Pickup The Phone

Josue Llanas
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Whatever you have going on in your life. Whether its business, relationships, career, etc. Any solution can be solved by picking up the phone. In this podcast we focus on people's journey into entrepreneurship, their struggles and the breakthrough to success. Looking to scale your business with done for you marketing? Click here ---> https://vancom.io/calendar-page

  1. 3d ago

    Brian Buhr: Two Exits, Hard Lessons and Private Lending

    Brian Buhr built and sold businesses in medical-device sales before turning his attention to real estate and private lending. He joins Josue Llanas to discuss the difference between a successful exit and getting your time back, then shares the details he wants to understand before considering a loan. Brian talks through borrower liquidity, a costly property-survey problem and the bank payoff he made to recover control of collateral assignments. The conversation closes with protecting your time, mortgage and insurance operations, and practical uses for AI in borrower communication and loan-document collection. Listen for the questions behind Brian’s underwriting approach: Who is the borrower? Do they have cash to work through a problem? Is the paperwork accurate? Who has control when something goes wrong? Guest: Brian Buhr Host: Josue Llanas Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/ndOMk_Z27Dw CHAPTERS 00:00 Brian Buhr cinematic introduction 01:30 Meet Brian Buhr 02:54 Building businesses in medical-device sales 04:42 Selling for time and navigating an exit 08:19 The first million and life after a sale 12:14 Moving into real estate and private lending 21:04 Borrower liquidity before the property 23:24 A Texas City renovation under pressure 25:44 Reporting and what investors need to see 30:59 Collateral assignments and a bank payoff 33:30 The house and pool survey problem 38:19 Trust and document verification 39:04 Protecting time and choosing deals 46:14 Staying in your lane 49:14 Capital matching and partial notes 56:34 Insurance and mortgage operations 59:14 AI for letters and repetitive loan documents 1:08:16 Connecting with Brian and closing thoughts Follow Pick Up The Phone Podcast for more conversations with business owners and real estate operators. MUSIC “Emergent” by Scott Buckley, released under CC BY 4.0. https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/library/emergent/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Excerpted, equalized, faded, ducked under dialogue and synchronized to video. #PrivateLending #RealEstateInvesting #PickUpThePhonePodcast

    Brian Buhr: Two Exits, Hard Lessons and Private Lending

  2. Sep 30

    Trey Stone: 6,300 Units, 21 Exits & the Rules That Kept Him in the Game

    6,300+ apartment units owned and operated. 21 successful exits. Nearly three decades in Houston multifamily. Trey Stone is still buying in a market that has sidelined many syndicators. What has kept him in the game? In this episode of Pick Up The Phone Podcast, Josue Llanas sits down with the CEO of Track Record Assets to talk about the deals he passed on, the market cycles he survived, and the numbers he needs to see before he buys. Trey shares his account of going from roughly $10 million in net worth to negative $50 million during the 2008 financial crisis and explains how that experience reshaped his approach to risk. They discuss a 560-unit Houston apartment turnaround, debt and downside underwriting, the operational work that grows NOI, why Trey believes today's distressed multifamily market presents an opening, and how an aspiring investor can earn trust before asking for a fee. The key question: when others are still chasing a deal, what tells an experienced operator to walk away? Follow Trey: @thetreystone Track Record Assets: https://www.trackrecordassets.com/ Subscribe to Pick Up The Phone Podcast for more honest conversations with real estate operators. #TreyStone #MultifamilyInvesting #RealEstateInvesting Track Record Assets reports the 6,300+ units and 21 exits as career figures; they do not represent units Trey currently owns. This conversation reflects his experiences and opinions and is not a verified performance claim or individualized investment advice.

    Trey Stone: 6,300 Units, 21 Exits & the Rules That Kept Him in the Game

  3. Sep 2

    150 Deals a Year — And Revenue Isn’t the Number He Watches | Andrew Jobe

    What does it actually take to build a real estate operation capable of doing 130–150 deals a year? In this episode of Pick Up The Phone Podcast, Josue Llanos sits down with real estate investor and operator Andrew Jobe to unpack the systems, numbers, leadership principles, and investment discipline behind a high-volume real estate business. Andrew shares how he and his business partner went from working corporate jobs and knocking 100 doors every weekend to building a team and expanding through cold calling, texting, Facebook ads, and eventually TV advertising. But the real conversation is about what happens behind the deals. Andrew explains why revenue and contracts are lagging indicators—and why operators should pay closer attention to the daily activities that create those outcomes. Calls, conversations, appointments, offers, and follow-up activity can tell you where the business is headed before the final numbers ever show up. He also breaks down his investment criteria, including a 70–75% all-in LTV target and approximately $300 per month in target cash flow for portfolio properties, as well as how his team decides whether to wholesale, flip, hold, or create an owner-finance note. The conversation goes deeper into leadership as Andrew explains the mindset shift that changed the way he manages people: his team doesn't simply work for him—he works for them. Josue and Andrew also discuss RACI charts, SOPs, success statements, leading versus lagging indicators, AI and automation, and Andrew's long-term goal of building a balance sheet capable of eventually replacing active transactional income. In This Episode:• Going from corporate America to real estate entrepreneurship • Knocking 100 doors every weekend to find their first deals • Building a business capable of 130–150 deals per year • Why revenue and contracts are lagging indicators • The daily activities that actually predict business performance • Why small misses in activity compound into major performance gaps • Andrew's 70–75% LTV investment rule • His $300/month target cash flow for portfolio assets • Wholesaling vs. flipping vs. rentals vs. owner-finance notes • Building systems with RACI charts and SOPs • Creating “success statements” for team members • Why Andrew believes he works for his employees • Using AI to eliminate low-value administrative work • Turning active income into long-term balance-sheet wealth Andrew's Key Takeaway:“Once you think you've figured it out, start over.” Build the process. Improve it. Measure it. But never become so comfortable that you stop questioning how it could be better. If you're serious about moving beyond simply doing deals and want to understand how a real estate business is actually operated at scale, this conversation is packed with lessons you can apply. 🎙️ Pick Up The Phone Podcast Hosted by Josue Llanos #RealEstateInvesting #RealEstateBusiness #RealEstateInvestor #Entrepreneurship #RealEstateSystems #Leadership #WealthBuilding #OwnerFinancing

  4. Aug 19

    This 3.5% Down Program Could Change Everything | Josue Reyes

    Denied a Mortgage? Watch This Before You Give Up | Josue ReyesWhat happens when the bank tells you that you don't qualify for a mortgage? According to mortgage loan originator Josue Reyes, that doesn't necessarily mean your path to homeownership is over. In this episode of the Pick Up the Phone Podcast, Josue breaks down alternative mortgage options for buyers who may struggle to qualify through traditional lending—including self-employed individuals, 1099 workers, cash earners, and borrowers whose tax returns may not reflect their true financial picture. One of the biggest topics in this conversation is the Earned Equity program, an alternative path that can allow qualified buyers to purchase a home with as little as 3.5% down and a 580+ credit score. Josue explains how the program works, how income can potentially be verified differently, and why buyers can still earn equity, refinance, and sell. But Josue's expertise comes from more than understanding loan products. After immigrating from El Salvador to Los Angeles at seven years old, Josue bought his first home at just 22. His own struggle to get approved for that first mortgage ultimately introduced him to an industry that would become his career. He went from working in a mortgage call center and cold calling his own prospects to investing in real estate, relocating his family from California to Texas, launching his own mortgage branch, and eventually building a business producing approximately 100 loans per year and $3 million per month. In This Episode, You'll LearnWhy being denied for a traditional mortgage doesn't necessarily mean you can't buy a homeHow the 3.5% down Earned Equity program worksWhy self-employed and 1099 borrowers often struggle with traditional mortgage qualificationHow bank statements and profit & loss statements may be used to document incomeWhy a 580+ credit score can still provide options with certain programsThe differences between traditional mortgages, Non-QM products, and Earned EquityHow buyers using Earned Equity can build equity, refinance, and sellHow Josue went from struggling to qualify for his own first home to becoming a mortgage professionalWhy he moved from California to Texas and began investing in the Texas marketHow persistence and tenacity helped him build a high-producing mortgage businessWhy Josue approaches mortgage lending as a consultant and educator rather than simply selling a loan About Pick Up the Phone PodcastThe Pick Up the Phone Podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, sales professionals, and business leaders about the experiences, strategies, failures, and lessons that helped shape their success. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show and share it with someone who may need to hear that being told "you don't qualify" doesn't always mean "no."

  5. Aug 12

    Why a $900M Hard-Money Lender Refused to Grow Too Fast | David Williams

    What does it take to build a business that lasts through multiple real estate cycles? In this episode of Pick Up The Phone Podcast, Josue Llanas sits down with David Williams, Founder of Red Door Funding, to discuss the journey from electrician to building one of Houston's most respected hard money lending companies. With nearly 20 years in business, almost 5,000 loans funded, and over $900 million in loan volume, David shares the principles that helped him build a resilient company while many others struggled through changing markets. David explains why Red Door Funding intentionally stayed lean, how the company navigated the dramatic market changes beginning in 2022, why liquidity matters more than rapid growth, and what today's real estate investors should be thinking about as interest rates and market conditions continue to evolve. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, lender, or business owner, this conversation offers practical lessons on sustainable growth, risk management, and long-term success. What You'll LearnHow David Williams transitioned from electrician to hard money lenderThe story behind building Red Door FundingWhy "one brick at a time" became the company's growth philosophyThe importance of maintaining liquidity in any businessLessons from funding nearly 5,000 real estate dealsHow to recognize market shifts before they become major problemsThe impact of rising interest rates on investors and lendersWhy conservative decision-making often wins over aggressive scalingThe value of building a lean, efficient businessDavid's outlook on the future of real estate investing and AI in business About David WilliamsDavid Williams is the Founder of Red Door Funding, a Houston-based hard money lending company serving real estate investors throughout Texas. Since launching the company in 2007, David has funded nearly 5,000 loans totaling more than $900 million in loan volume. His experience spans multiple real estate cycles, making him one of the most respected voices in private lending and investor financing.

