Women Invest in Real Estate

Amelia McGee & Grace Gudenkauf

Welcome to the Women Invest in Real Estate podcast where we talk about real estate investing, business, and give a behind-the-scenes look at Amelia and Grace’s lives as full time investors.

  1. 6d ago

    WIIRE 250: How Much Do Investors Really Invest In Their Business?

    We’re sitting down with our friend and WIIRE founding member Jessie Dillon (Hofstra) to have a real, numbers-on-the-table conversation about what it actually looks like to invest in yourself as a female real estate investor. In this episode, we walk through Jessie’s journey from overbooked permanent makeup artist in Central Massachusetts to owning around 50 residential units—including house hacks, value‑add multifamily, and short‑term rentals. We talk about the “golden handcuffs,” why index funds alone weren’t enough, and how real estate became her path out of being tied to the chair. Together, we break down: How Jessie decided when to stop DIY‑ing and start paying for speed through coaching, bootcamps, and retreatsThe mindset shift from “I should figure this out alone” to “someone else already solved this problem”Why women especially struggle with fear of failure and how mentorship, accountability, and community shorten the learning curveReal numbers from Jessie’s 2024 business investments—from $10K on STR deal sourcing to legal, software, events, and team supportHow we (Grace and Amelia) have invested five and six figures into masterminds, mentors, and our team—and the trade‑offs behind those decisions Listen to Jessie's previous episodes below: Episode 22Episode 149Episode 197Episode 212 If you’re a woman in real estate wondering when to hire help, join a community, or invest in a mentor—and whether it’s “worth it”—this episode will challenge your excuses and expand your idea of what’s possible. Resources: Join our free webinar on October 7Follow Jessie on InstagramGet in touch with Envy Investment GroupGet on the waitlist for the WIIRE CommunityLeave us a review on Apple PodcastsLeave us a review on SpotifyJoin our private Facebook CommunityConnect with us on Instagram

  2. Sep 21

    WIIRE 249: 4 Ways To Make More Money With Your Portfolio Before Year End

    We’re pulling back the curtain on four sneaky “cash flow killers” that are silently draining profits from women real estate investors — and how to fix them before year-end. This week we're sharing what we’ve learned from 12+ years of investing and mentoring thousands of women inside our community. If you already know how to buy real estate but feel stuck in the day-to-day, this conversation is for you. You'll hear: The two biggest gaps we see holding women investors back: blind spots and no time to work on the business.How acting like a landlord vs. a CEO keeps you reactive and underpaid.The real cost of reactive maintenance (like a $300 emergency AC call for a dirty filter) and how simple systems prevent it.Why not raising rents to market is quietly erasing your cash flow—and how one member found an extra $500/month from one quick check.How to shop your insurance policies instead of auto-renewing at double the premium.Practical scripts and mindset shifts for negotiating contractor, vendor, and utility bills without burning relationships. By the end, you’ll have four concrete moves you can make this month to put more money back in your pocket—without buying another property. Resources: Join our free virtual event WIIRE Networking ExtravaganzaGet on the waitlist for the WIIRE CommunityWork with SteadilyLeave us a review on Apple PodcastsLeave us a review on SpotifyJoin our private Facebook CommunityConnect with us on Instagram

  3. Sep 14

    WIIRE 248: From $5,500 to Financial Freedom: How Kelsey Porter Calculated Her Escape Number

