Join Brian Seidensticker as he sits down with Jeremy Beland, Founder of REI Freedom – a real estate investing company focused on helping distressed homeowners while revitalizing communities. In this episode of Distressed to Success, Jeremy shares his journey from nearly losing everything during the Great Recession to becoming a successful real estate investor approaching his 500th off-market acquisition across multiple markets.

Jeremy breaks down what “distress” really means in real estate, why many sellers simply need a reset button, and how creative acquisition strategies can provide ethical, win-win outcomes for both investors and homeowners. The conversation dives deep into wholesaling, buy-and-hold strategies, working with inherited and tenant-occupied properties, and the importance of leading with education and empathy.

• What truly defines a “distressed” property or seller
• How Jeremy built his business through wholesaling, flipping, and rentals
• Creative exit strategies including wholetails, BRRRR, and cash-for-keys
• Why education and consulting sellers creates better long-term outcomes
• Real-world deal examples, including navigating evictions and family disputes

• 00:00 – Jeremy’s personal experience with foreclosure and financial distress
• 02:30 – His real estate journey and markets he’s invested in
• 06:00 – Breakdown of wholesaling and multiple exit strategies
• 08:30 – Understanding different types of seller distress
• 17:30 – Educating sellers and empowering better decisions
• 20:30 – Real deal breakdowns and negotiation strategies
• 26:30 – Lessons learned from long, complex transactions
• 33:00 – Final advice and principles for success

• REI Freedom: https://reifreedom.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremybeland_/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremybeland/
• Jeremy’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rei-freedom/id1716246095

Last Best Partners' Website: https://www.lastbestpartners.com/
Brian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-seidensticker-90117021
Podcast LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/distressed-to-success-podcast/

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• (00:00:00) - Why Distressed Sellers Are Good People
• (00:00:50) - Distress to Success: Jeremy Beelin
• (00:02:28) - The Old Power Plant in Savannah
• (00:03:39) - How To Distress a Property: Jeremy Bean
• (00:07:49) - How to Help a Homeowner Get Out From Under the Debt
• (00:14:25) - Real Estate Network: Real Estate Agents Are Not the Only Option for
• (00:20:35) - You're inadvertently providing positive service in those scenarios, Brian
• (00:21:34) - How To Buy a Single Family Home
• (00:27:23) - How To Get Out of a Negotiating Contract
• (00:28:25) - REI Freedom
• (00:29:28) - Carve Outs
• (00:31:14) - Real Estate Talk: Best Books
• (00:33:03) - Jeremy Levine on His 3 Keys to Success