The Moneyball Real Estate Show

In this episode of The Moneyball Real Estate Show, Kevin and Steve dedicate the full conversation to what they prefer to call Investor-Specific Financing—officially known as DSCR (Debt Service Cover Ratio) loans. They explain why this type of financing has become a major “next era” tool for real estate investors, especially in the January 2026 market environment. Rather than underwriting you like a traditional homeowner loan (W-2s, tax returns, debt-to-income ratios, endless documentation), DSCR loans primarily underwrite the property—asking one core question: Can the rental income reasonably cover the debt service? Kevin and Steve walk through how DSCR works, why it reduces lending friction for business owners and people with complex financials, and why it can be more conservative than conventional loans in certain ways (because a property generally must cash flow to qualify). They also address the high-interest questions investors actually care about: personal guarantees, LLC ownership, whether the loan shows up on personal credit, and how DSCR lending helps investors avoid the conventional “10-loan limit” that often slows portfolio growth. Finally, they tie it all back to Moneyball’s current approach: in a higher-price, more volatile environment, the goal isn’t to “sneak into deals” with low-down-payment risk—it’s to play the long game with a more conservative posture, including a growing emphasis on 30% down and DSCR-style lending to create a smoother, more sustainable investing experience over decades.

Chapter 12 centers on “The Power of One”—the idea that a single choice, a single action, or a single investment can create ripple effects far beyond what we can see in the moment. Kevin opens with a story from a chilly 4 a.m. convenience store line, where a woman he silently misjudged unexpectedly paid for his items. That small act of kindness—less than $5—became a lasting life lesson: leave people better than you found them. And the ripple effect of that “one” moment multiplied every time the story was retold. From there, the chapter expands the concept into true greatness—not celebrity, not fame, but the quiet heroism of everyday people who show up for others. Kevin shares the moment an eight-year-old girl named her dad as her hero—not because he’s famous, but because he picked her up when she fell, cleaned her knee, and cared. Then the chapter brings it home to business and investing: principle-based capitalism. It argues that real capitalism is rooted in integrity, service, hard work, and giving back—not “profit at all costs.” Kevin explains how DFY’s growth accelerated when the company shifted from obsessing over numbers to obsessing over people—documenting progress, improving individual interactions, and building a principle-driven company designed to outlast its founders. Finally, Kevin ties “the power of one” directly to the Moneyball Real Estate strategy: one property can change your financial life and positively impact dozens of people—lenders, agents, title companies, property managers, tenants, sellers—and still create the greatest benefit for you through cash flow, appreciation, tax benefits, and principal paydown. He reinforces the “one leads to two, two leads to four” compounding effect, shares Eric’s story of buying his first property in 2012 and reaching nine properties by 2019, and closes with a rally cry to start small, stack micro-wins, and take the next step—today.

Do It Now is a chapter—and an episode—about urgency with wisdom. It draws a clear line between motion and momentum, between planning and progress, and between fear-based hesitation and principle-based action. Through personal stories, real-world investing examples, and decades of market perspective, this episode reinforces a foundational Moneyball truth: There is no perfect market—only principled investors. Listeners learn that inaction is still a choice, active action can sabotage belief, and only productive action creates results. Whether facing high interest rates, market uncertainty, or outside voices urging caution, the episode makes one thing clear: Time in the market matters more than timing the market. Real estate rewards patience—but only after courage. And the courage to act doesn’t arrive someday. It arrives when we decide to step off the bench, trust the principles, and swing. The message is simple, timeless, and unmistakable: Do it now.

In this episode, Kevin and Steve unpack the “magic” behind Moneyball Real Estate and show why real success in real estate isn’t mystical, random, or reserved for the lucky. It’s formulaic. They start with a hilarious magic show story (involving a penny, a toilet paper cannon, and a leaf blower) and use it to reveal a simple truth: what looks like magic is actually the result of practiced moves, hidden mechanics, and repetition over time. Then they connect that same idea to real estate—especially single-family rentals—and walk through the exact numbers and checkpoints they watch to determine whether a property is truly “purchase-worthy.” You’ll hear about the magic number (total profit on sale), average monthly increase (AMI), combined cash-on-cash return, and why single-family rentals (SFRs) are quietly some of the most liquid, powerful, and predictable wealth-building tools available. They also explain why your profit & loss (P&L) might show a “loss” while your bank account keeps growing—and why that’s not just okay, it can actually be a tax advantage. By the end of this chapter, the “magic” of Moneyball Real Estate is decoded. The method is on the table. All that’s left is deciding whether you’re ready to follow the formula.

