Aaron Wolpoff on Turning Complexity Into Clarity

Journalist-turned-real-estate-agent Lizbeth Scordo breaks down her Palm Springs vacation rental investing, from a $280K short sale to winning a mid-century foreclosure bid at $530K. Learn how to buy close to home, spot up-and-coming neighborhoods, and read market signals like a pro. Real numbers on short sale math, Airbnb returns, and learning from your first investment. Connect with Paul Morris Instagram: www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarkmorris/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris Connect with Lizbeth Scordo https://www.compass.com/agents/lizbeth-scordo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modlizbeth/ Chapters 0:00 Lizbeth Scordo: Journalist Turned Real Estate Agent0:56 Why Buy Investment Property Close to Home1:49 First Purchase: Palm Springs Short Sale in 20082:09 Using Restaurants as a Real Estate Market Barometer3:27 Leading Indicators: Austin Coffee Shops and Burger King vs McDonald’s5:58 How Mad Men and Mid-Century Design Boosted Palm Springs7:46 Why She Sold Her First Vacation Rental9:53 Short Sale Math: Breaking Even After Fees and Hassle11:00 Buying a $465K Mid-Century Foreclosure12:49 Mod Mesquite: Floor-to-Ceiling Glass Post-and-Beam Home14:11 Winning the Bidding War at $530K15:21 Jump Off the Sidelines: What Your First Investment Teaches You18:09 Fixing Bad Design: Red Cabinets and Viceroy-Inspired Color #PalmSprings #RealEstateInvesting #AirbnbInvesting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dusten Hendrickson, founder of Mailbox Money, is a workforce housing developer who builds quality, newly constructed apartments for hardworking renters across the Midwest. In this episode of the Paul Morris Podcast, Dusten explains the difference between workforce housing and “big A” affordable housing (Section 8, LIHTC, and USDA programs)—and why he focuses on market-rate housing. He also shares his proven strategies for selecting multifamily markets. Connect with Paul Morris Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC3z_5PquBP2FpvhuPcTTp1Q Instagram: www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarkmorris/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris Connect with Dusten Hendrickson mailboxmoneyre.com Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dusten-hendrickson Timestamps: 0:00 Workforce Housing Explained: Intro 0:39 Workforce Housing vs. Affordable Housing (Big "A") 1:38 Who Rents Workforce Housing? Tenant Profile & Rent Ranges 3:44 Section 8, LIHTC & USDA Loans: Government Red Tape 5:35 Rent Control & Rent Stabilization for Real Estate Investors 7:15 Pick a Niche: How to Scale Multifamily Investing 8:15 How to Choose Multifamily Markets in the Midwest 10:36 Comps, Rents & Construction Costs: Reading the Numbers 12:43 The Two-Interstate Rule for Finding Growth Markets 15:56 Path of Progress: Find a Boom Before It Happens 19:07 How to Research a City's Growth Plan & When to Buy 22:20 Working With City Planners as a Developer 25:32 Bad Debt: How to Find Markets Where Tenants Pay Rent 27:30 Tenant Screening & Building Lower-Rent New Apartments 32:06 Renter-Friendly Laws, Evictions & Housing Supply 41:53 Economic Engines: Mayo Clinic & Healthcare Jobs 43:46 Diverse Economies: Sioux Falls, Omaha & Des Moines 45:35 Using AI to Research Market Demographics 48:08 24-Hour Cities & Economic Engines (Sam Zell Story) 50:37 Investing in Midwest Workforce Housing 51:04 Fire Round: Happiness, Fears & Favorite Car Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Morris sits down with Aaron Wolpoff, founder of Double Zebra Marketing Company and co-host of the We Fixed It podcast, for a conversation about brand strategy, leadership, and standing out in the age of AI. Expect a banned word, a whiteboard trick worth stealing, and a few ideas for reinventing a heritage luxury brand. Connect with Paul Morris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarkmorris/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris Connect with Aaron Wolpoff https://wefixeditpod.com LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingaaron Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeFixedItPod  Timestamps 0:00 Welcome to the Paul Morris Podcast0:11 Inside the “We Fixed It” Podcast1:19 The Panel Behind the Fix3:40 Keeping Score on the Advice4:53 The Outsider’s Ticking Clock6:12 Meet Double Zebra Marketing Company7:35 Finding Bullet Point #118:33 Two Very Different Real Estate Businesses11:55 The Whiteboard Exercise16:12 The Word Aaron Banned19:10 What Lights Aaron Up21:07 Where AI Meets the Human Experience23:10 The Retail Comeback Nobody Expected28:38 Finding the Side Door30:03 A “We Fixed It” Moment for Paul32:19 Paul’s Big Idea36:25 The Velvet Rope38:25 What’s Changed in Marketing40:50 From Playing Defense to Playing Offense43:30 