In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we dive into a transformative conversation about the power of creating a clear, compelling vision for your life. Annie and Jay pull back the curtain on how they crafted their personal vision—from working 80-hour weeks to living a life with balance, purpose, and freedom. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unclear about your next steps, this episode will help you start building a blueprint for the life you truly want.

We unpack how to use the “Wheel of Life” to assess where you are and where you want to go, and how to turn dreams into actionable goals. We also share personal stories, real-life setbacks, and the mindset shifts that made it all possible. Whether you’re new to vision planning or ready to update yours, this episode offers practical tools and inspiration to help you live intentionally and on purpose.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[2:27] - Exploring the staggering stat that 83% of people don’t set goals—and why writing them down is a game changer

[5:00] - How Oprah Winfrey uses vision boards and neuroscience to manifest her goals

[8:05] - Annie and Jay share their journey from burnout to balance, living their original vision of 25-hour workweeks and five weeks of vacation

[14:44] - Understanding and using the “Wheel of Life” to evaluate the key areas of your life

[20:18] - Real talk: why you shouldn’t limit your vision by current circumstances like money or time

[25:09] - The power of public accountability and how it helped Annie transform her health and fitness

[33:40] - Why you should remove filters like job schedules and income limits when designing your ideal calendar

[41:12] - Goal stacking: how to blend life goals for maximum impact and fulfillment

[45:32] - Writing your vision in the present tense and tapping into your emotional “why”

[52:12] - Breaking down big dreams into weekly actionable tasks for long-term success

5 Key Takeaways

1. Write It Down: You’re 30 times more likely to succeed when your goals are written and reviewed regularly.

2. Think Without Limits: Create your vision without financial, time, or current reality constraints—your only limit is your mindset.

3. Use the Wheel of Life: A powerful tool to assess and improve all areas of your life, from health to personal growth.

4. Build Accountability: Sharing your vision with coaches or peers dramatically boosts your follow-through and success.

5. Action Triggers Progress: Break down your vision into small, specific weekly actions to steadily move toward your goals.

Links & Resources

• Contact: Annie@jayandannieadkins.com | Jay@jayandannieadkins.com

• Tools Mentioned: Wheel of Life assessment, Calendar Exercise, Vision Writing Templates

If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to rate, follow, and review The Real Estate Ride. Share it with someone who’s ready to start living with purpose. Let’s build your dream life—together.

Hey there, it’s Jay and Annie! In today’s episode of The Real Estate Ride, we’re diving deep into the many creative and practical ways you can fund both the purchase and rehab of your investment properties. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, understanding your financing options is crucial to scaling your real estate business — and keeping more of your own money in your pocket.

We’re sharing everything from private money strategies and 401(k) rollovers to HELOCs, partnerships, and hard money lenders. We talk about real-life examples, mistakes we’ve made, and the smarter methods we use now that we wish we knew when we started. If you’ve ever wondered how to get into a deal with zero of your own cash or how to structure win-win terms with a lender, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Key Takeaways:

1. Traditional banks are often not the most efficient or cost-effective way to fund investment properties — explore private lenders and alternative options.

2. You can leverage retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and equity in your home or others’ to fund real estate deals creatively.

3. Vetting your lender thoroughly can save your deal — a reliable lender can make or break your transaction timeline and credibility.

Episode Highlights & Timeline

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:14] - Why we rarely use traditional banks anymore

[3:06] - Cash is king — but it doesn’t always have to be your cash

[4:25] - Using old 401(k)s and self-directed retirement accounts for funding

[7:39] - Leveraging whole life insurance policies for real estate investing

[10:02] - Understanding and using HELOCs creatively and safely

[14:44] - The power of partnerships and joint ventures when you have no capital

[18:29] - What to look for in a trustworthy hard money lender

[21:06] - Typical loan terms, down payments, and interest rates across lenders

[23:00] - Traditional banks: when they make sense and when to avoid them

Links & Resources

• Quest IRA (Texas-based)

• Kingdom Trust (based in Wyoming/Kentucky)

• Hard money lenders mentioned: Wildcat Lending, Fund That Flip, RCN Capital

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• If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, follow, and leave a review — and don’t forget to share it with someone who’s ready to take the leap into real estate investing. Catch you in the next episode, and as always, happy house hunting!

In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, I walk you through the ins and outs of a live owner finance deal where I acquired a property with none of my own money. We dive deep into the numbers, from rehab costs to rental income, and explore two strategies for working with investors or using loans to fund deals. Whether you’re an experienced investor or just dipping your toes into creative financing, this episode gives you a clear, real-world example of how to make a deal work — even when you’re short on cash.

We also touch on an inspiring tenant success story, and I share insights into why owner financing is one of my favorite tools in real estate. You’ll walk away with practical strategies you can apply to your own deals, plus the motivation to get moving on your next project.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - How I bought a property with zero money down

[1:46] - Breaking down a 15% investor return and profit split

[2:59] - Purchase price, rehab estimates, and making it rent-ready

[8:03] - A fast lease-up story and helping a tenant in need

[10:52] - Why tax season is prime time for lease-option deals

[14:00] - Creative ways to reduce rehab costs through partnerships

[18:00] - The pros and cons of different flooring choices for rentals

[26:04] - Calculating a 30%+ annual return on investment

[32:04] - Partnering vs. borrowing: choosing the right funding approach

[35:00] - Why I love owner financing over traditional bank loans

[36:04] - Next steps for lining up funding and contractors

5 Key Takeaways

1. You can buy real estate with none of your own money — if you’re willing to be creative with financing.

2. A well-structured owner finance deal can deliver over 30% annual ROI.

3. Tax season is the perfect time to lock in lease-option deals, thanks to buyers with cash in hand.

4. Partnering with contractors or tradespeople can dramatically cut your rehab costs.

5. Choosing between a partner and a lender depends on whether you want to split profits or keep the full upside.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and review the podcast. Share it with someone you know who’s ready to start or scale their investing journey. Your support helps us keep bringing you real-life deal breakdowns and actionable strategies!