Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing Jonathan Greene

Mid-term rentals are an often-overlooked asset class that is gaining steam with investors. When short-term rentals prove to be too much work, mid-term rentals could be the answer.
On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan’s guest is Jamie Banks, a mid-term rental (MTR) investor who got her start with co-hosting. Jamie is also a multifamily investor and has quickly become an MTR expert with more than 20 managed properties under her supervision.
As their conversation begins, Jonathan uncovers how Jamie started her post-college career with commercial lending, which quickly piqued her interest in becoming an investor. She explains why you should always take the deal as long as the numbers work and the property cash flows, the importance of building real-life connections with other investors, how she decided on MTRs as her area of focus, and how she hopes to set an example for other minorities in this asset class. Jamie shares why MTRs can work in any market size, the criteria you can use to identify your ideal tenant, and why you must understand the area where you’re offering an MTR. You’ll also hear Jamie’s reasoning for including a video in every listing, who’s using MTRs, the pros and cons of co-hosting, and some strategies she uses to remain successful in this asset class.
If mid-term rentals aren’t on your radar, Jamie Banks makes a compelling case for why they should be.
In this episode, you will hear:
Jamie Banks’s introduction to real estate with commercial lending and asset management and moved into real estate investing Taking the deal as long as the numbers work and the property cash flows Having a healthy dose of imposter syndrome to overcome your fears and propel you forward Building real-life connections with other investors and deciding on medium-term rentals as the asset class to focus on Being a minority in the investing space and setting an example for others to follow Why MTRs can work in any market Identifying your ideal tenant for your MTR Doing your due diligence in an area and understanding the area where you’re offering an MTR Video versus photos in a listing and setting expectations about the property ahead of time Who uses mid-term rentals The properties in Jamie’s portfolio, where she sees gaps in the market availability, and what her focus is now Jamie’s strategy for narrowing down her next targeted market Her favorite things about mid-term rentals What makes mid-term rentals different from short-term rentals in terms of cleaning needs The pros and cons of co-hosting and how she does it effectively remotely The importance of having a runner to check in on things at an inexpensive rate that offers them experience as well Jamie’s advice for others who want to get into the mid-term rental asset class Follow and Review:
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If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/138 to download it.
Supporting Resources:
Radiate Real Estate website - radiatere.com
Find Jamie Banks on Instagram - www.instagram.com/jamiebanksrealestate
Connect with Jamie on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-banks-mba-b491bab5
Radiate Real Estate on Instagram - www.instagram.com/radiaterealestate_
Website - www.streamlined.properties
YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos
Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene
Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties
TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene
Zillow - htt

Specializing in a real estate niche can be lucrative for you, but with a long-term strategy in mind, it can also position you as the go-to expert who can influence local politics.
On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Chantal Duame, a licensed real estate agent based in Denver, Colorado. Chantal is the founder and managing partner of Good Neighbor Realty and a real estate investor who discovered a love of short-term rentals early on in her investing career. Her realty company works with investors who believe the good life includes a great real estate portfolio.
Jonathan and Chantal start their conversation by exploring Chantal’s decision to become a licensed realtor, why she is an investor first and foremost, the benefits of having a license, and how being an investor herself benefits her clients. You’ll hear who fits Chantal’s ideal client profile, how she created multiple income streams with one property, and how politics can impact short-term rentals in local markets. She also explains how she remains competitive, professional, and successful in STRs, her thoughts on using mid-term rentals as a part of your strategy, and what it takes to be a great host.
Short-term rentals is a niche still full of potential, and Chantal Duame is helping her clients take advantage of the lucrative opportunities available in this market.
In this episode, you will hear:
Why Chantal Duame became a licensed realtor and considers herself an investor first The benefits of having a real estate license as an investor How being an investor helps Chantal serve investors because she understands the industry Her ideal client and why you have to be clear on your value proposition Chantal’s first experience in real estate and what she learned about real wealth Her first investment property following her primary residence and how she created multiple streams of income from one property The appeal of short-term rentals and how Chantal’s knowledge of the space helps grow her business Politics in local markets and the impact Chantal has on the decisions they make regarding short-term rentals What she’s doing to remain competitive, professional, and successful in the booming STR market Ambiance and marketing’s value in the short-term rental space Chantal’s thoughts on using mid-term rentals as a part of your investing strategy The first piece of advice she would give to a new investor interested in her market The huge advantage of STRs and what it takes to be a good host Chantal Duame’s goals for future investments Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/137 to download it.
Supporting Resources:
Good Neighbor Realty website - thegoodneighbors.com
BnB Financially Free on YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCxF1JoVdJignWz1sY5eFtCA
Fimd Chantal Duame on Facebook - www.facebook.com/chantal.crevier.5
Chantal’s Instagram - www.instagram.com/chantalduame
Connect with Chantal on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/chantalduame
Good Neighbor Realty on TikTok - www.tiktok.com/discover/Good-neighbor-realty
Website - www.streamlined.properties
YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos
Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene
Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties
TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene
Zillow - https://www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal
Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/Tr

