Latest News

MREIC 2026 Begins Monday

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:33:00 GMT

Real estate investors from across Michigan and the Midwest will arrive in Grand Rapids this Monday, April 27 for the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference at DeVos Place.The two-day event comes at a time when market conditions are shifting—forcing housing providers and real estate investors to make more deliberate decisions around deals, financing, and operations.

This year’s conference focuses heavily on those real-world decisions. From AI’s impact on business strategy to economic signals shaping the market ahead, sessions are built around what operators are actively navigating right now. Beyond the stage, the event centers on conversations, deal analysis, and connections between active real estate investors—positioning it less as a traditional conference and more as a working environment for those looking to move forward in the current market.

The conference begins Monday, April 27, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. Registration is still open for real estate investors, housing providers, and industry professionals who want to attend.

Register for MREIC 2026 before the conference begins.

RPOAM Quarterly Conference Edition for MREIC 2026

Thu, 9 Apr 2026 13:38:00 GMT

The special conference edition of RPOAM Quarterly Magazine is now live.

This issue features articles from this year’s keynote and featured speakers, along with content focused on housing policy, market conditions, strategy, and the broader issues affecting real estate investors and housing providers across Michigan.

Inside, readers will find perspectives on AI, economic outlook, capital, tax and legal strategy, apartments, housing reform, and practical decision-making in a more demanding market.

Whether you are attending the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference or following these issues from across the industry, this edition brings together the conversations shaping the event and the market around it.

Read The Conference Issue

Download the PDF

RPOAM Podcast EP536: How to Beat Airbnb Fees with Eric Goldreyer

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 17:57:00 GMT

Short-term rentals have matured fast.
But many operators are still stuck paying rising distribution costs while losing control of the guest relationship.

In this episode, Eric Goldreyer, hospitality entrepreneur and founder of BedandBreakfast.com, former co-founder of TurnKey Vacation Rentals, and creator of Savvy, joins Brian to unpack what’s happening behind the scenes in vacation rental distribution.

Eric has built, scaled, and sold companies in the space. He also owns and operates a 20-key boutique hotel outside Austin, giving him both strategic and ground-level insight into hospitality operations.

This conversation focuses on one core issue:
Who owns the guest relationship — and what does that cost you?

What We Cover:

Why vacation rental distribution costs have increased while hotel distribution costs have decreased
The “Airbnb tax” and how it affects long-term profitability
Why hosts don’t truly own their customer data on major OTAs
The difference between transaction fees and customer acquisition costs
Why professional property management is separating from gig-economy hosting
How book-direct marketplaces are changing the economics of short-term rentals
What it takes to scale a property management company nationally
Leveraging tech stacks, automation, and AI in modern vacation rental operations
How Eric approaches hiring high-performance teams
Why hospitality — not just technology — is the real differentiator

Eric also shares how his company Savvy is building a book-direct marketplace designed to reduce fees for travelers while giving property managers ownership of their customer relationships.

Key Themes

Short-term rental profitability
OTA dependency risk
Distribution strategy
Hospitality vs platform control
Direct booking models
AI in vacation rental tech stacks

Resources Mentioned

Savvy: https://savvy.com
Eric Goldreyer on LinkedIn
Sage Hill Inn (Boutique Hotel outside Austin)

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

rcbassociatesllc.com

RPOAM Podcast EP535: How Midwest Workforce Housing Beats Hype Markets with Jeremy Yost

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 15:40:00 GMT

Many Sunbelt markets that once dominated headlines are now facing oversupply, rising expenses, and compressed returns.

Meanwhile, much of the Midwest is quietly doing the opposite — holding occupancy, stabilizing rents, and delivering durable cash flow.

In this episode, Jeremy Yost, Navy veteran and CEO with over $244M developed across 56 properties and 2,000+ units, shares why his disciplined Midwest strategy continues to perform through volatile market cycles

Jeremy focuses on workforce housing, market-rate multifamily, Litech developments, assisted living, and hospitality — all built around one principle:
Execution beats speculation.

What We Cover:

Why many Sunbelt multifamily deals are struggling today
Oversupply, rent flattening, and over-leveraging in hot markets
Why Midwest secondary and tertiary markets remain stable
The case for “boring” workforce housing
What disciplined underwriting actually looks like
Why most real estate failures stem from poor execution
Lessons from losing financing mid-construction during COVID
How persistence secured funding after 302 lender rejections
Why Class C Midwest assets still pencil in today’s environment
Insurance risk vs lending risk in current cycles
How Litech (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) development works
Misconceptions about affordable housing and workforce housing
Why small-town developments often pre-lease 100%

Key Insights

Secondary Midwest markets can deliver 10–12%+ cash-on-cash returns
Occupancy above 94% across stabilized Midwest assets
Workforce housing demand is structural, not speculative
Rural communities are often underserved and overlooked
Capital protection matters more than chasing upside

Jeremy also explains how his Navy background shaped his approach to real estate:

No speculation. Only execution.

