In this episode of Properties to Profits, I unpack one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—strategies in real estate investing: the “subject to” deal. If you’re hitting walls with traditional financing or looking to acquire properties with minimal upfront cash, this approach might be your next move. But be warned: it’s not without risk.

I walk you through how these deals work, why they’re a win for both investors and sellers, and what risks you absolutely need to understand before diving in. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, this episode offers the insights you need to evaluate if subject to deals should be part of your investing toolkit.

Key Takeaways

1. Control Without Credit – Subject to deals let you acquire properties by taking over existing mortgages—no credit checks or bank qualifications required.

2. Win-Win for Sellers – This strategy offers immediate mortgage relief to distressed sellers, helping them avoid foreclosure and protect their credit.

3. Risk Requires Readiness – The due-on-sale clause is real. Always have a backup plan—like the ability to refinance or sell—before you close a subject to deal.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Why subject to deals are relevant in today’s market

[1:25] - What “subject to” really means and how it works

[2:21] - Benefits for sellers: financial relief and credit protection

[3:13] - Benefits for investors: minimal cash and fast control

[4:39] - The due-on-sale clause: the hidden risk every investor must understand

[6:30] - Why integrity matters—don’t put sellers in worse situations

[8:01] - Real-world example: taking over a two-mortgage home in Canal Winchester

[9:25] - The importance of having an exit and payment plan

[10:13] - Final thoughts: power and pitfalls of this creative strategy

Links & Resources

• Follow me on Instagram: @RealEstateMike02

If this episode gave you a fresh perspective or valuable insight, please rate, follow, and leave a review. And don’t forget to share this episode with your fellow investors. Let’s keep turning properties into profits—together.

In this episode of Properties to Profit, I dive into a creative investing strategy that’s helping me—and could help you—navigate today’s sky-high interest rates: lease options. If you’re a real estate investor struggling to make deals cash flow or frustrated with slim flipping margins, this episode is a must-listen. I break down how lease options can offer control, flexibility, and long-term upside with minimal upfront investment.

You’ll learn how this approach benefits both investors and sellers, how to identify ideal properties, and the pitfalls to avoid. Whether you’re looking to scale your rental portfolio or lock in future appreciation, lease options might just be your new secret weapon.

Key Takeaways

1. Flexibility Without Ownership – Lease options allow investors to control properties and benefit from market appreciation without the obligations of immediate ownership or large down payments.

2. Win-Win for Sellers – This strategy offers financial relief to motivated sellers, especially those with high mortgage burdens or stagnant listings.

3. Low-Risk Entry with High Potential – By targeting newer homes that don’t need major repairs and negotiating favorable terms, investors can enter deals with minimal risk and significant upside.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Why high interest rates are forcing investors to rethink their strategies

[1:16] - What exactly is a lease option and why it’s powerful in today’s market

[2:14] - Key advantages: flexibility, rent control, and future appreciation

[3:17] - How lease options help sellers facing financial strain

[4:06] - The importance of choosing newer homes and doing thorough inspections

[5:13] - How lease options conserve cash for other investment opportunities

[6:32] - Dealing with unmotivated realtors and identifying properties ripe for lease options

[7:15] - Customizing lease terms and having multiple exit strategies

[8:12] - Final thoughts on creating win-win deals with minimal risk

Links & Resources

• Follow me on Instagram: @RealEstateMike02

If this episode gave you new insights or inspiration, please take a moment to rate, follow, and review the show. And don’t forget to share it with a fellow investor! Let’s keep turning properties into profits—together.

In this episode, I dive into a frustrating but all-too-common situation in real estate investing: when a seller ghosts you. I share firsthand experiences—some successful, others not so much—and walk you through the exact steps we take to reconnect, from simple texts to certified letters, and even calling in a wellness check. One case even led to a surprising $32,000 deal!

Whether you’re new to the game or have a few deals under your belt, you’ll want to know how to handle these unpredictable moments with professionalism and care. Because sometimes, it’s not about the deal—it’s about genuinely checking in.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - What to do first when a seller goes silent

[1:28] - Sending a certified letter: polite persistence pays off

[2:04] - The Cleveland case: from ghosted to closed via local police

[3:28] - A tech mishap: how “Do Not Disturb” nearly killed a deal

[4:02] - Lessons from a 90-year-old seller who climbed through a window

[4:46] - A concerning local case and the importance of wellness checks

[5:08] - The full recap: from texts to wellness calls, what really works

[6:10] - The big takeaway: it’s usually not personal—just life happening

Links & Resources

• Follow me on Instagram: @realestatemike02

• Connect on Facebook: Michael Smith

If you found this episode helpful, please rate, follow, and share it with someone who’s navigating the ups and downs of real estate. Your support helps us keep turning properties into profits!

