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Can you legally pay zero taxes as a real estate investor? Should that even be your goal? CPA Marcus Crigler challenges conventional wisdom in this eye-opening conversation about navigating the post-bonus depreciation landscape in real estate investing.

As the 100% bonus depreciation benefit phases out (down to 60% in 2024), investors need to rethink their tax strategy. Marcus offers a refreshing perspective: sometimes paying some taxes is smarter than spending your last dollar trying to avoid them completely. His practical advice focuses on staying below the critical 24% tax bracket threshold rather than aiming for zero, potentially saving you thousands while maintaining business stability.

Beyond tax strategy, Marcus delivers a masterclass in financial management for real estate entrepreneurs. He breaks down his four-phase business model (Hustle, Secure, Expand, Exit) and explains why most investors fail by skipping the crucial "Secure" phase. His recommendation? Establish consistent owner's compensation and maintain cash reserves equal to three months of fixed expenses before attempting expansion.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Marcus reframes how we think about spending: "An expense is not an expense, it's an ROI." This profound mindset shift transforms financial decision-making, ensuring every dollar spent generates returns. Coupled with practical bookkeeping advice and insights into where savvy investors are parking their cash in today's market (money markets, self-financing, and hard money lending), this episode delivers actionable wisdom for investors at any experience level.

Whether you're a seasoned real estate professional or just starting your journey, this conversation will fundamentally change how you approach your business finances. Subscribe now and share this episode with other investors who need to hear this message!

To connect with Marcus, go to www.beccfo.com and fill out their contact form.

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Laura Ritchie's journey from corporate media executive to real estate mogul exemplifies the power of creativity and determination in building wealth. Starting in 2017 with a simple side hustle, Laura leveraged family connections, thrift store furniture, and a willingness to take calculated risks to rapidly build an 85-unit portfolio now worth approximately $14 million.

What makes Laura's approach remarkable is her innovative financing strategies. She shares how she transformed basic apartments into furnished rentals with nothing more than spray paint and thrift store finds, doubling her returns with minimal investment. Her most impressive feat? Purchasing a seven-unit property for $350,000, improving it over four months, then refinancing to not only pay back the seller but also pocket $90,000 at closing. That property, now worth $1.1 million, became the foundation for acquiring dozens more units.

Beyond personal wealth building, Laura has structured her business to create generational prosperity through four separate LLCs - one for herself and her husband, and three others benefiting her parents, son, and daughter. Her work with her parents demonstrates her compassionate approach to family finances: rather than watching their retirement savings deplete, she helped convert their 401(k) into a real estate portfolio generating $4,000 monthly with perpetual growth potential.

Laura doesn't shy away from challenges either. She candidly discusses her current church conversion project, "Operation Foxhole," designed to provide housing for veterans, and the regulatory hurdles that have complicated the process. She also shares how market shifts have impacted her once-lucrative midterm rental business, forcing adaptation in a saturated marketplace.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, Laura's story offers invaluable insights into scaling quickly, structuring family investments, and navigating market challenges with resilience and creativity. Looking to connect with Laura about furnished rentals or her projects? Email her at laura@apcoho.com and explore how her approach might transform your own real estate journey.

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Brad Chandler opens up about his remarkable dual journey as both a wildly successful real estate investor with 4,500 deals under his belt and as someone who overcame deep-seated personal struggles that once threatened everything he built.

The conversation takes a profound turn when Brad reveals how a seemingly routine therapy session for his son's anxiety unexpectedly uncovered his own unresolved childhood trauma. This discovery launched him into a transformative healing journey that would radically change his approach to business, relationships, and life itself.

Brad doesn't hold back on the consequences of operating from unhealed trauma, candidly sharing how subconscious limiting beliefs cost him $9 million across five devastating real estate mistakes. From a $930,000 loss on a property where he misunderstood a title search to a $1.9 million trademark lawsuit fueled by ego rather than business logic, he connects these financial missteps directly to the "I'm not enough" story programmed into his childhood nervous system.

The most powerful segment comes when Brad explains his breakthrough realization: every negative behavior—from workaholism to substance abuse to relationship problems—stems from untruths formed between birth and age 10. Through his "Joy Regenerator" technique, he demonstrates how neuroplasticity can rewrite these neural pathways in just 3-4 hours of targeted work, freeing people from decades of destructive patterns.