In this episode, Kevin unpacks the hard truth that real, lasting success is never handed out—it’s earned quietly, in the invisible moments no one sees. He contrasts two seasons of his own life: his coasting, complacent high school basketball career and his obsessive, behind-the-scenes preparation as a professional speaker. That contrast sets the stage for a deep dive into “micro wins” as the real engine of success. From there, Kevin walks through powerful examples like Jerry Rice and Steph Curry to expose the myth of “overnight success” and show how tiny, consistent repetitions are what actually create legendary performance. Steve then jumps in with the story of his daughter’s hockey journey to illustrate the cost of excellence and how focusing on one calling often means sacrificing others—just like DFY’s quiet, years-long grind behind every “simple” turnkey property. The second half of the episode turns that same principle toward real estate. Kevin systematically dismantles common “good deal” myths—price, instant equity, cap rate, and even cash flow rules like the 1% rule—and replaces them with the Moneyball Real Estate lens: focus on purchase-worthy properties that are easy to own, sit in high-demand neighborhoods, and create small, sustainable wins over time. He reframes even negative cash flow as retirement funding when viewed through the long-term wealth lens. The chapter ends by defining what makes a true “Moneyball” single-family property and sets up the next chapter: zooming out from the property to the market.

Kevin breaks down leverage as a principle—not a scary four-letter word—showing how everyday investors can “partner with momentum” to build wealth faster and safer. Using baseball and waterslide analogies, he reframes leverage as using existing systems, people, and financing (like the 30-year fixed mortgage) to multiply results. He distinguishes bad consumer debt from principle-based leverage, walks through the math of leveraged returns, and shares on-ramps like house hacking, refis/HELOCs, and the “ROI Refi.” The episode closes with guardrails for low-risk, data-driven leverage and micro-wins to put the ideas into motion.

In this episode you'll hear Chapter Two of Micro-Wins To Millions—“Celebrate the Journey, Not the Arrival”—we show how wealth is built by stacking micro-wins, not waiting for one big moment. Steve shares the scrappy origin of his first painting company (yes, including selling a few pairs of Levi’s for gas) to illustrate sacrifice, momentum, and celebrating small steps. We dig into why acknowledging progress triggers the dopamine that keeps you moving, what Rudy’s famous single tackle teaches about perseverance, and how real estate creates constant wins through seven profit centers—cash flow, appreciation, leverage, tenant-paid principal, inflation hedging, tax benefits, and even infinite returns. We also reframe “negative cash flow” (in rare cases) as a strategic monthly retirement contribution when the overall return stack makes sense. Ready to map your first micro-win? Take the 60-second Real Estate Qualification Quiz and get a custom plan.

In this episode of the Moneyball Real Estate Show, Kevin Clayson introduces the concept of the Micro Wins mindset, emphasizing the importance of small, consistent actions in achieving financial independence through real estate investing. He shares insights from their book, 'Micro Wins to Millions,' detailing how this approach can transform lives and redefine success. The conversation covers the genesis of their journey in real estate, the power of principles over fleeting knowledge, and how readers can navigate the book to maximize their learning and application of these concepts.

Summary The Fed is expected to cut rates at its September meeting—so what changes for investors now? Kevin and Steve break down why mortgage rates don’t simply copy the Fed, how HELOCs/Prime respond first, what rising confidence does to demand and prices, and why acquisitions are still excellent with concessions and smarter buydowns. Plus, a quick reminder: it’s better to be good than to be “right”—in real estate and in life.

Mid-Term Rentals: The Definitive Cash-Flow Solution for 2025 and Beyond Cash flow is tight. Interest rates remain high, home prices haven’t dropped, and rents are still catching up. For many investors, that means traditional long-term rentals aren’t producing the monthly income they once did. But there is a solution—one we’ve been building, testing, and perfecting for nearly four years: Mid-Term Rentals (MTRs). In this episode, Kevin and Steve break down why MTRs are the premium answer to today’s market challenges. You’ll hear the full backstory of how DFY validated the model, the types of tenants and contracts that fuel MTRs, why they deliver nearly double the cash flow of long-term rentals, and why they’re the single most important strategy for real estate investors heading into 2025. If you’ve been wondering how to generate meaningful cash flow in a high-rate environment, this episode gives you the definitive playbook.

In this episode of the Moneyball Real Estate Show, Kevin Clayson and Steve Earl discuss the importance of mindset in real estate investing. They explore how viewing expenses as investments can change the perception of real estate ownership. The conversation emphasizes the long-term benefits of real estate, comparing it to traditional investment vehicles like 401ks, and highlights the contributions of tenants, the market, and government incentives to the investor's financial success. The hosts encourage listeners to find joy in their real estate journey and to adopt a positive outlook on their investments.

In this episode of the Moneyball Real Estate Show, hosts Kevin Clayson and Steve Earl discuss the evolution of their real estate strategies, emphasizing the importance of a conservative and methodical approach to wealth building through real estate. They introduce the concept of Moneyball Real Estate, which focuses on achieving micro wins over time rather than seeking immediate, high-risk returns. The hosts also highlight the introduction of midterm rentals as a new opportunity for clients and provide insights into current market trends, emphasizing that now is a favorable time to invest in real estate despite higher interest rates. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage with the hosts for personalized real estate strategies.