In this episode, Jay and I dive deep into how we set intentional, actionable goals for our personal lives and businesses—and how you can do the same. We’re not about vague resolutions that fizzle out by February. We’re talking about creating a vision with real, measurable steps and accountability to actually get things done.

Whether you’re balancing business with family, trying to rediscover your purpose, or looking to reframe your mindset to “How can I?” instead of “I can’t,” this episode will inspire and challenge you. We share insights from our own lives—including flipping houses, building lifestyle-driven businesses, and helping our daughter buy a car with her own real estate deal! Plus, we introduce our “Wheel of Life” framework to help you evaluate and align every area of your life with your vision.

Episode Timeline:

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:27] – Why we avoid resolutions and set measurable goals instead

[2:30] – Using accountability groups and coaching to stay on track

[5:41] – Building flexibility into your business and life

[9:20] – Flipping your mindset from “I can’t” to “How can I?”

[12:05] – Teaching our daughter how to flip a house to buy her first car

[14:17] – Why manifestation requires work, not just intention

[18:20] – A coaching story: how cutting Starbucks led to quitting a job

[21:21] – Why we turned down big real estate deals for a balanced lifestyle

[23:12] – The 8 key life categories in our Wheel of Life

[30:03] – Turning spiritual habits into daily rituals

[33:15] – From running half a mile to an Ironman: Jay’s fitness journey

[36:08] – Mike shares his health journey and ditching bread & dairy

[44:13] – Goal stacking: combining family time with wellness habits

[47:43] – Money, business, and how to align income with your values

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Vision beats resolution – Resolutions often fail, but a clear, actionable vision sets the foundation for sustainable success.

2. Accountability accelerates growth – Sharing goals with a group or coach creates real momentum and follow-through.

3. Flexibility is freedom – Building a lifestyle-focused business means you can show up for your family and your goals.

4. Mindset matters – Replacing “I can’t” with “How can I?” opens new paths and possibilities.

5. Goals require strategy – Big goals need micro-steps, measurable waypoints, and intentional planning to become reality.

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In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, Annie and I dive into the essential foundations of creative financing. If you’ve ever been confused by terms like “lease option,” “land trust,” or “subject to,” you’re not alone—and this conversation is here to bring clarity. We break down these powerful strategies, share our personal experiences using them, and offer practical tips for getting started the right way.

Whether you’re a real estate newbie or brushing up on your investing toolkit, this episode will help you understand the legal ins and outs, common pitfalls, and the real opportunities that creative financing offers. Tune in to hear how we structure deals, protect ourselves legally, and tailor each approach to meet different seller and market needs.

Timeline Summary

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:10] - Defining lease options and why they’re a powerful entry point in creative financing

[2:56] - Legal changes around sandwich leases and how we’ve adapted

[4:30] - Using lease options for rentals and Airbnbs

[5:00] - Understanding land trusts and the benefits of shared ownership

[6:43] - Gaining control through trustee roles and trust structure

[8:15] - Explaining land contracts and how they work as contracts for deed

[10:04] - Using land contracts to avoid large down payments

[10:21] - What “subject to” financing means and when to use it

[11:26] - Quick overview and how we’ll explore each method further in the course

5 Key Takeaways

1. Lease options give you control without ownership, allowing flexible terms and early cash flow opportunities.

2. Sandwich lease options are no longer legal in some states—always confirm your local laws.

3. Land trusts enable shared control and privacy, making it easier to structure creative partnerships.

4. Land contracts (or contracts for deed) offer a pathway to ownership without hefty down payments.

5. Subject to financing allows you to take over properties with existing mortgages—just be sure to understand the risks and terms.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, follow, and leave a review. Don’t forget to share it with someone you know who’s looking to build wealth through real estate. We’ll see you in the next one!

In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, we dive into the real talk behind real estate partnerships—why they’re so common, how they can go wrong, and what you absolutely must have in place to protect yourself and your investments. Whether you’re teaming up with lifelong friends, family, or new business associates, having a rock-solid agreement is key to keeping both the peace and your profits.

Jay and I (Annie) share our personal experiences—the good, the bad, and the legally ugly—to highlight just how crucial it is to outline responsibilities, profit splits, exit strategies, and communication methods from the very beginning. From joint venture setups to full-blown LLC partnerships, we walk through real-life examples and practical tips to help you structure your deals for long-term success.

Episode Timeline & Highlights

[0:00] - Why trusting your partner isn’t enough when money’s on the line

[1:12] - The real reasons people partner in real estate—and why fear plays a big part

[2:17] - Types of partnerships: Joint ventures vs. LLCs

[4:06] - How to fairly divide roles, risks, and profits in JV agreements

[6:44] - Structuring rehab draws and payment phases with accountability

[7:57] - Big benefits of JV deals: no credit, fast funding, multiple flips

[10:41] - Watch out: when one partner does all the work but only gets half the profit

[12:08] - Why roles & responsibilities reviews can save your partnership

[13:36] - Vision exercises and personality tests—essential before you start

[15:28] - Don’t skip your “separation plan” aka real estate prenup

[20:34] - Jay’s horror story: how a trusted partner stole a property

[22:25] - The legal and clean way to dissolve a partnership

5 Key Takeaways

1. Even long-term friends need contracts – Relationships don’t protect you from partnership fallout. Legal documents do.

2. Joint ventures can be great for beginners – Especially if you’re working with cash partners who want hands-off involvement.

3. Lay out every responsibility and timeline – From who pays holding costs to how rehab funds are drawn and released.

4. Have a vision alignment conversation – Do this before jumping into business. Misaligned goals are a recipe for trouble.

5. Always include a clear exit strategy – Know what happens if one of you wants out. Define the process up front.

Links & Resources

• DISC Personality Test (Tony Robbins): https://www.tonyrobbins.com/disc/

• Predictive Index info: https://www.predictiveindex.com/

If this episode gave you some serious “aha” moments, help us out by rating, following, and sharing The Real Estate Ride! Your reviews mean the world to us and help more real estate pros find this show.