigator helped him clean up his report—and why follow-through matters

[9:04] - Why referrals are the lifeblood of his business and how that helps ensure better results

[10:28] - The three essential questions Chad asks before taking on a client

[14:35] - What separates his service from “big box” credit repair firms like Lexington Law

[20:17] - Why credit repair companies that charge upfront are not just shady—they’re illegal

[26:50] - The evolution of identity theft: small charges, big impact

[31:15] - Understanding UltraFICO and how it’s changing access for consumers with thin files

[36:00] - Why paying off collections can temporarily hurt your credit (and what to do instead)

[40:00] - The best credit utilization ratio for increasing scores

[42:20] - How trended data gives lenders a clearer view of your financial behavior

[47:00] - A behind-the-scenes look at Chad’s automated tracking system and partner reporting

[51:00] - Why consistent follow-up improves lease-option conversions

[54:00] - The power of accountability in the credit repair journey

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Credit repair is a team sport – You can’t outsource the work entirely. You’ve got to do your part—especially when it comes to rebuilding with new, positive accounts.

2. Not all credit scores are created equal – Free scores from apps don’t match mortgage lending scores, which can be up to 100 points lower.

3. Paying off collections isn’t always helpful – Especially under Fannie Mae’s current scoring model, paying off debt can actually drop your score in the short term.

4. Monitoring your credit is non-negotiable – With data breaches affecting billions of records, it’s critical to check your credit and financial accounts regularly.

5. Long-term results beat flashy promises – Companies that only dispute one item at a time or make big guarantees often drag out the process to keep you paying.

Links & Resources:

• Credit Repair Resources: https://www.creditrepairresources.net

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov

• UltraFICO information: https://www.ficoscore.com/ultrafico

• Free annual credit reports: https://www.annualcreditreport.com

If you got value from this episode, be sure to rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. And if you’re working with credit-challenged buyers or thinking about a rent-to-own strategy, you’re going to want this one saved and shared.

Let’s ride.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of our favorite real estate deals—how we took control of a single-family property with zero money down and turned it into over $75,000 in profit across six and a half years. From a tired landlord to a win-win land contract, we’re breaking down every step of the process: the acquisition, the strategy, the creative financing, and all the real-life twists along the way.

You’ll hear how we secured this property in just three days, navigated foundation issues, used a lease option to generate consistent cash flow, and even refinanced for a tax-free cash out. If you’re serious about building a real estate portfolio through creative deals, this episode will show you what’s possible—even without using your own money.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:35] - The breakdown of profits: $75K+ from a zero-down deal

[1:03] - Introducing the case study: 453 Burt Avenue

[2:15] - A 3-day, no-marketing, no-money-down acquisition

[3:03] - Why traditional buyers couldn’t make the deal work

[4:12] - Our goal: no interest, no bank, seller financing

[6:09] - The land contract terms: $416/mo, paid off in 9 years

[7:17] - Marketing on a $20 budget (and it worked!)

[8:02] - Lease-option strategy: increasing rent, building equity

[9:11] - From tenant-buyer to Airbnb to a family rental

[10:00] - Cash-out refinance: $52K tax-free

[11:19] - The bonus upgrades we didn’t pay for (thank you, tenant!)

[13:18] - Tools we use: CRM, FreedomSoft, local attorney & title team

[14:24] - Why having a construction crew or handyman matters

[15:11] - Want our system? We’ll help you set it up!

3 Key Takeaways

1. Creative Financing Can Build Serious Wealth: With the right approach, you don’t need bank loans or large amounts of capital to acquire and profit from real estate.

2. Know Your Numbers and Negotiate Smart: Seller-financed deals with no interest can offer massive long-term savings—and faster paths to full ownership.

3. Systems and Support Teams Matter: The right CRM, legal team, and contractors make all the difference when scaling your portfolio efficiently.

Links & Resources

• Email: AdkinsProNetwork@gmail.com

• Annie: Annie@AnnieAdkins.com

• Website: JayAndAnnieAdkins.com

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, review, and share the podcast with a fellow investor or friend who’s ready to take the next step in their real estate journey. We appreciate you being here with us!

Ever had a real estate deal go sideways? In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we’re pulling back the curtain on the good, the bad, and the downright ugly experiences we’ve had in the industry. From struggling to find reliable contractors to navigating unexpected repair costs, we’re sharing real-life stories and hard-earned lessons from our 20+ years in the business.