    This week we are joined once again by Kelsey Porter, who used real estate to build a life she actually wants to live. As an investor and realtor out of Des Moines, Kelsey traces how she went from “Is $8,000/month even possible?” to a lean, intentional 10‑door portfolio that pays for things like her wedding, travel, and future family plans. We talk about why financial freedom is a number, not a feeling, and how sitting down in 2020 with a simple spreadsheet—income in, expenses out—led Kelsey to her first financial freedom number of $8,000/month in cash flow. We share how that number initially felt out of reach, what it took to get there faster than expected, and why she later raised the bar. We dive into: Living below your means (even when your income grows)House hacking, renting out your primary, and being a one‑car householdUsing medium‑term rentals and short‑term rentals to get more “juice from the squeeze”Kelsey’s nine real estate eras: Disbelief, Hustle, Lucky/Harvest, Enjoyment, Opportunistic, Debt Payoff, Coast, and “Sell It All”The tension between hustling hard and actually allowing yourself to enjoy what you’ve built If you’re a woman investing in real estate and you want inspiration, real numbers, and a roadmap for building a small‑but‑mighty portfolio that supports your values (not just your ego), you’ll feel right at home in this conversation with Kelsey.     Resources: Listen to Kelsey's first WIIRE appearance in Episode 121Connect with Kelsey on InstagramGet on the waitlist for the WIIRE CommunityMake sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple PodcastsLeave us a review on SpotifyJoin our private Facebook CommunityConnect with us on Instagram

    WIIRE 248: From $5,500 to Financial Freedom: How Kelsey Porter Calculated Her Escape Number
  4. Sep 7

    WIIRE 247: BRRRR Investing: The Five Decisions That Actually Matter

    This week, we pull back the curtain on the BRRRR method and share why it’s not just a five-step formula—it's five big decisions that can make or break your portfolio. We walk through Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat from the perspective of women actively building portfolios, and we talk honestly about the mistakes we’ve made so you don’t have to. We talk about getting crystal clear on your buy box, choosing the right markets, and making sure each BRRRR actually supports the lifestyle and long-term goals you want—not just what looks good in a spreadsheet. We dig into how to rehab for durability and longevity (not just cute, cheap finishes), including siding, materials, contractors, W-9s, and handling those awkward “cash only” contractor conversations. We also touch on tenant selection, setting boundaries, and treating your rentals like the business they are. Then we go deep on refinancing—rates, lenders, CLTV, appraisals, and how our community has helped us challenge low appraisals and negotiate better terms. Finally, we share why the “Repeat” step should always include a post-mortem so each BRRRR gets better, easier, and more aligned with your version of financial freedom. If you’re a female real estate investor looking to scale with BRRRR more intentionally, this episode is for you.       Resources: Get on the waitlist for the WIIRE CommunityListen to Episode 45Listen to Episode 141Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple PodcastsLeave us a review on SpotifyJoin our private Facebook CommunityConnect with us on Instagram

    WIIRE 247: BRRRR Investing: The Five Decisions That Actually Matter
  5. Aug 31

    WIIRE 246: You Bought Multiple Properties…Now You’re Stuck. Here’s Why.

    This week, we are diving into why so many experienced female real estate investors hit a wall after their third or fourth property—and exactly how to move past it. We talk about what happens when the numbers stop penciling, even though you know real estate works because it’s already worked for you.  We're breaking down the biggest reasons you’re feeling stuck, including: Why not having a true buy box (with real metrics, not vibes) keeps you in analysis paralysisHow “Is this a good deal?” is the wrong question—and what to ask insteadThe trap of trying to eliminate all risk and how that kills every deal on your spreadsheetWhy waiting for a “home run” deal is keeping you from building long-term wealthHow your next best deal might already be in your portfolio through refinancing, restrategizing, or sellingThe power of a sanity check and surrounding yourself with other women investors who get it If you’re a woman on deals 4–10 who’s tired of spinning your wheels alone, this episode will help you see what’s really holding you back and give you practical ways to start making confident offers again.       Resources: Get on the waitlist for the WIIRE CommunityGrab our SOP TemplatesMake sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple PodcastsLeave us a review on SpotifyJoin our private Facebook CommunityConnect with us on Instagram

    WIIRE 246: You Bought Multiple Properties…Now You’re Stuck. Here’s Why.
  6. Aug 24

    WIIRE 245: Why Your Real Estate Portfolio Feels Stressful (And How to Fix It)