The Hairdryer Lesson48:00 Salt, Steak & the $1,200 Menu Item50:41 Finding Value Where Others Don’t Look53:20 Putting Old-School Ideas to Work55:07 Why Face Time Still Wins57:17 Quick-Fire Round59:00 The Hilltop Question Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the opinions you’ve built over a career could become a real, diversifiable investment instead of a bet on one stock? Paul sits down with Andrew Peek of Tilt to talk about how AI is turning personal conviction into rules-based baskets of stocks, and why that may be a smarter way to act on a thesis than picking a single winner or timing an options trade. #ETFs #AI #FinTech Connect with Paul Morris Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarkmorris/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris Connect with Andrew Peek Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drupeek LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/drupeek/⁠ X: ⁠https://x.com/drupeek⁠ Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction and Andrew’s Entrepreneurial Journey 00:04:42 - From Index Investing to Personalized Portfolios 00:06:17 - How ETFs Work 00:09:24 - Using AI to Invest in a Trend 00:14:40 - Why Picking a Trend Can Beat Picking a Stock 00:15:44 - How Much to Invest in a Trend 00:18:49 - Finding Your Portfolio’s Hidden Exposure 00:26:32 - Using Events and Prediction Markets to Assess Exposure 00:27:54 - Making Trend Investing More Accessible 00:29:23 - Exposure Means Upside as Well as Risk 00:31:26 - Turning an Investment Thesis Into a Portfolio 00:34:53 - How AI Selects Stocks and Sources 00:38:26 - Building a Personalized Portfolio With $10,000 00:42:01 - Sharing a Strategy and Following Other Investors 00:45:36 - Fire-Round Questions and Closing Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeremy Werden, co-founder of BnBCalc and co-host of the Short Term Rental Pros podcast, sits down with Paul Morris to explain why the next big thing in short-term rentals is the experience, not just the property. Jeremy started by renting pontoon boats during COVID and now owns a multi-state portfolio of short-term rentals and runs a software platform used by thousands of investors. In this episode he shares his secrets for making money in markets across the country.  How to reach Jeremy: www.bnbcalc.com/ www.instagram.com/jeremywerden  www.linkedin.com/in/jmwerden/ www.facebook.com/jeremy.werden https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPACQuaK_bLC6molJb4K4kA Connect with Paul Instagram:   / paulmarkmorris   LinkedIn:   / paulmarkmorris   TikTok:   / itspaulmarkmorris   Facebook:   / paulmarkmorris   Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Jeremy Werden on Short-Term Rental Pros & BnBCalc 0:55 From New Jersey to UNC Basketball 1:30 COVID Furlough & the Push to Start a Business 2:15 Buying Pontoon Boats After Watching Ozark 2:55 Pivoting to Lake Houses at Hyco Lake 3:20 How BnBCalc Started (7-Investor First Deal) 4:40 BnBCalc Today: Thousands of Users & the Markets Tool 5:25 Boat Rental Economics: Why It Was a COVID Anomaly 6:40 Why Houses Beat Boats (and the Lake Retreat) 7:40 Why Jeremy Built BnBCalc to Win Homeowner Clients 8:45 What a BnBCalc Report Shows (Seasonality, Fees, Competitors) 10:00 Bonus Depreciation & the Short-Term Rental Loophole 11:15 What BnBCalc Does (and Doesn't Do) 12:35 Catch-Up Depreciation for Existing Owners 13:45 Cost Seg Services Jeremy Uses 14:15 Cost Segregation Explained 16:45 Landscaping, Pickleball Courts & Depreciation 17:40 Designing a Short-Term Rental: Bedrooms vs. Closets 19:35 "Buy Only Where You Know" Investing Rule 21:05 Joshua Tree Lesson: Why Not to Split the Lot 22:45 Property Management Fees: Is 20% Standard? 24:30 Can Deals Still Pencil Out With a Management Fee? 25:50 Value-Add Example: Turning an Attic Into Bedrooms 26:35 Refinance & Reappraisal Results 27:10 Why Cheap Furniture Is "Lipstick on a Pig" 27:50 Creating a "One of One" Experience 29:30 Underwriting vs. Reality: $250K Kentucky Lake House 31:05 The Three Boxes: Tax Benefits, Value-Add & Revenue 32:30 Quick Market Research on Airbnb & VRBO 33:30 How to Invest Out of State 34:35 Listener Case Study: $350K in Year One 35:55 Piggybacking on a Partner's Kentucky Properties 36:20 Where to Find Jeremy + BnBCalc Free Trial #ShortTermRental #STRInvesting #AirbnbInvesting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He left college, sold his first company for $110K, and went on to an eight-figure exit without a single investor. Now he's putting his money into pool services, dry cleaners, and oil well repair, and he has a theory about why.Plus, what happens to the "sexy" businesses when AI changes everything? Check out Capital Pad: https://capitalpad.com Connect with