Not knowing where to find the answer to a problem can be a roadblock along the real estate investing journey, preventing investors from moving forward. Financing can be especially tricky, and finding a lender who presents real solutions is gold.
On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Stacy Patel to the show. Stacy is the co-founder of a private money group called Golden Handshake Capital. They work with investors doing fix-and-flips, BRRRs, wholesale, and more. Stacy also has a family-run real estate investment and solution firm, The Home Asset Experts, based in St. Petersburg, Florida. She has 20 years of experience in private money lending, in addition to her experience as an investor.
Jonathan and Stacy start their conversation with what it means to provide solution-based lending, her belief in education and collaboration that creates structure for the long-term, and what earned her the nickname the “dream killer.” Stacy outlines her strict underwriting process, what makes the wholesale industry sometimes challenging, and the automated process she uses with white glove service. You’ll also hear why she is service-minded in every career she pursues, how to set firm conditions before agreeing to anything in a private money lending deal, and how transparency can benefit you as a new investor.
If you’re a solutions-driven investor, you won’t want to miss Stacy Patel’s systematic approach to lending and investing.
In this episode, you will hear:
Stacy’s 20-year background as a private money lender and why she views it as a collaboration for success that benefits everyone Solution-based lending to help borrowers create more wealth and mitigate risk Education and collaboration to create structure for the long-term Why Stacy earned the nickname the “dream killer” Her strict underwriting process and the reasoning behind it The lack of transparency and integrity in the wholesale industry and why that sometimes makes it challenging to work with them as a lender Stewarding the money through the lending process so that when a problem pops up, Stacy can help Her automated process and the white glove service she offers Stacy’s service-minded perspective in every career she’s had Hard money lenders who are blowing up deals and why she’s frustrated with them Setting firm conditions before agreeing to anything based on the conditions underwriters must operate within Finding coaches or mentors in your local community who can guide you and amassing knowledge before spending Understanding that real estate is relational and not transactional Stacy’s first exposure to real estate’s power in her early 20s and the first thing she bought on her own What motivates Stacy when she buys a new piece of real estate and the properties she prefers How transparency can benefit you as a new investor Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/136 to download it.
Supporting Resources:
Golden Handshake Capital’s website - goldenhandshakecapital.com
The Home Asset Experts on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@thehomeassetexperts
Stacy Patel’s Facebook page - www.facebook.com/stacypatelstpete
Connect with Stacy on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/stacypatel
The Private Money Lending Network for Real Estate group - www.facebook.com/groups/privatemoneylendingnetwork
The Home Asset Experts Facebook page - www.facebook.com/Th

Trusting what you see investors doing on social media can be tempting, but looks can sometimes be deceiving.
On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Denis Shapiro, Managing Partner of SIH Capital Group. Denis began investing in real estate in 2012. Over the years, he has created a diversified portfolio that includes ATM funds, mobile home parks, life insurance policies, tech startups, and industrial property. Denis is also the author of The Alternative Investment Almanac: Expert Insights on Building Personal Wealth in Non-Traditional Ways.
Jonathan and Denis begin their discussion by delving into Denis’s early exposure to real estate with the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and why it didn’t stick the first time around. They cover the lessons he’s teaching his kids about money using Monopoly, why he loves having a diversified portfolio, and what types of affordable housing he prefers. Denis explains how he finds off-market deals in the affordable housing space, the three asset classes he loves the most, and why private lending is an integral part of the three pillars of his business. You’ll hear why creating relationships is crucial to his business model rather than leaning on reputation, why taking actionable steps matters when introducing yourself to other investors, and the value of knowing your skillset and having a basic knowledge of terminology at your disposal. Finally, Denis emphasizes being cautious when choosing syndications to invest with and knowing what uncomfortable questions to ask.
Denis’s career is centered on relationships and trust, which continues to help his business scale and thrive.
In this episode, you will hear:
Denis Shapiro’s early exposure to real estate investing and his pivot from a career in government to real estate investing What Monopoly is teaching his kids about real estate investing The lessons he’s trying to teach his kids about money and why having money doesn’t necessarily make you rich Why Denis loves being diversified with his investments His first property and some of the big lessons he learned from it The importance of having a team in place to help manage affordable properties at scale The types of affordable housing Denis prefers, and the barrier of entry red tape creates that you won’t find in commercial real estate Finding off-market deals in the affordable housing space The three asset classes Denis loves the most and why he stays focused on those Private lending and what makes it an attractive pillar in his business model Creating relationships with other investors and building trust instead of basing a business deal on reputation Learning to ask the right questions as a new investor Taking actionable steps when you’re working on building relationships with people you want to work with Why knowing your skillset and some industry terminology can improve how you relate to those you want to learn from and work with What you can learn from LP investors and being careful when choosing syndications Denis’s advice for not becoming too dependent on track records and knowing what uncomfortable questions to ask Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/135 to download it.
Supporting Resources:
SIH Capital Group - sihcapitalgroup.com
SIH’s YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/channel/UCSd5v7aB8DSn9Ef9LyuXlVA
SIH Capital on Facebook - www.facebook.com/SIH-

