What does real estate growth look like when you remove the hype, the massive syndications, and the pressure to scale fast at all costs? Is it possible to build a large portfolio, stay in control, and still protect your time and family life? In this replay of Episode 59, we revisit a grounded, highly practical conversation that answers those questions head-on.

In this episode of the REI Freedom Podcast, host Jeremy Beland sits down with Grant Francke, a full-time real estate investor from Lincoln, Nebraska, who built a 120-unit portfolio in under nine years. Grant shares how he transitioned from working as a railroad conductor to becoming a disciplined multifamily investor by focusing on off-market acquisitions, strong relationships, and deals that cash flow from day one.

Rather than pursuing large syndications, Grant chose a slower, more intentional path. He scaled by acquiring small multifamily properties and packages, partnering only with close family and friends, and self-managing his portfolio to maintain control and efficiency. His approach shows what’s possible when operations, consistency, and reputation come first.

Episode Highlights

• How Grant started investing in 2016 while working full-time as a railroad conductor
• His early deals, including a duplex and a seller-financed package of five houses
• Leaving his W-2 job in 2019 to focus on real estate full-time
• Why he focuses on small multifamily properties instead of large syndications
• Scaling to 120 units across Lincoln and surrounding communities
• Averaging roughly 15 units per year through steady, repeatable acquisitions
• His off-market strategy using 20 to 25 highly targeted letters per campaign
• How relationship building and referrals led to large portfolio acquisitions
• Why Grant only buys properties that cash flow from day one
• Partnering with family and friends instead of outside investors
• Self-managing all 120 units and using a virtual assistant for tenant-facing tasks
• Strict tenant screening standards and long-term thinking
• Why Nebraska’s landlord-friendly environment supports his strategy
• How Grant defines success through time freedom, family presence, and legacy

Key Takeaways

• You do not need large syndications to build a sizable real estate portfolio
• Relationship-driven off-market deals create consistent opportunities
• Taking action on the first deal is the hardest and most important step
• Fewer, more targeted marketing efforts outperform mass outreach
• Cash flow must work from day one, not on future assumptions
• Time freedom is often more valuable than chasing unit count

About Grant Francke

Grant Francke is a full-time real estate investor and author based in Lincoln, Nebraska. He built a 120-unit portfolio in under nine years by focusing on off-market acquisitions, disciplined underwriting, and self-management. Grant is the author of The Unlikely Investor and serves as an advisor in Brandon Turner’s First Deal coaching program.

Connect with Grant Francke

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant.francke/

Book: The Unlikely Investor (available on Amazon)
Coaching and resources: https://firstdeal.com

Ready to Take the Next Step

If you want to learn how to find off-market deals and build a portfolio that supports your lifestyle, book a discovery call with Jeremy and the REI Freedom team at:
https://reifreedom.com/apply/

If you enjoyed this replay episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the REI Freedom Podcast, and share it with someone who wants to scale real estate without losing control of their ti

How does a former high school administrator go on to control more than $100 million in real estate across eight states in less than a decade? And what happens when you focus on operations instead of hype? In this episode of REI Freedom, Jeremy Beland sits down with New Hampshire real estate investor Michael Ketchen to break down the real mechanics behind scaling multifamily properties, self-managing remotely, and surviving the post-2022 syndication shakeout.

Michael shares a candid behind-the-scenes look at what actually creates wealth in real estate, efficiency, disciplined underwriting, and solving problems others avoid.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• From Educator to Investor: How Michael transitioned from school administration to full-time real estate in just eight years
• Scaling to $100M+: Completing 25+ full-cycle deals across multifamily and short-term rentals
• The Power of Self-Management: Why Michael self-manages all properties remotely and how it boosts NOI by 12–14%
• Operations Over Hype: How a 5% NOI improvement can create millions in portfolio value
• Multifamily Buy Box Strategy: Landlord-friendly states, population growth, and strong economic drivers
• Finding Deeply Discounted Deals: Networking, brokers, direct-to-seller strategies, and solving hard problems
• Syndication Reality Check: Red flags investors should watch for and questions to ask before investing
• Short-Term Rental Case Studies: Beach houses, luxury STRs, and creative deal structures
• Mindset & Mentorship: Why Michael invests heavily in masterminds and believes proximity accelerates growth

Connect with Michael Ketchen

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelketchen/
  
  
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/FS4bN7zlCuk
  
  
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ketchen-68b202201/
  
  

Ready to Take the Next Step

Are you ready to unlock the potential of real estate investing and learn from operators who are actually in the game Subscribe to the REI Freedom Podcast for real world strategies from top experts like Michael Ketchen Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with someone serious about building wealth through real estate

If Michael Ketchen’s story inspired you and you are ready to take your first step toward financial freedom book a discovery call with Jeremy Beland and the REI Freedom team Visit reifreedom.com apply to start your journey today With the right mindset strategies and persistence REI freedom is possible

What if building real estate wealth did not require managing tenants, handling maintenance calls, or chasing appreciation in unpredictable markets? What if consistent cash flow could come from owning the paper behind real estate instead of the property itself? And what if being the bank was actually simpler and more scalable than being the landlord? In this episode, we explore whether note investing offers a smarter, more efficient path to long-term wealth.

In this episode of the REI Freedom Podcast, host Jeremy Beland sits down with Eddie Speed, founder of Note School and Colonial. With more than 40 years of experience and over 50,000 discounted notes purchased, Eddie breaks down how note investing works, why it produces strong cash flow with fewer headaches than traditional rentals, and how investors can use this strategy to build sustainable wealth.

Throughout the conversation, Eddie explains the fundamentals of note investing, compares notes to rental properties using real numbers, and shares proven systems for getting started without overextending yourself. This episode offers a fresh perspective for investors who want predictable income, scalability, and a more passive approach to real estate.

Key Topics Covered

• What note investing is and how it differs from traditional real estate ownership
• Becoming the bank instead of the landlord
• Long-term notes versus short-term hard money lending
• Notes compared to rental properties using real-world numbers
• How to get started in note investing without overextending
• Recapitalization strategies to keep buying more notes
• Average note payoff timelines versus original loan terms
• Risk management through conservative underwriting and equity cushions
• How foreclosure risk is reduced through proper asset selection
• Why note investing works well in today’s market environment

Resources Mentioned

Note School Website: noteschool.com/freedom


Subscribe to the REI Freedom Podcast for more conversations on building financial freedom through smarter real estate strategies. Follow @REIFreedom on social media and visit reifreedom.com for coaching programs and additional resources.