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Long-form conversations with real estate investors who are actively building in today’s market. Every episode is built around one goal: helping you replace your income with real estate and build a portfolio that works without you.

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In this episode, we break down how Chris Larsen built financial independence by combining high-income earning, disciplined investing, and passive real estate syndications. From house hacking and multifamily investing to private credit and alternative assets, Chris shares a complete blueprint for building long-term passive income through smart syndication strategy. 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 Chris used active income to accelerate passive wealth through syndications • Why saving and investing strategically can buy financial freedom faster than you think • How to evaluate syndication deals, sponsors, and risk-adjusted returns • The power of diversification across asset classes, geographies, and the capital stack • What passive investors need to understand about private credit and debt funds • How to build passive income through multifamily, self-storage, and alternative assets • Why senior housing may be one of the biggest opportunities of the next decade • How to think about returns, risk, and avoiding common LP investing mistakes • The frameworks Chris uses to analyze deals and make investment decisions • How to play the long game and build generational wealth through syndications Time stamps 00:00 Chris’s background and path to financial independence 04:55 Using active income to build passive real estate wealth 12:40 How Chris started investing in syndications 18:45 Diversification, sponsors, and the capital stack explained 25:45 Understanding private credit and risk-adjusted returns 33:05 Investing in alternative assets like car washes 37:50 Why Chris is bullish on senior housing 43:05 What passive investors should know about private credit 45:10 What “good returns” really look like in syndications 49:30 Teaching the next generation about money and investing Guest Bio Chris Larsen is the founder of Next Level Income, a real estate investor, fund manager, and educator who has helped acquire over $2 billion in assets across multiple sectors. After 18 years in medical device sales, Chris achieved financial independence through strategic investing and now helps others build wealth through passive income, syndications, and alternative investments. Connect with Chris Larsen Website: https://nextlevelincome.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextlevelincomeshow/ Connect with LAUNCH REI Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/ Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind Website: https://launchrei.co Follow Vince Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane #realestateinvesting #passiveincome #realestatesyndications #multifamilyinvesting #privatelending #privatecredit #wealthbuilding #financialfreedom #passiveinvesting #capitalstack #launchrei #chrislarsen
How to Build Passive Income Through Real Estate Syndications (The Complete Strategy)
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 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
Chess Master Quit Corporate and Cracked the Code on Real Estate Investing
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 Website: https://launchrei.co Follow Vince Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane #launchrei #shorttermrentals #airbnbbusiness #realestateinvesting #midtermrentals #vince #yiweicheng #launchrei
She Left Corporate for Short-Term Rentals — Now She Makes $10K/Month
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 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
Investing Expert Makes $30k/Month in Passive Income Selling Vacant Land
The Launch REI Podcast will help you build financial freedom. 20 episodes in today 🚀
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: https://www.instagram.com/mattbontrager Connect with LAUNCH REI Newsletter: https://newsletter.launchrei.co Podcast Guest Application: https://launchrei.co/podcast/guest-apply/ Mastermind: https://launchrei.co/mastermind Website: https://launchrei.co Follow Vince Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincecrane_/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vincecrane #launchrei #realestateinvesting #shorttermrental #strtaxloophole #taxstrategy #realestatetaxes #costsegregation #passiveincome #realestatepodcast #mattbontrager
The Short-Term Rental Tax Loophole Your CPA Has Never Heard Of
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