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.

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

What does it really take to walk away from a corporate job and build real freedom through real estate? Is scaling mobile home parks, self-storage, and RV parks actually possible without competing on the open market? And how do experienced investors consistently find deals others never see? If you’ve ever wondered whether off-market strategies are the missing piece between side hustling and full-time investing, this episode breaks it down.

In this episode of the REI Freedom Podcast, hosts Shelly and Jeremy Beland sit down with Gabe Peterson, an off-market real estate investor and founder of the Real Estate Investing Club. Gabe shares his journey from corporate life to building a thriving real estate business focused on mobile home parks, self-storage facilities, and RV parks. He looks into the strategies, mindset shifts, and repeatable systems that helped him transition from working a 9-to-5 to full-time real estate success.

What You’ll Learn

• How Gabe transitioned from a corporate career into real estate investing
• The opportunities and challenges of investing in mobile home parks, self-storage, and RV parks
• Why off-market deals create less competition and bigger opportunities
• Proven lead generation tactics for commercial real estate, including cold calling and mailers
• Why consistent follow-up and seller rapport are critical to closing deals
• How seller financing works and why sellers agree to creative terms
• Lessons learned from mistakes, including the importance of location and due diligence
• Practical advice for new investors on building marketing systems and taking imperfect action

Connect with Gabe Peterson

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/gabepetersen

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the REI Freedom Podcast, and share it with a friend who’s ready to take the leap into real estate investing.

What if real estate freedom did not mean owning more properties, but building a business that lets you work from anywhere in the world? In this episode of the REI Freedom Podcast, host Jeremy Beland sits down with Dan Rivers, founder of Synergy Stays, to unpack how focus, resilience, and specialization helped him scale a global short-term rental revenue management business while living abroad.

Dan shares his journey from Brockton, Massachusetts, to Charleston, South Carolina, and now Portugal, explaining how he transitioned from property management into real estate investing in 2018. Along the way, he navigated market crashes, rising interest rates, and industry shifts by staying adaptable and committed to mastering one niche instead of chasing every opportunity.

In this conversation, Jeremy and Dan dive into what it really takes to succeed in today’s short-term rental landscape, and why professional revenue management has become essential for investors who want to scale sustainably.

You will hear Dan break down:

• How resilience and persistence helped him push through market downturns, COVID disruptions, and changing regulations
• Why proximity to the right people and strong networking accelerated his early success in real estate
• Lessons from Dan’s first deals renovating affordable properties in North Charleston
• The shift from doing everything in real estate to focusing on one core skill that scales
• How Synergy Stays evolved from property management into short-term rental revenue management
• Managing more than 300 short-term rental units across nine countries
• Why professional photography, listing optimization, and amenities matter more than ever
• Using data, analytics, and AB testing to improve occupancy and revenue per available room
• Common challenges in short-term rentals, including competition, guest expectations, and regulations
• Who benefits most from revenue management services and who is not a good fit
• Market trends impacting Airbnb hosts and why guest experience and niche positioning are critical
• The future of short-term rentals, including direct bookings and increased professionalism

Dan also shares his definition of REI freedom, which goes far beyond money. For him, it is about flexibility, family time, and the ability to live and work on his own terms, from anywhere in the world.

If you are an investor looking to optimize your short-term rentals, scale without burning out, or build a location-independent real estate business, this episode delivers practical insights and real-world strategies you can apply right now.

Resources and Links:

Synergy Stays: https://synergystayslocal.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SynergyStays/

Free guide: https://reifreedom.com/gift

REI Freedom Podcast: https://reifreedom.com

Follow REI Freedom: @REIFreedom

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the REI Freedom Podcast. Share it with someone who wants to build real estate freedom through focus, resilience, and smart strategy.

What if one deal had the power to completely shift your real estate trajectory? In this replay episode, one of our most downloaded conversations, we revisit the inspiring journey of Jacob LaPointe and Nicholas Pelletier, two longtime friends who turned a shared passion into a thriving real estate business.