    This week we dive into why your real estate portfolio feels so stressful—and how to fix it. You'll hear the exact mindset shifts and systems we’ve used (and taught thousands of women) to turn a scattered rental portfolio into a streamlined, profitable business. We break down: Why “more doors” can mean more stress, especially when you’re holding too many small, high-effort, low-return propertiesHow to evaluate your rentals using cash flow and Return on Equity (ROE) so you can confidently decide what to keep, sell, or trade upThe difference between being a “mom-and-pop landlord” and a real estate CEO—and the SOPs, bookkeeping, and insurance checks you actually needHow systems, boundaries, and business hours with tenants protect your peace (and prevent 3:30 a.m. calls)Why most everyday investors don’t know their numbers, and how that fuels anxiety and indecisionThe power of community, mentorship, and accountability for women real estate investors who are making big decisions alone If your portfolio looks good on paper but feels like a second full-time job, this episode will help you get clarity, reduce stress, and start running your rentals like the high-performing business they are.     Resources: Get on the waitlist for the WIIRE CommunityGrab our SOP TemplatesLeave us a review on Apple PodcastsLeave us a review on SpotifyJoin our private Facebook CommunityConnect with us on Instagram

    WIIRE 245: Why Your Real Estate Portfolio Feels Stressful (And How to Fix It)
  7. Aug 17

    WIIRE 244: Landlord Scripts: Exactly What to Say to Difficult Tenants (Word-for-Word)

    In this episode of the WIIRE Podcast, we sit down with Victoria Sydni, owner of Fulcrum Property Management in Corvallis, Oregon, to talk about something every woman in real estate secretly worries about: hard tenant conversations. We walk through real scripts and strategies for: Screening tenants with no credit, no job, or big sob storiesEnforcing your lease terms when tenants cause damageCharging back for maintenance issues that are clearly tenant-causedHandling non-responsive tenants and repeated no-shows for maintenanceSetting and communicating business hours and true emergency protocolsDoing security deposit accounting confidently, with documentation to back you upNavigating breakups on the lease (when one partner wants off)Communicating rent increases without feeling like “the bad guy” We also talk candidly about the mindset shift from “I feel bad” to “I run a business,” especially for female landlords and investors who want to stay kind but firm. You’ll hear how we set boundaries, avoid becoming friends with tenants, and still lead with compassion—without getting walked on. If you’re a female real estate investor or aspiring landlord who fears the midnight maintenance call or the angry text, this episode will give you language, confidence, and systems to protect both your cash flow and your peace of mind.     Resources: Follow Victoria on InstagramListen to Episode 158Get the deets on SteadilyMake sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple PodcastsLeave us a review on SpotifyJoin our private Facebook CommunityConnect with us on Instagram

    WIIRE 244: Landlord Scripts: Exactly What to Say to Difficult Tenants (Word-for-Word)
  8. Aug 10

    WIIRE 243: How Much Do Our Rentals Actually Make?

    This week, we are pulling back the curtain on the real numbers behind our long‑term rental portfolios—and the myths about quitting your W‑2 to “live off real estate” that female investors are constantly sold online. We share how we both left our full-time jobs, why active income (flips, side businesses, WIIRE, etc.) was critical, and what it actually looked like to live well below our means while our rentals slowly grew. We walk through real deals—including single‑family rentals in small‑town Iowa and a small multifamily triplex—breaking down purchase prices, cash flow, refinances, negative cash flow decisions, and long‑term appreciation plays. You’ll hear: Why most investors can’t replace a full‑time income with long‑term rentals in 2–5 years How we used cash‑out refis and BRRRR strategies to scale and access tax‑advantaged capital The role of tenant quality and neighborhood class in your real cash flow When a $300–$500/month cash‑flowing rental is actually a great deal—and when it’s not worth your time We also talk about the power of community. If you’ve ever underwritten a deal alone at midnight with no one to sanity‑check the numbers, this episode will show you what’s possible when you stop investing in isolation and start surrounding yourself with other ambitious women in real estate.       Resources: Book your spot at WIIRE Summer Camp before it fills up Simplify how you manage your rentals with TurboTenant Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community  Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

    WIIRE 243: How Much Do Our Rentals Actually Make?
5
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About

Welcome to the Women Invest in Real Estate podcast where we talk about real estate investing, business, and give a behind-the-scenes look at Amelia and Grace’s lives as full time investors.

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