Shift to Creative Value-Add: In today’s high-interest-rate environment, traditional value-add strategies (heavy rehabs and rent increases) are being replaced by creative value-add methods, such as property tax exemptions and operational expense reductions. The Land SuUnderwriting Margin of Safety: Defensive underwriting requires fixing debt, prioritizing high Debt Service Coverage Ratios (DSCR), and assuming elevated interest rates […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, host Mike Zlotnik sits down with Harvard-trained physician Dr. Jordan Romano to discuss his unique, hyper-local real estate investing thesis. While maintaining an active medical practice at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Dr. Romano has spent over a decade quietly dominating a single, rural New England […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, host Mike Zlotnik sits down with Sheldon Wolf, a serial entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience spanning real estate, finance, fintech, and artificial intelligence. Sheldon is the founder and CEO of Intellitary, an AI-powered transaction origination platform that is completely redefining how consumers, realtors, and […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, host Mike Zlotnik sits down with Ben Kahle, Managing Partner at Wellings Capital, to unpack the strategies behind scaling a commercial real estate private equity firm to over $230 million in investor equity. STOP! Your free eBook is ready. 🎁🚀https://tempofunding.com/endgame/ Get into the link to get […]
What do you do when a real estate syndication or fund exits an asset, but you can’t use a traditional 1031 exchange because you own an LLC interest rather than direct real property? You turn to the “Lazy Man’s 1031 Exchange.” In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, host Mike Zlotnik sits down […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, Mike Zlotnik sits down with Chase MacLeod, Founder and CEO of MacLeod & Co., a boutique industrial commercial real estate brokerage specializing in Southern California, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and Miami. Chase shares his journey from Texas to California, discusses why industrial real estate remains one of […]
Adam and Mike dive deep into why traditional wealth management models might be draining your long-term returns through compounding 1% AUM fees. They break down the “New 60/40 Portfolio”—a strategy inspired by the legendary Yale Endowment (Swensen model) that shifts 60% of your retirement capital into non-correlated alternative assets like real estate, hard money loans, […]
Ali breaks down the evolution from the “trailer park” stigma to modern, high-quality manufactured housing communities. You’ll discover how the industry has shifted toward professional management, institutional financing, and a “vertically integrated” supply chain—allowing operators to take 50% occupied communities to 95%+ occupancy by solving the financing hurdles for residents. Big Mike and Ali also […]
Mark explains Wyoming’s powerful asset protection strategies, including single-member LLCs, charging orders, and the unique “Phantom Distribution” tactic that can discourage creditors. He also discusses protecting multi-generational wealth, combining LLCs with Irrevocable Grantor Trusts for tax efficiency, and advanced planning tools such as Management Services Organizations (MSOs) and estate tax strategies. Get into the link […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik welcomes Richard McGirr, a Denver-based entrepreneur, four-time founder, and the visionary behind Property Llama. Richard shares his journey from scaling a software consultancy to becoming a sophisticated real estate investor who realized a massive gap in landlord education: the “messy middle” of portfolio […]
Brian shares his incredible journey of living out of a suitcase for an entire year before settling in Hawaii and navigating the harsh realities of coastal real estate. They unpack why Hawaiian real estate offers wild appreciation but terrible cash flow due to the high cost of living and the state’s mandatory General Excise Tax. […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, Mike Zlotnik sits down with Gabe Petersen, a former Microsoft project manager turned real estate mogul. Gabe is the founder of Kaizen Properties and the host of the top-ranked podcast, The Real Estate Investing Club. With a portfolio of over 10 commercial properties—including mobile home parks, […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Wayne Courreges III, a former Marine, CBRE veteran, and the founder of CREI Partners. Currently based in Central Texas (but joining from the road in an RV!), Wayne provides a “boots-on-the-ground” look at the 2026 real estate landscape. 🔴 ▶️ […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Lon Welsh, the founder of Denver-based Ironton Capital, to break down the most significant investment opportunities of 2026. Lon provides a data-driven look at the residential and commercial sectors, explaining why U.S. multifamily prices have corrected by over 20% and […]
Raising capital doesn’t have to feel like begging—it’s about becoming an educator. In this episode, “Big Mike” – Mike Zlotnik sits down with private money expert Jay Conner to discuss the massive shift in the lending landscape. While the commercial and multifamily sectors are facing a major reset, Jay reveals why there is currently a “deep freeze” […]
In this tactical episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Jason Balara, founder of Lark Capital. Jason shares his journey from working in construction as a teenager in the Los Angeles area to building a multifamily syndication firm focused on high-impact value-add strategies. Download our complimentary guide: How to […]
In this episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Steven Arita, a Senior Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and founder of Arita Capital. Steven shares his journey from a small town in Hawaii to the tech hubs of Austin, Texas, and explains how he used real estate […]
In this high-energy episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik welcomes Oliver Graf, the visionary behind Big Block Realty. Based in sunny San Diego, Big Block Realty has consistently ranked as one of the top real estate teams in the nation by sales volume and holds the #1 spot in California. Download our complimentary guide:How to Choose […]
In this deep-dive episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Sean Ross, CEO of 1031X. With over 32 years of industry experience, Sean’s firm is one of the longest-standing boutique qualified intermediaries in the country. Sean brings a massive wealth of financial knowledge—ranging from M&A and currency trading to […]
In this informative episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik welcomes Owen Lynn from Advanta IRA. With a decade of experience at institutional giants like Merrill Lynch and TD Ameritrade, Owen now helps investors break free from the limitations of traditional brokerages by utilizing Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs). Whether you are a brokerage […]
In this highly anticipated reunion on the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik welcomes back Tim Bratz for their first post-COVID deep dive into the state of commercial real estate. Tim, the founder of Legacy Wealth Holdings, shares how he scaled to over 4,000 units and why the “operational friction” of managing a massive […]
In this deep-dive episode of the Big Mike Fund Podcast, “Big Mike” Zlotnik sits down with Brendan Cobb to discuss why many ground-up developers struggled in 2024–2025 and how to pivot for success in 2026. Brendan breaks down his “Land Development Accelerator” model, which focuses on forcing appreciation through government approvals rather than taking on […]
In this eye-opening episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike explores Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) with expert Matt Middendorp. Recorded during the holiday season, they break down how ESOPs serve as a powerful exit strategy for business owners—preserving control, legacy, and community impact while rewarding employees with retirement ownership. Matt explains the mechanics: creating […]
On this episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike sits down with Jack Martin, co-founder of 52TEN Partners, to break down why mobile home parks remain one of the most resilient asset classes in real estate. Jack explains how shrinking supply, strong demand, and affordability drive consistent performance across market cycles. The conversation covers rent […]
In this episode of the BigMikeFund Podcast, Big Mike chats with Delta Captain James Reeman from a sunny Hawaii layover. Drawing parallels between high-stakes fighter pilot missions and savvy investing, James shares aviation’s “threat brief” for risk mitigation—identifying pitfalls, prepping contingencies, and debriefing lessons to avoid repeats. From commanding F-16s and a Space Force squadron […]