Topics Covered

Midwest multifamily investing
Workforce housing development
Litech tax credit investing
Recession-resistant housing
Class C multifamily strategy
Secondary and tertiary market investing
Insurance pressures in multifamily
Hospitality development case study

Connect with Jeremy Yost

Instagram: @jeremyryost
View the Yost Management Services Website

RPOAM Podcast EP534: Using Data to Pressure-Test Short-Term Rental Deals with John Bianchi

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:28:00 GMT

Most Airbnb failures don’t come from bad luck.
They come from bad assumptions made before the deal ever closes.

In this episode, John Bianchi, founder of STR Search, breaks down how he evaluates short-term rental deals using data most investors either misunderstand or completely ignore. John has helped guide more than $100M+ into short-term rental properties and has reviewed 350+ deals nationwide, all using a strict data-first process designed to avoid downside risk.

This conversation focuses on how to pressure-test Airbnb deals so they still work when demand softens, regulations tighten, or competition increases.

What we cover:

Why many Airbnbs fail within 1–2 years
The biggest mistakes investors make when reading Airbnb data
How to identify bad data vs. reliable data in AirDNA
Why listings must show 270+ days of activity and consistent reviews
How regulations can quietly kill otherwise “great” deals
Why cash flow matters more for STRs than long-term rentals
John’s 20% price-to-revenue rule and how it compares to the 1% rule
Why Class-A vacation markets often underperform
How oversupply, foreign capital, and design arms races crush returns
What data reveals about competition, saturation, and revenue durability
Why management matters less than buying the right property
How John reverse-engineers top-performing listings to find winners
Where investors go wrong trying to “make” bad deals work

John also explains why he never publicly shares specific markets, how he thinks about regulatory risk at the state and local level, and why not buying a bad deal is often the real win.

Resources:
STR Search: www.strsearch.com
Free 7-Day Airbnb Data Course available on the site

This episode is essential listening for anyone considering short-term rentals, especially investors who want clear downside protection, not hype.

Why Attending the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference Matters More This Year

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:47:00 GMT

If you are serious about growing, protecting, or repositioning your real estate business in 2026, this is not the year to stay on the sidelines.

The Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference (MREIC) returns to DeVos Place in Grand Rapids on Monday, April 27, 2026 and Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and the value of attending goes well beyond sitting in a room and listening to presentations. This year, more than ever, the real value is in being around active operators, hearing how they are thinking, and making decisions faster with better information. MREIC is built for people who want more than motivation. It is for people who want clarity, stronger connections, and access to the kinds of conversations that can change what they do next.

This year’s theme, Thrive, reflects what many operators are focused on right now: not just getting through a changing market, but growing with more clarity, better strategy, and stronger relationships.

MREIC brings that to life through two days of better information, practical ideas, and high-value conversations designed to help attendees make smarter decisions and build real momentum.

This year, that value matters even more.

The market is tighter. Decisions carry more weight. Deals are less forgiving, financing conversations are more nuanced, and the margin for error is smaller. In an environment like that, operators cannot afford to spend time on noise, surface-level content, or rooms that do not move them forward.

That is where MREIC stands apart. The value is not just in the sessions. It is in being around serious people, hearing how they are thinking, and leaving with insight you can apply immediately. It is direct access to credible voices, practical ideas, and operator-to-operator perspective that is hard to get from scrolling online content alone.

At its core, MREIC’s value is the room itself: a serious peer network, real operator density, deal flow potential, and relationships that matter. That is the real ROI.

This year’s conference also matters because people are looking for substance, not noise. Attendees do not need more vague inspiration. They need useful conversations, real examples, better pattern recognition, and clearer next steps. MREIC gives investors and housing providers a place to evaluate opportunities, pressure-test decisions, and learn from people who are actively doing the work. Whether you are trying to buy smarter, operate better, expand your network, or stay ahead of where the market is moving, being in the room helps shorten the distance between uncertainty and action. That is a meaningful advantage.

There is also a practical reason to attend this year: the conference brings together multiple forms of value in one place. You are not choosing between education, networking, credibility, and momentum. You are getting all four in one environment. That matters for busy operators who do not have time to waste on events that feel broad, watered down, or disconnected from reality. MREIC is most valuable for people who want to leave with stronger context, better relationships, and a clearer sense of what to do next.

And while no event should promise outcomes it cannot guarantee, there is a real difference between trying to figure things out alone and spending two days in a room full of people who understand the business, the risks, and the opportunities in front of you. That difference is often where momentum starts.

