In this episode, we break down how Mike Zlotnik, known as “Big Mike,” went from a corporate career and chess strategy mindset to becoming a full-time real estate investor, lender, and fund manager. Mike shares how thinking like a chess player helped him navigate risk, structure deals creatively, and build wealth through multiple real estate cycles.

If you’re enjoying conversations like this, join the Launch REI Newsletter for insights from top real estate investors:
https://newsletter.launchrei.co/

This Show Sponsored By
Easy Street Capital: a trusted private lender for real estate investors offering fast, flexible financing for rental properties and fix-and-flips.
Check them out here: https://easystreetcap.com/launchrei/

In this episode, we break down

• How Mike transitioned from corporate life into real estate investing
• Why thinking like a chess player gives investors a massive edge
• The difference between being a lender vs being an owner
• How to evaluate risk in uncertain market cycles
• Lessons from investing through multiple market downturns
• Why capital preservation is just as important as returns
• How private lending funds actually work behind the scenes
• What passive investors misunderstand about real estate funds
• The importance of strategy over speed in investing
• How to “play the long game” in real estate wealth building

Time stamps

00:00 Mike’s background and corporate career
04:20 Why chess strategy applies to real estate investing
09:35 Transition into private lending and fund management
15:10 Understanding market cycles and risk management
22:40 Difference between lenders and operators
29:15 Lessons from past downturns and investor mistakes
36:50 How passive investors should evaluate opportunities
44:30 Capital preservation vs chasing high returns
51:10 Playing the long-term game in real estate
57:40 Final advice for strategic investors

Guest Bio
Mike Zlotnik, also known as “Big Mike,” is a real estate investor, lender, and fund manager with decades of experience navigating multiple market cycles. He specializes in private lending and structured real estate investments, helping investors grow wealth while prioritizing risk management and capital preservation.

Connect with Mike Zlotnik
Website: https://tempofunding.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popular/mike-zlotnik/

Connect with LAUNCH REI
Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Follow Vince
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane


#realestateinvesting
#passiveinvesting
#privatelending
#realestatefunds
#cashflow
#wealthbuilding
#riskmanagement
#marketcycles
#realestatestrategy
#investormindset
#capitalpreservation
#financialfreedom
#launchrei
#vince
#mikezlotnik

In this episode, we break down how one investor walked away from Yiwei’s corporate job and built a thriving short-term and mid-term rental portfolio in Cincinnati that now generates over $10,000 per month.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

She shares how she started with zero experience, made every mistake possible on her first Airbnb, and eventually grew to owning 10 properties while managing 20 more for other investors.

You’ll learn why most people fail with Airbnb, what actually makes a property outperform the market, and how she’s consistently finding deals that cashflow thousands per month, even in today’s market.

This Show Sponsored By

Easy Street Capital: a trusted private lender for real estate investors offering fast, flexible financing for rental properties and fix-and-flips.

Check them out here: https://easystreetcap.com/launchrei/

In this episode, we break down

• Why long-term rentals didn’t make sense to her in the beginning
• The accidental Airbnb experiment that changed everything
• How the Airbnb market shifted from 2019 → 2026
• Why luxury and larger homes are outperforming smaller units
• The exact bedroom/bathroom “sweet spot” for profitability
• The mistake 90% of Airbnb hosts make when outsourcing
• The first 3 hires you should make (and the one you should NEVER outsource)
• How to evaluate short-term rental numbers for ROI and cashflow
• A creative financing deal that required only $20,000 down on a $675,000 home
• Why buying in Class A neighborhoods matters more than getting a “deal”
If you’re thinking about short-term rentals, mid-term rentals, or replacing your income with Airbnb, this episode is a blueprint.

Time stamps

00:00 Thumbnail questions and intro
03:15 From California to Cincinnati for a corporate job
05:00 Discovering Airbnb by accident
07:30 Leaving corporate to go all-in on short-term rentals
10:00 How the Airbnb market changed after COVID
13:00 Why average Airbnbs are struggling today
18:30 What numbers she looks for before buying a property
22:00 Real cashflow numbers from recent properties
24:00 How many properties you need to replace your income
26:00 The 3 biggest mistakes she made early on
28:00 The correct order to outsource your Airbnb business
30:00 How to outperform the market by 30%
33:00 The ideal property size, layout, and location
35:00 Her best creative financing deal ever
37:00 Renting to professional athletes for mid-term stays

Guest Bio

Yiwei Cheng is a short-term and mid-term rental investor based in Cincinnati, Ohio. After moving for her dream corporate job, she realized traditional rentals wouldn’t create the income she wanted. She pivoted into Airbnb, built a portfolio of 10 owned properties, manages 20 more for investors, and specializes in helping others purchase and launch profitable short-term rentals in the right neighborhoods with the right design, layout, and systems.

