In this episode, I sit down with Glen Petersen from Bateman Collective, and this one turned into a full-on masterclass in digital marketing for real estate investors. Glen brings years of high-level PPC and SEO experience, including managing massive ad spend and working directly with Google — and he breaks down what’s actually happening behind the scenes in today’s marketing landscape.

We go deep into why so many investors fail before they even get started with PPC and SEO, not because the channels don’t work, but because their business isn’t ready to support the leads. We unpack the real role of data, why speed-to-lead is one of the most underrated drivers of ROI, and how AI is quietly reshaping both paid and organic search. If you’re thinking about scaling your marketing or want to stop wasting money on leads you don’t convert, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Glen Petersen and Bateman Collective’s focus on PPC and SEO for real estate investors.

[3:16] – From traditional marketing to digital and why attribution changed everything.

[6:57] – Why PPC costs are rising and what’s really happening behind the scenes with Google.

[8:16] – Cost per lead vs cost per acquisition and why most investors track the wrong metric.

[9:56] – Why Bateman turns clients away who aren’t operationally ready.

[13:16] – Demand generation vs demand capture and why messaging must change.

[13:31] – Speed-to-lead and why delayed response kills deals instantly.

[15:11] – Real examples of answering leads instantly vs sending them to voicemail.

[16:27] – Tracking beyond the lead and identifying breakdowns in the funnel.

[18:16] – Using data feedback loops to improve Google’s algorithm performance.

[25:41] – How AI is accelerating SEO results faster than traditional timelines.

[26:32] – Real example of 25% of SEO revenue coming from AI-driven discovery.

[27:19] – AI ads, ChatGPT search, and the future of paid acquisition channels.

[29:39] – When investors should start PPC and SEO in their business journey.

[30:30] – Why SEO is a long-term play but creates massive ROI over time.

[34:33] – The importance of consistency in marketing and avoiding “shiny object syndrome.”

[36:11] – The 3–6 month learning phase most investors underestimate.

[36:41] – Who Bateman Collective works best with and how to get a free audit.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Your business must be ready before your marketing works. Leads are useless without systems, follow-up, and speed.
2. Speed-to-lead is everything. The first conversation often wins the deal.
3. Track beyond the lead. Revenue and conversion data matter more than cost per lead.
4. AI is accelerating search and discovery. SEO is evolving faster than ever before.
5. Consistency beats experimentation. Marketing works when you commit long enough to let it compound.

Links & Resources

• Bateman Collective – PPC, SEO, and digital marketing for real estate investors: https://batemancollective.com
• Free PPC & SEO Audit: https://get.batemancollective.com/rlp
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with an investor who’s spending money on marketing but not seeing results — because most of the time, the problem isn’t the leads… it’s what happens after they come in.

More high-signal conversations coming next.

Joe started with a borrowed cassette tape course in 2000. Jenn was a middle school teacher going into debt. When they met in 2008, they began buying junkers, slowly stacking deals, and figuring out creative finance when the banks tried to cap them at ten mortgages. In 2020, Covid forced the leap to full time — and they never looked back. Today they run a thriving portfolio, a coaching community, and a life built around family and freedom. No flash. Just discipline.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introduction to Jen and Joe and what makes their story different.

[3:00] – How a teacher and a car dealership finance manager found each other and real estate.

[4:35] – Joe's first deal: $12,000 profit from a borrowed cassette tape course.

[5:52] – Building slowly with BRRRR before it had a name.

[6:12] – The 2016 turning point: banks threaten to cap mortgages, creative finance enters the picture.

[6:33] – How Covid became the catalyst to go full time.

[10:10] – Joe on why "real wealth is silent" — and why the backyard office beats the Lambo.

[12:24] – How technology enabled virtual deals during Covid — and changed everything.

[18:35] – What drove them from investors to coaches: authentic sharing and organic demand.

[22:08] – The "cheat code": Joe's deal knowledge + Jen's teaching ability = a community that actually works.

[28:42] – Why creative finance is no longer optional in today's market.

[30:04] – A current deal: turnkey house, $5,000 down, 3.25% rate, cash flowing from day one.

[31:37] – The lease option model: renters paying 20–30K upfront and multiple six-figure exits.

