The Alternative Investing Advantage

Agricultural technology is undergoing what Chris Rawley calls a fourth revolution, and he has spent a decade funding the companies behind it. Chris is the founder and CEO of Harvest Returns, a platform that raises capital for farms and agribusinesses. He joins Alternative Investing Advantage host Alex Perny to explain what precision tools, robotics, and biologics are actually solving, and where an investor can take a position.Key Points:- Agriculture is in its fourth technology revolution. Steam tractors, then synthetic chemicals, then GPS, and now precision tools and robotics.- The farm credit system barely fits specialty crops or livestock. Chris says it has hardly changed in six decades.Adoption is the bottleneck, not invention. Chris estimates a ten-year lead time and calls ranchers three times more conservative.Robots now weed by machine vision. Some yank the weed, others zap it with a laser, and others kill it with steam.Financing risk worries him most. Early rounds are raised on a promise and later rounds on performance, so stalled companies run out of cash.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: technology in agriculture investing01:38 How Chris Rawley started Harvest Returns03:10 The four revolutions in agricultural technology10:01 Why the farm credit system leaves growers behind14:39 Cash flow deals versus early-stage growth17:17 Precision agriculture, Starlink, and slow adoption25:53 Consumer demand and the margins farmers live on29:40 Cattle technology and the cost of beef33:41 Robots that pull, zap, and steam weeds37:12 How Harvest Returns finds and structures deals43:13 The number one risk in early-stage agriculture technology46:14 Where Chris is bullish and where he is not49:07 How to connect with Chris RawleySubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at [email protected] more about our guest, Chris Rawley: https://www.harvestreturns.com/Learn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-ira https://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/ https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#AgTech #SelfDirectedIRA #AgricultureInvesting #AlternativeInvestments #PrecisionAgriculture

Farmland investing separates the land from the crop, and Rob Moore says that separation is the whole thesis. Rob is the general manager of AcreTrader, which buys row crop farmland and leases it to working farmers. He joins Alternative Investing Advantage host Alex Perny to explain how the asset class works and why returns come from the ground rather than the harvest.Key Points:- Row crops and permanent crops carry different risks. Tree crops like almonds and citrus take years to develop and tie returns to commodity prices, while row crops get replanted annually and leave the value in the underlying real estate.- Cash yield is low by design. Rob describes roughly a 2 to 4 percent annualized cash-on-cash return from rent, with most of the long-term return coming from land appreciation rather than income.- Location drives risk more than crop selection. Around the 100th meridian, the map turns from green to brown, and outside the reliable rainfall zone, there are fewer farmers, fewer bidders, and a much wider range of outcomes.- Leverage adds risk without adding much upside. Rob argues that debt might lift cash-on-cash from 2 percent to 3 percent while exposing the investment to variable rates, which is a poor trade for an asset held for capital preservation.- Arable land is disappearing permanently. Rob cites roughly 4.8 acres lost every minute in this country, and once farmland becomes roads and neighborhoods, it does not revert to farmland.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: farmland as an alternative investment01:13 How Rob Moore got into agriculture and AcreTrader02:37 Row crops versus permanent crops08:57 How farmland leases are structured13:10 Commodity prices, trade policy, and subsidies18:59 Tenant turnover and why farms stay leased21:17 Why location determines farmland risk26:56 Why AcreTrader buys without leverage31:50 Exit strategy and the liquidity problem37:57 Institutional buyers and intergenerational land transfer47:30 Why lost farmland does not come back50:43 How to connect with Rob MooreSubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at [email protected] more about our guest, Rob Moore: https://acretrader.com/Learn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-ira https://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/ https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#FarmlandInvesting #SelfDirectedIRA

Nonperforming notes are defaulted mortgages bought at a discount, and Dave Van Horn has been buying them since 2007. He is the co-founder and chief executive officer of PPR Capital Management, and he joins Alternative Investing Advantage host Alex Perny to explain how this debt actually gets resolved. The property is rarely the goal.Key Points:- Defaulted mortgage debt trades at a steep discount. The buyer then works with the borrower toward a resolution rather than moving straight to foreclosure.- Junior liens and first mortgages need completely different due diligence. Second liens are underwritten statistically across a pool. First mortgages hinge on the equity and value of the individual property.- Borrower intent drives every outcome. The first question is whether the homeowner wants to stay or wants to go, and the exit follows from that answer.- There are roughly six exits on a distressed loan. Modification, discounted arrears, discounted payoff, deed in lieu, foreclosure, and selling the asset outright.- Note pricing moves with real estate values. When values fall, this paper gets cheaper, and margins widen, which is why a downturn tends to be a buying season.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: investing in nonperforming notes02:28 How Dave Van Horn moved from contracting to distressed debt09:27 Junior liens versus first mortgages15:21 Due diligence and risk mitigation on delinquent loans20:02 Borrower intent and how loan modifications work30:23 Why keeping homeowners in their homes pays more36:19 Institutional capital and mortgage securitization46:22 Outlook for distressed mortgage supply and pricing50:04 How to connect with Dave Van HornSubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at [email protected] more about our guest, Dave Van Horn: https://pprcapitalmgmt.com/Learn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-ira https://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/ https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/