In this Monday Mindset episode, I dive deep into a skill that has absolutely transformed my personal and professional life: the power of saying NO. If you’re someone who feels pulled in a hundred different directions, constantly trying to please everyone else at the expense of your own goals—this episode is for you. I share how learning to set boundaries, focus on what truly matters, and eliminate low-value tasks helped me go from burnout to building a thriving business.

You’ll hear how a low point in 2018 forced me to reevaluate my priorities and how I now use income benchmarks and the “Four F’s” framework—Family, Faith, Fitness, and Finances—to guide every decision I make. Tune in to learn why saying no isn’t about missing out, but about making space for what moves you forward.

Timeline Summary:

[0:00] - Why saying no is one of the most important skills for success

[1:29] - The turning point: hitting rock bottom and realizing people-pleasing doesn’t work

[2:28] - Step one to saying no: define what you want out of life

[3:18] - Using income goals to decide which tasks to eliminate

[5:08] - Real-life examples of outsourcing low-value tasks

[6:21] - Reinvesting your time into high-value skill-building

[8:10] - Applying the Four F’s to prioritize and make better decisions

[10:24] - Saying no for fitness and health goals—yes, that means the snooze button too

[12:26] - Weekly challenge: what are you going to say no to?

3 Key Takeaways:

1. You can’t please everyone—focus on what fulfills you and supports your goals.

2. Replace low-value tasks with higher-value activities that align with your income or life goals.

3. Use the Four F’s—Family, Faith, Fitness, and Finances—to evaluate whether something is worth your time.

If today’s episode gave you a new perspective or a boost of motivation, please take a moment to rate, follow, and share the podcast. Your support means everything—and helps more people turn properties into profits.

Let’s be honest—growth isn’t always glamorous. In this episode, I tackle a raw and real truth about leadership, entrepreneurship, and building anything worthwhile: it’s going to suck sometimes. Whether you’re transitioning into a leadership role, breaking out of a corporate rut, or chasing a dream that feels just out of reach, the path forward will require more grit than glamor.

I share my take on why most people stay stuck at the same level year after year, and how those who break through are the ones willing to get uncomfortable, take a step back, and put in the work that no one sees. This one’s a wake-up call for anyone looking to lead, grow, and truly level up in life and business.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:37] - Why we require leaders to start in the trenches

[1:15] - The myth of only doing what you “enjoy”

[2:20] - You want to lead? Prove you’re willing to do the work

[2:56] - Most people aren’t built for entrepreneurship—and that’s okay

[3:33] - In business, you are the player and the coach

[4:20] - Why you haven’t broken through yet: ego and resistance to discomfort

[5:09] - The truth about what it takes to be in the top 1%

[5:47] - Read Ego Is the Enemy, and embrace the long road

[6:01] - Show up, do the hard thing, and keep doing it—for a decade

Key Takeaways

1. Leadership begins with service – True leaders must first prove they’re willing to do the work they expect from others.

2. Success demands sacrifice – If you’re not willing to “embrace the suck,” you’ll never earn the results you want.

3. Ego is the biggest barrier to growth – Set it aside, take the long road, and stay in it longer than everyone else.

Links & Resources

• Recommended reading: Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

• Follow me on social media for more insights and updates

If this episode challenged or inspired you, make sure to rate, follow, and share the podcast. I’m here to help you build something real—and that starts with doing the hard things most won’t.

Have you ever had the rug pulled out from under you—career gone, future uncertain, and fear knocking louder than ever? In this episode, I dive deep into a recent story from a friend who faced exactly that—and how it’s often in these moments of crisis that our biggest opportunities emerge. I share my own personal journey from getting fired to building a multi-million dollar business, and the mindset shifts that made all the difference.

