234: Unbiased and Apolitical Economic Forecasting For Now and the Future with Lauren Saidel-Baker
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
Release Date: 04/17/2025
248: Beating the Drum to the REIT Beat with David Auerbach
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes REIT industry veteran David Auerbach, Chief Investment Officer at Hoya Capital and publisher of The Daily REITBeat Newsletter. David shares his 25-year journey in the world of real estate investment trusts (REITs), helping listeners understand how REITs work, how they fit into a balanced portfolio, and why they’re a powerful option for long-term, income-focused investing. They break down the differences between public and private REITs, explain why REITs can be a great entry point for investors seeking exposure to...
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247: Going From Investor To Investor-Friendly Agent with Niyi Adewole
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Niyi Adewole—real estate investor, short-term rental operator, and investor-friendly agent—to discuss the journey from first house hack to a thriving real estate business. Niyi shares how he transitioned from medical device sales to building a 30-unit portfolio in Louisville, Kentucky, before shifting into short-term rental management, new development, and becoming a trusted guide for other investors through his real estate team and podcast. Jonathan and Niyi explore the realities of house hacking, the...
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246: Multifamily Success Through Transparency and Rigorous Due Diligence with Gary Lipsky
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan is joined by Gary Lipsky, founder of Break of Day Capital, to explore what it takes to succeed in multifamily real estate syndication. Gary shares how he went from buying his first fixer-upper in Los Angeles to managing over 3,200 apartment units across Arizona. With an emphasis on transparency, due diligence, and investor education, Gary discusses how his firm evaluates markets, selects value-add properties, and builds long-term relationships with investors. They dive deep into the differences between Class A and B assets,...
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245: How Alternative Assets Can Create Passive Investing Mastery with Patrick Grimes
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Patrick Grimes, founder of Passive Investing Mastery and Invest on Main Street. Patrick shares how a painful first deal during the 2008 crash reshaped his investing mindset, leading him to focus on long-term wealth accumulation, cash flow, and true portfolio diversification. What began with single-family rentals eventually expanded into large multifamily syndications, recession-resilient markets, and alternative assets, including litigation finance and debt funds. Patrick walks listeners through how he helps...
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244: Unlocking the Strategy of Rentals Made Easy with Jessie Lang
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Jessie Lang, founder of Unlocked Rentals and author of “Rentals Made Easy,” to explore her journey from a $92,000 condo to a self-managed 70+ unit portfolio. Jessie shares how she unknowingly began house hacking out of necessity, transitioned into full-time investing, and eventually found her stride using the BRRRR method and private money. From Craigslist roommates and DIY renovations to managing properties remotely and building a team, Jessie reveals how she scaled her business without skipping the hard...
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243: Transforming Underutilized Properties Into High-Performing Assets with Jonah Bamberger
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Jonah Bamberger, managing partner and executive chairman of Aulder Capital. Jonah shares the full arc of his real estate journey—from early value-add deals in Brooklyn to large-scale multifamily, hospitality, and international development in Portugal. What began as a side project with a friend quickly became a full-time business as the duo capitalized on post-2008 opportunities. Jonah dives into how Aulder Capital adapts to shifting markets, navigates regulatory hurdles, and chooses when to pivot between...
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242: Finding Solutions For Your 1031 Exchange Without the Hassle of Management with Ben Carmona
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Ben Carmona, Managing Partner at Perch Wealth, to break down the mechanics and opportunities of the 1031 exchange. With over two decades of experience, Ben clarifies a complex process that can intimidate even seasoned investors. He shares how real estate owners, especially those nearing retirement, can defer taxes, move into passive income streams, and preserve wealth through tools like the Delaware Statutory Trust (DST). Jonathan and Ben cover everything from early planning to misconceptions about like-kind...
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241: Creating Life On Your Terms Through Real Estate Investing with Laura Navaquin
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Laura Navaquin—a mother, entrepreneur, and real estate investor who built her portfolio from the ground up alongside her husband. Starting with a credit card-funded mentorship and no prior experience, Laura began wholesaling in New Jersey and eventually scaled their portfolio to over 20 doors across six states. Laura shares her evolution from side hustler to full-time investor, revealing how consistency, networking, and creative financing became the pillars of their growth. She breaks down the realities of...
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240: Investing In Historically Recession Resistant Real Estate Assets with Paul Moore
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Paul Moore, Founder and Managing Partner of Wellings Capital, a private equity firm specializing in recession-resistant real estate investments. With a rich background in entrepreneurship and investing, Paul shares his evolution from speculative investor to a disciplined advocate of Warren Buffett's principles, emphasizing the power of saying “no” and prioritizing long-term, stable investments. The conversation explores the importance of rigorous due diligence, operator selection, and maintaining a...
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239: Why Mobile Home Parks Are America's Most Stable Real Estate with Jack Martin
Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing
In the real estate world, mobile home parks aren’t viewed as a glamorous asset class, but today’s guest explains why you should give this asset class a second look. On today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Jack Martin, co-founder of 52TEN. Jack began his real estate career in Arizona, where he sourced off-market properties and acquired and sold over 2,000 single-family homes, as well as more than 900 apartment units. In 2016, Jack entered the mobile home park business. Since then, he’s acquired 1,500 mobile home park lots. Jonathan and Jack...
info_outlinePolitics is often blamed for economic shifts, but there are usually more factors at play. Today’s guest is an economic expert who explains how it can impact investors and buyers alike.
On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Lauren Saidel-Baker, an economist with ITR Economics, the oldest privately-held, continuously operating economic research and consulting firm in the U.S. ITR Economics was founded in 1948.
Jonathan and Lauren start the discussion by explaining how ITR Economics predicts economic shifts and how Lauren became an economist with ITR after a stint in asset management. She shares how politics and election cycles can affect economics, her predictions for 2025, and what real estate investors should look for. You’ll hear the disruptions that natural disasters, population shifts, and weather can have on the economy, what regular homebuyers and investors should be looking for with purchases, and the trajectory of the real estate market in the next five years. Lauren outlines the potential opportunities real estate may offer with an economic downturn, her advice for remaining in real estate during economic disruption, and what she’s doing to prepare for a potential economic depression.
The economy is frequently in the news, but we don’t often hear about the impact it can have on specific industries. Lauren Saidel-Baker makes the case for real estate even during economic turmoil.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Lauren Saidel-Baker’s explanation of how ITR Economics predicts economic shifts
- Her introduction to economics through a job after college in asset management, and what she loves about working at ITR Economics
- How election cycles impact economics
- Lauren’s predictions for 2025 in comparison to 2024 and what real estate investors should look out for
- Disruptions that natural disasters can create, and the impact of population shifts and weather
- What regular homebuyers and investors should look for when they make a purchase
- The trajectory of real estate for the next five years based on current data
- Real estate opportunities that are likely with an economic downturn
- Population shifts around the country based on affordability
- What Lauren suggests for buyers in 2025 and the continued demand for multifamily assets
- Her advice for those who want to remain in real estate but are concerned about economic disruption, and how consumers can remain apprised of economic shifts
- What Lauren is doing to prepare for the coming economic depression
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Supporting Resources:
ITR Economics - itreconomics.com
ITR Economics on YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCJx7dfActtS_noNjNq6sumA
ITR Economics on Facebook - www.facebook.com/ITREconomics77
ITR Economics’s Instagram - www.instagram.com/itreconomics
Follow ITR Economics on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/itr-economics
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Episode Credits
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