In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we take you behind the scenes of one of the most powerful and transformational exercises we’ve ever done—writing your personal and business vision. This practice, which we first embraced five years ago through a coaching mastermind, completely shifted the way we approached our lives and careers. It’s not about setting ordinary goals—it’s about crafting a vision so clear and compelling that it becomes the filter through which every decision flows.

We break down the “why” and “how” behind creating a living, breathing document that evolves with you. You’ll hear our personal experiences of writing seemingly impossible goals that later became reality, and we’ll guide you through the categories to focus on, from spirituality and personal development to career, fun, and family. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining your path, this is your invitation to think bigger and live with intention.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - The life-changing impact of writing a personal vision

[2:24] - Why vision must come before goal-setting

[5:01] - Creating both personal and business visions for alignment

[7:14] - Using your written vision to stay grounded through tough times

[10:42] - Daily visibility: Where and how to keep your vision front and center

[12:23] - Morning routines that reinforce your vision and affirmations

[18:04] - Why your sacred morning time should be distraction-free

[23:13] - Thinking without limits—writing your vision without constraints

[26:01] - The eight life categories to include in your vision

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Your vision should be limitless – When writing your vision, remove all constraints like time or money and dream as if nothing is holding you back.

2. It’s a living document – Your vision will evolve as you grow, so treat it as a dynamic part of your life, not a one-and-done task.

3. Clarity leads to alignment – A clear vision helps you say “yes” and “no” more easily in both your personal life and business.

4. Visibility matters – Keep your vision front and center—on your mirror, your desk, your phone—to stay connected to it daily.

5. Start with personal, then business – Your personal vision lays the foundation; when that’s solid, your business vision will follow more naturally.

If this episode sparked a new level of clarity for you, we’d love it if you followed, rated, and reviewed the show. And don’t forget to share it with someone who’s ready to rewrite their own vision!

In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, I break down a deal that looked promising on the surface—but quickly unraveled when we took a deeper dive into the numbers, comps, and financing terms. This is a must-listen if you’re in the early stages of flipping or still learning how to properly analyze a property.

We dig into a Cincinnati property where assumptions about the ARV and comparable sales led to flawed expectations and a denied private money loan. I show you how to use PropStream to uncover the real story, how to determine whether comps are valid, and why one misplaced financing term on your contract can cost you both money and legal protection. If you’ve ever wondered how to avoid getting burned on your first (or next) flip, this is your blueprint.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:51] - The importance of including financing contingencies in contracts

[1:13] - Overview of a Cincinnati deal lenders passed on and why

[2:25] - Using PropStream effectively when you don’t have MLS access

[3:05] - Evaluating PropStream’s valuation against agent insights

[4:21] - How closing and holding costs can quietly kill your profits

[5:30] - The danger of relying on optimistic resale values

[6:20] - How an appraiser dropped value by $8,000 despite multiple offers

[7:18] - Disputing appraisals: what works, what doesn’t

[8:20] - Expired comps, off-market listings, and misleading analysis

[10:29] - How to use PropStream to filter true comparables

[11:11] - Why you can’t depend solely on your Realtor’s advice

[12:00] - How using the term “cash” in a contract can become a legal liability

[14:08] - Consequences of misrepresenting loan terms on purchase offers

[16:41] - Why property type and structure must match in your comps

[17:11] - The one valid comp and what it reveals about real value

[18:24] - Inconsistent values across neighborhoods and why it matters

[20:09] - How to read heat maps of sales activity to gauge stability

[21:58] - The difference in value between ranch and multi-story homes

[23:17] - Seller markups and minimal rehabs that don’t add up

[24:02] - Spotting emotional decision-making in bad deals

[25:01] - Final advice: Don’t let this be your first flip

Key Takeaways

1. Run Your Own Numbers, Always

   Never rely solely on what a Realtor or wholesaler tells you. Use tools like PropStream to verify comps, value, and neighborhood trends for yourself.

2. Contracts Must Reflect Reality

   If you’re using private money, your contract should say so. Mislabeling a loan as “cash” can not only cost you earnest money but open you up to legal risk.

3. Thin Margins Are Not Worth the Gamble

   Even small holding costs and appraisal gaps can wipe out your profits. If your numbers only work in a best-case scenario, it’s not a deal—it’s a liability.

If this episode gave you a clearer lens on how to evaluate deals and avoid costly mistakes, take a second to rate, follow, and share The Real Estate Ride. Every review helps us support more investors making smart, informed decisions.

In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, I finally sit down with Chad Kusner, founder of Credit Repair Resources. We unpack everything from the misunderstood world of credit scoring to what actually works in credit repair—and why so many people get it wrong. Chad pulls back the curtain on how his team gets real results while staying fully compliant with both state and federal regulations.

We dig into why your credit score might drop when you pay off a debt, the dangers of identity theft (and why most people don’t even know they’ve been compromised), and the evolving scoring models that could reshape lending as we know it. Whether you’re a real estate investor, agent, or just someone trying to level up your financial game, this episode will give you a totally new perspective on credit.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:02] - Chad’s personal credit story and the “aha” moment that launched his credit repair business

[4:52] - The credit score confusion: free consumer sites vs. mortgage scores

[6:48] - How a consumer litigator helped him clean up his report—and why follow-through matters

[9:04] - Why referrals are the lifeblood of his business and how that helps ensure better results

[10:28] - The three essential questions Chad asks before taking on a client

[14:35] - What separates his service from “big box” credit repair firms like Lexington Law

[20:17] - Why credit repair companies that charge upfront are not just shady—they’re illegal

[26:50] - The evolution of identity theft: small charges, big impact

[31:15] - Understanding UltraFICO and how it’s changing access for consumers with thin files

[36:00] - Why paying off collections can temporarily hurt your credit (and what to do instead)

[40:00] - The best credit utilization ratio for increasing scores

[42:20] - How trended data gives lenders a clearer view of your financial behavior

[47:00] - A behind-the-scenes look at Chad’s automated tracking system and partner reporting

[51:00] - Why consistent follow-up improves lease-option conversions

[54:00] - The power of accountability in the credit repair journey

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Credit repair is a team sport – You can’t outsource the work entirely. You’ve got to do your part—especially when it comes to rebuilding with new, positive accounts.

2. Not all credit scores are created equal – Free scores from apps don’t match mortgage lending scores, which can be up to 100 points lower.

3. Paying off collections isn’t always helpful – Especially under Fannie Mae’s current scoring model, paying off debt can actually drop your score in the short term.

4. Monitoring your credit is non-negotiable – With data breaches affecting billions of records, it’s critical to check your credit and financial accounts regularly.

5. Long-term results beat flashy promises – Companies that only dispute one item at a time or make big guarantees often drag out the process to keep you paying.

Links & Resources:

• Credit Repair Resources: https://www.creditrepairresources.net

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: https://www.consumerfinance.gov

• UltraFICO information: https://www.ficoscore.com/ultrafico

• Free annual credit reports: https://www.annualcreditreport.com

If you got value from this episode, be sure to rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. And if you’re working with credit-challenged buyers or thinking about a rent-to-own strategy, you’re going to want this one saved and shared.

Let’s ride.