Unlocking Real Estate

RJ Hernandez
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Unlocking Real Estate is breaking ground, your key to mastering every corner of the Residential property world-- land and homes. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, a developer with big ambitions, or simply real estate curious, this podcast is your inside pass to the strategies, stories, and secrets that drive the market. Hosted by industry insiders and expert guests, each episode delivers practical tips, market insights, and real-world case studies to help you buy smarter, sell faster, invest wiser, and build bigger. We’ll break down the barriers to entry, demystify the deal-making process, and equip you with the knowledge to unlock your next opportunity—no matter where you are in your real estate journey. Tune in regularly for: Proven strategies from top agents, investors, and developersDeep dives on trends, opportunities, and pitfallsInspiring success stories and hard-won lessonsStep-by-step guides to closing deals, growing wealth, and building your legacyUnlocking Real Estate—because the best deals aren’t locked away, they’re waiting to be found.

Episodes

  1. 10/29/2025

    Residential Land Development 101: 3 of 3

    Residential Land Development 101: 3 of 3

    4 min

  2. 10/29/2025

    Residential Land Development 101: 2 of 3

    Residential Land Development 101: 2 of 3

    7 min

  3. 10/29/2025

    Residential Development 101: 1 of 3

    Residential Development 101

    7 min

  4. 10/29/2025

    Valuing & Vetting Vacant Land (SoCal): Appraisal Basics & Due Diligence 101

    Valuing & Vetting Vacant Land (SoCal): Appraisal Basics & Due Diligence 101

    6 min

  5. 10/29/2025

    Sizing Up Rentals (1–4 Units): Cap Rate, Cash‑on‑Cash, DSCR

    Sizing Up Rentals (1–4 Units): Cap Rate, Cash‑on‑Cash, DSCR

    6 min

  6. 10/29/2025

    Ask These 25 Questions Before You Hire a Realtor (OC Homes & Lots)

    Ask These 25 Questions Before You Hire a Realtor (OC Homes & Lots)

    5 min

  7. 04/27/2025

    My Favorite F word: Financing

    Welcome back to Unlocking Real Estate! I’m your host, RJ Hernandez, and today, we’re talking about everyone’s favorite F-word: Financing. In a world where interest rates are on a rollercoaster, and banks are pickier than ever, how do you actually fund your deals in 2025? We’ll explore traditional options, creative workarounds, and real stories from the frontlines. SEGMENT 1: THE LAY OF THE LAND Let’s start with the basics: · Conventional mortgages: down payment, credit requirements, DTI ratios · Portfolio and commercial loans: how they’re underwritten · Bridge loans and hard money—fast but costly SEGMENT 2: CREATIVE FINANCING STRATEGIES When banks say no, investors get creative. · Seller financing and subject-to deals · Lease options, wraps, and contract for deed · Partnerships and syndications: split the risk, split the reward · Crowdfunding: is it hype or a true alternative? SEGMENT 3: THE 2025 LENDING ENVIRONMENT It’s not 2019 anymore! In 2025: · Underwriting is tighter, documentation is heavier · Rates are volatile—should you float or lock? · Banks favor low-risk, high-equity projects SEGMENT 4: PROTECTING YOUR DEAL Tips for weathering funding storms: · Always have a Plan B for financing · Use escalation clauses for interest rates · Get clear on your exit strategy before you sign · The real cost of private and hard money—run the numbers twice Financing can make or break your next deal, but it doesn’t have to be a black box. If you want the show notes or example deal calculators, visit our website and sign up for our newsletter. Next episode, we’ll flip the script—literally—and talk flips: the good, the bad, and the ugly. See you next time on Unlocking Real Estate.

    2 min

  8. 04/27/2025

    Anatomy of a Deal – A Real Estate Acquisition Breakdown

    Welcome back to Unlocking Real Estate, where we pull back the curtain on what really happens in today’s property market. I’m your host, RJ Hernandez, and in this episode, we’re going deep on the anatomy of a deal—from that first spark of an opportunity all the way to a signed contract and keys in hand. Have you ever wondered how professionals spot deals, structure them, and avoid disasters? Today, we’ll break it all down—step by step—and share stories from the trenches. SEGMENT 1: FINDING THE DEAL Every great deal starts with a lead. But where do they really come from? · MLS listings and on-market properties · Off-market deals via networking, wholesalers, or direct outreach · Data mining and driving for dollars · Building a referral network SEGMENT 2: DUE DILIGENCE DEEP DIVE Once you’ve found a potential property, due diligence begins. This is where real estate fortunes are made—or lost. · Title search, liens, and encumbrances · Physical inspections: roof, foundation, major systems · Zoning and land use · Environmental checks (soil, flood, fire) · Market comps and rent analysis SEGMENT 3: NEGOTIATION & CONTRACTS Now, it’s time to negotiate. Price matters, but so do terms: · Contingencies (inspection, appraisal, financing) · Earnest money and escrow · Creative clauses—seller carry, assignment, inspection windows · Working with or around agents SEGMENT 4: FINANCING THE DEAL How you fund the purchase can mean the difference between success and a cash crunch: · Conventional loans, bridge loans, and hard money · Raising capital—partners, syndications, private equity · The importance of timeline alignment: do your funds match your escrow and build-out? SEGMENT 5: CLOSING & LESSONS LEARNED The last mile: closing. But don’t pop the champagne until the funds have cleared and the deed is recorded. · Final walk-throughs · Closing statements · Wire fraud and last-minute disasters · The emotional rollercoaster of closing day That’s the anatomy of a deal—lead, diligence, negotiate, finance, and close. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, mastering these steps is key to success in real estate. Have questions? Want your deal featured on a future episode? Reach out via our website or social channels. Next week, we’re talking creative financing in a rising rate world—don’t miss it. Subscribe, share, and keep unlocking your next opportunity!