Travis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisvc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulmorrispodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarkmorris/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and leaving college for the supplement business 01:00 Living the 4-Hour Workweek blueprint abroad 04:00 The first big exit and the "first $100K" debate 05:30 Multiple businesses vs. The One Thing 07:00 How the 4-Hour Workweek got perverted 09:30 Creating $10 of value from a $3 widget 10:30 Why SEO became the secret weapon 12:00 The bootstrapped SaaS exit and the Amazon search algorithm 16:30 Pivoting to lower middle market private equity 18:00 What independent sponsors do 19:30 A look inside Travis's portfolio 21:00 How a deal is structured: debt, seller notes, and the promote 23:00 Capital Pad and how everyday investors get access 26:00 Target returns and the levers that create value 28:00 Roll-ups, multiple arbitrage, and Shore Capital 32:00 How Capital Pad adds value beyond the check 34:00 IRR explained in plain English 36:00 The promote, the carry, and what investors actually keep 38:00 REITs and the case for professional investors 40:00 Track record, check size, and skin in the game 42:30 The lesson on betting on the people behind the deal 45:30 Y Combinator, the "SaaS-calypse," and what AI disrupts 51:00 The laundromat influencer problem 52:00 What survives AI (and the funeral home receptionist) 54:00 The wild valuation of AI startups 57:00 The real estate debate begins 01:00:00 The case for investing with local market experts 01:03:00 Paul's 40% buy box and how he bought his house 01:08:00 The fire round 01:12:00 The mountaintop shout 01:14:00 Wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Paul Morris Podcast, Rock Thomas shares his extraordinary journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful entrepreneur and motivational speaker. After trying various careers, he found his true calling in real estate, where he has thrived for over 37 years. Rock emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychology of success and how our past experiences shape our beliefs and actions. He aims to help others reduce personal suffering and achieve wealth, but also stresses that money alone doesn't guarantee happiness. In his upcoming book, 'Who's Holding the Microphone,' Rock explores the six scripts that influence our lives and how to rewrite them for a better future. He encourages listeners to take small steps towards transformation, reminding them that they are not defined by their past. Join Rock and Paul on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment, and learn how to unlock your potential today! Connect with Paul Morris YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulmorrispodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarkmorris/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris Connect with Rock Thomas Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RockThomas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockthomas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockThomas TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rockthomas91 Website: https://rockthomas.com/ Timestamps 00:00:00 - Rock Thomas' Origin Story 00:04:54 - Challenging Beliefs and Identity 00:12:37 - Transforming Identity and Habits 00:15:20 - Creating Lasting Change 00:18:07 - Identifying Blind Spots 00:19:21 - Understanding Inner Voices 00:31:41 - Recognizing Patterns and Adapting Behaviors 00:32:25 - Understanding the Impact of Past Trauma 00:39:50 - Personal Growth and Transformation 00:47:18 - Changing Behavior Patterns 00:49:53 - Overcoming Fear of Investments 00:54:37 - Building Resilience and Learning from Past Mistakes 01:00:25 - Impact of Social Comparison and Finding Inspiration 01:04:17 - Fire Round - Rapid Questions 01:07:23 - Closing Remarks and Gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Paul Morris Podcast, Paul dives deep into the world of short-term rentals with expert Avery Carl of The Short Term Shop. Avery shares her incredible journey from a newlywed couple with just $10,000 to a powerhouse in the vacation rental industry, managing over 250 doors and helping thousands of clients. She emphasizes the importance of investing in established vacation markets rather than jumping on the latest Airbnb trend. She also discusses the significance of local expertise in real estate and how to effectively manage properties to maximize returns. If you're considering investing in short-term rentals or just curious about the industry, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration. Tune in to learn how you can achieve financial freedom through smart real estate investments! Connect with Paul Morris YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulmorrispodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarkmorris/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris Connect with Avery Carl and The Short Term Shop https://theshorttermshop.