[32:14] – The full wealth-building path: wholesale → keep the good ones → lease option → 1031 → scale.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Creative finance is a must-have tool. Seller financing and lease options let you buy houses others can't — at prices that actually pencil out.
2. Slow and steady builds real wealth. Joe and Jenn layered knowledge and deals methodically. The foundation is what lasts.
3. The best coaches are still in the game. Their community grew because client results were real — not because of a big profile.
4. Technology removes all excuses. You can buy, manage, and close deals in states you've never visited. The barrier is mindset.
5. The lease option is an underused wealth multiplier. Big upfront deposits, strong cash flow, and 1031 exits compound fast.

Links & Resources

• Creative Finance Playbook – Free Facebook group with Q&A and deal breakdowns
• CreativeFinancePlaybook.com – Free tools to find leads and talk to sellers
• smrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If this episode resonated, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy — and share it with someone still waiting for the "right time" to get started.

Discipline will always beat flash.

This week’s episode is a little different. It’s just me. I’ve been speaking at several events recently and noticed that one idea keeps resonating with people over and over again — the idea that AI shouldn’t be viewed as software, but as labor.

Most businesses today are experimenting with AI tools, but very few have actually made the mindset shift required to unlock its real potential. In this episode, I break down why the real transformation happening right now isn’t about shiny tools or clever prompts — it’s about redefining how work gets done inside your business. AI is no longer just something that helps your team work faster. It’s something that can share responsibility for output alongside your team.

We dig into how the evolution from SaaS software to AI agents is changing the structure of businesses, why most companies are still thinking about AI the wrong way, and how role-based AI workers can dramatically increase production without dramatically increasing headcount. If you’re a real estate investor or entrepreneur trying to scale without constantly hiring more people, this episode will challenge how you think about the future of your workforce.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Why this episode is a solo talk based on presentations Jordan has been giving recently.

[1:09] – The core idea: AI should be viewed as labor, not just software.

[2:05] – Why most businesses are still thinking about AI in the wrong way.

[3:06] – The “shiny tool” problem and why real estate investors are especially prone to it.

[5:42] – A quick historical look at how labor and production have evolved.

[6:40] – How SaaS changed business productivity over the last 30 years.

[9:41] – Why SaaS systems increased efficiency but still relied on human execution.

[10:12] – The next shift: AI systems that can share responsibility for output.

[11:59] – How traditional CRMs hit a ceiling because humans must still execute tasks.

[12:38] – AI agents as workers that can perform roles inside a business.

[14:31] – How Smart Agents were designed around roles instead of generic tools.

[22:00] – A real example: four contracts generated from after-hours AI responses.

[23:17] – Why urgency and speed-to-lead are critical in real estate investing.

[24:37] – The opportunity created by 24/7 lead response.

[27:16] – Where AI agents work best: repetitive, high-volume operational roles.

[28:28] – How businesses that adopt AI labor models will outpace competitors.

5 Key Takeaways

1. AI is not just a tool — it’s a workforce multiplier. Businesses need to treat it as labor, not software.
2. The SaaS era increased efficiency, but AI changes output itself. Systems can now participate in execution.
3. Role-based AI wins. Treat AI agents like employees with defined responsibilities.
4. Speed matters in real estate. AI answering leads instantly can unlock deals humans miss.
5. Start small. Introducing one AI role into your workflow can transform your productivity.

Links & Resources

• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• Smart Agents – AI workforce tools built into the SmartPhone platform
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with someone who’s experimenting with AI but hasn’t yet made the mindset shift from tools to workforce.

Because the businesses that understand this shift early will build a massive advantage in the years ahead.

This week, I sit down with Bobby Triplett, Senior Vice President of Renovations at Offerpad, and we go deep into one of the most overlooked but critical parts of real estate investing — renovations at scale.

Bobby oversees renovation operations across 15 states and 20+ markets, managing hundreds of projects per month. We talk about what it actually takes to build a consistent, high-performance renovation machine across multiple regions, why most contractors struggle with accountability, and how speed — not just cost — is the real lever that protects profit in today’s market.

If you’re flipping houses, expanding into new markets, or frustrated with unreliable contractors, this episode will completely shift how you think about execution, leadership, and operational consistency.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Bobby Triplett and Offerpad’s renovation footprint across the country.