    3 min

  9. 04/27/2025

    Tariffs, Timber, and Turbulence: How Trade Policy is Reshaping Real Estate

    Welcome to Unlocking Real Estate, the podcast where we crack open the deals, strategies, and market forces shaping the property world. I’m your host, RJ Hernandez—developer, planner, investor, and lifelong student of the dirt beneath our feet and the structures we build on top of it. In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s been hitting developers, builders, and even everyday homebuyers where it hurts: tariffs. Lumber, steel, aluminum, electrical components—everything’s getting pricier. But what does that actually mean for the cost of construction, land acquisition strategies, and the viability of new development? And more importantly… what’s next? Tariffs 101 – What’s Going On? Brief recap of recent or ongoing tariffs: U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, Tariffs on Chinese-manufactured building materials, electrical systems, and solar panels, Trade tensions with Mexico, impacting raw materials like cement and labor supply, Stat: Average cost of residential construction has increased 7–15% over the past 3 years directly tied to tariff-related supply issues. For the average single-family home, that can mean $18,000 to $35,000 more in hard construction costs. Multiply that across a subdivision, and you're talking millions in margin erosion—unless pricing power holds, which in 2025… is getting harder to justify. The Ripple Effect on Real Estate Impact on land planning and feasibility: Projects that penciled 18 months ago might be underwater now due to inflated build costs. Impact on homebuilders: Public builders are value-engineering more aggressively, delaying starts, and focusing on infill lots to preserve margin. Impact on investors: Build-to-rent models might suffer in pro forma projections; cap rate compression adds pressure. It’s not just the price of materials—it’s the uncertainty. When pricing volatility becomes the norm, lenders get jittery, builders delay, and cities feel the slowdown in fee revenue. Forecast – What Comes Next? Short-term (6–12 months): Expect continued cost volatility, especially if tensions with China or new tariffs with EU suppliers emerge. Mid-term (12–24 months): Builders may begin reshoring supply chains; increased use of prefab and modular construction to reduce dependence on imported components. Long-term (2026 and beyond): Tariffs may result in a permanent reshaping of construction economics in the U.S., favoring domestic suppliers but also forcing innovation. If you’re a developer, now’s the time to revisit your cost escalation assumptions. If you’re a buyer, that price you’re balking at today might be the deal of the decade tomorrow. And if you’re an investor? Look for inefficiencies to exploit—because chaos breeds opportunity. Takeaways & Tools Action steps: Reprice existing land offers or bids based on 2025 material escalation. Monitor the Producer Price Index (PPI) for construction inputs. Consider joint ventures with suppliers or prefab providers to hedge risk. Pro tip: Use escalation clauses in construction contracts to protect margin. Factor in tariff risk when analyzing new markets or asset classes. That wraps up this episode of Unlocking Real Estate. The global economy isn’t just a headline—it’s directly shaping what gets built, when, and for how much. If you found value in today’s show, subscribe, share it with a fellow builder or investor, and leave a review. Til next time...Stay sharp, stay strategic, and keep unlocking real estate.

    4 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Unlocking Real Estate is breaking ground, your key to mastering every corner of the Residential property world-- land and homes. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, a developer with big ambitions, or simply real estate curious, this podcast is your inside pass to the strategies, stories, and secrets that drive the market. Hosted by industry insiders and expert guests, each episode delivers practical tips, market insights, and real-world case studies to help you buy smarter, sell faster, invest wiser, and build bigger. We’ll break down the barriers to entry, demystify the deal-making process, and equip you with the knowledge to unlock your next opportunity—no matter where you are in your real estate journey. Tune in regularly for: Proven strategies from top agents, investors, and developersDeep dives on trends, opportunities, and pitfallsInspiring success stories and hard-won lessonsStep-by-step guides to closing deals, growing wealth, and building your legacyUnlocking Real Estate—because the best deals aren’t locked away, they’re waiting to be found.

Information

  • Creator
    RJ Hernandez
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright RJ Hernandez. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Unlocking Real Estate