Money Makin' Mamas Show

Nancy Wallace-Laabs and Kelcie Leka

You work hard. You earn good money. And yet something still feels uncertain about depending on that one paycheck forever. Welcome to the Money Makin Mamas Show — the podcast for professional women who are ready to transition from paycheck dependency into single family real estate investing without quitting their jobs. Hosted by mother-daughter duo Nancy Wallace-Laabs, a real estate investor and Realtor with 20 years of experience, and her daughter Kelcie Leka, a former corporate manager turned real estate investor and mom of two — this show gives you the honest conversations, practical strategies, and real world proof that this path is possible for women exactly like you. Every episode covers the real stuff — how to find your first deal, how to analyze a property, how to find off market opportunities nobody else is chasing, and how to build wealth one single family home at a time while still showing up for your career and your family. One property can change everything. Let us show you how.

  1. 5d ago

    When the Information Changes, Should Your Decision Change?

    Ready to build your own real estate investing system? Get the step-by-step Real Estate Investing System Nancy uses to evaluate opportunities, make better decisions, and build your investing business:   https://pswxb3-cy.myshopify.com/collections/start-investing What happens when you make a decision—and then the information changes? In real estate investing, it happens all the time. You run the numbers. Talk with the seller. Do your due diligence. Agree on a price. Sign the contract. Then something changes. A title problem appears. An unexpected lien is discovered. A repair is much more expensive than anticipated. Another heir has to approve the sale. Or new information changes the deal you thought you were buying.  In this solo episode of the Money Makin' Mamas Show, Nancy Wallace-Laabs shares real deals where that happened—including a foreclosure property derailed by a $70,000 lien, a property with hidden foundation and plumbing problems, and a transaction involving multiple heirs and one person no one could locate.    The challenge isn't simply knowing how to solve a problem. It's knowing whether the problem is still worth solving. Nancy shares the three questions she comes back to when new information changes a deal: What exactly changed? What does that change do to the numbers, risk or outcome? Knowing what I know today, would I still say yes?  Because sometimes persistence means finding a solution. And sometimes good judgment means recognizing that the deal has changed enough that it's time to walk away.

    When the Information Changes, Should Your Decision Change?
  2. Aug 3

    The Clues I Look For Before I Buy a Rental (That Have Nothing to Do With the Numbers)

    After years of buying single family rentals, I've learned that the numbers are only the first filter. They tell you if a deal can work. They don't tell you if it should. In this episode, I'm walking through the clues I look for once the spreadsheet checks out. Hoarder houses next door that no fence can hide. Neighborhoods where pride of ownership is missing and the whole block would need renovating, not just the house. Streets so narrow that parked cars turn a duplex into a daily traffic jam. I talk about why I stay away from properties near open, undeveloped land, and what happened when I found out a property near a firehouse got me a real discount on insurance. I also share two properties I walked away from for reasons that had nothing to do with price. One sat on a busy thoroughfare with a bedroom facing the noise. Another backed up to railroad tracks with no fence between the yard and the rails. Both were good deals on paper. Neither made the cut once I stood outside and actually looked. None of these clues are dealbreakers on their own. But they belong in your due diligence right alongside your comps and your cash flow numbers, because they are exactly what will affect your exit, whether that is renting the property long term or selling it down the road. If you want help with the number side of due diligence, our  property analyzer is in the resource center. MMM Resource Center

    The Clues I Look For Before I Buy a Rental (That Have Nothing to Do With the Numbers)
  3. Jul 27

    Why One Rental Property Creates More Options Than Most Investments

    Begin with our FREE Real Estate Investing Masterclass: How to Build Income Beyond Your Paycheck with Real Estate ▶️ https://youtu.be/HqKRPymCFb8 🛒 MMM Resource Center: https://pswxb3-cy.myshopify.com/ 📧 Questions? Contact Nancy Wallace-Laabs nancy@moneymakinmamas.com Description: What if I told you that one rental property won't make you rich? It probably won't replace your income or let you retire next year. But it might do something even more valuable: it might give you options. Options to work because you want to, not because you have to. Options if life changes, if your priorities shift, or if you simply want more control over your future. When I bought my first rental property, I wasn't trying to build an empire; I was trying to build options. The Power of One Rental Property One rental property can profoundly change your life. Many people assume that one rental isn’t enough to make a difference, but that’s where they get it all wrong. Here’s why: Monthly Cash Flow With just one rental property, you create an additional income stream. This monthly cash flow continues even when you’re not actively working, providing you with financial stability and freedom. You don’t have to rely solely on your job. It’s this income that allows you to say yes to opportunities because you want to, not because you have to. Building Equity and Confidence Owning rental property is also about building equity. As you pay down the mortgage, your asset appreciates over time, even while you sleep. More importantly, each step in real estate investing builds confidence. The first deal teaches you invaluable skills and knowledge that you can apply to your next investments. This process eradicates self-doubt, allowing you to pursue further properties with assurance. Flexibility in Life Changes Life is unpredictable. Job loss, health issues, or family changes can happen at any moment. Having a rental property creates a financial cushion that gives you breathing room in these situations. It allows you the flexibility to pivot without panic, enabling you to respond thoughtfully rather than react in desperation. The Mindset Shift Investing in real estate shifts your mindset from being a consumer to becoming a creator. You start thinking like an owner. This transition not only changes how you view money but how you approach life. You’re no longer just getting by; you’re actively building a future. This perspective fosters a sense of empowerment and control over your finances, which many women find invaluable. The Journey of Growth Starting with one rental property is just the beginning. Each additional property you acquire builds upon the last, compounding your knowledge and confidence. The real returns from your first rental property extend beyond financial gains; they instill a belief system that you can repeat this process. This is especially empowering for women, as it opens doors to more choices and financial independence. Investing in real estate is not merely about the properties you acquire; it’s about the options you create for your future. More choices lead to more freedom and flexibility in life. If you’re ready to take the first step toward building your options, consider starting with just one rental property. Remember, the journey begins with a decision to act.