We also dive into why we started our own construction company and how that decision has helped us take control of our projects. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, you’ll learn essential tips for hiring contractors, managing change orders, and making sure your renovation projects stay on track. Plus, we’re sharing some insider strategies for adding value to properties without breaking the bank.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:10] The reality of dealing with contractors – finding reliable help isn’t easy

[3:25] Why we started our own construction company (and how it changed everything)

[6:50] Teaching our daughter how to flip a house (and the harsh lesson she learned)

[9:15] How to get accurate contractor estimates—and why you need more than one

[12:30] The importance of having a detailed renovation plan before hiring anyone

[14:45] What to ask when interviewing a contractor to avoid costly mistakes

[16:20] Understanding change orders and how they can blow your budget

[19:10] Key things to check before adding a bathroom or making major renovations

[21:45] Why you must verify local permit and licensing requirements before starting work

[23:30] How we train contractors in-house to ensure quality work on every project

[25:15] The common mistakes homeowners and investors make when hiring contractors

Five Key Takeaways:

1. Always get multiple estimates – Contractor bids can vary widely, sometimes by thousands of dollars. Comparing at least three to five quotes can prevent you from overpaying.

2. Have a clear renovation plan – A well-documented scope of work prevents miscommunication and ensures contractors follow your vision instead of making their own decisions.

3. Check licenses, insurance, and references – Don’t just rely on pictures of past work. Ask for real client references and verify that the contractor is properly insured and qualified.

4. Be prepared for unexpected costs – Change orders happen when hidden issues arise, like termite damage or outdated wiring. Build a contingency fund into your budget.

5. Understand permit requirements – Different cities and counties have different licensing and permit rules. Know what’s required in your area before hiring anyone to do the work.

Links & Resources:

• Contact us: Jay@JayAndAnnieAdkins.com | Annie@JayAndAnnieAdkins.com

If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use these insights.

Building a successful real estate business isn’t just about finding great deals—it’s about assembling the right team to make those deals happen. In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we’re diving deep into what it takes to put together an A-player team. From attorneys and title companies to private money lenders and virtual assistants, we break down who you need in your corner and how to find the best people for the job.

We also cover key strategies for working with contractors, negotiating with lenders, and ensuring your team operates efficiently. Plus, we discuss the common mistakes new investors make when selecting their team members—and how to avoid them. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your real estate business, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build a winning team.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:07] Why your business is only as strong as your team

[2:52] The key players every real estate investor needs

[7:09] How to choose a title company that supports your investing strategy

[13:12] The importance of long-term relationships with agents and lenders

[16:48] When to fire a team member who isn’t meeting expectations

[28:15] Where to find private money lenders (and what to say to them)

[39:11] The power of a credibility packet when pitching lenders

[45:39] How virtual assistants can help scale your business

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Your support helps us keep delivering high-value content to help you succeed in real estate.

In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we break down everything you need to know about preparing a strong purchasing contract, whether you’re buying retail, wholesaling, or working with an agent. With decades of real estate experience across multiple states, we’ve structured hundreds of contracts, and we’re sharing the best strategies to ensure your offer stands out and gets accepted.

We cover the essential components of a contract, the role of earnest money deposits, inspection clauses, and key contingencies that protect your investment. You’ll also learn common contract pitfalls that can cost you the deal and how to avoid them. If you’re looking to sharpen your contract negotiation skills and gain the confidence to navigate real estate transactions like a pro, this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:00] - Overview of different purchase contracts: retail, wholesale, and investor-friendly agreements

[4:15] - Why real estate agents use board-approved contracts and what investors should know

[5:35] - When to use a simple one-page contract instead of a standard multi-page agreement

[8:45] - Earnest money deposits: how much to put down and when you may not need one

[10:30] - How to structure your offer to stand out in a competitive market

[12:10] - Why hard money loans are not considered cash and how that impacts your contract

[14:45] - The importance of inspection clauses and how to use them strategically

[16:00] - How to renegotiate price after an inspection uncovers unexpected repairs

[18:50] - What to watch for when buying from wholesalers and reviewing assignment contracts

[20:10] - How to set a realistic closing timeline to avoid contract delays and penalties

[22:00] - The risks of sending earnest money directly to sellers or wholesalers and how to protect yourself

Key Takeaways

1. A purchase contract doesn’t have to be complex. A simple one-page contract with key details (property address, price, and closing date) is often sufficient, especially in direct-to-seller deals.

2. Earnest money can strengthen your offer. While not always required, a deposit can make your offer more competitive, especially in multiple-offer situations.

3. Hard money and private loans are not cash. Listing them as cash on a contract can lead to major issues at closing and even deal cancellations.

4. Inspection clauses provide leverage. Even if you waive an inspection contingency, you can still conduct an inspection and renegotiate based on findings.

5. Closing timelines should be realistic. Giving yourself extra time beyond what lenders or title companies promise can prevent unnecessary contract extensions or penalties.

Enjoyed this episode?

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. Your support helps us continue bringing expert real estate insights. Share this episode with a fellow investor or homebuyer who could benefit from these strategies.