For real estate investors specifically, Brad offers a paradigm-shifting perspective on success. By healing the root causes of limiting beliefs first, investors make clearer, strategic decisions unhindered by emotional baggage. They build businesses based on impact rather than validation-seeking, which paradoxically leads to greater financial success than directly chasing money ever could.

Ready to transform your life and business through this groundbreaking approach? Take the quick self-love assessment at unlocklessmitlessyou.com/quiz and discover how addressing your subconscious programming might be the missing piece in your investment strategy and overall wellbeing. You can also dive deeper with Brad by listening to his podcast, How to Be Happier For Entrepreneurs streaming wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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What does a dead cat in the ductwork have to do with real estate investing success? As it turns out, quite a lot about perseverance and education in the school of hard knocks.

Corey sits down with commercial underwriter Kolten Van Elzen for a fascinating exploration of economic trends and their impact on real estate investment strategy. Their conversation ranges from practical horror stories (like Colton's first flip of a 30-cat hoarder house) to sophisticated economic forecasting techniques that can give investors a competitive edge.

The duo dives deep into what's really happening with interest rates, explaining the critical difference between Fed actions and mortgage rates in clear, accessible terms. They break down why watching unemployment claims might be more important than following Federal Reserve announcements and provide specific resources investors can use to track economic indicators themselves.

Perhaps most reassuringly for investors nervous about current market conditions, Colton shares an eye-opening statistic: real estate prices have only declined twice in the last 40 years. With current inventory levels at just a quarter of what they were during the 2008 housing crisis, the fundamentals simply don't support predictions of a market crash in most regions.

Beyond market analysis, listeners will gain practical insights on building stronger banking relationships, creating a comprehensive "lender folder," and why maintaining multiple lender connections is crucial as bank appetites shift. The episode concludes with both hosts emphasizing that periods of market uncertainty often create the greatest opportunities for prepared investors.

Ready to gain an edge in your real estate investing journey? Subscribe to the Wisconsin Investor Podcast for more strategic insights and practical advice to help you navigate today's complex markets with confidence.

To get in to the data discussed on the episode google CME Fed Watch Group and Redfin Data Center.

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Imagine never having to beg a bank for funding again. What if you could consistently secure real estate deals with private lenders without ever asking for money? That's exactly what Jay Conner has mastered, and he shares his revolutionary approach in this eye-opening episode.

Jay reveals how he's built a portfolio of 47 private lenders providing $8.5 million in capital for his real estate business, all while maintaining the same 8% interest rate since 2009. Operating in a small market of just 50,000 people, he achieves average profits of $86,000 per deal by being "a big fish in a small pond" – a strategy perfectly suited for Wisconsin's many smaller markets.

The conversation illuminates the critical distinction between private money and hard money lending, with Jay emphasizing that true private money involves direct relationships with individual lenders using personal investment capital or retirement funds. This approach eliminates fees and middlemen while giving investors unprecedented control: "We get to make the rules. You as the borrower are already approved. There's no applications, no credit score checks, and you are your own underwriter."

Perhaps most valuable is Jay's psychological framework for approaching potential lenders. By separating conversations about the lending program from specific deal funding requests, investors avoid projecting desperation. His "teacher hat" approach educates lenders about opportunities rather than asking for anything, culminating in his "good news phone call" script that elegantly puts money to work without ever making a pitch.

The episode also explores how self-directed IRAs create win-win scenarios, allowing lenders to grow retirement funds at stable 8% returns that are tax-advantaged while giving investors access to capital. As one of Jay's lenders wrote in a thank-you note before passing away: "You changed our retirement years."

Ready to transform your real estate funding approach? Grab Jay's book "Where to Get the Money Now" for free (just cover shipping) at jayconner.com/book and start building your own private money network.

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Mike Higgins opens up about his transformative journey from personal trainer to thriving real estate investor in Wisconsin, revealing the strategic shifts that made all the difference in his business. Far from just another "how I got started" story, this conversation delivers practical wisdom on maximizing profitability in today's market.

Want to know why some investors consistently snap up deals while others struggle? Mike and Corey break down the exact systems needed to evaluate properties in minutes rather than days - including how missing just 20-30 deals annually could mean losing $500,000 in potential profits. They share their specialized approach to selecting properties in the "sweet spot" price range that ensures consistent sales regardless of market conditions.