    Why One Rental Property Creates More Options Than Most Investments
  4. Jul 13

    Why Boring Rental Properties Make Better Investments

    💥 Access our MMM Resource Center https://pswxb3-cy.myshopify.com The Transition Strategy: One Paycheck to Two Strategy: https://bit.ly/4w5jPcF 🐺 Book a Private Strategy Call https://calendly.com/moneymakinmamas/calendar Contact Nancy Wallace Laabs, Money Makin Mamas nancy@moneymakinmamas.com www.moneymakinmamas.com Contact Kelcie Leka, Money Makin Mamas kelcie@moneymakinmamas.com  Description:  The rental properties that build the most reliable long-term wealth are often not the newest, largest, or most impressive homes. They are usually the ordinary three-bedroom, two-bath houses in stable neighborhoods that renters can afford, lenders understand, and investors can maintain without unnecessary drama. In this episode of the Money Makin’ Mamas Show, real estate investor, broker, and former property manager Nancy Wallace-Laabs explains why boring rental properties often make better investments than luxury homes and highly upgraded properties. After nearly 20 years of investing in single-family homes, Nancy has learned that attractive finishes and expensive upgrades do not automatically create stronger cash flow. Tenants may appreciate granite countertops, luxury appliances, or trendy renovations, but they are not always willing to pay enough additional rent to justify the investor’s expense. Nancy shares the rental property buy box she has relied on for years: Three bedrooms Two bathrooms Approximately 1,500 to 1,800 square feet A two-car garage A fenced backyard No swimming pool A stable neighborhood with reasonable rent, good schools, and consistent tenant demand She also explains why these properties are often easier to finance, rent, manage, maintain, and eventually sell. In this episode, you will learn: Why luxury upgrades may not produce higher rental income What renters actually look for in a single-family rental property Why affordable rent creates a larger qualified tenant pool How property size affects repair and maintenance costs Why swimming pools can create additional expenses and liability How schools, crime rates, employment, and vacancy rates affect rental demand Why tenant retention has such a large impact on profitability How a larger or more expensive property can produce less cash flow Why investors need multiple exit strategies How a simple and repeatable buy box can help investors grow a portfolio Nancy also compares a high-end $600,000 rental property with a more ordinary $275,000 single-family home. The luxury property had higher tenant expectations, greater maintenance costs, a smaller pool of qualified renters, and lower monthly cash flow. The more modest property had steady demand, lower operating expenses, and could often be rented within days. The lesson is not that investors should purchase neglected or poorly located properties. The lesson is that a rental property does not need to be exciting to perform well. A predictable, stable, and manageable property can create monthly income, long-term appreciation, equity, and financial options without requiring the investor to constantly solve expensive problems. The best rental property may be the one nobody is showing off on social media. Boring creates stability. Stability creates income. And over time, dependable properties can help investors build lasting wealth. Listen now to learn how to choose a single-family rental property based on performance rather than appearance. Connect with Nancy Wallace-Laabs

    Why Boring Rental Properties Make Better Investments

About

You work hard. You earn good money. And yet something still feels uncertain about depending on that one paycheck forever. Welcome to the Money Makin Mamas Show — the podcast for professional women who are ready to transition from paycheck dependency into single family real estate investing without quitting their jobs. Hosted by mother-daughter duo Nancy Wallace-Laabs, a real estate investor and Realtor with 20 years of experience, and her daughter Kelcie Leka, a former corporate manager turned real estate investor and mom of two — this show gives you the honest conversations, practical strategies, and real world proof that this path is possible for women exactly like you. Every episode covers the real stuff — how to find your first deal, how to analyze a property, how to find off market opportunities nobody else is chasing, and how to build wealth one single family home at a time while still showing up for your career and your family. One property can change everything. Let us show you how.