Jake, known as “The Beard,” and Nick, a dedicated firefighter, walk us through how casual catch-ups gradually became strategic sessions that led to their first major investment win. Starting with limited funds but huge determination, they pushed through challenges, learned on the fly, and built momentum through grit, resourcefulness, and teamwork.

In this episode, you’ll hear how they used creativity and courage to turn tight budgets into real opportunities, from value-add projects to navigating tax foreclosures. Their story is a powerful reminder that taking action, imperfect action, is often the key to unlocking a new level in real estate.

Whether you’re new to investing or looking for that spark to scale, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply immediately.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How one pivotal property forced a mindset shift and changed the direction of their business
• The early struggles of getting started with limited cash
• Their approach to converting and adding value to multi-family properties
• How they navigated tax foreclosures without letting fear stop them
• Why networking and relationships accelerated their growth
• How taking massive imperfect action can outweigh perfect planning
• Practical steps you can use to move faster in your own real estate journey

Connect with Jacob & Nick

Email: neppropertiesllc@gmail.com

Phone: 9978 9956936

Connect with Us

Website: https://reifreedom.com/

Facebook Group: https://web.facebook.com/groups/795700988329071

What if the only thing standing between you and a multi-million-dollar real estate empire is one imperfect action? In this episode, Jeremy Beland sits down with powerhouse investor, educator, and social media leader Sam Primm, who went from a single rental in 2014 to building a $50 million real estate portfolio and a network of businesses while teaching millions of people online how to do the same. Sam breaks down the real story behind scaling fast, managing multiple companies, leveraging other people’s money, and why authenticity is his greatest advantage.

About the Guest:

Sam Primm is a Missouri-based real estate entrepreneur who has amassed millions of followers across social media. Along with his business partner Lucas, Sam built a rental portfolio worth over $50 million, launched a house-buying operation, a property management company, a construction firm, and a nationwide coaching program with more than 2,200 students. Known for his no-nonsense style, Sam is committed to teaching real estate in a transparent, practical, and relatable way.

Key Topics and Highlights

• How Sam’s frugal Midwestern upbringing shaped his drive and mindset.
• Discovering real estate after reading “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and buying his first rental.
• How Sam and Lucas went from side hustlers to full-time investors.
• Why they built multiple aligned businesses: property management, construction, and education.
• The power of team building, delegation, and trusting COOs to run each company.
• Sam’s philosophy on work-life integration over work-life balance.
• The realities of rapid scaling: overhead, cash burn, systems, and data-driven decisions.
• The role of masterminds, mentors, and coaching in accelerating success.
• Why leveraging OPM (Other People’s Money) is the key to exponential growth.
• Market challenges: affordability, rising costs, and adapting to shifting conditions.
• Sam’s biggest mistake: a hotel investment, and the importance of sticking to your strengths.
• Sam’s long-term goals, including surpassing $100 million in real estate.

Actionable Takeaways

• Take massive, imperfect action; education matters, but implementation wins.
• Build wealth through assets, leverage, and aligned income streams.
• Surround yourself with strong operators, partners, and mentors.
• Focus on related businesses that support each other.
• Use OPM, skills, and knowledge not just cash to scale.
• Adapt quickly and stay realistic about market conditions.
• Enjoy the journey instead of waiting for the end goal.

Connect with Sam Primm

• Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, X, Threads: @SamFasterFreedom
• Coaching and resources: Search Sam Faster Freedom on your preferred platform

Host’s Note

Sam is one of the most transparent and accessible educators in the real estate space today. If you’re not following him yet, you’re missing out on practical, real-world advice from someone who has built a massive portfolio without hiding the messy parts of the journey.

Thanks for Listening

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to grow in real estate. For more insights and updates, follow the REI Freedom Podcast and connect with Jeremy and Shelly Beland.