The Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast|Real Estate Investing

Chris Prefontaine
  • 4.9 (316)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the Smart Real Estate Coach podcast. Our episodes are designed to help YOU reach the next level of real estate investing no matter where you are right now. To make this a reality, we lean into our 32+ years of experience, our huge network of experts, and our thriving community of Associates. With the right tools, the right education, and the right mindset YOU can take control of your financial future. At Smart Real Estate Coach, we empower individuals and families to create the life of their dreams through real estate. If you are an aspiring or seasoned real estate investor looking for a proven investment system, robust education, and a thriving support community, you have come to the right place. We share the best information from our own deals, our Associate's deals, and our guest experts, helping you potentially save hundreds of thousands of dollars in costly mistakes. And we know what the work actually takes. Between our Associates and our own deals, we're still completing deals every month and control, at any given time between $60-100 million dollars worth of real estate with little to no money down. If you're serious about making money in the world of real estate investment, then keep listening to learn more!

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode 545: The $500k Profit Real Estate Deal that Investors Need to Know About with Brandon Cobb

    In this Smart Real Estate Coach master's class, I'm bringing back Brandon Cobb, founder of FBG Capital and host of Recession Resistant Real Estate Radio, to walk you through one of the most powerful and least taught niches in the business: entitling land for national homebuilders and turning dirt into 6–7 figure paydays.     Brandon shares how getting fired from his dream medical device job pushed him into entrepreneurship, why your W-2 is actually your biggest risk, and how he built a land development model where Wall Street-backed builders like Lennar, Pulte, D.R. Horton and others line up to buy his approved projects. We break down his three-phase entitlement process, why he never buys land until approvals are in place, what a typical 15-month entitlement timeline and $500K+ profit deal looks like, and who his Learn Land Development mastermind is actually for (hint: not brand-new investors or "no money down" thinkers).    If you've been looking for a way to do bigger deals without swinging hammers yourself, this episode will open your eyes to a niche that works in every real estate asset class.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:31 Recession Resistant Real Estate Radio 02:24 From dream job to "accidental entrepreneur" 03:35 Lessons from losing his dream job 04:51 Fast-forward: from hustling to large land deals with national builders 06:05 Why you can't rely on a single employer anymore 07:01 The opportunity in selling land to big developers 08:25 The "fastest-growing secret" niche in real estate 11:20 Working on a minimum of 50 units per project 12:50 Phase 1: Learn what the city wants & target the right land 14:05 Phase 2: Contract & entitlements (contingent on approvals) 16:18 Phase 3: Negotiate the best possible deal with your end buyer 17:36 Concept plan: aligning the city and the builder before spending big money 18:21 Resources: Skool community + training + coaching 19:01 Training Section #1: Land Development Blueprint 19:25 Training Section #2: Capital Raising Machine 19:46 Training Section #3: Weekly group coaching calls & in-person project walks 20:25 Land entitlement: Not an entry-level, no-money-down program 22:00 3 main exit paths for entitled land 24:22 Free course: LearnLandDevelopment.com   Quotables   "Nobody was going to look out for my financial well-being but me."   "We never buy anything. That's rule number one: do not buy it until all the approvals are in place."   "This is not a no-money-down, do-your-first-real-estate deal. This is for experienced investors who are ready to do bigger deals."   Links   Land Development Accelerator https://learnlanddevelopment.com/   Recession Resistant Real Estate Radio https://open.spotify.com/show/5tuCHd862XmOCviWocPt9o   Episode 498: $20M Annual Developer Success Secrets with Brandon Cobb https://smartrealestatecoachpodcast.libsyn.com/episode-498-20m-annual-developer-success-secrets-with-brandon-cobb   QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod   Apprentice Program https://3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast   Masterclass https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   3 Paydays Books https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast   Strategy Session https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   Partners https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources

    28 min

  2. JAN 28

    Episode 544: Why Quitting Isn't an Option When Life Gets Loud (A Real Investor Update) with Jessica Johnson

    In this family cast episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I sit down again with Jessica Johnson, one of our Wicked Smart® Associates who's quietly stacking 3 Paydays® while juggling a full-time job, two young kids, and all of life's curveballs. Since her first appearance back in October 2024, Jessica's added multiple terms deals, navigated a unique mixed-use property, and even had her second baby, all while leaning heavily on our coaches and community to keep moving forward.     We talk about how she went from her first taken to stacking several more, the emotional reality of dealing with a challenging buyer who moved out, and why she now believes the only real failure is not trying. Jessica shares practical advice for moms in real estate, how she builds a schedule around naps and newborn chaos, what she took away from In The Trenches Bootcamp, and how she's using books, audiobooks, and our "26 in 26" challenge to rebuild her mindset.    If you're a working parent, a newer creative real estate investor, or someone who's tempted to quit when deals get messy, this conversation will show you what's possible when you stay in the game, rely on your coaches, and let the 3 Paydays® system work for you.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:14 18-month journey: from first taken to multiple 3 Paydays 02:52 New baby, no "pause" on deals 03:42 Real talk for moms in real estate 04:45 Navigating Mom brain vs. Builder brain 06:18 Leaning hard on coaches (and why that matters) 09:13 Book a discovery call with Smart Real Estate Coach team 11:20 Takeaways from joining the In the Trenches Bootcamp in 2023 12:26 Unique deal update & two properties on the market 14:05 Next 18–24 months: quit the job, grow a team, be home with the kids 15:02 Turning struggles into future mentorship 16:10 Advice to new investors: the only way to fail is not to start 19:01 Perspective & peace in the middle of the mess 20:06 Audiobooks, commute time & the "26 in 26" challenge   Quotables   "If I'm not making deals, I'm not going to be able to be where I want to be with you in the future."   "The only way I can be a failure is if I don't try."   "If you don't go through struggles, you're not going to get real-life experience. And if you don't get the real-life experience, you're not going to be able to help others in the future."    Links   FREE Discovery Session https://smartrealestatecoachpodcast.com/discovery   Register for the 3 Paydays Live Event https://3paydayslive.com   QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod   Apprentice Program https://3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast   Masterclass https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   3 Paydays Books https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast   Strategy Session https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   Partners https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources

    25 min

  3. JAN 21

    Episode 543: Why Creative Finance & the 3 Paydays System Beats the Old Ways

    In this solo episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I'm kicking off a fresh 12-month cycle by talking about something way more powerful than New Year's resolutions: rebuilding your thinking, your routines, and your environment so you can actually hit your real estate goals with certainty. Whether you're hearing this in January, March, or October, this is your invitation to "boom, reset" and design the next 12 months on purpose.     I share recent wins from our Wicked Smart® community—6-figure 3 Paydays® deals closed in December—and then walk you through how to stop letting the past dictate your future, why not hitting goals has nothing to do with who you are (and everything to do with who you think you're not), and how to use creative financing and terms deals to create money now, money over time, and wealth long term in any market. We dig into mindset, exposure, association, routines, plans vs. goals, and I give you a series of simple but uncomfortable questions that can change the way you show up for your business, your family, and your future.    If you've been learning, learning, learning but not pulling the trigger in real estate, this solo cast is your wake-up call to build a predictable plan, plug into the right community, and finally take action.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:01 December wins: real 3 Paydays examples from the community 02:02 Stop learning endlessly and start engaging 03:05 12-month reset, no matter what time of the year it is 03:45 Your last 12 months don't define your next 12 05:12 Big mindset reframe: it's not who you are… it's who you think you're not 06:11 Why creative terms and the 3 Paydays beat the old way 08:41 Be hyper-conscious of your exposure 10:44 Routines aligned with your plans for the next 12 months 11:28 How routines help make fewer decisions and lessen brain clutter 13:00 "Would be cool" goals vs. real plans 15:18 What is Presidents Club? (Small, private, not advertised) 16:02 Final gut-check questions for your next 12 months 19:06 Apprentice program, In the Trenches Bootcamp, and other programs   Quotables   "You're never going to rise above the stories you tell yourself."   "The routines will literally reduce the amount of decisions that you make that clog your brain and clog your progress."   "If you knew you absolutely knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that success was guaranteed for you and it was six months away, what would you do differently?"   Links   A Happy Pocket Full of Money https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Pocket-Money-Expanded-Study/dp/1571747362   Free Discovery Call https://smartrealestatecoachpodcast.com/discovery   QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod   Apprentice Program https://3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast   Masterclass https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   3 Paydays Books https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast   Strategy Session https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   Partners https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources

    23 min

  4. JAN 14

    Episode 542: $300K+ in Real Estate Opportunities From The Right Coaching with Annette Weber

    In this episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I sit down for a family cast with Annette Weber from Minnesota, one of our Wicked Smart® Associates whose journey perfectly illustrates what happens when you combine creative real estate, hands-on coaching, and a relentless mindset reset.     Annette walks through trying three other coaching programs before finding our community, joining the 90-Day Apprentice, attending QLS Live (now 3 Days Live), and leveling up into High 6 and Presidents Club. We unpack how she went from feeling "broken" with zero belief in herself to having a framed $321,648 projected 3 Paydays® check on her wall and a $1.1M goal check dated December 31, 2026.     We talk mindset, coaching access, updated training, community, and confidence on the phone, plus the real-life lows—family health issues, lost deals and how the right support system helps you keep moving. If you've tried other programs, hit roadblocks, or are wondering if you can really do this, Annette's story will give you a very real, very current look at what's possible.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:13 Annette's background: insurance, mobile homes & the long road to real estate 02:07 3 coaching programs that didn't work (and why) 05:06 What clicked when Annette joined QLS Live 07:07 For listeners burned by other programs: what's actually different here? 08:31 Mindset, belief & rebuilding confidence 10:28 Why we obsess over mindset, not just "how to do a deal" 14:30 The $321,648 check & the $1.1M vision check for 2026 16:40 Hitting lows: health issues, lost deals & staying in the game 18:08 Day in the life: 4–6 touches with coaches & a 4:30 a.m. countdown 20:03 Live events: 3 Days Live & why proximity matters 22:20 Every coach, one mission: "Let's all get there" 26:54 Why taking action is the key to your success   Quotables   "I came in, in uncertain terms, I was broken. I believed in you and the other coaches, but not in myself. I had like zero belief in myself."   "There's so many people that need our help, especially sellers… and not to mention the thousands of buyers that I have now on my list."   "We're all in the game to win more deals. It's very simple."   Links   QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod   Apprentice Program https://3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast   Masterclass https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   3 Paydays Books https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast   Strategy Session https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   Partners https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources

    29 min

  5. JAN 7

    Episode 541: The 3 Biggest Mistakes People Make with Infinite Banking with Jim Oliver

    In this episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I'm bringing back a good friend of the community, Jim Oliver, one of the world's foremost authorities on Infinite Banking and the founder of CreateTailwind. Jim has 38 years in the financial trenches, 12 of those under the late R. Nelson Nash, the pioneer of the Infinite Banking Concept®. Together, we break down how to take back control from traditional banks, keep more of the interest you're giving away, and use properly structured whole life policies to fund cash-flowing real estate and businesses instead of Wall Street.     We talk about the big problems with indexed universal life (IUL) being sold as "infinite banking," why guarantees and design matter, and how to vet a real Infinite Banking coach. Jim then gives a simple, clear explanation of how banks actually make money off your deposits, how Infinite Banking makes you the depositor, bank owner, and borrower, and the three biggest mistakes people make when they start.    We finish with a powerful conversation about escaping the 9–5, changing your identity to "investor," and designing a 2026 vision where you stop exchanging time for money and your assets pay you instead.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:49 What's new in the Infinite Banking world? 02:06 The IUL problem: when "infinite banking" gets bastardized 03:48 Whole life vs. universal life for Infinite Banking 04:12 Chasing short-term optics with low base / high PUAs 05:26 How to vet a real Infinite Banking mentor 08:22 How Infinite Banking really works 10:47 The problem with traditional banking 11:48 Why use a whole life policy as your "bank"? 12:50 How to reach Jim & what working with CreateTailwind looks like 13:58 3 biggest mistakes people make with Infinite Banking 16:17 Entrepreneurship and escaping the 9-5 grind 18:07 Identity & environment: two levers to pull for 2026 19:37 Observe, assist, lead, then teach 20:34 Media, markets & the danger of the herd   Quotables   "The problem is that we finance every single thing that we buy. We either pay interest to someone else or we give up interest that we could have earned somewhere else."   "Any time you have a nine to five, I don't care if you're making millions of dollars a year, you're in captivity."   "If you're in the herd, you're in the majority. You're wrong."   Links   CreateTailwind https://createtailwind.com   Breakaway Wealth https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-nWVcVpkLqnDXSdqejEqDxR20TpKfe7z&si=fCMS-e95ckyrQQGw   Jim Oliver jimoliver@createtailwind.com   NREIG https://smartrealestatecoach.com/nreig   QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod   Apprentice Program https://3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast   Masterclass https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   3 Paydays Books https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast   Strategy Session https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   Partners https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources

    25 min

  6. 12/31/2025

    Episode 540: The Mindset Work Most Investors Avoid and Why It Matters More Than Deals

    In this special coaching sit-down, I hit pause on tactics and deals and go deep into the mental game of real estate investing—the part that actually determines whether you ever hit your income goals, leave your W-2, or build the life you keep saying you want.     I walk our community through practical mindset work: scripting your perfect day and perfect year, shifting from reaction to creation, removing distractions, and getting brutally honest about where you are vs. where you say you want to be. We talk about vision, exposure, coaching, accountability, and belief, and I share personal stories from rebuilding after 2008 to helping my son Nick rewire his thinking after his accident to show you exactly how this work looks in real life.     You'll hear live questions from our group about negative self-talk, self-sabotage, overwhelm, and balance while juggling a W-2, and we break those down into clear, simple action steps you can implement this week.    If you're serious about scaling your real estate business, leaving your job, or just getting unstuck, this episode will help you build the mindset, habits, and environment that make the deals, the 3 Paydays®, and the lifestyle inevitable.    Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 02:17 The importance of reviewing your vision daily 03:12 Do you have your perfect day/week/year scripted? 04:00 The "drunk monkey" and the biggest stumbling block 05:02 The real test of mindset: not when things are easy, but when things get tough 06:31 What is your biggest risk of 2026? 07:26 The "reaction" vs "creation" exercise 09:57 Should mindset be in your schedule? 11:40 Exposure & who you get around in 2026 13:17 Leveraging the power of community to make the connections you need 14:36 Visualizing your future: what does life look like a year from now? 15:39 Mindset coach & reframing limiting beliefs 16:45 Be brutally honest about where you are (and be okay with it) 17:55 The importance of learning to own your journey and future 19:18 Don't take advice from the average; look at their results 21:30 Should you follow the right coach 100%? 22:18 The "game of tennis" with your coach 24:24 Overcoming your recurring negative thoughts 25:24 Solution: script, record & loop your perfect future 26:48 Descriptive but not restrictive: get deep and don't hesitate 29:55 How the start of your day will impact your success 32:25 The philosophy behind "the action creates the belief" 35:20 The $321K check and visual anchors 37:05 Jim Carrey's $10M check story 38:32 Navigating challenges between balancing business and a W-2 40:13 CEO exercise: if you can only do 3 things 44:30 Mindset work takes longer than scripts   Quotables   "Your biggest risk in my opinion of not achieving your goals in '26 is not getting rid of distractions."   "It's easier to act your way into a new belief than it is to believe your way into a new action."   "If someone is where you want to be, and they give you advice, should you do it 100%… even when you don't feel like it?"   Links   QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod   Apprentice Program https://3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast   Masterclass https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   3 Paydays Books https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast   Strategy Session https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   Partners https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources

    48 min

  7. 12/24/2025

    Episode 539: How Ron Made Class C & D Rentals Massively Profitable with Ron Faraci

    In this episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I'm hanging out with someone who's been in the trenches in some of the toughest rental markets and came out retired on a Florida beach — Ron Faraci. Ron has owned and managed several hundred low-income rentals, transformed ugly, problem portfolios into highly profitable ones, and ran CT REIA, the fifth-largest real estate investors association in the country. He's also the author of Confessions of a Landlord and creator of the now-famous 31-page "Bulletproof Lease."     We unpack how Ron quit his job, cashed out his 401(k), and went all-in on class C/D "ghetto-adjacent" properties, why he cares more about terms than price, and how he used forced appreciation and systems to retire in his mid-40s. He shares real-world landlording tactics—no garbage disposals, painted "magic handles," orange-coated copper, even canine-unit letters to chase off drug dealers—plus why he runs his business with "no mercy, no quarter" and a lease tenants initial 80+ times.   If you're a landlord, property manager, or aspiring buy-and-hold investor who wants cash flow, control, and fewer headaches, this conversation is a masterclass in how to make tough rentals profitable without losing your mind.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:03 Who is Ron Faraci?  02:30 Semi-retired in St. Augustine, FL (and why the beach isn't "enough") 03:13 Blue-collar beginnings, LA sales job, and a fear of losing it all 04:34 Quitting the job, cashing in his 401K and burning the boats 05:05 Discovering creative financing early in his real estate career 06:02 Finding his tribe in CT REIA and buying it 07:11 Selling CT REIA and realizing that there's no finish line 08:45 Why joining your local REIA is key to getting started 10:20 Macro curveballs & building your "pivot muscle" 11:16 The pivot during COVID: Zoom meetings & over-delivering value 12:44 The money in tough, low-income areas 13:30 The million-dollar "worst two-family" example 14:02 No mercy, no quarter: If you want a friend, buy a puppy 15:16 The importance of knowing your fastball and letting someone else run your business 19:17 Appreciation vs. forcing NOI with cap rates as multipliers 20:38 What doesn't belong in low-income units 22:24 Magic handles, dirty copper & fly-free trash cans 25:30 Clearing out drug dealers with a single letter 27:57 The story behind The Bulletproof Lease 28:31 Where to find a copy of the Bulletproof Lease   Quotables   "You grow up with no money, you're stressed about having no money. Then you get a little bit, you're stressed about losing it."   "If I was playing poker, I pushed all the chips in. If you want to take the island, burn your boats."   "No mercy, no quarter… If you want a friend, buy a puppy… and if you want to eff around, you're going to find out."   Links   The Bulletproof Lease https://bulletprooflease.com   QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod   Apprentice Program https://3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast   Masterclass https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   3 Paydays Books https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast   Strategy Session https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   Partners https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources

    33 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Episode 538: The Right Way to Insure Rental Properties, Creative Deals, and Vacancies with Seth Markum

    In this episode of the Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast, I'm finally pulling back the curtain on how we insure our own portfolio. For about 12 years, my family and I have insured all of our non-owner-occupied, investment properties through National Real Estate Insurance Group (NREIG), whether it's buy-and-hold rentals, multifamily, or creative subject-to deals.   I'm joined by Seth Markum, Executive VP of Sales at NREIG, with 20+ years in property and casualty insurance and a background in building one of the first national online commercial P&C agencies. We break down landlord insurance vs. homeowners insurance, why rental properties are treated as commercial exposure, and how NREIG structures real estate investor insurance across single-family, multifamily, short-term rentals, mobile homes, land, and creative strategies even if you're using multiple LLCs in multiple states.   Seth also walks you through their monthly reporting program, how one flexible policy can follow a property from occupied to vacant to renovation without gaps in coverage, and how they handle subject-to insurance the right way.   If you've ever wondered how to properly insure your rental properties and real estate investments, this episode will show you exactly what to ask for and how to get a proposal from NREIG.   Key Talking Points of the Episode: 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Who is Seth Markum? 03:19 Landlord vs. homeowner policies (and why homeowners "never works") 04:18 One company vs. multiple niches: why customization matters 05:08 No one-size-fits-all: mix forms, deductibles & locations 06:21 What makes NREIG different from other insurance companies 08:19 Why you don't want "agent Bob on the corner" for creative deals 09:01 Making insurance simple for real estate investors 10:02 Dealing with vacancies and fix and flips with NREIG 11:21 How to get a proposal from NREIG 13:10 The importance of understanding the kind of insurance you have   Quotables   "If you're not getting a customized policy… that may not be the scenario that you want to entertain."    "All phases of occupancy are contemplated on our single policy form."   "If you just want something that's going to be all encompassing, no matter what your strategy is, this is going to be the best solution for you."   Links   NREIG https://nreig.com/ sales@nreig.com   QLS 4.0 - Use coupon code for 50% off https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls Coupon code: pod   Apprentice Program https://3paydaysapprentice.com Coupon code: Podcast   Masterclass https://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast   3 Paydays Books https://3paydaysbooks.com/podcast   Strategy Session https://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast   Partners https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcastresources

    19 min
See All (546)

4.9
out of 5
316 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Smart Real Estate Coach podcast. Our episodes are designed to help YOU reach the next level of real estate investing no matter where you are right now. To make this a reality, we lean into our 32+ years of experience, our huge network of experts, and our thriving community of Associates. With the right tools, the right education, and the right mindset YOU can take control of your financial future. At Smart Real Estate Coach, we empower individuals and families to create the life of their dreams through real estate. If you are an aspiring or seasoned real estate investor looking for a proven investment system, robust education, and a thriving support community, you have come to the right place. We share the best information from our own deals, our Associate's deals, and our guest experts, helping you potentially save hundreds of thousands of dollars in costly mistakes. And we know what the work actually takes. Between our Associates and our own deals, we're still completing deals every month and control, at any given time between $60-100 million dollars worth of real estate with little to no money down. If you're serious about making money in the world of real estate investment, then keep listening to learn more!

Information

You Might Also Like