How To Invest Anywhere with Mitchell England #253

In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve Podcast, Jason and Ian sit down with Mitchell, a mobile home park investor from Washington State, to dive deep into one of real estate’s most misunderstood — yet highly profitable — asset classes: mobile home parks.

Mitchell shares his inspiring journey from being a burned-out W2 employee to taking the leap into full-time real estate and entrepreneurship. He walks us through how reading Rich Dad Poor Dad changed his mindset, how he started small, and how he built his portfolio to include a 39-unit mobile home park across the country in North Carolina.

If you’ve ever been curious about:
🏘️ Why investors are turning to mobile home parks for stable cash flow
💡 How to analyze, underwrite, and finance MHP deals
⚙️ The real expenses and management systems behind park ownership
🚫 Common pitfalls (like overestimating vacant pad potential)
💪 And what makes this space resistant to inflation —

— this episode breaks it all down with firsthand experience and actionable insights.

🎙️ Key Topics Covered:

• Mitchell’s background and mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur

• His first big commercial deal: a 39-unit mobile home park

• Understanding MHP expenses, utilities, and management models

• The truth about filling vacant pads and dealing with POH (park-owned homes)

• Why mobile home parks offer long-term stability and community

• What the future looks like for mobile home park investing

📈 Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just exploring new opportunities in real estate, this conversation will change how you think about affordable housing and passive income.

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

The Next Big Asset Class with Joe Downs - #252

In this episode of The Real Estate Reserve Podcast, Jason and Ian sit down with Joe Downs, a Philadelphia-based investor with deep experience across multiple real estate asset classes. From distressed residential debt to self-storage, RV and boat storage, and even flex industrial space, Joe shares how he navigated market cycles, reinvented his business, and discovered what he calls the next big asset class.

Joe’s story highlights how he transitioned from distressed mortgage debt and hard money lending into building a self-storage portfolio of 20+ facilities nationwide. He dives into:
✅ Why self-storage remains a powerful opportunity despite increased competition
✅ Lessons learned from distressed debt investing and market downturns
✅ The rise of “pro storage” and small-bay flex as niche investment opportunities
✅ How COVID changed storage operations, technology adoption, and valuations
✅ The benefits of long-term coaching, masterminds, and partnerships in scaling

Whether you’re a multifamily operator, private lender, or a new investor looking for your next move, this episode is packed with candid insights about what it takes to pivot, adapt, and thrive in today’s market.

🎧 Don’t miss this conversation if you want to understand where the real estate investing world is headed next!

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

CJ Calio - The Deal That Changed My Life

In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, CJ Calio from WNN Properties shares the real estate deal that transformed his path from UPS driver to financial freedom in just four years. Based in Hawaii, CJ focuses on out-of-state investing, building wealth through buy-and-hold residential and commercial properties in more affordable markets.

CJ dives into the pivotal deal that changed everything: an 11-property portfolio he secured without having the cash in hand. By leveraging OPM (other people’s money), he raised $500,000 in under 30 days to close on the deal. This portfolio not only accelerated his journey to early retirement but also opened doors to larger opportunities, including a $3 million commercial property.

Topics covered in this episode:

• How CJ built financial freedom in 4 years through real estate

• The power of resourcefulness vs. resources in investing

• Leveraging private money and creative financing to scale

• Using the BRRRR method on a portfolio of 11 single-family homes

• Transitioning from residential to commercial real estate deals

Whether you’re a beginner investor or looking to scale your portfolio, CJ’s story is proof that with the right mindset and strategy, you can create financial independence through real estate.

🔗 Follow CJ on Instagram: @WNNProperties

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found value in this episode!

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Book Review - Take A Ride On The Wealth Elevator #251

In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve, we’re diving into Take A Ride On The Wealth Elevator by Lane Kawaoka — a book that breaks down how everyday investors can move from the “ground floor” to building long-term wealth through real estate syndications, accredited investing, tax strategies, and passive income.

We also chat about the balance between learning from books vs. podcasts, the importance of timing when financial lessons finally click, and why betting on yourself can often be the best investment strategy. From cash flow and infinite banking to scaling your business and leveraging locked equity, this discussion is packed with practical reminders and aha moments for investors at every stage.

📚 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Key takeaways from The Wealth Elevator and how to apply them

• Why passive income should be the top priority before legacy planning

• The power of combining books and podcasts for real-time learning

• Case studies and real-world applications from experienced investors

• How to leverage equity, syndications, and alternative assets for higher returns

Whether you’re just starting out, scaling your portfolio, or looking for fresh ideas to optimize your investing strategies, this conversation will give you insights you can put into action.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the show!

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Alan Franks - The Deal That Changed My Life

In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, we welcome back Alan Franks, Certified Financial Planner, author of Empower Money, and real estate investor based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Alan shares the real estate deal that changed everything for him—a $235,000 starter home purchased in 2015 that became the springboard for building a portfolio of rental properties, Airbnbs, and duplexes. What started with a $10,000 loan from a life insurance policy turned into a wealth-building strategy that leveraged equity, rental income, and HELOCs to create long-term financial freedom.

