Stop Tipping the IRS: The Passive Real Estate Moves Ian Noble Shows His Clients

Most entrepreneurs are brilliant at generating income—and terrible at turning it into lasting wealth.

In this episode, Steve sits down with Ian Noble, founder of RunSteady Investments, who went from operating a 14-location dry cleaning business in Austin to exiting and going all-in on passive real estate: mobile home parks, private lending funds, and other low-risk, cash-flowing deals.

Ian shares how he quietly built a portfolio alongside his business, why he loves “boring” 7–8% returns, and how smart owners are using depreciation and K-1s to stop tipping the IRS every year.

You’ll hear:

• From dry cleaner to deal maker

  How Ian grew up in the family business, took over 14 locations with 90+ employees, and used every extra dollar to buy single-family and commercial properties on the side.

• The real problem with “reinvest everything”

  Why so many owners end up with big revenue and almost no assets—and the simple habit change that would’ve saved Ian (and his clients) years of stress.

• Why mobile home parks beat single-family rentals (for him)

  Limited supply, long-term residents, and lot rent that appreciates like a business—not like a house. Ian explains why he sees manufactured housing as a quiet winner in the affordability crisis.

• Passively investing vs being a landlord

  Fleas, broken toilets, and midnight calls versus wiring money into a deal run by a professional operator. Ian compares his active rentals with his passive syndications—and why he’s leaning heavily toward passive now.

• How he thinks about returns and risk

  Why “slow and steady” 7–8% cash flow plus depreciation often beats chasing 18% projections, and how he decides what’s “safe enough” to put his own family’s money into.

• What to look for in an operator

  The questions Ian asks before wiring a dollar: track record, failures, communication cadence, background checks, and why “this can’t fail” is his favorite red flag.

• Using real estate to keep more of what you make

  How depreciation, cost seg studies, and K-1s can offset income from your investments—and why you still need a sharp CPA to help you do it right.

• Where to put the extra cash in your business

  Why many owners sit on $200K–$400K in a checking account “just in case,” and how Ian thinks about using private lending funds and other “parking garages” instead.

If you’re a business owner sitting on cash, paying a painful tax bill every year, and wondering how to actually build wealth outside your company, this episode will give you concrete next steps—and better questions to ask before your next investment. If you're interested in this, you can click on Ian's links below: Free Passive Investing in Real Estate Cheat Sheet: go.runsteadyinvestments.com/grow-your-impact-podcast Join My Passive Investor Mailing List: runsteadyinvestments.com/investor-club LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/iannoble1/ Instagram: @ian_invests