How much of your daily workload could disappear if you documented your process once and let someone else handle the rest? In this episode, Angel speaks with entrepreneur Pedro Montesino, who shares his blueprint for building a virtual assistant-powered business that runs itself. From overseeing more than 50 VAs to building systems that let him live abroad while increasing his income, Pedro walks through the principles that let him scale his companies while doing only the work he enjoys. This conversation dives into the real-world process of documenting, delegating, and growing with a remote team—why hiring your first VA can unlock time, profitability, and peace of mind, and how to avoid the common mistakes people make when outsourcing too soon or without structure.

[00:01 - 04:13] The CEO’s Role: Directing Labor for Profit

• Why the business owner must first master tasks before handing them off
• The importance of recognizing your own limitations
• How VA teams mirror a chessboard—with the owner as the strategic player

[04:14 - 08:39] Time, Location, and Financial Freedom

• The significance of proceduralizing business functions
• What allowed Pedro to earn more while living abroad
• How hiring strong team members in weak areas builds long-term efficiency

[08:40 - 12:46] Systems for Delegation That Work

• What a remote GM does that Pedro never has to
• The need to have a real business structure, not just self-employment
• Why his VA oversees the in-person assistant and manages logistics

[12:47 - 16:29] Human Talent and Real VA Use Cases

• The significance of treating VAs as equal contributors
• How large companies already use remote assistants at scale
• What VAs can actually do—beyond admin work and into real operations

[16:30 - 21:47] Scaling With Trust and Structure

• The importance of only delegating what you've done yourself
• How Pedro layers roles to reduce his need for direct involvement
• Why starting with one part-time VA can be the first step toward full leverage

Connect with Pedro:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-montesino-88b726a5/

Connect with Frank:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankpatalano/

Key Quotes:

“My value is directing other people’s labor more profitably than they would on their own.” - Pedro Montesino

“Virtual assistants let me do only the things I love—because everything else is already handled.” - Pedro Montesino

Visit sponsorcloud.io/contact today and unlock $2,000 of free services exclusively for REI Rocks community members! Get automated syndication and investor relationship management tools to save time and money. Mention your part of the REI Rocks community for exclusive offers. Help make affordable, low-cost education summits possible. Check out Sponsor Cloud today!

What if the one hire you’ve been avoiding is the key to doubling your income and your freedom?

In this episode, Pedro Montesino and Frank Ano dive into how virtual assistants (VAs) can completely shift the way entrepreneurs operate. The conversation breaks down why most people wait too long to hire help, what types of virtual assistants work best in real estate, and how systems—often built by the VAs themselves—enable true time freedom. Pedro and Frank share personal stories, practical strategies, and tactical advice for anyone overwhelmed by the day-to-day tasks of running a business.

[00:01 - 04:19] From Burnout to Breakthrough

• What led Pedro to outsource early in his business journey
• How delegating helped them grow multiple income streams
• The significance of viewing yourself as a business owner, not just an operator

[04:20 - 08:37] Document as You Train

• Why VAs should create the manuals themselves
• How the process helps track accountability and reduce miscommunication
• The importance of turning chaos into a repeatable operation

[08:38 - 12:54] The Three Most Valuable VA Roles in Real Estate

• The importance of admin assistants, social media managers, and underwriters
• Why outsourcing bookkeeping and accounting accelerates decision-making
• The significance of bilingual and highly educated overseas VAs

[12:55 - 17:00] What Not to Outsource

• Why cold calling isn’t a great fit for generalist VAs
• The need for sales experience and emotional intelligence in negotiation
• What skills are truly worth keeping in-house

[17:01 - 22:34] The Mental Shift to Let Go

• The importance of mapping out roles even before you can hire
• Why more business shouldn’t mean more stress
• What it feels like when your systems generate income without your involvement

Connect with Pedro:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-montesino-88b726a5/

Connect with Frank:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankpatalano/

Key Quotes:

"More business used to mean more work. Now it means more cash—and less time working." - Pedro Montesino

"Every single job I ever had came with a manual. So why wouldn’t I do the same for my own business?" - Frank Ano

Visit sponsorcloud.io/contact today and unlock $2,000 of free services exclusively for REI Rocks community members! Get automated syndication and investor relationship management tools to save time and money. Mention your part of the REI Rocks community for exclusive offers. Help make affordable, low-cost education summits possible. Check out Sponsor Cloud today!

What makes one investor's offer stand out over another's—even when the numbers look the same?

In this episode, Angel hosts Fernando Arias and Anna Latysheva for a detailed walkthrough of how underwriting variables impact real estate valuations, investor returns, and bidding strategies. They examine the unseen levers—like DSCR, interest rates, amortization schedules, and capital expenditures—that can shift IRRs dramatically. With real-world scenarios and expert commentary, this episode provides valuable insights for both novice and seasoned investors navigating a tightening lending environment.

[00:01 - 04:14] Why Debt Terms Change the Game

• The significance of DSCR in determining actual loan amounts—not just LTV assumptions
• How interest rates and loan terms affect down payments and investor returns
• The need to build strong banking relationships for accurate underwriting inputs

[04:15 - 08:44] The Impact of Amortization on IRR

• What amortization periods reveal about monthly debt service and deal feasibility
• Why a higher down payment reduces IRR—even if the NOI stays constant
• The importance of recalculating purchase offers based on updated debt quotes

[08:45 - 13:28] Expense Assumptions That Can Break a Deal

• How slight changes in operating expenses significantly affect valuation
• The importance of classifying capital expenditures below the line
• Why expense accuracy is essential in low-cap markets

[13:29 - 18:00] Income Projections vs. Market Realities

• Why underwriting based on realistic rent comps boosts your competitiveness
• The significance of local PM data over online averages like Rentometer
• How fluctuating lending terms can lead to broken contracts

[18:01 - 23:40] Cap Rates, Risk, and Investor Psychology

• Why understanding cap rate spreads is essential for valuation decisions
• The relationship between NOI, cap rate, and perceived asset risk
• How market psychology and alternative income streams influence investor behavior

Connect with Anna:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibuybuildings/

Connect with Fernando:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernandoapartments/

Key Quotes:

“Just because your pro forma shows a 1.89 DSCR a year from now doesn't mean the bank will underwrite that way.” - Fernando Arias

“Every $1,000 in NOI can mean a $20,000 swing in valuation in low-cap markets.” - Anna Latysheva

Visit sponsorcloud.io/contact today and unlock $2,000 of free services exclusively for REI Rocks community members! Get automated syndication and investor relationship management tools to save time and money. Mention your part of the REI Rocks community for exclusive offers. Help make affordable, low-cost education summits possible. Check out Sponsor Cloud today!