Passive vs Active Real Estate Investing: Why She Made the Switch | Whitney Elkins-Hutten

How do you actually achieve financial freedom through real estate—and what does life look like once you get there? In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke talks with Kyle Mast about building a flexible, family-focused life through real estate investing. Kyle shares lessons from his journey, including why finance automation matters, the importance of reserves, and how real estate helped create more freedom and flexibility for his family. You'll also hear honest insights on short-term rentals, time freedom, family priorities, and what "enough" really means. Topics discussed: • Financial independence through rentals • Long-term vs short-term rentals • Why reserves matter • Building wealth with real estate • Family freedom and flexible income • Smart habits for investors Subscribe to The Real Wealth Show for more investing strategies, housing market insights, and wealth-building interviews. DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com

Should you build wealth through active real estate investing—or go passive instead? In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke sits down with Whitney Elkins-Hutten to break down why Whitney transitioned from owning and managing dozens of rentals to investing passively in larger real estate deals. They discuss the pros and cons of passive vs active investing, how to evaluate syndicators, why diversification matters more than ever, understanding the capital stack, and where Whitney sees opportunity in today's market—including debt funds and multifamily. If you're wondering how to create income, reduce stress, and invest smarter in 2026, this episode is packed with insights 🏠 Want to learn more? Visit www.Realwealth.com/Multifamilyfund. 

In today's market, cash flow matters more than ever. With home prices flattening and rent growth slowing, real estate investors need to focus on what they can control—expenses. In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke sits down with Sam Thrash from Ownwell to break down how investors can lower two of their biggest costs: property taxes and insurance. Most investors assume property taxes are fixed—but they're not. In fact, many properties are over-assessed, and appealing your tax bill could save you hundreds or even thousands per year. Sam explains how the process works, why over 90% of property owners take no action, and how firms like Ownwell handle everything from filing appeals to negotiating with assessors. If you're a real estate investor looking to increase cash flow without raising rents, this is a strategy you can't afford to ignore. 🏠 Real Wealth listeners get 20% off of Ownwell's services. Go to www.Ownwell.com/realwealth.com  DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com

In today's market, it's never been easier to sound like a real estate expert—and that's exactly the problem. With the rise of social media, podcasts, and online courses, a new wave of "real estate gurus" is everywhere. But behind the marketing, many lack real experience, real track records, or real skin in the game. In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke sits down with investor Jonathan Greene to break down how to separate real operators from hype. They discuss what actually matters when evaluating a deal, why "number of doors" can be misleading, and how to properly vet syndicators before investing your money. You'll also learn why more experienced investors are shifting toward passive investing—and how to do it the right way. If you're considering multifamily, syndications, or simply want to protect your capital in today's environment, this episode will give you the tools to invest smarter. This is not about avoiding risk—it's about understanding it. And making better decisions because of it. DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com

What's really happening in the 2026 housing market? In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke sits down with Zillow's home trends expert, Amanda Pendleton, to break down the latest data shaping today's market. You'll hear where buyers have the upper hand—and where sellers still hold control. Amanda explains how rising inventory, mortgage rates, and affordability are impacting home sales, pricing, and demand across the country. She also shares what today's data reveals about spring momentum, why turnkey homes are outperforming, and how sellers can stand out in a more competitive market. Plus, what slowing rent growth and home appreciation mean for real estate investors looking for their next opportunity. If you want to understand where the housing market is heading in 2026—and how to position yourself—this episode is a must-listen. DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com

In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke sits down with real estate investors Dedric and Krystal Polite to talk about what it really takes to build generational wealth—and why most people never get started. Like many aspiring investors, they had the books, the education, and the desire—but it wasn't until they took action that everything changed . Today, they've built a thriving real estate business, starred in their own TV show, and are focused on helping others create long-term wealth through investing. In this conversation, they break down the difference between earning income and building lasting wealth, why they use wholesaling and flipping to generate cash—but rely on buy-and-hold rentals to create true financial freedom—and how they're intentionally building a legacy for their family. They also share what it's like to build a business as a couple, how they divide roles to make it work, and why teaching their kids about money and ownership is a core part of their mission. This episode is a powerful reminder that no one is coming to build your wealth for you. But with the right mindset, the right strategy, and a willingness to take action, it's possible to create financial freedom that lasts for generations. ☀️🏡 Want to learn more about our LA Event? Visit www.Realwealth.com/LAEvent  DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com

In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke talks with investor Nana Hong, whose path to financial freedom began with a simple idea: stop paying rent and start collecting it. After buying her first property for just $30,000 and selling it for a profit, Nana realized real estate could build wealth faster than a traditional career. Despite earning a PhD and working in biotech, she and her husband lived frugally and quickly scaled a rental portfolio focused on cash flow. Nana shares how she achieved financial freedom, why she invested in markets like Pittsburgh, and what she learned from investing out of state during a hot market. She also discusses leaving her W-2 job and building a life with more flexibility and purpose. DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com

In this episode of The Real Wealth Show with Kathy Fettke, we explore how to pivot as a real estate investor when your strategy suddenly stops working. Kate Lynch shares how she left her Wall Street career to build a high cash-flow Airbnb portfolio in Cleveland—only to see regulations change almost overnight. With income dropping fast, she was forced to make tough decisions and quickly adapt. You'll hear how Kate got started, what made her short-term rentals so profitable, and the lessons she learned when the market shifted. She also explains how she pivoted into new opportunities, including opportunity zone investing and a glamping development. If you're navigating changing markets, uncertain cash flow, or shifting regulations, this episode offers real-world insight on how to adjust your strategy and keep moving forward. ☀️🏡 To learn more about our LA Event, just visit www.Realwealth.com/LAEvent DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com

Mortgage rates are rising again—and it's changing the housing market fast. In this episode of The Real Wealth Show, Kathy Fettke sits down with Mike Simonsen to break down what's really happening in the 2026 housing market—and what it means for you as an investor. Home prices are flat. Sales are down nearly 30% from the pandemic peak. And inventory is shifting in ways most headlines are missing. Mike explains why mortgage rates jumped from under 6% back to around 6.5%, how global events are impacting inflation, and why trying to time the market may be a losing strategy. You'll also hear why rent growth is slowing, how "household formation" drives both rents and home prices, and what investors should be focusing on right now—especially when it comes to cash flow and underwriting deals in today's uncertain market. If you're wondering whether now is a good time to buy, sell, or wait, this episode will give you the data—and the clarity—you need to make smarter real estate decisions. DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com

What if you could teach your kids to build wealth before they even turn 25? How to Build Generational Wealth with Real Estate is the focus of this episode of The Real Wealth Show, as Kathy Fettke sits down with longtime RealWealth member Craig Turner and his family. Craig didn't just invest for himself. He made it a priority to teach his children how to invest early. Today, his kids are building their own real estate portfolios, creating a powerful example of what's possible when financial education starts young. In this conversation, you'll hear how this family chose rental properties over luxury spending, and how that decision continues to pay off years later. They share how mindset, consistency, and long-term thinking can turn small investments into lasting wealth. You'll also learn how they manage their properties, track performance, and stay disciplined with their strategy month after month. If you've ever wondered how to create a financial legacy—or how to get your kids involved in real estate investing—this episode will give you both the inspiration and the practical steps to get started. Start planting the seeds today so your future—and your family—can benefit for generations. 🏡 Interested in starting your journey? Visit www.Realwealth.com/Schedule today.  DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any securities or to make or consider any investment or course of action. For more information, go to www.RealWealthShow.com