Building unique, remote short-term rentals can be a complex process, but it can also be gratifying. You’re often taking a property that would otherwise be demolished and turning it into something that can be appreciated for years to come. The guests it attracts typically appreciate its unique qualities, ensuring your asset will be well cared for.
On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Kristie Wolfe, who builds handcrafted one-of-a-kind experiences for her short-term rental properties. Kristie built her first tiny house in 2011 as a social experiment for her own idea of living simply and deliberately. She currently owns a treehouse in Hawaii, an underground hobbit hole in Washington, a fire lookout in the Idaho Panhandle, and a potato hotel in Boise, Idaho.
Jonathan and Kristie begin their conversation by exploring how she became interested in creating unique homes that offer one-of-a-kind experiences, what gave her the idea she could do this full-time, and what draws her to being off-grid and saving properties that would otherwise be demolished. Kristie shares how she creates connections with her guests using personal touches, the challenges of building and renovating in remote locales, and what it was like to build a Hobbit House. She also explains how the potato hotel idea came to fruition, the time it takes her to build out one of these properties, her plans for future properties, and what she would tell someone else who wants to get into creating niche short-term rentals.
If you’re interested in short-term rentals but want to do something a bit different than the norm, this conversation with Kristie is everything you’re looking for.
In this episode, you will hear:
How Kristie Wolfe got into creating unique Airbnb experiences by trying to replace her factory job income Her first property, which she bought sight unseen in Hawaii with owner financing, when it became profitable, and how she found it Overcoming analysis paralysis and the character traits that allow Kristie to move forward quickly with decisions about properties The appeal of being off-grid The pandemic’s impact on Kristie’s business model and why being off-grid proved to be a wise business decision Why she’s building out properties that other people aren’t doing The appeal behind finding and saving a property that no one else wants The two things Kristie does in each property to build a connection with her guests Her repeat customers, what keeps them coming back, and the personal touch she offers to those who stay in every property The challenges of getting materials and teams to properties in remote locales The timeline for completing the projects Kristie’s fire lookout tower projects and what she loves about them Her Hobbit House’s origin story How her guests find her and why social media is important for Kristie’s marketing The story behind her potato hotel and why people love it The cocoon cottage and what took so long to put it together What’s in Kristie’s future plans, and why she likes the idea of redoing an old school, firehouse, or church Her advice for someone who might want to take on these sorts of projects Creating a listing to attract the right guests for your unique property Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/134 to download it.
Supporting Resources:
Visit Kristie Wolfe’s website - www.kristiewolf

Most investors start investing careers in one asset class and switch to another. Today’s guest discovered his path early and stuck with it.
On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes guest Michael Zaransky of MZ Capital Partners. Michael is the founder and managing principal of MZ Capital Partners, which concentrates on investment, property acquisition, and development. Michael began his career with triple-net leases and quickly moved to multifamily properties.
Jonathan and Michael’s conversation begins with why Michael received a law degree but never practiced. They discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of real estate today, especially regarding technology use, what Michael learned from his first investment, and what you should look for in an emerging neighborhood you want to invest in. He shares how building new versus purchasing existing structures can be beneficial, his preference for land versus property with existing structures, and what goes into choosing unit configurations for a development. Jonathan and Michael explore what makes the traditional multifamily model appealing, his entrance into the single-family market in Knoxville, and why he continues to purchase assets in his local Chicago market. Finally, you’ll hear why amenities matter in multifamily housing, the generational differences that impact a tenant’s rental preferences, and the biggest struggle in attaining equity in bigger syndications.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to jump into multifamily instead of exploring other asset classes first, you won’t want to miss this episode with Michael Zaransky.
In this episode, you will hear:
Why Michael Zaransky pivoted to real estate after law school and never became a traditional attorney Real estate’s evolution and the advantages and disadvantages of being online Michael’s decision to invest in a triple-net lease as his first investment and what he learned from that experience His investments in some of Chicago’s emerging neighborhoods and staying on top of what’s going on in the local market The stores to look for in an area you’re considering for investment Michael’s advice for familiarizing yourself with a neighborhood Building new versus purchasing existing structures and what influences those decisions Development and his preference for land versus a property with an existing asset that requires demolition The property size Michael prefers and what’s needed to manage them Choosing unit configurations for a development Managing student housing and how it differs from other types of multifamily properties What he likes about the traditional multifamily model How a recent acquisition in Knoxville, Tennessee, took Michael Zaransky into the single-family rental market with 87 single-family homes The buying opportunities coming up in Michael’s local Chicago market Offering amenities to help scale out on rents and outpace older buildings built just as apartments What each generation is looking for in an apartment Why Michael sticks primarily to multifamily instead of branching out to other asset classes The biggest struggle in attaining equity in bigger syndications and Michael’s advice for someone just starting in this real estate niche Follow and Review:
We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/133 to download it.
Supporting Resources:
Michael Zaransky’s website - mi