Real Estate Investing School Podcast

Joe Jensen sits down with Tom Brodie of CSSI (Cost Segregation Services), a Texas A&M finance grad who spent 27 years at Shell Oil and even ran dive trips for Houston's largest scuba retailer before finding his calling in cost segregation. In his seven years with CSSI, Tom has helped clients identify over $80 million in additional depreciation expenses. Tom breaks down the jargon in plain English: straight-line vs accelerated depreciation, what actually qualifies as a 5, 7, or 15-year asset (parking lots yes, roofs and HVAC no), why an Airbnb is taxed like a hotel on a 39-year schedule instead of 27.5, and how the 2025 bill made 100% bonus depreciation permanent. The two also get practical about the traps: why flippers should never do a cost seg, how recapture works and why holding three to five years (or using a 1031 exchange) protects your savings, and the surprisingly common bookkeeping error where CPAs overvalue land, sometimes by hundreds of thousands of dollars, locking owners out of depreciation they could legally take. Joe closes with the reminder that none of this is a loophole: the tax code was written to reward real estate investors, so play the game as designed. Tom's company offers free estimates, usually turned around in two business days, with a typical 10-to-1 return on the study cost. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram TheFoundMoneyGuy.com

Joe Jensen sits down with Mark Simpson, founder of Boostly, to break down how short-term rental hosts can reduce their dependence on Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, and other OTAs by building a stronger direct booking strategy. Mark shares how he grew up in hospitality on a 200-acre farmstay in the UK, long before Airbnb existed, and explains how the industry shifted from upfront marketing costs to commission-based OTA bookings. While platforms like Airbnb can be a great way to get started, Mark warns that relying on one platform too heavily leaves hosts exposed to rising fees, algorithm changes, guest complaints, and sudden account suspensions. The conversation dives into practical strategies for getting more direct bookings without leaving Airbnb entirely. Mark explains the "billboard effect," where hosts use Airbnb for visibility while making their brand, property name, Google presence, website, and social profiles easy for guests to find directly. He also shares why professional hosts should aim for a healthier mix of bookings, with direct bookings forming the backbone of the business and OTAs acting as extra lead sources. The episode is a reminder that platforms are useful, but real business control comes from owning your audience, your brand, and your booking process. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram Mark LinkedIn Boostly UK

On this episode of the Real Estate Investing School Podcast, Joe Jensen sits down with multifamily investor, certified money coach, and father of six, Gino Barbero. With 1,800 units and over $350M AUM—all without syndications—Gino breaks down the truth behind building a real estate portfolio the right way. He shares how he went from running a family restaurant to partnering with Jake, buying their first 25-unit deal, scaling thoughtfully, and creating long-term wealth through operations, strong systems, and strategic market selection. Gino also dives deep into the mindset behind money—how childhood beliefs shape financial behaviors, why clarity matters more than motivation, and how understanding your relationship with money creates freedom. From valuation through operations, to avoiding predatory partnerships, to teaching money principles to his own kids, this conversation is packed with real-world lessons, transparency, and timeless wisdom. If you care about building wealth the right way, this episode is a masterclass. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram barbaro360.com jakeandgino.com

In this episode, Joe sits down with Rob Marucci, a Connecticut-based real estate broker, licensed contractor, and long-term investor who started in 2007—right before the crash. Rob shares the hard-earned lessons from buying properties at the worst possible time, bleeding for years, and still coming out ahead by staying in the game. His biggest takeaway is simple but powerful: never buy a property that loses money from day one, and if you want long-term freedom, focus on quality tenants and quality properties instead of chasing complicated strategies. Rob also reveals the "game-changing" program he built through his brokerage and contracting team: a no-upfront-cost home prep service where his company handles repairs, cleanup, and cosmetic upgrades up front, then gets reimbursed at closing—helping sellers avoid the "as-is" trap and capture tens of thousands more in profit. They wrap with a refreshingly simple investing blueprint: buy one self-sufficient property per year for 15 years, let tenants pay down the mortgage, and build a portfolio that creates real options—whether you flip, rent long-term, Airbnb, or pivot as the market changes. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram

In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School podcast, host Joe Jensen sits down with Nathan Turner, widely known as The Canadian Note Guy. Nathan has carved out a unique niche in real estate by focusing on mortgage notes, an often-overlooked strategy that allows investors to generate passive income without the headaches of property management. As the President of Ernest Inc. and Manager of Ernest Investing LP, he shares how he transitioned from flipping houses in Canada to becoming a leading note investor in the U.S., managing assets for accredited investors and running the Diversified Mortgage Expo, a top-tier industry event. Nathan breaks down the fundamentals of note investing, explaining how it compares to traditional real estate strategies and why he prefers being the lender rather than the landlord. He walks through his approach to buying performing and non-performing notes, the multiple exit strategies available, and how investors can turn seller-financed deals into liquid cash by selling their notes. Whether you're looking for a truly passive investment or want to learn how to structure notes for long-term financial growth, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram Earnest Investing Website

In this episode of the Real Estate Investing School Podcast, host Joe Jensen sits down with Mike "Big Mike" Zlotnik—CEO of TF Management Group, host of the Big Mike Fund podcast, and author of How to Choose a Smart Real Estate Investment Fund. With over two decades of experience as a passive investor and full-time fund manager since 2009, Mike shares how he navigates market cycles with logic, discipline, and data—not emotion or speculation. He breaks down his core principles for evaluating deals, including cap rate vs. interest rate spreads, discounts to replacement cost, and recognizing signs of distress-driven opportunities in today's commercial market. Joe and Mike also dive into the differences between syndications and funds, the pros and cons of each, and how investors can leverage asymmetric risk opportunities for consistent cash flow and long-term growth. Whether you're a passive investor or active operator, Mike's approach is a masterclass in removing emotion from investing and letting the numbers lead. If you've ever wondered how fund managers evaluate deals, or how to truly protect downside while growing wealth, this episode is packed with tactical insights, timeless principles, and plenty of "Big Mike" wisdom. Book a free real estate investing strategy call! No experience necessary. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube Real Estate Investing School Instagram Brody's Instagram Joe's Instagram Brent's LinkedIn