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Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

By: Jonathan Greene
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What if you could learn from experienced real estate investors, find out what got them to where they are now, get insight into their daily habits, and take these insights to inspire your own growth? That’s what each episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing brings. Hosted by Jonathan Greene, a real estate investor for more than 30 years, as well as advisor and coach, the founder of Streamlined Properties and the Team Leader of Streamlined Properties, brokered by Real, every episode is an in-depth look at the mindful approach to real estate investing. If you are looking to start from scratch, get to the next level, or just for a straightforward and honest approach to real estate investing, Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing is the free mentorship program you can take with you anywhere.2024 Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • 262: Real Estate Investing Lessons From the Mad Scientist of Multifamily with Neal Bawa

    262: Real Estate Investing Lessons From the Mad Scientist of Multifamily with Neal Bawa
    Jul 24 2025
    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Neal Bawa, founder and CEO of Grocapitus and a nationally recognized leader in data-driven real estate investing. Known as the “Mad Scientist of Multifamily,” Neal brings a tech-forward approach to real estate, combining sharp market analysis with a clear-eyed view of risk, strategy, and opportunity. Neal shares how he went from running a tech company in Silicon Valley to building a $660 million real estate portfolio. He breaks down the importance of data modeling, boots-on-the-ground research, and why emotional detachment is critical for success. In 2009, his in-depth analysis revealed a unique opportunity to purchase distressed properties in Madera, California, long before others recognized the potential upside. By pairing his insights with real-world hustle, he secured cash-flowing assets in a down market. The conversation covers more than just the past. Neal outlines today’s market challenges and where he sees opportunities. He explains how rising interest rates, oversupply in Class A markets, and flawed assumptions about cash flow have changed the investment landscape. Through it all, his emphasis remains the same: use data to identify market timing, stay ahead of headlines, and act strategically. Jonathan and Neal also dig into why townhomes have become the most efficient build-to-rent option, how Neal’s team sources land with minimal upfront capital, and why absorption rates—not just occupancy—are the key metric to watch in multifamily. For new and seasoned investors alike, this episode is a masterclass in seeing opportunity where others see risk. In this episode, you will hear: How Neal used data and timing to succeed during the 2009 downturnThe importance of combining tech with in-person market validationTactics for spotting mispriced Class A properties using rent roll analysisAbsorption trends as a better indicator than occupancy ratesTownhomes as an efficient and scalable build-to-rent solutionLand acquisition techniques that limit upfront capital exposureFrameworks for building scalable, data-informed investing systemsMarket shifts that signal rent growth recovery on the horizon 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. Supporting Resources: Grocapitus website - grocapitus.com/neal-bawa Multifamily University on YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/MultifamilyU Neal Bawa on Facebook - www.facebook.com/NealBawaMFU Neal’s Instagram - www.instagram.com/nealbawa Connect with Neal on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/neal-bawa Grocapitus on X - x.com/grocapitus Neal on TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@nealbawa Multifamily University Investor Club - multifamilyu.com/club Grocapitus Website – https://www.grocapitus.com Free eBook: Location Magic – https://multifamilyu.com/lp/location-magic-ebook/ Join Our Investor Club – https://multifamilyu.com/club 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 - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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    57 mins
  • 261: Building Family Offices To Invest and Protect Your Assets with Richard Wilson

    261: Building Family Offices To Invest and Protect Your Assets with Richard Wilson
    Jul 21 2025
    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Richard Wilson, founder and CEO of the Family Office Club, to break down how the ultra-wealthy build, protect, and grow their assets. With more than 100,000 members and 18 years at the helm, Richard has helped thousands of family offices form investment strategies that create generational wealth. The episode opens with a look at what sets billionaires apart from the rest of us, from their appetite for risk to how they move quickly and avoid herd thinking. Richard explains that the most successful investors make bold, independent decisions, act fast, and play a long game within a narrow set of skills or markets. Richard also shares the three-bucket model he teaches for wealth management: public market investments, real estate, and direct investments in the business niche that created the wealth. He walks through how families allocate risk across these buckets and why having asymmetric returns and trust in your operators is crucial. The conversation turns to why the most successful investors don’t chase pitches. They chase relationships. Family offices look for high-quality people, not just high-potential deals. Richard emphasizes that value-added connections, thoughtful deal structuring, and strong mental models are what win attention in a noisy space. He and Jonathan also discuss the importance of fast decision-making, the rise of AI tools to enhance due diligence, and how Richard’s journey from a basement apartment to launching billionaires.com reflects the same lessons he teaches investors: add value first, go deep in your niche, and build something no one else can replicate. In this episode, you will hear: Traits that distinguish billionaire investors from the average high-net-worth individual Ways family offices allocate capital across asset classes The role of trust and consistency in attracting investor interest How asymmetric returns and thoughtful deal structures build long-term wealth Richard’s approach to applying AI tools to improve decision-making Factors that make niche expertise more valuable than broad exposure How fast, focused action drives better outcomes in competitive markets 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. Supporting Resources: Family Office Club website - familyoffices.com Centimillionaire Strategies on YouTube - www.youtube.com/user/familyofficesgroup Family Office Club on Facebook - www.facebook.com/familyofficeclub Family Office Club’s Instagram - www.instagram.com/familyofficeclub Connect with Family Office Club on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/familyoffices Richard Wilson on X - x.com/RichardCWilson Connect with Richard on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/singlefamilyoffice Family Office Club’s TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@familyofficeclub 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 - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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    55 mins
  • 260: Why The Biggest Threat To Housing is Government Interference with Mark Shuler

    260: Why The Biggest Threat To Housing is Government Interference with Mark Shuler
    Jul 17 2025
    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan speaks with architect and multifamily syndicator Mark Shuler of SGRE Investments about how government regulation continues to hamper housing development across the country. With over 40 years of experience in architecture, urban infill, and multifamily project management, Mark brings a unique dual perspective that blends design expertise with investment strategy. Mark outlines the real-world consequences of permitting delays, inconsistent local regulations, and overreaching planning departments. From Seattle’s 16-month permit timelines to the thousands of dollars in pre-construction fees and reports required, Mark argues that many jurisdictions have made building housing a process only the wealthy can afford. He explains how regulations originally intended to promote equity and safety have often been weaponized by neighborhood groups and local politicians to block development altogether. The conversation also touches on Mark’s early passion for architecture, his transition into real estate investing, and the lessons he has learned from both fields. He discusses what separates smart flippers and operators from amateurs, and how investor capital is best deployed in value-add multifamily projects, especially in markets like Houston, where his firm now manages over 5,000 units. Mark’s take is clear: meaningful housing reform starts with streamlining regulation, not adding more layers. For real estate professionals, investors, and policymakers alike, this episode provides a frank look at what’s stalling housing production and how experienced operators can still build successfully in today’s environment. In this episode, you will hear: How excessive permitting timelines stall development The role of urban planners and their disconnect from real-world construction What developers face in highly regulated markets like Seattle Lessons from Mark’s pivot into real estate investing Common missteps flippers make with permitting and renovation The economics behind value-add multifamily projects How SGRE Investments creates scale and efficiency in competitive markets 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. Supporting Resources: SGRE Investments website - sgreinvestments.com SGRE Investments on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@SGRE_Investments SGRE on Facebook - www.facebook.com/sgreinvestments Mark Shuler’s Instagram - www.instagram.com/markshul1 Connect with Mark on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/shulerarchitecture Shuler Architecture website - www.shulerarchitecture.com 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 - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
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