[3:19] – How Offerpad evolved from iBuyer to nationwide renovation service provider.

[5:08] – Scaling to 1,200+ flips per month and what that taught the team about systems.

[7:27] – Why no two homes — or markets — are the same.

[9:18] – Leadership summits, shared scars, and building a culture of accountability.

[11:16] – Why tech investment often ignores renovations — and why that’s a mistake.

[14:17] – Standardization vs. local market nuance in construction.

[16:34] – Radical transparency with contractor scorecards and performance metrics.

[18:46] – Creating accountability without yelling and chaos.

[23:36] – Speed vs. cost vs. quality — and why Bobby bets on speed.

[24:41] – Paying contractors fast to build loyalty and priority.

[27:53] – Who Offerpad serves best — mid-sized operators and serious flippers.

[29:28] – Enabling remote investing with trusted boots on the ground.

[31:01] – Institutional-level renovation services without institutional overhead.

[33:08] – The Days Per Thousand (DPT) metric and controlling project timelines.

[34:36] – Why today’s tighter market punishes sloppy execution.

[36:41] – Building investor confidence through consistency and delivery.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Speed protects profit. The longer a project drags, the more risk and holding costs eat your margin.
2. Standardization scales, but local expertise wins. 80% process, 20% market nuance.
3. Transparency drives performance. Scorecards and accountability conversations matter.
4. Pay fast, expect excellence. Strong contractor relationships are built on trust and consistency.
5. Remote investing only works with reliable execution. Acquisition and disposition are easy — swinging hammers is not.

Links & Resources

• Offerpad Renovations – Nationwide renovation services across 15 states
• Connect with Bobby Triplett – LinkedIn
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with an investor who’s ready to expand markets, tighten execution, and stop letting renovations be the bottleneck in their business.

This week I’m joined by Tim Bratz, real estate investor, operator, and now software founder of Smart Management. Tim has built, scaled, pivoted, and rebuilt multiple times on his entrepreneurial journey — and this episode dives into every arc. From starting in real estate in 2007 right before the crash, to rebuilding after going broke, to scaling nearly 5,000 units, and now launching a disruptive property management platform, Tim’s story is anything but linear.

We talk about resilience, market cycles, bad partnerships, scaling teams, and the reality that success is rarely one straight line. Then we shift into the real pain point that sparked his latest venture: third-party property management and outdated software systems that quietly destroy asset value. If you own rentals, operate multifamily, or care about protecting NOI in today’s market, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Tim Bratz and the multi-arc entrepreneurial journey.

[3:19] – Getting started in real estate in 2007 and surviving the crash.

[4:54] – Buying rentals at the bottom of the market in Cleveland.

[6:27] – Discovering the power of multifamily efficiency.

[7:27] – Partnership challenges and pressing the reset button.

[8:33] – The 2017 pivot from transactional flips to full-scale apartment acquisition.

[9:48] – Scaling to nearly 5,000 doors in just a few years.

[11:39] – The headwinds: interest rates, insurance spikes, supply chain chaos.

[13:28] – Why bad property management evaporates more wealth than market shifts.

[15:22] – The emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and long-term thinking.

[18:01] – Controlling what you can control in volatile markets.

[21:23] – The origin of Smart Management and the engineering mindset behind it.

[23:35] – The core problem: too many disconnected tech systems.

[25:11] – Why legacy property management software is outdated and slow.

[27:20] – Building an all-in-one “business in a box” platform.

[29:16] – Real-time financial visibility vs. six-week-old reporting.

[31:04] – AI automations inside property management operations.

[33:53] – Automating maintenance requests and reducing overhead.

[35:23] – Increasing NOI through operational efficiency and staffing optimization.

[38:49] – Why this industry is primed for disruption and AI integration.

[40:25] – Raising capital, scaling Smart Management, and onboarding demand.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Entrepreneurship is not linear. Multiple resets are part of building something meaningful.
2. Long-term thinking prevents short-term panic decisions. Control the controllables.
3. Operational inefficiency destroys asset value faster than market shifts.
4. Real-time data changes everything. You can’t drive forward looking in the rearview mirror.
5. AI and automation will redefine property management economics. Lower overhead = higher NOI = higher valuation.

