In this high-impact episode, I sit down with Damon Remy, the visionary behind REI BlackBook, to dive deep into the real-world application of AI, automation, and CRM systems for real estate investors.

We go far beyond the buzzwords and get into the trenches—how to actually use AI to find better deals, filter out tire kickers, and close more transactions with fewer headaches. Damon breaks down the 3 most powerful ways to integrate AI into your business today, why a CRM is your “central source of truth,” and how automation allows you to create predictability and freedom.

Whether you’re a solopreneur trying to escape the hustle or a seasoned investor scaling your ops, this episode will give you a clear blueprint to simplify, systematize, and scale your real estate business.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:25 Damon’s backstory: from broke, broken home to military to entrepreneur
03:47 Why AI is overwhelming—but doesn’t have to be

05:51 Strategy vs. Tactics: start with strategy, not tools

07:26 3 key ways to use AI in real estate investing right now

09:16 What does conversational AI do?

11:50 Choosing tools that integrate with your stack to avoid “app overload”

14:31 The story behind REI BlackBook: solving inefficiency with all-in-one software
20:15 CRM as your “central source of truth”
21:50 Tracking KPIs: which marketing dollars are actually making you money?
23:25 Systems → People → Freedom (The E-Myth model in action)
28:26 The business vision of REI BlackBook

33:40 How AI can help simplify your business

35:40 Using an AI assistant vs an overseas VA

Quotables

“Grind doesn’t scale. Systems do.”

“You don’t have to love tech. You just have to love freedom.”

“If AI can book your appointment, filter your leads, and coach your calls… why wouldn’t you use it?”

Links

QLS Live

https://qlslive.com

Real Estate On Your Terms and Deal Structure Overtime

https://wickedsmartbooks.com/podcast

FREE Master’s Class

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast

FREE Strategy Session with Chris Pre

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast

QLS 4.0

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qlspodcast

Investor Resources

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/resources

Apprentice Program

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/apprenticepodcast

In the Trenches Bootcamp

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/ittbpodcast

3 Paydays Virtual Event

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/3paydayspodcast

REI Blackbook

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/REIBB-DD

7 Figures Funding

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/7figures-pod

What separates those who just dabble in real estate from those who build real freedom? After a decade in the business, coaching thousands of students, and scaling my own portfolio—I can tell you this: success isn’t about talent. It’s about traits.

In today’s solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the 9 traits that our most successful associates, apprentices, and real estate partners demonstrate every day. These traits aren’t flashy. They’re foundational. And they’ll change the way you operate if you commit to them.

Whether you’re brand new or scaling your real estate business, this episode will help you self-audit your habits, refocus your energy, and get real about what it takes to win.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:01 The mission of Smart Real Estate Coach

02:07 The Genius Model: mindset, skillset, and systems

03:05 Why success requires delivering 3x the value to 3x your income
05:27 The 9 traits of success

07:05 Trait #1: Show up

08:10 Trait #2: Commitment

11:50 Trait #3: Be vulnerable enough to be critiqued (ACAA: Action, Critique, Adjustment, Action)

13:23 Trait #4: Leverage your mentor

14:29 Trair #5: Personal accountability

15:41 Trait #6: Public accountability
17:16 Trait #8: Sacrifice

18:50 Trait #9: Weekly reflection

20:33 How these traits were built by students, not coaches

Quotables

“You’re not going to make $300K doing the same thing that got you to $100K. You have to become a different version of yourself.”

“You can’t 10X your income without 10X’ing the value you bring to the market.”

“Sacrifice doesn’t mean giving something up. It means trading something small for something greater.”

Links

QLS Live

https://qlslive.com

Real Estate On Your Terms and Deal Structure Overtime

https://wickedsmartbooks.com/podcast

FREE Master’s Class

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast

FREE Strategy Session with Chris Pre

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast

QLS 4.0

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qlspodcast

Investor Resources

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/resources

Apprentice Program

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/apprenticepodcast

In the Trenches Bootcamp

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/ittbpodcast

3 Paydays Virtual Event

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/3paydayspodcast

REI Blackbook

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/REIBB-DD

7 Figures Funding

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/7figures-pod

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Theriault, a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, real estate investor, the CEO of Epic Real Estate and host of the Epic Real Estate Investing Podcast. Matt shares how he went from losing everything in the music industry to rebuilding his life and fortune through creative real estate strategies—without relying on his own credit or cash.

We dig into his journey through financial hardship, how he found real estate after a devastating pivot, why seller financing is his favorite type of deal, and how building multiple income streams helped him create real freedom.

Matt’s blunt, real-world advice about mindset, wealth-building, and taking action will fire you up if you’re ready to get serious about creating lasting wealth through real estate.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

02:45 Who is Matt Theriault?

04:04 How Napster crushed his first business overnight
06:47 Finding inspiration from a grocery store manager and discovering real estate
10:05 How Rich Dad, Poor Dad turned Matt’s life around

12:03 Starting creative real estate investing with no credit, no cash
14:09 Sourcing deals through small, highly targeted mailing lists

16:35 Escape: flipping the traditional wealth-building model

19:02 Why residual income > chasing a big pile of money

20:00 Matt’s favorite type of deal: seller financing with 0% interest

21:04 Advice for beginners: stop negotiating against yourself
23:57 Why lead flow matters and why some sellers want creative solutions

25:29 Matt’s transition into coaching and building another passive income stream
30:16 Remaining in the trenches: why Matt still does deals personally
31:18 Connect with Matt and get a copy of Escape
32:02 Final advice: don’t wait to own real estate—start today

Quotables

“Real estate is the final frontier where the average person has a legitimate shot at real wealth.”

“Passive income should create your pile of money, not the other way around.”

“Real wealth isn’t built on flash or hype – it’s built on boring, consistent cash flow.”

Links

Escape: Crushing Conventional Wisdom With Real Estate Investing

https://myescapebook.com/escape-2

Epic Real Estate Investing Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/@epicrealestate

QLS Live

https://qlslive.com

Real Estate On Your Terms and Deal Structure Overtime

https://wickedsmartbooks.com/podcast

FREE Master’s Class

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast

FREE Strategy Session with Chris Pre

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast

QLS 4.0

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qlspodcast

Investor Resources

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/resources

Apprentice Program

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/apprenticepodcast

In the Trenches Bootcamp

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/ittbpodcast

3 Paydays Virtual Event

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/3paydayspodcast

REI Blackbook

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/REIBB-DD

7 Figures Funding

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/7figures-pod