Episodes

546
Jan. 14, 2025

#546: How To Finance Your Next Denver House Hack Investment (Feat. Fire on FIRE)

Want to break into Denver real estate investing without a massive down payment? In this Fire on FIRE episode, firefighters-turned-mortgage experts Corey Sutton and Dan Janniksen reveal how first responders and other professionals can start building wealth through strategic house hacking. Using a real-world example in Littleton, discover how you can acquire a $600,000 property with just 0-5% down and offset the monthly payments through smart house hacking strategies. Learn why working with exper...
545
Jan. 7, 2025

#545: Padsplit Shows Denver Landlords A Better Way To Manage Rent by Room Rentals

Looking for stronger cash flow in today’s high-price, high-rate market? Join us as PadSplit founder Atticus LeBlanc and Account Manager Nick Bowers introduce their proven rent by room rental management system to Denver that typically doubles NOI compared to traditional single-family rentals. We analyze a real Westminster property that was converted from 5 to 8 bedrooms, generating $76,000 in annual income and an 11.6% cap rate through self-management. Then discover how PadSplit’s professional m...
544
Dec. 31, 2024

#544: My Business Growth Strategy For Colorado Real Estate in 2025

After two years of market shifts and strategic pivots, Chris Lopez shares how his real estate companies adapted and thrived in 2024. Through the lens of “you reap what you sow,” discover how planting seeds during challenging times led to breakthrough growth across multiple businesses. From evolving Envision Advisors’ service model to scaling Property Llama to over 5,000 investors, learn how focusing on client needs drove innovation and expansion. Plus, get an inside look at the launch of Proper...
543
Dec. 24, 2024

#543: Syndications Made Simple (How to Join Big Real Estate Projects)

Want to invest in larger real estate projects without the daily management hassles? In this workshop-style episode, Chris Lopez and Paige Kehoe break down how private equity real estate investing works, exploring four distinct investment opportunities in today’s market. Through real-world examples, we examine successful deals including a 34-unit value-add apartment renovation in North Denver, a ground-up development project in Wash Park, and a unique land deal in the prestigious Southmoor Park ...
542
Dec. 17, 2024

#542: Denver Listings Drop 41% (Warning Signs Ahead?)

Want to know why Denver’s housing market just saw its biggest monthly drop in new listings this year? November brought a shocking 41% plunge in Denver’s housing inventory, while Colorado Springs wasn’t far behind with a 36% decrease. But the real story isn’t just about vanishing listings. Denver Real Estate Investing Podcast Host Chris Lopez sat down with a panel of Colorado real estate experts including Brandon Scholten from Keyrenter Property Management Denver, lender Troy Howell from Nova Ho...
541
Dec. 12, 2024

#541: The $31M Solution for the Forgotten Middle: Affordable Workforce Housing

Want to learn how to turn a $5/sq ft land deal into a lucrative workforce housing development? In this episode, Chris Lopez sits down with Adam Fenton of Narrate Holdings to dive deep into a 120-unit ground-up development project in Northern Colorado Springs. Adam reveals how they acquired prime land near a rapidly growing university for a fraction of typical multifamily costs, setting the stage for impressive returns. Key highlights: How they’re targeting the underserved “forgotten middle” w...
540
Dec. 10, 2024

#540: My 2025 Goals for Greater Investment Returns (with LESS Work)

After years of active real estate investing in Denver, I’ve shifted my focus to passive real estate investing strategies for 2025. Here’s why I made this change and how I’m positioning my portfolio for the year ahead. https://youtu.be/g9QTpeyVQPM My Journey to Passive Real Estate Investing When I started investing, I focused on direct property ownership. But market changes pushed me to explore passive real estate investing strategies that could work better in today’s environment. Here’s how I...
539
Dec. 5, 2024

#539: Red River Development Shows Why Every Deal Needs a Plan B

How Red River Salvaged a Challenging Real Estate Deal When Red River Development’s planned build-to-rent project faced strong community opposition, their response demonstrated how careful planning and multiple contingencies can transform potential losses into gains. Their experience handling this real estate deal pivot provides valuable insights for developers and investors navigating similar challenges. Project Outcomes Red River Development originally purchased the land for $3.2M with plans...
538
Dec. 3, 2024