Connect with Yiwei Cheng

Website: https://www.pinkcashcow.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/yiweicheng1

Connect with LAUNCH REI

Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Unlock the strategies behind earning $30,000/month in passive income through vacant land investing with special guest Russ Morgan! In this episode, we break down how Russ builds predictable income, what systems he uses, and how you can start applying these tactics today.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

This Show Sponsored By

Easy Street Capital: a trusted private lender for real estate investors offering fast, flexible financing for rental properties and fix-and-flips.

Check them out here: https://easystreetcap.com/launchrei/

In this episode, we break down
• How Russ gets started in vacant land investing
• The process he uses to find high-ROI deals
• Strategies for creating ongoing passive income
• What tools and platforms he uses to grow his portfolio
• Mistakes to avoid when investing in land
• How to scale from one property to consistent income
• Tips for new investors entering the market
• Real life examples of his deals and returns
• The importance of systems for long-term success
• Russ’s mindset hacks for staying consistent

Time stamps

00:00 — Intro & Background
02:15 — How Russ Got Started
08:40 — Finding High-Value Vacant Land Deals
15:22 — Passive Income Systems
22:10 — How to Price & Sell Vacant Land
29:55 — Marketing That Works
35:40 — Mistakes Most Investors Make
41:20 — Q&A + Quick Tips
47:10 — Final Thoughts & Advice

Guest Bio

Russ Morgan is a seasoned real estate investor focused on vacant land. With years of experience and proven systems, Russ has built a predictable passive income stream that generates over $30k per month. His unique strategies and creative deal structures have helped him scale quickly and mentor other investors to success.

Connect with Russ Morgan

Website: http://www.wealthwithoutwallstreet.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/russ.morgan.311/

Connect with LAUNCH REI

Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Follow Vince

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane

#launchrei
#RussMorgan
#VacantLandInvesting
#PassiveIncome
#RealEstateInvesting
#LandDeals
#REI
#FinancialFreedom

In this episode, Vince sits down with CPA Matt Bontrager, a real estate tax strategist who has helped investors save millions through advanced tax strategies most accountants never discuss.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

If you're a real estate investor, business owner, or high-income W2 earner, understanding how taxes actually work can dramatically change your wealth trajectory.

Matt breaks down one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) tax strategies in real estate: the short-term rental loophole. This strategy allows certain investors to use real estate losses to offset active income; something that normally isn't allowed with traditional rental properties.

You’ll also learn how cost segregation works, how depreciation can create massive paper losses, and why many CPAs completely miss these opportunities for their clients.

Whether you're making six figures as a W2 employee or scaling a real estate portfolio, this episode explains how smart investors legally reduce their tax burden while continuing to grow their assets.

This Show Sponsored By

Easy Street Capital: a trusted private lender for real estate investors offering fast, flexible financing for rental properties and fix-and-flips.

Check them out here: https://easystreetcap.com/launchrei/

In this episode, we break down

• The short-term rental tax loophole and how it can offset W2 income
• How investors use cost segregation and bonus depreciation to reduce taxes
• Why many CPAs miss major tax-saving opportunities for real estate investors
• How depreciation can create large “paper losses” even when a property cash flows
• The biggest mistake investors make when trying to use STR tax strategies
• How Matt grew his CPA firm from $120k to over $2.4M in revenue
• Why social media content helped drive massive growth for his business
• The importance of proper accounting and tax planning for investors
• The real risks and misconceptions behind aggressive tax strategies
• How investors should think about tax strategy before buying real estate