Links & Resources

• Smart Management – Join the waitlist at SmartManagement.com
• Connect with Tim Bratz – @TimBratz on social media
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with an investor who’s scaling rentals, frustrated with property management, or ready to think long term about building real enterprise value.

More high-level operator conversations coming next.

In this episode, I sit down with Zachary Beach, CEO of Smart Real Estate Coach and longtime real estate investor, to unpack one of the most relatable entrepreneurial journeys we’ve had on the show. Zach went from bartending and personal training to building a scalable real estate investing company alongside Chris Prefontaine — and the transition wasn’t accidental.

We dive deep into the real shift that happens between doing your first deal and deciding you’re actually going to build a business. Zach shares how mastering seller communication, systemizing follow-up, and thinking in scalable processes — not just transactions — allowed him to go from side hustle to multiple deals per month. This conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone trying to leave their W2 job, scale past their first few deals, or stop being the bottleneck in their own business.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Zachary Beach and his journey from bartender to full-time investor.

[2:58] – Why social skills don’t automatically translate to phone skills — and what actually matters.

[4:27] – The three-part structure of a high-converting seller call: introduction, clarification, and permission.

[6:13] – Why asking hard questions builds trust faster than avoiding them.

[9:01] – Motivation discovery and why most investors never dig deep enough.

[12:59] – Zach’s first creative deal and the mindset shift that followed.

[15:08] – Moving from getting paid for hours to getting paid for results.

[18:29] – The early follow-up system using physical 1–31 folders.

[21:23] – Why the fortune truly is in the follow-up — and why most people still avoid it.

[24:38] – Transitioning from paper systems to CRMs like Podio and beyond.

[27:01] – The seven steps to a “taken” and building predictable deal flow.

[29:50] – Delegation vs. doing everything yourself — the doctor’s office analogy.

[33:19] – Building a team that operates in systems, not personalities.

[35:23] – Zach’s free book offer and the three-paydays strategy.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Your first deal creates belief — not mastery. The real shift happens when you decide to build systems, not chase transactions.
2. Seller communication is a skill, not talent. Structure beats charisma on the phone.
3. Follow-up is a system problem, not a motivation problem. If it’s not automated or scheduled, it won’t happen.
4. Scaling requires duplication. You must extract knowledge from your head and embed it into process.
5. Money flows to results, not effort. Transitioning from hourly thinking to outcome thinking changes everything.

Links & Resources

• Free Book – Real Estate On Your Terms
• Get Zachary’s bestselling book and learn how to create three paydays on every deal: ThreePaydaysBook.com
• Smart Real Estate Coach – Creative financing training and mentorship
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with someone who’s stuck between their first deal and their first scalable system. The shift from operator to business builder starts with mindset — and then it’s reinforced with systems. More high-impact conversations coming next.

Hey, it’s Jordan Samuel Fleming — welcome back to That Real Estate Tech Guy! This episode is a big one for anyone who flips houses or plans to exit properties in the next 6–12 months. I’m joined by Tim Street, also known as the “FSBO Guy,” and this conversation is all about disposition — the most overlooked (and often most expensive) part of real estate investing.

Tim makes a compelling case for why investors are often far more qualified than they realize to handle the selling side of their own deals. We break down the myths around needing an agent, the real reasons investors lose tens of thousands of dollars on exits, and how tighter markets demand tighter execution. From pricing strategy and inspections to psychology, urgency, and transparency, this episode is packed with practical tactics that can dramatically increase your net profit.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Tim Street and why this episode focuses on disposition, not acquisition.

[1:35] – Why investors are often more informed than many real estate agents.

[3:55] – The power of leverage: why saving $3k on a sale can mean $30k on your next deal.

[5:18] – The three common investor exits and where Tim’s approach fits best.

[6:42] – Why flippers and buy-and-hold investors benefit most from controlling the sale.

[7:35] – The myth that selling a home requires a law degree.

[9:03] – The two biggest fears investors have when selling themselves: pricing and legal risk.

[9:26] – Why underpricing is safer than overpricing in today’s market.

[10:16] – The real reason FSBO lawsuits happen (and how to avoid them).

[11:57] – Why investors obsess over acquisitions and ignore the part where the money is made.

[13:08] – How tighter markets eliminate sloppiness and punish bad exits.

