Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life

Branch Wealth Partners
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Welcome to the podcast where property meets personality! Whether you're a new investor, curious homeowner, or just here for the wild ride of real estate stories, you’re in the right place. Each week, we break down the real behind real estate: 📚 Smart, beginner-friendly education on real estate investing 💼 Practical tips you can use 🤣 Hilarious (and sometimes painful) lessons from the field From first deals to faceplants, we keep it honest, relatable, and just the right amount of ridiculous. Because real estate isn’t just about buildings — it’s about people, decisions, and life in motion. Let’s grow together — one branch at a time.

  1. JAN 29

    From Pit Road to Property: How Matt Is Building Wealth Beyond NASCAR

    In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Life, Christina sits down with Matt — a NASCAR pit crew fueler, husband, dad of four, and one of Branch’s earliest mentees — to talk about what it really looks like to build real estate alongside a demanding career. Matt’s story isn’t about flashy deals or overnight success.  It’s about discipline, faith, teamwork, and taking action before you feel fully ready. From fueling race cars in 8-second pit stops to rehabbing near-teardown properties, Matt shares how the mindset of a professional athlete translates directly into long-term investing. In this conversation, you’ll hear: • How Matt went from student loan debt to building a growing rental portfolio • Why his first “rental” was actually buying a home for his mother-in-law • What NASCAR pit crews and real estate investing have in common • The misconceptions he had about needing “tons of cash” to invest • A rehab that uncovered stolen wiring, termites, and a changing scope of work • Why indecision can cost more than making the wrong move • His long-term vision: land, new construction, and replacing W-2 income • How building the right team accelerated his confidence and growth This episode is for anyone who: • Has a demanding job and wonders how real estate fits into real life • Feels stuck waiting to know “enough” before taking action • Is thinking about long-term wealth beyond traditional retirement plans • Believes discipline, faith, and community matter just as much as numbers Whether you’re coming from athletics, a W-2 career, or just trying to plan what’s next, Matt’s story is a reminder that progress comes from movement — not perfection. 👉 Learn more about education, mentorship, and community at BranchWealthPartners.com  👉 Subscribe for more real conversations where real estate meets real life 🌿

    27 min
  2. How a Married Couple is Building Freedom Through Real Estate

    JAN 15

    How a Married Couple is Building Freedom Through Real Estate

    In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Carolena and Brad Barringer — a husband-and-wife investing team who’ve built a real estate business together through long-term rentals, short-term rentals, flips, land, and new construction. Their journey didn’t start with confidence or a perfect plan. It started with budgeting, faith, and a willingness to take action before everything felt “ready.” In this conversation, they share: • How Financial Peace University reshaped their mindset around money • Their very first rental — and why they “got lucky” • The rehab that went 100% over budget and changed how they invest forever • Why investing is not passive — and how systems make it manageable • How they decide when to flip, hold, or build • What it’s really like to invest together as a married couple • Why mentorship and community accelerated their growth • How real estate gave them time freedom — and purpose This episode is for anyone who: • Feels stuck on the sidelines • Wants clarity before their first (or next) deal • Is navigating real estate alongside family and faith • Wants to build something steady, not flashy If you’ve been waiting to feel “ready,” this conversation might be exactly what you need to hear. 👉 Learn more about our mentorship and investor community at BranchWealthPartners.com 👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about real-life investing

    45 min

  3. JAN 9

    What to know about Airbnb's before you get started

    Ever stayed in an Airbnb and thought: “How much does this place actually earn… and could I do this?” In this episode, Christina sits down with Dawon Millwood (Concord local + STR owner/operator) for an honest conversation on short-term rentals: what the numbers look like, what the work really is, and how to know if STRs fit your 2026 investing goals. You’ll hear about: ✅ How Dawon went from W-2 to real estate (and what she learned the hard way) ✅ How she built a team (cleaners + maintenance) that keeps properties running ✅ Pricing strategy, occupancy expectations, and guest communication ✅ When STR management makes sense — and when it doesn’t ✅ Why she charges 15% (and what most managers charge instead) Bonus: Dawon also shares what it’s been like buying and renovating a downtown Concord commercial building—and why Local Bottle Shop is becoming part of our 2026 Branch community gatherings. If STRs are on your radar for 2026, this is a must-listen. 🌿 Contact: https://www.localbottleshop.com/

    39 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    Building a Better Kannapolis: Growth, Leadership, and Vision with Jamie Richardson

    In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Jamie Richardson — Director of Marketing, Events, and Communications at Cooperative Christian Ministry and candidate for Kannapolis City Council — to talk about growth, community, and what it takes to shape a thriving city. From her years serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission, Chamber of Commerce, and countless community boards, Jamie has seen firsthand what responsible development looks like — and where Kannapolis is headed next. 💡 In this conversation, you’ll learn: ✅ How Kannapolis has transformed from a mill town to a booming hub for families and small businesses ✅ What’s next for downtown development and key corridors like Highway 29 ✅ Why balanced growth and community engagement are vital for the city’s future ✅ How affordable housing, transportation, and tourism all fit into the next chapter of growth Jamie shares her insights on leadership that listens, community partnerships, and the importance of keeping Kannapolis united as it continues to expand. 📌 Subscribe for more episodes where real estate meets real life — and where community and investing come together. 📘 Learn more at https://edu.branchwealthpartners.com/opt-in

    43 min

  5. 10/16/2025

    Real Estate Closings, Wholesaling, and Title Secrets — with Real Estate Attorney Michelle Wine

    What really happens behind the scenes of a real estate closing? In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Michelle Wine, a real estate attorney with nearly a decade of experience untangling some of the toughest deals in North Carolina. From messy title issues and complicated estate sales to wholesaling and investor contracts, Michelle has seen it all — and she’s here to share the lessons every buyer, seller, and investor should know before they get to the closing table. 💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why title searches and title insurance matter more than most people realize The legal pitfalls in wholesaling and “subject to” deals (and how to avoid them) When to use an LLC — and when it might actually hurt you How to make your attorney’s life easier (and your deal smoother) The craziest closing stories from Michelle’s career so far Whether you’re a first-time investor or you’ve closed dozens of deals, this episode is packed with real-world advice, legal insights, and stories that’ll change the way you think about closing day. 📌 Subscribe for more episodes where real estate meets real life. 📘 Grab your free investing guide: https://edu.branchwealthpartners.com/opt-in

    51 min

  6. 09/30/2025

    Ep 9 Sales Skills Every Real Estate Investor Needs | Tamara Bunte on Branching Out

    On this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, we sit down with Tamara Bunte — a seasoned investor and sales coach — to uncover the surprising link between sales skills and real estate success. Tamara’s journey started like many others: attending a local investor meeting, learning the ropes, and buying her first properties. But along the way, she discovered that the real edge in real estate isn’t just finding deals — it’s knowing how to communicate, negotiate, and build trust. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why sales skills are just as important as spreadsheets for investors ✅ How to communicate with confidence when working with sellers and lenders ✅ The most common mistakes beginners make when “selling” themselves ✅ Why building relationships is the foundation of every great deal Whether you’re brand new to investing or looking to scale your portfolio, Tamara’s insights will give you a fresh perspective on the role of communication in building wealth. 📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Branching Out. 📘 Grab your free real estate guide here: https://edu.branchwealthpartners.com/... #sales #realestateinvesting #realestate #realestateinvestor #financialfreedom #passiveincome

    40 min

  7. 09/19/2025

    Ep 8 French Teacher to Real Estate Investor

    From French teacher to full-time real estate investor. In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Heather Littrell — a real estate agent, investor, and entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience across nearly every asset class. Heather shares: ✅ How she went from teaching French to building a rental portfolio in Concord, NC ✅ The lessons she learned flipping homes and developing commercial property through the 2007 crash ✅ Why short-term rentals at the beach bring both profit and purpose ✅ Her biggest takeaway after decades in real estate: it’s all about relationships Whether you’re just starting your investing journey or already own multiple properties, Heather’s story will inspire you to think bigger and lean on the right relationships. 📘 Grab our free guide: https://edu.branchwealthpartners.com/opt-in 💻 Join our next free monthly workshop: https://www.branchwealthpartners.com/monthlyworkshop 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of Branching Out. #realestateinvesting #propertyinvestment #passiveincome #realestate #cashflow #financialfreedom

    36 min

  8. 09/03/2025

    Ep 7 Insurance for Real Estate Investors

    Insurance is one of the least talked about — but most important — parts of real estate investing. In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Greg and Christina sit down with Jessica Tucker, their go-to insurance agent, to break down what investors need to know. Jessica explains the difference between landlord, homeowners, and umbrella policies, shares real stories of claims that made or broke investors, and gives practical advice on how to protect your rental properties (without overpaying). If you’re serious about building a real estate portfolio, don’t skip this conversation. 📘 Grab our free guide: https://edu.branchwealthpartners.com/opt-in 💻 Join our next free monthly workshop: https://www.branchwealthpartners.com/monthlyworkshop 👉 Like this video, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes of Branching Out.

    39 min
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About

Welcome to the podcast where property meets personality! Whether you're a new investor, curious homeowner, or just here for the wild ride of real estate stories, you’re in the right place. Each week, we break down the real behind real estate: 📚 Smart, beginner-friendly education on real estate investing 💼 Practical tips you can use 🤣 Hilarious (and sometimes painful) lessons from the field From first deals to faceplants, we keep it honest, relatable, and just the right amount of ridiculous. Because real estate isn’t just about buildings — it’s about people, decisions, and life in motion. Let’s grow together — one branch at a time.

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