Time stamps

00:00 Thumbnail reactions and intro
02:13 Introducing Matt Bontrager
03:00 Matt’s journey from Deloitte to entrepreneurship
08:00 Starting a CPA firm in 2020 and scaling rapidly
14:49 Inc. 5000 recognition and business growth
19:30 How content marketing helped grow the firm
22:10 The short-term rental tax loophole explained
25:00 Example: how a $700k property creates $140k in tax deductions
30:00 Understanding depreciation recapture
35:00 The biggest STR tax mistake investors make
38:50 Cost segregation and depreciation explained
45:00 Tax strategies investors should know before year end
49:00 Where to follow Matt and learn more

Guest Bio

Matt Bontrager is a CPA and real estate tax strategist who helps investors and business owners reduce their tax burden through strategic tax planning.
He is the founder of TrueBooks CPA, a fast-growing accounting firm specializing in real estate investors and entrepreneurs. Since launching the firm in 2020, Matt has helped clients uncover millions in tax savings using advanced strategies such as cost segregation, bonus depreciation, and short-term rental tax planning.
Through his content on Instagram and YouTube, Matt educates investors on how to legally minimize taxes while building wealth through real estate.

Connect with Matt Bontrager

Website: https://www.truebookscpa.com/
Instagram:

In this episode, Vince sits down with multifamily investor and loan broker Nate Shields, who scaled from small residential deals to 264 apartment units and over $14M raised from investors.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

Nate shares how he bought his first apartment building with zero money down, the partnerships that helped him grow quickly, and the lessons he learned while scaling a multifamily portfolio across multiple markets.

From building relationships with property managers that bring deals directly to him, to raising capital and structuring partnerships, Nate breaks down the strategies that helped him grow from small deals into large apartment acquisitions.

This episode is a practical deep dive into multifamily investing, capital raising, partnerships, and scaling a real estate portfolio the smart way.

In this episode, we break down

• How Nate bought his first apartment building with zero money down
• The strategy that helped him scale to 264 apartment units
• How he raised $14 million from investors
• Why relationships with property managers can unlock off-market deals
• The biggest lessons from scaling a multifamily portfolio
• How partnerships accelerated his investing journey
• The realities of raising capital from investors
• How new investors can break into multifamily deals
• Mistakes to avoid when growing your portfolio
• What it really takes to scale in commercial real estate

Time stamps

00:00 Intro
01:55 Meet Nate Shields
05:10 Buying the first apartment building
09:40 Structuring a zero-down deal
15:30 Finding deals through property managers
22:10 Building partnerships in real estate
28:45 Raising capital from investors
35:20 Scaling to 264 units
41:10 Lessons from growing a portfolio
47:30 Advice for new multifamily investors
52:00 Final thoughts

Guest Bio

Nate Shields is a multifamily real estate investor and loan broker based in Colorado. He has built a portfolio of 264 apartment units and raised over $14 million in investor capital while partnering on multifamily acquisitions across multiple markets. Nate focuses on strategic partnerships, operational efficiency, and long-term real estate wealth building.

Connect with Nate Shields

Website: https://www.missional.group/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nate_shields/

Connect with LAUNCH REI

Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Follow Vince
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane

#launchrei
#nateshields
#realestateinvesting
#multifamilyinvesting
#apartmentinvesting
#passiveincome
#realestatepodcast
#capitalraising
#commercialrealestate
#financialfreedom

Breaking into luxury real estate might seem out of reach, but in this episode Samuel Haack breaks down a clear path to get started from scratch.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

In this episode, we break down exactly what you should do if you’re starting with little to no capital and want to enter the high-end real estate space.

• The reality of starting in real estate with no money or connections
• Why luxury real estate is still accessible if approached the right way
• The first steps to take at 22 (or any age) to break into the industry
• Building credibility and positioning yourself in a high-end market
• Leveraging relationships and networking to accelerate growth
• The importance of consistency and long-term thinking
• Common mistakes beginners make when trying to enter luxury real estate
• How to stand out in a competitive market
• Mindset shifts required to operate at a higher level
• Practical advice to start taking action immediately

Time stamps

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Starting from zero in real estate
06:30 Why luxury real estate
11:20 First steps to break in
18:00 Building credibility
25:10 Networking and relationships
33:40 Mistakes to avoid
41:00 Standing out in the market
48:00 Final advice

Guest Bio

The Samuel is a real estate professional specializing in the luxury market, known for helping new and aspiring agents understand how to break into high-end real estate without traditional advantages. Through strategic positioning, networking, and consistent execution, they have built a strong presence in a competitive space.