[15:08] – A-player markets and why optimization now matters more than ever.

[23:29] – Using AI and better copy to make listings emotionally compelling.

[24:16] – The invite-only neighborhood open house strategy.

[27:33] – Turning neighbors into your best sales force.

[29:16] – Creating urgency through exclusivity and strict offer deadlines.

[34:48] – Reduced-commission agent options when FSBO isn’t a fit.

[36:03] – Why disposition deserves as much attention as acquisition.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Disposition is where profit is made or lost. You can’t afford to treat it as an afterthought.
2. Investors are more capable than they think. Selling isn’t magic — it’s process and preparation.
3. Transparency removes buyer leverage. Pre-list inspections and open-book pricing change the game.
4. Tight markets punish sloppy exits. Every mistake now shows up in your net profit.
5. Saving money on the sale compounds forward. Small wins on exits fuel bigger future deals.

Links & Resources

• FSBO Readiness Quiz – Find out if selling yourself is right for you
• 👉 https://foolprooffsbo.com/quiz
• 7-Day FSBO Launch Blueprint (Free eBook)
• 👉 https://foolprooffsbo.com/ebook
• Investor Power Pack
• 👉 https://foolprooffsbo.com/investors
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with an investor who’s focused on acquisitions but hasn’t yet optimized their exits. In this market, selling smarter isn’t optional — it’s survival. More high-signal conversations coming next.

Hey, it’s Jordan Samuel Fleming — welcome back to That Real Estate Tech Guy! This week’s episode is a deep, practical dive into private money, and I’m joined by Jay Conner, one of the most respected educators in the space and someone who has raised millions of dollars for real estate deals without ever chasing banks or hard money lenders.

Jay breaks down private money in a way that removes the mystery, fear, and emotion that stops most investors from ever using it. We talk through when investors should start raising private money (hint: much earlier than most think), how to structure deals so lenders are protected, and why the math — not motivation — determines whether a deal works.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] – Introducing Jay Conner and why private money changed everything for his business.

[1:40] – Why this episode focuses more on real estate fundamentals than pure tech.

[2:34] – Jay’s early years relying solely on banks — and the 2009 shift to private money.

[3:45] – Raising over $2M in less than 90 days without pitching deals.

[5:08] – When investors should start using private money (even beginners).

[7:27] – Thinking of private money as a personal line of credit.

[8:04] – Why lenders want their money deployed and are waiting for your call.

[8:33] – Why private money works best for fix-and-flip and asset-backed deals.

[9:25] – Walking through a real flip example using private money.

[12:06] – Jay’s maximum allowable offer formula explained step by step.

[13:34] – Why math removes emotion from offers.

[14:39] – Adjusting formulas based on market price points.

[16:13] – Leveraging past success and partnerships when you’re new.

[18:29] – Why private money is asset-backed and protects lenders.

[21:31] – Why the SEC doesn’t regulate single-asset private money deals.

[22:59] – Jay’s Private Money Academy and how beginners get started.

[24:10] – Monthly coaching, deal reviews, and live Q&A for members.

[24:59] – Jay’s bestselling book Where to Get the Money explained.

[25:27] – Two free tickets to Jay’s live private money conference.

[27:00] – Where AI fits — and doesn’t fit — in deal analysis and underwriting.

[36:55] – Why consistency beats charisma every time.

[38:25] – How to claim Jay’s free resources and connect with him.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Raise the money before you need it. Private money works best when there’s no desperation.
2. Math beats emotion. If the numbers work, the deal works — period.
3. Private money is asset-backed. Lenders are protected by the property, not your promises.
4. Beginners can raise private money. Past success, partnerships, and integrity matter more than deal count.
5. AI supports experience — it doesn’t replace it. Use technology with guardrails, not blind trust.

Links & Resources

• Private Money Academy – First month free at jayconner.com/trial
• Free Book: Where to Get the Money – Autographed copy + 2 conference tickets: jayconner.com/book
• SmrtPhone – The only phone system built for real estate investors (5,000 free minutes)
• ThatRealEstateTechGuy.com – All episodes and exclusive tech discounts

Closing

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review That Real Estate Tech Guy. Share it with an investor who’s tired of letting capital limit their growth and ready to approach funding with clarity and confidence. More high-impact conversations are coming next.