Most investors treat taxes as something to worry about in April. They file, they pay, forget about it and then they get back to doing deals. Taxes are an afterthought, not the forethought, but the best investors I know think about taxes year-round. Tax strategies help guide their funding decisions — and nowhere is that more powerful than in how you use your retirement accounts.

The IRS Already Gave You a Framework

Congress designed retirement accounts to encourage savings. The contract is simple: you get tax deferral (Traditional IRA) or tax-free growth (Roth IRA), in exchange for leaving the money alone until retirement. But what most people don’t realize is that the investment options extend well beyond what Wall Street offers. With a self-directed IRA (SDIRA), you can invest in what you know — including real estate. You get to leverage your knowledge.

That means the property down the street, the private loan to a local rehabber, or even a share in a commercial partnership could all be held inside your IRA.

Why Real Estate Fits So Well

Real estate has always been attractive to investors for its tangible value, cash flow, and appreciation. Inside an IRA, those returns compound tax-advantaged. Rental income flows back to
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Do you realize that you can build your fortune through buying vacant land? 

              You’re saying:  “No way!!” 

              I am saying:  “Yes…WAY!” 

There are lots of great ways to make a lot of money in real estate, not the least of which is buying and selling vacant land. This is an effective way to do real estate deals with no hassle, no rehab, no insurance and no worries of vandalism and theft. Plus, there is virtually no competition for these properties since many investors are simply not going after this incredibly lucrative portion of the marketplace. I was actually in the real estate business for several years before I discovered this very profitable part of the market. In addition, in this current market buying and selling vacant land is another good strategy to continue making money in the real estate business. 

              If you live
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 Cincinnati, OH — October 30 – November 2, 2025

This year’s National Real Estate Investing Summit brought together the best minds in real estate at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio — and it didn’t disappoint. For four packed days, investors from across the country came ready to learn, adapt, and make the deals that will shape the next wave of real estate success.

Hosted by OREIA (Ohio Real Estate Investors Association), this 40-year tradition remains the Midwest’s biggest and most respected investor gathering. From high-level keynotes to hands-on workshops, it offered one clear message: what worked two years ago won’t work tomorrow — but the right strategies still win big.

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The Market Has Changed — and So Have the Rules

Interest rates, insurance costs, and property taxes are all up. Margins are tighter. But this year’s Summit made one thing clear: there’s opportunity everywhere for those willing to adjust.
Sessions focused on:

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Ask any really successful real estate entrepreneur what resource has made them the most money, and if they’re answering truthfully, they’re going to say, “The people I’ve met.”

In fact, if you’re not making it a priority to spend time creating, growing, and nurturing your network of colleagues and financial friends, you’re making a big mistake.

I’m not a natural networker—I would, on any given evening, rather be curled up in front of a fire with a good book than at the hottest party in town.

In fact, if you’re ever AT a party with me, and you’re looking for me, I’m probably the one behind the potted plant playing with the host’s cat.

But, at the same time, I am very aware of how many millions of dollars my network has earned me in the past 2+ decades, and I’ve seen the nearly tragic consequences that NOT having a network when you need one can have.

Early on in my career, it was more experienced real estate association members who served as my backstop, confirming (or, in some cases, totally trashing) my evaluation of de
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“Cash is King.” That statement is as true now in this market as ever. With cutthroat competition on any wholesale deal posted in the local Facebook group, the best deals are only available to cash buyers. As real estate investors we need access to cash quickly with low cost and flexibility in terms. The answer is Private Money. 

The term Private Money gets thrown around a lot lately muddying its true meaning. It is not the same as Hard Money where professional lenders charge large upfront fees and high interest rates for short term loans. It is also not personal money or access to personal equity like a line of credit. Private Money refers to individuals, often who we know personally, that loan us money for real estate deals. They are not equity partners but receive interest on their money which is secured by real estate - just like the bank. 

They could be your friends, family, or business associates. They may be members at your church or parents of your child’s soccer teammate. They typically have money placed in investments other than real estate such as the stock market, mutual funds, CDs, etc. They may even have their money in an IRA or old 401k from a
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For whatever reason, a lot of real estate investor have this idea that a career path in real estate is strategy-based; we’re all supposed to start with wholesaling, move on to the bigger checks (and bigger complications) of retailing, then buy single family rentals, and then, we we’re really knowledgeable, wealthy and experienced, end up in apartments or notes.

In real life, there’s no such prescribed life cycle; lots of people start out in rentals, or even note-buying; I myself discovered wholesaling only after nearly 5 years in the lease/option business.

But there IS a path that we should all recognize and be on that has nothing to do with our age at entry, or our favorite asset class or exit strategy, and that’s the journey from trading our hours for (highly-taxed) dollars to having our lifestyles completely paid for by our assets.

This metamorphosis takes place in 3 stages, the terms for which were coined by the great Pete Fortunato.

     Starters are folks who are still learning and exploring the trade. They’re willing to do what it takes to get e
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Dayton is rewriting its story of renewal — and the results are showing. Since 2021, more than $2.5 billion in public and private investments have been driving citywide transformation, creating jobs, housing, and opportunities across every neighborhood.

For years, I ran my construction business as an owner-operator. Like many in the trades, I wore every hat—chasing work, managing projects, keeping the books, and making sure the bills got paid. While the business provided income, it was more of a job than a business that could stand on its own. At some point, I realized that if I stepped away, the business would stop. That realization was the spark that pushed me to redesign my business around a system I call the Biz Freedom Framework™—a five-part model that transitions businesses from owner-operator dependency to an employer-led, turnkey business.

Building a Business That Runs Without Me

The first step was Ownership—deciding what I truly wanted from the business. Ownership meant more than having my name on the LLC papers. It meant shaping a vision, documenting guiding principles, and holding myself accountable to building something that worked with or without me.

Next came Leadership. I had to stop being the only decision-maker. Leadership meant buildin
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Video review and noted by Kimberly Weiss and summarized by Microsoft CoPilot. 

 🎥 Originally recorded on February 5, 2020, Bill Warner’s “Top 10 Inspection Myths” remains an insightful and practical resource for anyone navigating property acquisition. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a first-time buyer, this video cuts through the noise and exposes the misconceptions that can cost you thousands—or worse, leave you with a property full of hidden issues.

Even 5 years on from when Greater Dayton REIA recorded this video with Bill Warner, his myth-busting framework still totally holds up. Here’s why it’s still essential viewing today:

🔍 Myth #10: “The Bank Already Ordered the Inspection”

This one still trips up buyers because the terms appraisal and inspection are sometimes used interchangeably, when they are not the same. Warner clarifies the critical difference between an appraisal and an inspection:

• Appraisal = Valu
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One of the first major decisions real estate investors face after acquiring a rental property is whether to manage it themselves or hire a professional property manager. Both approaches can lead to positive outcomes, but they come with different responsibilities, costs, and benefits.

This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of each option to help you make an informed choice for your portfolio.

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Self-Managing Your Rental Property

Advantages

Cost Savings
By managing the property yourself, you avoid paying a management fee—often 8 to 12 percent of monthly rent—along with leasing and renewal fees. This additional income can be reinvested into the property or your next investment.

Direct Control
You oversee tenant selection, vendor relationships, and maintenance standards. Without a middleman, you maintain a clear understanding of your property’s condition and can implement your expectations directly.

Hands-On Experience
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