#538: How to House Hack a Property from a 3% Cap Rate to Cash Flowing Asset

How can you turn a $525k triplex into your next house hack and maximize returns with Section 8 tenants? In this episode, we break down how an experienced investor spotted and acquired his 8th house hack triplex in the Denver market with Section 8 tenants. Join us as we sit down with the House Hacking expert Jeff White, Agent Jennifer Reinhardt, and Lender Troy Howell to examine how this deal came together using Fannie Mae’s 5% down program. https://youtu.be/WxtAdxLMpuE Key insights from this e...
537
Nov. 26, 2024

#537: The Unusual Denver Fourplex That Creates $3K in Monthly Cashflow

Denver Fourplex That Creates $3K Monthly Cashflow: A House Hack Case Study Is it still possible to house hack in Denver’s competitive market? Chris Lopez, Troy Howell of Nova Home Loans, and house hacking specialist Jeff White say yes. They recently broke down how one investor turned $40,000 into both free housing and $3,000 monthly cashflow using a fourplex strategy. Here’s how they did it. https://youtu.be/cUwAv-v3-sE The Deal Structure Purchase price: $690,000 Down payment: 5% ($34,500) ...
536
Nov. 19, 2024

#536: Why Denver Rents Are Dropping 7.5% (And What It Means For Investors)

Have Denver rents really dropped 7.5% since last year? Brandon Scholten, who manages 1,100 rental units across Denver, reveals why this dramatic shift is happening and which properties are being hit hardest in today’s changing market. Making the data even more compelling: While Denver sees significant declines, Colorado Springs rents remain flat year-over-year, pointing to unique market dynamics in each city. Two-bedroom, one-bathroom units are performing worse than ever before, while Class A a...
535
Nov. 12, 2024

#535: Why 'Boring' Wealth Building Actually Works | A Financial Expert Explains

In this episode of Fire on FIRE investing, former fire operations chief turned financial advisor Jon Adams joins Chris Lopez and co-hosts Paul DeSalvo and Jamin Cook to explore why “boring” wealth building strategies consistently outperform flashy investment trends. Drawing from his journey from firefighter to financial advisor, Adams shares candid insights about building lasting wealth through steady, proven methods rather than chasing quick returns. His transition gives him a unique perspecti...
534
Nov. 5, 2024

#534: BRRRR Strategy Dead? Lender Exposes New Real Estate Investing Trends

Is the popular BRRRR strategy still viable in Denver’s market? Kevin Amolsch, Pine Financial Group’s founder and bestselling author, reveals why only 10% of their current loans are BRRRR deals – down significantly from previous years. Why the BRRRR Strategy is Declining in Denver Kevin shares invaluable insights from processing nearly a billion dollars in loans over 16 years, showing a dramatic shift away from the once-popular BRRRR strategy. With changing market conditions and rising costs, i...
533
Oct. 29, 2024

#533: How to Slash Colorado Property Insurance Premiums| Colorado Market Updates

For the first time since 2012, Denver’s housing inventory crossed over 11,000 units and reached 3.5 months of supply – signaling a shift toward a more balanced market. Join host Chris Lopez and local experts Jenny Bayless, Jeff White, and Troy Howell as they break down the latest September stats and trends across the Denver-Colorado Springs region. Inside this episode: Why median home prices dropped 2.5% year-over-year in Denver (and what’s really driving this unexpected change) How one inves...
531
Oct. 15, 2024

#531: Why Property Management Might Be the Best Career You’ve Never Considered

Are you searching for a career path with rapid growth potential, diverse opportunities, and tangible rewards? Look no further than a career in Denver’s thriving property management industry. In our most recent episode of the Denver Real Estate Investing Podcast, host Chris Lopez explored the numerous advantages of building a career in this dynamic field. The episode featured insights from three industry professionals: Regional Manager with over two decades of experience Assistant Manager who ...
530
Oct. 8, 2024

#530: What Denver Real Estate Investors Need to Know for 2025

Is Denver Real Estate Still a Good Investment in 2025? High interest rates, skyrocketing prices, and new legislation have transformed the Denver real estate market. But don’t panic – savvy investors are still finding lucrative opportunities. In this episode, host Chris Lopez breaks down the strategies that are working in today’s challenging environment. You’ll discover: Why buying a single-family rental might be a losing proposition in 2024 The surprising property type that’s outperforming i...
529
Oct. 1, 2024

