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In this episode of the Mailbox Money Show, Bronson and Nate sit down with legendary real estate investor Dwan Bent-Twyford to explore one of the most unconventional — and profitable — strategies in real estate: buying and revitalizing an entire small-town downtown.
Dwan shares the remarkable story of how she and her family began acquiring properties in Clinton, Iowa, eventually owning dozens of parcels and playing a key role in transforming the town’s downtown district. The conversation dives into opportunity zones, owner financing, grant money, small-town incentives, and why shrinking Midwest towns can still produce exceptional cash flow and long-term appreciation.
Dwan also reflects on her 35+ year real estate journey — from starting as a broke single mom to completing over 2,000 deals — and explains why focusing on people in distress (foreclosures, probate, divorces, burned-out landlords) has always been her core strategy, regardless of market conditions.
Dwan Bent-Twyford is a veteran real estate investor, author, educator, and podcast host with over three decades of experience and more than 2,000 completed deals. Known as the “Queen of Short Sales,” Dwan has built wealth through wholesaling, rehabbing, rentals, and creative financing, while mentoring thousands of investors nationwide. Today, she’s helping revive small-town America—one building at a time.
TIMESTAMPS
0:41 - Episode Intro
1:03 - Scaling to Bigger Deals
1:54 - Guest Intro: Dwan Bent-Twyford
3:07 - Rehabbing Clinton, Iowa Downtown
4:12 - Town's Decline and Rejuvenation Vision
4:44 - Opportunity Zones and Grants
7:01 - OZ Benefits: No Cap Gains After 10 Years
10:16 - Population Trends and Incentives
15:38 - Core Strategy: Target Distressed Public Records
21:03 - Early Struggles: Broke Single Mom Pivot
22:42 - First Equity Partnering Deal
24:23 - Wholesaling 1,000+ Properties with Partner
25:45 - Current Opportunities: Distressed Sellers
27:17 - 125-Property Portfolio Acquisition Story
29:30 - Connect with Dwan
31:03 - Debrief: Action Creates Opportunities
Connect with the Guest:
Website: http://dwanderful.com/
Instagram: @dwanderful
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dwanderful/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-investor's-edge-university/
Tiktok: @officialrealestateguru
#RealEstateInvesting
#SmallTownRevitalization
#OpportunityZones
#Wholesaling
#MultifamilyDeals
#FinancialFreedom
#InvestorStrategies
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