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheShortTermShop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshorttermshop/ https://www.instagram.com/theaverycarl/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averyacarl  https://www.tiktok.com/@theshorttermshop Timestamps 00:00:00 - Avery Carl’s Vacation Rental Investment Journey 00:04:57 - Guest Experience and the Value of Thoughtful Amenities 00:06:56 - Combining National Reach With Local Market Expertise 00:10:05 - Self-Managing Vacation Rentals With Virtual Assistants 00:11:32 - Teaching Investors to Manage Their Own Properties 00:12:15 - Management Fees and Their Impact on Investor Returns 00:13:15 - Can Professionally Managed Vacation Rentals Still Be Profitable? 00:14:58 - Evaluating a Joshua Tree Short-Term Rental Strategy 00:15:36 - Scaling Efficiently by Owning Multiple Rentals in One Market 00:19:19 - Dynamic Pricing and Revenue Management 00:23:50 - Choosing Between a Fourplex and a Vacation Rental 00:25:16 - The Short-Term Rental Tax Strategy 00:28:17 - Cost Segregation Studies and Real Estate-Savvy CPAs 00:33:57 - Choosing Markets With Stable Vacation Rental Regulations 00:38:06 - The Vacation Rental Markets Avery Covers 00:39:36 - Fire Round: Happiness, Talents, Travel, and Honesty 00:44:08 - Closing Thoughts and How to Reach Avery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever dreamed of investing in property in France? Leslie Romenesko joins Paul and Josh to break down how she turns long-term rentals in the French countryside into real, steady cash flow, not just a castle fantasy. In this episode, Leslie walks through how she chooses a location, why having trusted local contacts to manage a property is non-negotiable, and where she looks to find value when investing in France or in her hometown of LA. #investing #france #realestate #podcast #propertymanagement #realestatepodcast Connect with Paul Morris YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulmorrispodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmarkmorris/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris Connect with Josh Spitzen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshuaspitzen/ forwardone.com Connect with Leslie Romenesko Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslielahomes/ Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction and Investing in France 00:02:35 - French Financing, Cash Flow, and Property Criteria 00:08:25 - Managing a Concentrated Overseas Portfolio 00:09:37 - Local Investing and Restoring Historic Los Angeles Homes 00:11:04 - Personal Investments Versus Investor Partnerships 00:14:37 - Lessons Learned: Partnerships and Keeping Emotion in Check 00:16:12 - Choosing the Right Vision for a Live-In Investment 00:19:12 - Renovating Through a Market Crash 00:20:58 - Finding Opportunity in Middle-of-the-Road Properties 00:22:54 - Using Location and Renovation to Build Wealth 00:27:03 - Playing the Long Game with Intentional Investing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right now, there are sellers out there whose mortgage is 3%. And in some cases, a buyer can take over that exact loan. This is a game-changer in today's market where rates are soaring. Imagine saving $1,550 a month on a $700,000 loan just by assuming a lower mortgage rate! In this Ask Me Anything episode of the Paul Morris Podcast, Paul dives deep into how you can navigate the complexities of assumable loans, builder rate deals, and more popular questions from viewers like you. Plus, he’ll share insights on the current state of the market, including the latest job reports and how they impact real estate. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a first-time buyer, understanding these nuances can set you up for success. Tune in for straight answers, no hype, and the knowledge you need to make informed decisions in this ever-changing market. *Connect with Paul*  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulmorrispodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itspaulmarkmorris  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulmarkmorris  *Presented by Entrepreneur Media & Money News Network*  Entrepreneur Media: https://www.entrepreneur.com/podcasts  Money News Network: https://www.moneynewsnetwork.com Timestamps 00:00:00 - Today’s Housing Market and What Buyers Can Do 00:03:08 - How Weak Job Growth Could Affect Mortgage Rates 00:07:37 - Taking Over a Seller’s 3% Assumable Mortgage 00:12:28 - The Truth About Builders’ Discounted Mortgage Rates 00:20:43 - Using Home Equity to Buy a Rental 00:24:57 - House Hacking Your Way Into Real Estate 00:29:21 - Finding Homes With Assumable Mortgages 00:30:57 - Closing Thoughts and Investment Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices