This week I’m joined by Tim Bratz, real estate investor, operator, and now software founder of Smart Management. Tim has built, scaled, pivoted, and rebuilt multiple times on his entrepreneurial journey — and this episode dives into every arc. From starting in real estate in 2007 right before the crash, to rebuilding after going broke, to scaling nearly 5,000 units, and now launching a disruptive property management platform, Tim’s story is anything but linear.

We talk about resilience, market cycles, bad partnerships, scaling teams, and the reality that success is rarely one straight line. Then we shift into the real pain point that sparked his latest venture: third-party property management and outdated software systems that quietly destroy asset value. If you own rentals, operate multifamily, or care about protecting NOI in today’s market, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Tim Bratz and the multi-arc entrepreneurial journey.

[3:19] – Getting started in real estate in 2007 and surviving the crash.

[4:54] – Buying rentals at the bottom of the market in Cleveland.

[6:27] – Discovering the power of multifamily efficiency.

[7:27] – Partnership challenges and pressing the reset button.

[8:33] – The 2017 pivot from transactional flips to full-scale apartment acquisition.

[9:48] – Scaling to nearly 5,000 doors in just a few years.

[11:39] – The headwinds: interest rates, insurance spikes, supply chain chaos.

[13:28] – Why bad property management evaporates more wealth than market shifts.

[15:22] – The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and long-term thinking.

[18:01] – Controlling what you can control in volatile markets.

[21:23] – The origin of Smart Management and the engineering mindset behind it.

[23:35] – The core problem: too many disconnected tech systems.

[25:11] – Why legacy property management software is outdated and slow.

[27:20] – Building an all-in-one “business in a box” platform.

[29:16] – Real-time financial visibility vs. six-week-old reporting.

[31:04] – AI automations inside property management operations.

[33:53] – Automating maintenance requests and reducing overhead.

[35:23] – Increasing NOI through operational efficiency and staffing optimization.

[38:49] – Why this industry is primed for disruption and AI integration.

[40:25] – Raising capital, scaling Smart Management, and onboarding demand.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Entrepreneurship is not linear. Multiple resets are part of building something meaningful.
2. Long-term thinking prevents short-term panic decisions. Control the controllables.
3. Operational inefficiency destroys asset value faster than market shifts.
4. Real-time data changes everything. You can’t drive forward looking in the rearview mirror.
5. AI and automation will redefine property management economics. Lower overhead = higher NOI = higher valuation.

Links & Resources

• Smart Management – Join the waitlist at SmartManagement.com
• Connect with Tim Bratz – @TimBratz on social media
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with an investor who’s scaling rentals, frustrated with property management, or ready to think long term about building real enterprise value.

More high-level operator conversations coming next.

In this episode, I sit down with Zachary Beach, CEO of Smart Real Estate Coach and longtime real estate investor, to unpack one of the most relatable entrepreneurial journeys we’ve had on the show. Zach went from bartending and personal training to building a scalable real estate investing company alongside Chris Prefontaine — and the transition wasn’t accidental.

We dive deep into the real shift that happens between doing your first deal and deciding you’re actually going to build a business. Zach shares how mastering seller communication, systemizing follow-up, and thinking in scalable processes — not just transactions — allowed him to go from side hustle to multiple deals per month. This conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone trying to leave their W2 job, scale past their first few deals, or stop being the bottleneck in their own business.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Zachary Beach and his journey from bartender to full-time investor.

[2:58] – Why social skills don’t automatically translate to phone skills — and what actually matters.

[4:27] – The three-part structure of a high-converting seller call: introduction, clarification, and permission.

[6:13] – Why asking hard questions builds trust faster than avoiding them.

[9:01] – Motivation discovery and why most investors never dig deep enough.

[12:59] – Zach’s first creative deal and the mindset shift that followed.

[15:08] – Moving from getting paid for hours to getting paid for results.

[18:29] – The early follow-up system using physical 1–31 folders.

[21:23] – Why the fortune truly is in the follow-up — and why most people still avoid it.

[24:38] – Transitioning from paper systems to CRMs like Podio and beyond.

[27:01] – The seven steps to a “taken” and building predictable deal flow.

[29:50] – Delegation vs. doing everything yourself — the doctor’s office analogy.

[33:19] – Building a team that operates in systems, not personalities.

[35:23] – Zach’s free book offer and the three-paydays strategy.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Your first deal creates belief — not mastery. The real shift happens when you decide to build systems, not chase transactions.
2. Seller communication is a skill, not talent. Structure beats charisma on the phone.
3. Follow-up is a system problem, not a motivation problem. If it’s not automated or scheduled, it won’t happen.
4. Scaling requires duplication. You must extract knowledge from your head and embed it into process.
5. Money flows to results, not effort. Transitioning from hourly thinking to outcome thinking changes everything.

Links & Resources

• Free Book – Real Estate On Your Terms
• Get Zachary’s bestselling book and learn how to create three paydays on every deal: ThreePaydaysBook.com
• Smart Real Estate Coach – Creative financing training and mentorship
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with someone who’s stuck between their first deal and their first scalable system. The shift from operator to business builder starts with mindset — and then it’s reinforced with systems. More high-impact conversations coming next.

Hey, it’s Jordan Samuel Fleming — welcome back to That Real Estate Tech Guy! This episode is a big one for anyone who flips houses or plans to exit properties in the next 6–12 months. I’m joined by Tim Street, also known as the “FSBO Guy,” and this conversation is all about disposition — the most overlooked (and often most expensive) part of real estate investing.

Tim makes a compelling case for why investors are often far more qualified than they realize to handle the selling side of their own deals. We break down the myths around needing an agent, the real reasons investors lose tens of thousands of dollars on exits, and how tighter markets demand tighter execution. From pricing strategy and inspections to psychology, urgency, and transparency, this episode is packed with practical tactics that can dramatically increase your net profit.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Tim Street and why this episode focuses on disposition, not acquisition.

[1:35] – Why investors are often more informed than many real estate agents.

[3:55] – The power of leverage: why saving $3k on a sale can mean $30k on your next deal.

[5:18] – The three common investor exits and where Tim’s approach fits best.

[6:42] – Why flippers and buy-and-hold investors benefit most from controlling the sale.

[7:35] – The myth that selling a home requires a law degree.

[9:03] – The two biggest fears investors have when selling themselves: pricing and legal risk.

[9:26] – Why underpricing is safer than overpricing in today’s market.

[10:16] – The real reason FSBO lawsuits happen (and how to avoid them).

[11:57] – Why investors obsess over acquisitions and ignore the part where the money is made.

[13:08] – How tighter markets eliminate sloppiness and punish bad exits.

[15:08] – A-player markets and why optimization now matters more than ever.

[23:29] – Using AI and better copy to make listings emotionally compelling.

[24:16] – The invite-only neighborhood open house strategy.

[27:33] – Turning neighbors into your best sales force.

[29:16] – Creating urgency through exclusivity and strict offer deadlines.

[34:48] – Reduced-commission agent options when FSBO isn’t a fit.

[36:03] – Why disposition deserves as much attention as acquisition.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Disposition is where profit is made or lost. You can’t afford to treat it as an afterthought.
2. Investors are more capable than they think. Selling isn’t magic — it’s process and preparation.
3. Transparency removes buyer leverage. Pre-list inspections and open-book pricing change the game.
4. Tight markets punish sloppy exits. Every mistake now shows up in your net profit.
5. Saving money on the sale compounds forward. Small wins on exits fuel bigger future deals.

Links & Resources

• FSBO Readiness Quiz – Find out if selling yourself is right for you
• 👉 https://foolprooffsbo.com/quiz
• 7-Day FSBO Launch Blueprint (Free eBook)
• 👉 https://foolprooffsbo.com/ebook
• Investor Power Pack
• 👉 https://foolprooffsbo.com/investors
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with an investor who’s focused on acquisitions but hasn’t yet optimized their exits. In this market, selling smarter isn’t optional — it’s survival. More high-signal conversations coming next.