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.

Fan Favorite Replay

What if your retirement account could do more than sit in the stock market? What if it could help you flip properties, earn passive income, or fund private loans backed by real estate? And what if the key to accelerating your wealth was already in an IRA or old 401(k) you control? This fan-favorite episode returns by popular demand to break down how self-directed IRAs really work and how investors use them strategically to build long-term financial freedom.

In this fan-favorite replay of the REI Freedom Podcast, host Jeremy Beland sits down with Karen Hall, founder and CEO of U Direct IRA Services, to demystify self-directed IRAs and their role in real estate investing. Karen shares her unconventional journey from radio announcer to real estate and retirement expert, and explains how investors can use self-directed IRAs to fund deals, protect their retirement capital, and expand beyond traditional investments.

Key Topics Covered

• What a self-directed IRA is and how it differs from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s
• How to set up and fund a self-directed IRA step by step
• Using self-directed IRAs for real estate, including flips, rentals, and private lending
• Common misconceptions and costly mistakes investors should avoid
• Why due diligence and working with a knowledgeable account representative matter
• Tax considerations such as UDFI and the use of non-recourse loans
• Creative ways to deploy smaller IRA balances effectively
• The role of education, networking, and continuous learning in real estate success

Connect with Karen Hall

• Website: udirectira.com

Connect With Us:

• Follow @REIFreedom on social media for updates and resources
• Subscribe, rate, and review the REI Freedom Podcast and help more investors find financial freedom