Andrew Horowitz has spent more than thirty years watching markets move. In this episode of the Alternative Investing Advantage, he explains the macro forces that shape every investment decision you make, from monetary policy to market structure.Key Points:- How politics entered monetary policy and changed the market cycle- Why rising debt to GDP levels matter more than most investors think- The petrodollar, the Strait of Hormuz, and pressure on the US dollar- Why market-cap-weighted indexes hide what is really happening- How AI capital expenditure could become the next valuation problem- Why illiquidity can work in favor of long-term investors- The rise of the retail investor and what it means for volatility- Practical signals to watch, including SPY versus RSPChapters:00:00 Introduction01:37 Thirty years of market experience04:28 What changed after the great financial crisis10:06 Deficits, debt, and modern monetary theory18:03 Digital currencies and the rise of alternatives23:00 Illiquidity as an advantage28:44 The retail investor comes of age35:51 Inflation, AI capex, and market structure40:11 How to read the indexes correctly49:40 Final advice for individual investorsSubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at [email protected] more about our guest, Andrew Horowitz: https://www.thedisciplinedinvestor.com/Learn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-ira https://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/ https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#Macroeconomics #AlternativeInvestments #SelfDirectedIRA

37 million homes across the United States are sitting in extreme weather disaster zones, and they're losing 1.2% of their value every single year. That's not a projection. That's what's happening right now.In this episode of the Alternative Investing Advantage podcast, host Alex Perny sits down with Ben Gilliland of Future Proof Property Intelligence, a seven-year veteran of disaster mitigation, AI-driven property analysis, and climate-resilient engineering, to break down exactly what this means for real estate investors, homeowners, and anyone trying to protect their property and portfolio.Whether you're a homeowner in a high-risk state or a real estate investor looking to protect and grow your portfolio — this episode could save you six figures.⏱ Chapters:0:00 — Introduction: Why Climate Risk Is Now a Real Estate Issue2:10 — Ben's Background: Rock Bands, Silicon Valley, NVIDIA & Sailboats8:19 — Defining the 7 Major Disaster Types Threatening US Property10:29 — Which 17 States Are at High Risk Today13:30 — What California Is Doing About Wildfire — And What Texas Isn't14:11 — The My Safe Florida Home Program: What It Covers15:28 — The Real Cost of Home Hardening in Florida18:57 — Shallow Water Flooding: The AI Solution for 62% of Flood Claims22:31 — How AI Scans Your Home, Builds a 3D Twin & Generates a Blueprint26:25 — The Insurance Crisis: Why Insurers Are Leaving High-Risk States29:19 — ROI of Home Hardening: The 10-Year View35:29 — Forced Mitigation: What States Will Soon Require39:41 — Existing Housing Stock vs. New Construction: The Real Problem41:14 — Why Reinsurers Walked Away — And What That Means for You50:05 — The Worst Place to Own Property in the US (It's Not Florida)51:51 — Migration Patterns & Where Real Estate Value Is Heading52:53 — The #1 Factor Driving Population Migration: Fresh Water56:46 — 5 Markets Future Proof Serves Beyond the Consumer58:37 — How to Access the Tool, Invest & Connect with Future ProofSubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Learn more about our guest, Ben Gilliland:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-gilliland-thirdLearn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-irahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#ClimateRisk #RealEstateInvesting #HomeHardening #InsuranceCrisis #FloodRisk #WildFire #SelfDirectedIRA #AlternativeInvesting #AdvantaIRA

Hard money lending is one of the most misunderstood parts of real estate investing—but it plays a critical role in getting deals done.In this episode of the Alternative Investing Advantage podcast, Alex Perny sits down with Will Harvey of Harvey Capital to break down how hard money actually works, who it’s for, and how lenders evaluate deals.You’ll learn:How hard money loans are structuredWhy lenders focus on the borrower, not just the dealThe biggest mistakes real estate investors makeHow local market knowledge impacts lending decisionsWhy over-improving properties kills profitabilityHard money isn’t predatory—it’s a tool. And when used correctly, it can unlock deals that traditional financing can’t support.If you want to understand how smart lenders protect their capital and how to think like one, this episode gives you the framework.⏱ Chapters:0:00 — Introduction & Why Hard Money Gets a Bad Rap2:23 — Will's Background: From House Hacking to Hard Money7:39 — How Will Found His Footing as a Lender11:38 — The Accidental Business That Had Legs16:52 — Why Local Market Knowledge Beats Everything20:05 — The Petersburg Example: Why Not Every Deal Is Equal24:53 — How Will Underwrites Loans: ARV, LTV & Character29:11 — Why Will Always Meets Borrowers Face to Face31:40 — Using AI to Improve Underwriting Decisions36:58 — Loan Structure: Points, Rates & Flexible Terms40:13 — The Flexibility of Private Lending vs. Traditional Financing46:14 — What Will Looks for in a Borrower's Renovation Approach55:18 — Where the Market Is Headed & Will's Future PlansSubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Learn more about our guest, Will Harvey:https://harvey-capital.com/aboutLearn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-irahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#HardMoneyLending #RealEstateInvesting #PrivateLending #SelfDirectedIRA #AlternativeInvesting #RealEstate

