292 - From $500 to an 8-Figure Portfolio with Andres Bernal
Real Estate Investor Growth Network Podcast
Release Date: 02/23/2026
Real Estate Investor Growth Network Podcast
302 - From $5 to Million Dollar Deals: The Mindset That Changes Everything with Elle Anderson What if the real reason you’re not making money in real estate… isn’t your deals, your strategy, or your market—but your identity? In this episode, we break down the hidden force silently capping your income and keeping you stuck, even when you’re doing “everything right.” If you’ve ever felt like you’re working harder but getting nowhere, this conversation will hit hard—and open your eyes. Elle Anderson shares how she went from losing everything twice—including being down to her...
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301 - Why Most Airbnb Investors Fail Before They Even Launch with Kim Fitzpatrick What if the biggest mistake in short-term rentals isn’t the deal… it’s how you launch it? Too many investors lose time, money, and momentum before their listing even goes live. From blown budgets to slow setups and missed revenue windows, the launch phase can quietly kill your profits before you ever welcome your first guest. In this episode, short-term rental expert Kim Fitzpatrick reveals her proven 7-day property launch system that’s 8x faster than DIY. Starting with just $40 and a plane ticket, Kim...
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300 - The Mentor Who Changed Everything, Than Merrill What if everything you’ve been doing to “learn” real estate is actually keeping you stuck? In this powerful 300th episode, Jen Josey sits down with legendary investor and mentor Than Merrill to expose the truth about why so many aspiring investors stay trapped in learning mode, and what it really takes to break through, take action, and build a profitable real estate business. With over $2 billion in real estate transactions and nearly two decades of experience, Than shares the exact mindset shifts, systems, and strategies that...
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299 - The Short-Term Rental Safety Mistakes That Could Destroy Your Business Your short-term rental could be one overlooked hazard away from a lawsuit, a tragedy, or the end of your investing career — and you probably don't even know it. In this eye-opening episode of REIGN, the Real Estate Investor Growth Network, host Jen Josey sits down with Justin Ford, Director of Safety and Certification Programs at Breezeway, to expose the hidden dangers that most STR hosts completely ignore. With nearly 30 years in the short-term rental industry, Justin reveals why over 80% of incidents have...
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298 - The Hidden Real Estate Strategy No One Talks About: Seller Finance Notes Explained What if the biggest opportunities in real estate aren’t in flipping houses… but in buying paper? In this eye-opening conversation, Will Harvey breaks down the hidden world of seller finance notes, hard money lending, and how savvy investors are capitalizing on valuation gaps between public and private markets. If you’ve ever felt stuck relying on traditional flips or unpredictable buyers, this episode reveals a smarter way to create consistent returns. Will shares the real strategies he uses through...
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Episode Summary What if one overlooked U.S. market could deliver cash flow, appreciation, and turnkey simplicity all at once? In this episode, Jen Josey sits down with Voytek Mardula and James Lloyd to uncover why Detroit real estate investing is rapidly becoming one of the most compelling opportunities for investors seeking passive income, portfolio growth, and scalable wealth. With over 600 renovated homes, $100M+ raised from private investors, and thousands of guest stays managed, Voytek and James share how they built a data-backed turnkey investing model that removes the guesswork. They...
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What if the biggest reason you have not stepped into commercial real estate is not lack of money, but lack of clarity? In this episode, Jen Josey sits down with Michael Holshouser of Linville Team Partners to break down how accredited investors can build wealth through commercial real estate without getting lost in confusing deals, vague promises, or risky guesswork. If you have ever wondered how passive real estate investing really works, this conversation pulls back the curtain. Michael shares how his team created an investor portal that gives people deal-by-deal...