Connect with Samuel Hack

Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Follow Vince

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane

#launchrei
#vince
#samuelhaack
#luxuryrealestate
#realestatecareer
#newagenttips
#realestateinvesting
#realestateagent
#highendhomes
#listingagent
#realestatemarketing
#realestatestrategy

From running a restaurant to building a massive real estate portfolio, Gino Barbaro shares what it really takes to scale.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

In this episode, we break down how Gino scaled to nearly 2,000 multifamily units through partnerships, systems, and long-term thinking.

Show notes

• Transition from the restaurant (pizza) business into real estate

• Early struggles and lessons from first deals

• How Gino scaled from small properties to large multifamily

• The importance of mentorship and community

• Building systems to manage a large portfolio

• Raising capital and creating investor trust

• Mistakes made and how they shaped long-term success

• Why mindset matters more than strategy

• Creating financial freedom through multifamily investing

• Advice for investors looking to scale

Time stamps

02:10 Background in the restaurant business

06:45 Entry into real estate

12:30 First deals and early lessons

18:20 Scaling into multifamily

25:40 Partnerships and capital raising

33:10 Systems and operations

40:30 Lessons learned

47:00 Advice for investors

Guest Bio

Gino Barbaro is a multifamily investor, entrepreneur, and educator who has built a portfolio of over 2,000 units and hundreds of millions in assets. He transitioned from owning a restaurant for over 20 years into real estate and is now a co-founder of one of the leading multifamily education communities.

Connect with Gino Barbaro

Website:⁠⁠⁠ https://jakeandgino.com/⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gino-barbaro-03973b4b/⁠

Connect with LAUNCH REI

Newsletter: ⁠https://newsletter.launchrei.co⁠

Podcast Guest Application: ⁠https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/⁠

Mastermind: ⁠https://launchrei.co/mastermind⁠

YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane

Website: ⁠https://launchrei.co⁠

⁠⁠Follow Vince

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/vincecrane⁠

#launchrei

#ginobarbaro

#multifamilyinvesting

#realestateinvesting

#passiveincome

#apartmentinvesting

#realestatepodcast⁠⁠

Jacqueline Torres shares the bold story of how she took a massive risk by putting $30,000 on credit cards to pursue her first real estate opportunity.

Join the free Launch REI Newsletter at newsletter.launchrei.co

In this episode, we break down the mindset, resilience, and unconventional path Jacqueline took to transition from nursing into real estate investing and development.

In this episode, we break down

• How Jacqueline grew up in a first-generation immigrant household with strong financial discipline
• Why she decided to leave the traditional career path and pursue real estate
• The risky decision to put $30,000 on credit cards to fund her first opportunity
• How that first deal ultimately resulted in a $100K payday
• Lessons learned from taking calculated risks early in an investing career
• The role of resilience and persistence in navigating financial setbacks
• Why community and mentorship are critical for new investors
• How Jacqueline transitioned from small deals into larger real estate opportunities
• The mindset required to move from employee thinking to investor thinking
• Advice for new investors who feel stuck or afraid to take the first step

Time stamps

00:00 Introduction to Jacqueline Torres
01:30 Growing up in a first-generation immigrant household
05:00 Career path in nursing and early financial mindset
09:20 Discovering real estate investing
14:10 The $30K credit card risk
20:40 Her first big deal and making $100K
27:30 Lessons learned from early mistakes
34:00 Finding mentorship and community
41:20 Transitioning toward larger real estate opportunities
48:10 Advice for new investors

Guest Bio

Jacqueline Torres is a real estate investor and developer who transitioned from a career in nursing into the world of real estate. Growing up in a first-generation immigrant household with a single mother, Jacqueline developed a strong work ethic and strong financial discipline early in life. Through persistence and calculated risk-taking, she broke into real estate investing, completing profitable deals and working toward larger development opportunities.

Connect with Jacqueline Torres

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinetorres_builds/?hl=en

Connect with LAUNCH REI

Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co
Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/
Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind
YouTube: youtube.com/@VinceCrane
Website: https://launchrei.co

Follow Vince

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane


#launchrei
#jacquelinetorres
#realestateinvesting
#realestatedeals
#entrepreneurship
#realestatemindset
#womeninrealestate