We dive into:

• How Alan used whole life insurance to fund his first real estate deal

• Turning one property into multiple rentals and Airbnbs

• The role of passive income (and why real estate isn’t always truly passive)

• Using leverage and syndications to grow wealth

• How real estate fits into an overall financial plan

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, an aspiring real estate investor, or someone looking to expand your portfolio, Alan’s story is a powerful example of how one deal can truly change your life.

🔗 Learn more about Alan Franks: https://empowered-money.com

👉 Don’t miss our first interview with Alan where we go deeper into financial planning and real estate strategies.

📌 If you found this episode valuable, please like, comment, and share—it helps us bring more real stories from real investors!

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

How Key Person Insurance Saved Joel Friedland’s Real Estate Portfolio - #250

In this episode of The Real Estate Reserve Podcast, we sit down with Chicago industrial real estate investor Joel Friedland to hear how decades of investing, market cycles, and a high-stakes partnership shaped his conservative, debt-free investment philosophy.

Joel started in industrial real estate syndications at just 22 years old, eventually building a portfolio of over 50 properties. Along the way, he experienced the highs of rapid growth, the pressures of the 2008 financial crisis with $70M in personal guarantees, and the painful reality of a partnership gone wrong. Through it all, key person insurance (also called keyman insurance) became the safety net that saved his business and his investors when tragedy struck.

But Joel’s story isn’t just about survival—it’s about lessons learned and how to build a portfolio designed to last.

You’ll hear:
✅ How Joel built his career in industrial real estate syndications
✅ The risks of personal guarantees, high leverage, and “saying yes” to the wrong deals
✅ Why he compares partnerships to marriage—and how ignoring red flags nearly cost him everything
✅ The 2008 financial crisis, seven banks pushing workouts, and what finally pushed him to adopt a no-debt/low-debt strategy
✅ How key person insurance and succession planning protect investors
✅ His current approach: debt-averse, small industrial buildings, long-term holds, and 7.5% preferred returns with investors
✅ Why he says IRR stands for “Irrelevant”—and why he focuses on cash flow and 14% average annual returns instead
✅ The importance of investor relationships, succession plans, and building a business you can sleep well at night with

Joel also shares candid reflections on lifestyle creep, partnership struggles, and why “breaking up is hard to do” when you’re living the good life—but necessary for long-term stability.

Plus, you’ll learn how he structures deals today, from raising 100% equity, to waterfalls and prefs, to creative solutions for investors who want to exit without selling a property.

This is a masterclass in risk management, succession planning, and conservative industrial real estate investing.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Brett Swarts - The Deal That Changed My Life

In this episode of The Deal That Changed My Life, we welcome back Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions. Brett shares two powerful stories—one about a life-changing real estate deal that gave his family the freedom to start a new chapter in Florida, and another about a missed opportunity that shaped his mission to help others avoid costly mistakes with capital gains taxes.

From a record-breaking property sale to the heartbreaking story of an investor who lost everything, Brett explains how these experiences inspired him to create strategies that unlock wealth, preserve families, and provide financial freedom.

If you’re a real estate investor, business owner, or entrepreneur facing a big exit, you’ll want to hear Brett’s insights on deferred sales trusts, capital gains strategies, and why having the right plan can make or break your financial future.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The real estate deal that changed Brett’s life and funded his family’s next chapter

• A cautionary tale of a $50M portfolio lost to poor tax planning

• Why capital gains tax solutions are critical for investors

• How deferred sales trusts can protect wealth and multiply impact

• Practical lessons for entrepreneurs, investors, and families

📍 Connect with Brett Swarts:
Website: BrettSwarts.com
Capital Gains Tax Solutions: CapitalGainsTaxSolutions.com

👉 If you found value in this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Share this with someone who needs to hear how the right tax strategy can change everything.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777

Lane Kawaoka’s Wealth Elevator: Legacy Building Through Real Estate & Businesses - #249

In this episode of the Real Estate Reserve Podcast, Jason and Ian sit down with Lane Kawaoka, a Hawaii-based real estate investor, author of The Wealth Elevator, and operator with 10,000+ rental units and over $2B in acquisitions. Lane shares his full journey from being an engineer buying single-family rentals to building large multifamily portfolios, syndications, and now expanding into business acquisitions.

We cover:

• Raising Capital vs. Finding Deals – why both are difficult, and how Lane fought to earn investor trust early on

• Building Broker Relationships – how to get taken seriously when you’re starting out and why brokers control deal flow

• Scaling from Class C to Class A – lessons learned from tough properties with high economic vacancy and how Lane shifted to better assets

• The Current Market – Lane’s perspective on interest rates, Fed policy, and why he thinks the market bottom may already be behind us

• Beyond Real Estate – why more investors are diversifying into businesses and other alternative assets for higher cash flow and flexibility

• The Wealth Elevator Framework – the stages of wealth building, from your first rental to financial freedom, and when to shift strategies at key net worth milestones

This is a masterclass in real estate investing, wealth building, and mindset from someone actively operating today — not just teaching theory.

👉 If you get value from the episode, please share it with another investor who’s serious about scaling their portfolio.

📌 Connect with Lane Kawaoka:
Book: The Wealth Elevator → Available on Amazon
Website: thewealthelevator.com

📌 Subscribe to the Real Estate Reserve Podcast for unfiltered conversations with operators building wealth in real time.

If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-reserve-podcast/id1507982777