The tax advantages of real estate take center stage as Mike explains his favorite investment strategy: "legally not paying taxes." Learn how properties showing minimal monthly cashflow can still offset hundreds of thousands in earned income through strategic tax planning, making even seemingly break-even properties incredibly valuable to your portfolio.

Perhaps most fascinating is their deep dive into how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing their businesses. From AI-powered call bots handling seller leads to automated deal analysis and even legal document review, discover how a $20/month ChatGPT subscription might replace services you're currently paying thousands for.

This episode culminates with hard-earned wisdom about maintaining strategic focus in a field filled with distractions. As Mike candidly admits, "We could go from wholesaling real estate to opening a Mexican restaurant in Indiana because there's not a lot of them there." The ability to "stay the course" might be your most valuable skill as an investor.

Ready to take action? Visit wisconsindiscountproperties.com to join their buyers list and start receiving off-market deals or schedule a free consultation to break down how the numbers work in today's market. To connect with Mike, check him out on X @meetmikehiggins.

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Securing financing remains the biggest hurdle for most aspiring real estate investors. When traditional banks say "no," where do you turn? In this eye-opening conversation, mortgage expert Aaron Kramer reveals the financing secrets that have helped hundreds of investors build substantial portfolios, even without perfect credit or W2 income.

Aaron breaks down how house hacking creates a perfect entry point for beginners, allowing you to live in one unit of a duplex while tenants in the other help pay your mortgage. The financial magic happens when you learn about loan programs specifically designed for this strategy – VA loans offering 0% down for veterans, FHA loans requiring just 3.5% down, and conventional options starting at 5% down. Each option provides a legitimate path to property ownership with minimal cash investment.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Aaron explains DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans – a game-changing option for investors. These loans require no income verification, allow properties to be held in LLCs for liability protection, and offer 30-year fixed rates typically unavailable through traditional bank financing. For self-employed individuals or those with complex tax situations who've been shut out of conventional financing, this could be the breakthrough you've been searching for.

A compelling mathematical breakdown reveals why waiting for interest rates to drop might cost you more in the long run. The five-year equity difference between buying at today's rates versus potentially lower future rates amounts to just a few thousand dollars – negligible compared to the appreciation and wealth-building you'd miss by sitting on the sidelines. As Corey puts it, "Time in the market beats timing the market."

Ready to explore these financing options for yourself? Connect with Aaron through Executive Mortgage or reach out through Wisconsin Discount Properties to discuss your specific situation and get pointed toward the right financing solution for your real estate goals.

To get in touch with Aaron, head to www.executivemortgage.com. To get exclusive off market deals sent to you on a weekly basis, go to www.wisconsindiscountproperties.com and put your info in today!

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Matt and Catie Fihn transformed their family's future through real estate investing in just three short years. Starting with a simple conversation between moms at a playdate, they discovered a path that would ultimately free both of them from their corporate careers and allow them to be present for their young children's formative years.

Their approach wasn't about getting rich quick or building a massive empire—it was about thoughtfully replacing their W-2 incomes while creating flexibility and freedom. After completing their first flip in Wauwatosa in 2022, they gained confidence and momentum. Soon Matt was able to leave his corporate job at Thermo Fisher Scientific to become the primary caregiver for their children while managing their growing business. Now Catie is joining him, leaving her 19-year career behind to go all-in on their real estate ventures.

The Fihns share candidly about their journey, including how they utilized hard money lending to fund their first projects, their meticulous approach to the BRRRR method for rental acquisitions, and how they manage properties across Wisconsin without living nearby. They've calculated missing between 20-30 potential deals worth approximately $500,000 while juggling jobs and parenting—missed opportunities they're now positioned to capitalize on with both partners fully dedicated to their business.

What makes their story so compelling is the intentionality behind their decisions. Rather than chasing undefined wealth, they focused on creating enough cashflow to support their desired lifestyle—one that prioritizes time with their young homeschooled children. As Matt puts it, "I cannot imagine waking up and being to work at a certain time or leaving at a certain time, or having to delegate your three weeks of vacation... I get the benefit of hanging out with the two coolest people in the world every day."

Ready to create your own real estate success story? Start following Wisconsin Discount Properties today for weekly investment opportunities that could change your future. www.wisconsindiscountproperties.com.