#529: From Injured Firefighter to Financial Independence (And How You Can Do It Too)

A career-ending injury can derail a firefighter’s life in an instant. This eye-opening episode of the Denver Real Estate Investing Podcast features Paul DeSalvo and Jamin Cook, two firefighters who turned to real estate after facing potentially career-ending injuries. They reveal how smart property investments became their financial lifeline and share strategies to help fellow first responders secure their futures. Paul and Jamin discuss how real estate provided them with a crucial fallback opt...
528
Sept. 24, 2024

#528: Q4 Real Estate Playbook How to Win the Best Deals this Autumn

The August 2024 market stats for Denver and Southern Colorado are now out, and our roundtable is back to discuss what they mean. Check out the video to hear the latest trends, get updates on buyer activity, interest rates, and get the details on some of our latest deals. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or refinance, this is your playbook for navigating the market this fall! https://youtu.be/uFUx2PFb0hg (01:20) Market Overview and Trends (05:13) Interest Rates and Market Sentiment (07:44...
527
Sept. 17, 2024

#527: How to Negotiate Land Deals for Your Next Multifamily Project

Ever wondered what it takes to transform an empty lot into a thriving multifamily property? In this eye-opening episode, host Chris Lopez sits down with Adam Fenton of Narrate Holdings to unravel the complexities of land acquisition and development in Colorado’s competitive real estate market. Adam shares his wealth of expertise on: Navigating the land-buying process from initial scouting to closing the deal Crucial due diligence steps that can make or break a project The critical importance...
526
Sept. 10, 2024

#526: Mitch Conrad's Journey from 1 Triplex to $100M Assisted Living Business

Could converting houses into senior living facilities be the most overlooked goldmine in real estate? In this eye-opening episode of the Denver Real Estate Investing Podcast, host Chris Lopez sits down with Mitch Conrad, a former high school teacher who transformed a personal family crisis into a thriving 23-location senior living empire. Mitch’s journey from educator to real estate mogul is nothing short of extraordinary. He now oversees 400+ senior residents and nearly 300 employees, all stem...
525
Sept. 3, 2024

#525: Why Debt Funds Should Be in Every Investor's Arsenal

Join host Chris Lopez as he explores the world of debt funds with Justin and Matt, founders of Dynamo Capital. These innovative investors are reshaping real estate finance in Wichita, Kansas – a market that offers surprising opportunities for yield-seeking Denver investors. In this eye-opening episode, you’ll learn: How Midwest rental yields are dramatically outpacing Denver’s compressed margins, offering a lifeline for cash flow-focused investors Why Wichita is being called “Des Moines 20 ye...
524
Aug. 29, 2024

#524: How Build-to-Rent is Transforming Residential Real Estate

In this informative episode of the Denver Real Estate Investing Podcast, host Chris Lopez explores the rapidly expanding Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector with industry experts Ryan Watts of Red River and Bill Morton of Leo Brown Group. They offer an in-depth analysis of their Centerville, OH Build-to-Rent (BTR) project highlighting why BTR is emerging as a notable asset class for astute investors. Key highlights of this podcast include: A comprehensive overview of a $58 million BTR development Proj...
523
Aug. 20, 2024

#523: What Should You Do With Your Trapped Equity?

Is selling a rental property with a 3.6% interest rate ever a good idea? On this episode of the Denver Real Estate Investing Podcast, host Chris Lopez and his expert panel reveal why one investor is doing exactly that – and tripling their money in the process. You’ll discover: Why Denver’s housing inventory is up 68% year-over-year, yet still far below historical norms How a property purchased for $110,000 in 2018 is now worth $315,000 The surprising reason negative cash flow on a new build ...
522
Aug. 13, 2024

#522: The $750K Townhome Deal That Got Away (And What You Can Learn From It)

Want to know how a covered land play could be the secret to finding lucrative development deals in a tight market? In this eye-opening episode, Chris Lopez sits down with Nathan Adams from RedT Homes to dissect a fascinating off-market development opportunity in Old Town Littleton that slipped away. Nathan reveals how a $600,000 property with existing rental income could have transformed into a $3.5 million project with potential profits of $750,000. Learn why covered land plays are becoming th...