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What if the biggest real estate opportunity isn’t a flip, a rental, or an apartment complex, but a piece of vacant land most investors overlook? In this episode, Brent Bowers breaks down how land investing can create cash flow, seller-financed income, and affordable housing opportunities without the constant repairs, tenant drama, and surprises that come with traditional rentals. If you’ve ever wondered whether land is too risky, too boring, or too hard to value, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew. Brent shares how he transitioned from military...
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Feeling overwhelmed in your real estate business? If your deals are slowing down, your inbox is overflowing, and you feel like the bottleneck in your own company… you’re not alone. In this episode, Jen Josey sits down with real estate entrepreneur and outsourcing expert Bob Lachance to reveal how smart investors eliminate bottlenecks, reclaim their time, and scale their businesses using virtual assistants and automation. Bob Lachance has completed 1,500+ real estate transactions and built multiple companies—including REVA Global, a virtual assistant service designed specifically for real...
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293 - Infinite Banking: Unlocking Financial Freedom with Anthony Faso & Cameron Christiansen What if the money you need for your next deal is already sitting right under your nose—and you’re just not using it the right way? In this episode, we break down how real estate investors can stop “begging” for funding, keep their money compounding, and use smarter systems to build real financial freedom. Jen Josey sits down with Anthony Faso and Cameron Christensen (founders of Infinite Wealth Consultants and hosts of the Infinite Wealth Podcast) to dumb down the concept of infinite...
info_outlineFrom $500 to an 8-Figure Portfolio with Andres Bernal
In this powerful episode of the REIGN: Real Estate Investor Growth Network podcast, host Jen Josey sits down with Dominican-born investor and entrepreneur Andres Bernal. From landing in New York with just $500 to building a $12 million real estate portfolio, Andres shares the raw, unfiltered truth about what it takes to succeed in real estate investing. His journey from professional tennis player to full-time investor is packed with grit, resilience, and strategic growth.
Andres dives deep into his early days of house hacking with an FHA loan, navigating immigration challenges, and learning hard lessons through tenant issues, failed flips, and even a $107,000 loss on a single deal. Rather than quitting, he used those setbacks as tuition in the “school of real estate.” He explains how discipline from professional sports translated into business success—and why coaching, mentorship, and relationships are critical to long-term growth.
The conversation covers multiple investing strategies, including Section 8 rentals, student housing near universities like Yale University and University of New Haven, and scaling a flipping business in a competitive market. Andres also shares why he’s laser-focused on entry-level homes under $450K, how he flips 25–30 houses per year with zero marketing spend, and why predictable profits beat flashy luxury projects every time.
5 Key Takeaways from This Episode
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Start Small, Think Big: Andres house hacked his first triplex using an FHA loan and a small family loan—proving you don’t need massive capital to get started in real estate investing.
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Relationships Beat Marketing: He flips 25–30 properties per year with $0 in marketing by nurturing agent and wholesaler relationships and consistently submitting 20–25 offers per week.
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Section 8 Is Not “Guaranteed” Money: While Section 8 can provide steady rent and annual increases, landlords must pass inspections and adapt to evolving regulations to protect cash flow.
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Student Housing Is a Hidden Goldmine: By targeting universities with growing enrollment and staying within walking distance, Andres creates high-demand rentals with parent co-signers and predictable income.
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Predictable > Flashy: Entry-level homes under $450K generate more consistent profits and faster exits than luxury flips in today’s higher-interest-rate market.
Guest Bio: Andres Bernal
Andres Bernal is a Dominican-born real estate investor, entrepreneur, and founder of Sky Circle Homes. A former professional tennis player, Andres immigrated to the United States with just $500 and built an 8-figure real estate portfolio through house hacking, strategic flipping, and long-term rental acquisitions.
Since purchasing his first property in 2016, Andres has completed more than 50 flips, owns 60+ rental units across Section 8, student housing, and traditional rentals, and has grown a $12 million portfolio with over $5 million in net equity. He is passionate about helping first-time investors, immigrant entrepreneurs, and aspiring real estate professionals build wealth through smart, relationship-driven investing.
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