If you’re feeling the pressure, uncertain about your future, or just need a boost of motivation to bet on yourself, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through practical strategies for building financial resilience, reframing failure, and staying committed when the excitement of entrepreneurship fades and the real work begins.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:37] - When life pulls the rug out: a friend’s job loss sparks a major turning point

[1:15] - Why I told him this was the best thing that could’ve happened

[2:49] - Turning fear into fuel: the hidden opportunity in adversity

[4:01] - How to create financial stability in uncertain times

[5:17] - Real talk on business ownership, risk, and responsibility

[6:52] - My story: from losing $140K in commissions to building a $12M company

[7:52] - Why most people quit and how to stay in the game

[9:35] - Success is lonely: what it really takes to push through the hard seasons

[11:11] - Winners don’t quit—they just stick with it longer than everyone else

[12:15] - The choice: forge your own path or go back to safety?

Key Takeaways

1. Adversity can be your biggest advantage – It all depends on your perspective and your willingness to embrace discomfort and bet on yourself.

2. Financial preparation creates freedom – Securing lines of credit, leveraging assets, and managing expenses can give you the runway to grow your business.

3. Commitment outlasts talent – Most people fail not because they aren’t capable, but because they quit too early. Stay the course, even when it’s hard.

If this episode hit home for you, don’t forget to rate, follow, and share the show. Every listen helps us keep bringing you real stories and practical advice to help turn your properties—and your life—into profit.

Hey guys, Michael here! In this episode of the Properties to Profits podcast, I’m opening up about a recent (and painful) lesson we learned at my company, Oasis Home Buyers. We’re talking about the hidden costs of a bad hire and how one wrong fit can ripple through your business in ways you might not expect. From team morale to public reputation to lost time and money, I’m breaking down the real impact—and more importantly, how we’re improving our hiring process to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur building your own team or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of running a fast-growing real estate business, this episode is packed with insights you can apply. Stick around to hear how we’re doubling down on alignment, culture, and building a resilient team that can scale and succeed.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - The story behind our first one-star Glassdoor review

[2:55] - Lessons learned from hiring misalignment and turnover

[5:29] - The emotional and financial toll of a bad hire

[6:35] - Our revamped hiring framework for alignment, not just talent

[9:57] - Red flags to watch for in the first 30–90 days

[11:10] - Why one bad review doesn’t define your business

[12:17] - How to bounce back, improve, and keep moving forward

3 Key Takeaways

1. Hire for alignment, not just talent — Skills can be taught, but shared values and work ethic are non-negotiable.

2. Act fast on red flags — A bad hire drains morale, time, and money; address misalignment early and decisively.

3. Failure is fuel for improvement — Mistakes and criticism are part of growth—learn, adjust, and keep building better.

Links & Resources

• Connect with me on social media: realestatemike02

Closing Remark

Thanks for tuning in, friends! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share the podcast—it helps us reach more people who want to turn properties into profits. And don’t forget to leave a review; I’d love to hear what you think! Until next time, keep pushing forward and building your dreams.

Hey everyone, Michael here! In today’s episode, I’m diving into the story of how I used real estate to buy my very first new car—and trust me, it’s a fun one. I take you behind the scenes of one of my early duplex deals in Columbus, Ohio, and break down how the cash flow from that property eventually paved the way not only for a Shelby GT350R but also for my first Lamborghini. I share all the highs, the challenges, and the valuable lessons I learned along the way.

We’ll explore everything from managing repairs and rent increases to unlocking the hidden power of real estate appreciation. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your W-2 income into a portfolio that fuels your dreams—whether that’s cars, vacations, or financial freedom—this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - How I bought a duplex off the MLS without discounts

[2:00] - Why I aimed for the 1% rule from day one

[4:52] - The importance of budgeting for repairs and unexpected costs

[9:25] - How cash flow from multiple properties funded my first new car

[14:10] - Selling the duplex for a big payday and rolling profits into more properties

[17:17] - My philosophy on using real estate to power your lifestyle

[19:45] - How you can get started and join me on this real estate journey

3 Key Takeaways

1. Start small and scale smart — You don’t need huge discounts to win in real estate; steady cash flow and long-term appreciation can build serious wealth.

2. Budget for repairs and be ready — Always have a financial cushion for repairs or tenant turnover, or you risk becoming a distressed seller.

3. Let real estate fuel your dreams — Whether it’s cars, vacations, or freedom from your 9-5, smart real estate investing can turn your passions into reality.

Links & Resources

• Follow me on social media: @realestatemike02

Closing Remark

Thanks so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share the podcast with anyone you think would benefit. And don’t forget to leave a review—it really helps us reach more people. Until next time, let’s keep turning properties into profits!