  6. Aug 5

    From 1,000 Real Estate Deals to Oil Fields | Alex Ottewell

    Alex Ottewell built a real estate business that completed more than 1,000 transactions and made him a millionaire by the age of 24. Most entrepreneurs would have stayed the course—but Alex chose a different path. In this episode of the Pick Up The Phone Podcast, Alex shares why he walked away from a thriving real estate career to build an oil & gas investment company from the ground up. He breaks down the lessons he learned from thousands of deals, the mistakes that shaped his journey, and how he immersed himself in an entirely new industry by hiring a reservoir engineer to teach him everything from scratch. The conversation goes far beyond entrepreneurship. Alex explains how professional investors evaluate producing oil wells, why cash-flowing assets outperform speculation, the role of PDP (Proved Developed Producing) assets, commodity price risk, hedging strategies, tax advantages, and the mindset required to build long-term wealth across multiple industries. Whether you're a real estate investor, entrepreneur, or simply interested in how sophisticated investors think, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world experience. In This EpisodeAlex's journey from England to becoming a millionaire through real estateBuilding a business with more than 1,000 real estate transactionsWhy he chose to leave real estate and start over in oil & gasHow he learned an entirely new industry in just a few monthsThe importance of understanding business fundamentals over specific industriesHow professional oil & gas investors evaluate opportunitiesWhat PDP (Proved Developed Producing) assets actually areWhy producing assets can generate predictable monthly cash flowHedging strategies and managing commodity price riskInfill drilling and reducing operational riskTax advantages available in oil & gas investingLessons on humility, execution, and long-term wealth creation

  7. Jul 29

    Real Estate Agents Are Ignoring 80% of Their Income | Ben Deal

    What if the biggest opportunity in real estate isn't finding more leads—but building better relationships? In this episode of the Pick Up The Phone Podcast, host Josue Llanas sits down with Ben Deal to discuss why so many real estate agents overlook one of the most profitable segments of the industry. Ben shares how working with real estate investors can create a predictable stream of repeat business, why most agents are focused on the wrong opportunities, and how a small network of strong investor relationships can outperform hundreds of one-time transactions. Whether you're a new agent, an experienced Realtor®, an investor, or an entrepreneur looking to grow your business, this conversation is packed with practical strategies, mindset shifts, and actionable advice that you can apply immediately. In This EpisodeWhy most real estate agents are ignoring a significant source of incomeThe difference between working with homeowners and investor clientsHow investor relationships create repeat businessWhy consistency beats chasing one-off dealsThe mindset required to build a sustainable real estate businessNetworking strategies that actually generate long-term opportunitiesCommon mistakes agents make when trying to grow their businessWhy you don't need hundreds of clients to build a successful career Key TakeawaysRepeat clients are often more valuable than constantly acquiring new ones.Building relationships with investors creates consistent opportunities.Long-term business growth comes from systems, consistency, and trust.A small number of strong relationships can outperform a large network of casual contacts.Success in real estate is built through discipline, persistence, and providing value over time.

  8. Jul 22

    From Surviving 2008 to Building a Real Estate Ecosystem | Rob Wiseman

    ob Wiseman joins Josue Llanas on the Pick Up The Phone Podcast to share how surviving the 2008 housing crash transformed the way he approached real estate and business. What began as a career in home building evolved into a vertically integrated operation that includes lending and title services, allowing him to create more value from every transaction. In this conversation, Rob discusses identifying opportunities during market downturns, the importance of adapting to changing conditions, building businesses that support long-term growth, and why successful operators think beyond the next deal. Whether you're a real estate investor, entrepreneur, agent, or business owner, this episode offers practical insights on scaling a business and building lasting success. In This EpisodeHow Rob survived and adapted after the 2008 housing crashWhy becoming a short sale expert changed his careerThe benefits of building a vertically integrated real estate businessWhy he started his own lending and title companiesThe operator mindset versus simply buying more propertiesHow education and relationships create long-term business opportunitiesLessons on resilience, leadership, and sustainable growth

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5
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About

Whatever you have going on in your life. Whether its business, relationships, career, etc. Any solution can be solved by picking up the phone. In this podcast we focus on people's journey into entrepreneurship, their struggles and the breakthrough to success. Looking to scale your business with done for you marketing? Click here ---> https://vancom.io/calendar-page

Information

  • Creator
    Josue Llanas
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Josue Llanas
  • Show Website
    Pickup The Phone