Offshore trusts and LLCs aren't just for the ultra-wealthy or the sketchy. They're one of the most effective — and completely legal — tools available for protecting assets from lawsuits, creditors, and geopolitical risk.In this episode of the Alternative Investing Advantage podcast, Alex Perny sits down with Matthew Smith of SouthPac Group — a firm that has operated in the offshore space since 1982 — to break down exactly how Cook Islands and Nevis structures work, who they're built for, and what it actually costs to set one up and maintain it.What you'll learn:→ The difference between Cook Islands and Nevis trusts — and which is right for you→ Why offshore structures are NOT tax havens (and what they actually are)→ How irrevocable trusts create a legal wall between you and creditors→ Trust vs. LLC: when to use each and when to combine both→ What it takes to access your money — and why that process IS the protection→ How US persons can legally bank in Switzerland through an offshore structure→ What the reporting requirements actually look like (and why they're manageable)→ How self-directed IRA funds can be held in offshore structures⏱ Chapters:0:00 — Introduction & Why Offshore Interest Is Growing2:18 — SouthPac Group: 40+ Years in the Offshore Space5:10 — Cook Islands vs. Nevis: Key Differences Explained11:09 — Who Actually Uses Offshore Structures (And Why)12:56 — Barriers to Entry & Compliance Requirements15:31 — Offshore ≠ Tax Haven: Clearing Up the Misconceptions19:13 — Trust vs. LLC: Levels of Protection Compared23:19 — Revocable vs. Irrevocable: What You Need to Know25:00 — How Trustees Work and Why You Shouldn't Be Your Own30:44 — Ongoing Costs: What to Budget For34:20 — What Assets Can Actually Go Offshore38:45 — Banking Options: Switzerland, Cook Islands & More44:02 — How to Access Your Money From an Offshore Trust48:53 — Managing Expectations as a Trust Beneficiary50:30 — Why Offshore Isn't as Mysterious as You ThinkSubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Learn more about our guest, Matthew Smith:https://southpacgroup.com/our-people/Learn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-irahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#OffshoreInvesting #AssetProtection #WealthProtection #CookIslands #NevisTrust #Offshoretrust #AlternativeInvesting #SelfDirectedIRA #SDIRA #AdvantaIRA #LegalAssetProtection #SwissBanking #WealthBuilding #HighNetWorth #AlternativeInvestingAdvantage

Most investors hear "affordable housing" and immediately think low returns, government red tape, and bad tenants. Dusten Hendrickson has spent 20+ years proving that's completely wrong.In this episode of the Alternative Investing Advantage podcast, Alex Perny sits down with Dusten — a real estate developer building 500–1,000 units per year — to break down exactly how affordable and workforce housing works as an investment strategy, and why it may be one of the most overlooked opportunities in real estate today.What you'll learn:→ The difference between "Big A" affordable housing (government programs) and "Little A" affordable housing (market-rate, community-driven)→ Why density is the most important variable in profitable affordable development→ How to navigate city entitlements, zoning, and local politics without wasting years→ Why workforce housing and attainable housing are really the same thing — and how to use that to your advantage→ The specific demographics and AMI metrics Dusten uses to identify the right communities→ Why holding real estate long-term always beats flipping — and what's happening in today's market→ How design efficiency (quartz counters, no underground parking, wellness design) creates desirable units at affordable rentsChapters:0:00 — Introduction & Dusten's Background3:18 — Big A vs. Little A Affordable Housing Explained4:48 — The Problem with Government Housing Programs8:19 — Density, Design Efficiency & Wellness Design11:52 — The Entitlement Process: Biggest Risk in Development16:21 — How to Navigate City Politics & Get Approvals22:37 — What Tenants Actually Care About (& What They Don't)25:56 — Hold vs. Sell Strategy in Today's Market30:07 — What Is Workforce Housing, Really?35:38 — Geographic Targeting: Upper Midwest & Expanding42:40 — Why Suburbs Are Winning Over Urban Centers48:13 — How to Read AMI Data to Find the Right Markets53:34 — Why Density Always Wins for Long-Term ROISubscribe to our YouTube channel and join our growing community for new videos every week.If you are interested in being a podcast guest speaker or have questions, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Learn more about our guest, Dusten Hendrickson:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dusten-hendricksonLearn more about Advanta IRA: https://www.AdvantaIRA.com/ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/advanta-irahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/Advanta-IRA/https://twitter.com/AdvantaIRA https://www.facebook.com/AdvantaIRA/ https://www.instagram.com/AdvantaIRA/#AffordableHousing #RealEstateInvesting #WorkforceHousing #SelfDirectedIRA #AlternativeInvesting #RealEstateDevelopment #PassiveIncome #AdvantaIRA