If you have been considering whether to attend, this is the case for it: not hype, not fear, and not filler. Just real value in the form of access, perspective, and connection at a time when all three matter more.

Join us for the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference on Monday, April 27, 2026 and Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Register Now

View Speakers | View Sessions | View Schedule

Tom Koetsier Memorial Scholarship Applications Are Open

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:10:00 GMT

The Tom Koetsier Memorial Scholarship application period is now open.

Created in honor of longtime RPOAM leader, volunteer, and mentor Tom Koetsier, this scholarship is designed to help someone take a meaningful first step into real estate investing through education, community, and support.

The scholarship includes one year of RPOAM membership and free RPOAM Real Estate Investor Training Program classes for one year. It is open to individuals who have never been an RPOAM member and are interested in building their knowledge, connections, and confidence in real estate investing.

Eligibility: Applicants must not have previously been an RPOAM member.

For many people, getting started is the hardest part. The right information matters. So does having access to experienced investors, practical education, and a community that can help you move forward. This scholarship creates that starting point for one applicant.

Tom Koetsier was an integral part of the RPOAM family for more than 20 years. He was known for generously helping members, answering questions, and encouraging others in their real estate journey. Many in the community credit Tom as a mentor and friend who helped shape their success in the business. This scholarship honors that legacy by opening the door for someone new.

Applicants may apply online or download a fillable PDF application to email to contactrpoa@rpoaonline.org or drop off at the RPOAM office. If submitting by email, use the subject line: Tom Koetsier Memorial Scholarship.

Applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, April 24, 2026 .

If you are interested in real estate investing and have never been an RPOAM member, this is an opportunity to get connected, learn from experienced professionals, and start building a stronger foundation.

Submit your application online.
Download the fillable PDF application here.

RPOAM Podcast EP533: When Real Estate Becomes Dead Capital with Dan Ihara

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:14:00 GMT

At some point, every real estate investor has to ask a hard question: Is this property still working for me, or am I just holding it out of habit?

In this episode, Dan Ihara, a national real estate planner with more than 400 completed 1031 exchanges and over $110M in deferred capital gains, joins Brian Hamrick to talk about how investors should evaluate aging properties, declining returns, and next-stage portfolio decisions.

Dan specializes in helping investors recognize when an asset has quietly stopped performing and how tools like Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) can be used to transition into truly passive, tax-efficient ownership—without emotional or rushed decisions.

What we cover:

How to tell when a property has become dead capital
Why many long-held assets produce 0–2% cap rates without owners realizing it
How rising taxes, insurance, and expenses quietly erode returns
Why most investors don’t actually know their current cap rate
The difference between appreciation and real performance
How DSTs work in practice as a 1031 replacement property
Who DSTs are designed for—and who they are not
Passive income vs active ownership late in an investor’s career
How step-up in basis can eliminate capital gains for heirs
The role of 721 UPREIT conversions and long-term planning
Why real estate causes family conflict after death
How pre-inheritance planning can prevent disputes
Why real estate planning is about clarity, not control

This episode is especially relevant for investors who are:

Over 50 and thinking about simplification
Tired of active management but hesitant to sell
Concerned about capital gains taxes
Focused on wealth preservation and family harmony, not just growth

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Property Decisions: Avoiding Family Disputes and Painful Taxes to Create a Legacy That Lasts by Dan Ihara

Available on Amazon (ebook and paperback)

Speaker Spotlight: John Burley on Raising Capital for Real Estate

Thu, 5 Mar 2026 20:24:00 GMT

The MREIC 2026 Speaker Spotlight series begins with John Burley—a real estate fund manager and capital raiser with 40+ years of investing experience, thousands of completed transactions, and $600M+ raised.

In this short conversation with podcast host Brian, John explains why many investors stay stuck: they spend all their time chasing “perfect deals,” while the real bottleneck is almost always capital. His message is direct: if you learn how to raise money in a proper, formal, compliant way, real estate becomes dramatically easier to execute at scale.

John will be speaking at Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference (MREIC 2026) on Monday, April 27, 2026, around 2:30 PM, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Watch the Speaker Spotlight with John Burley:

What John Will Cover:

Monday, April 27 | 2:30 – 4:00 PM
The Secrets of Raising Private Money

Private money is often the difference between finding deals and closing them. John will share a repeatable system for raising private capital—what to say, who to say it to, and how to structure terms—so funding stops being your bottleneck.

View John’s speaker page and session details.

Coming to MREIC 2026?
Tickets and event details are available here.

RPOAM Podcast EP531: Hyper-Local Investing and Relentless Curiosity with Dr. Jordan Romano

Wed, 4 Mar 2026 19:31:00 GMT

Dr. Jordan Romano is an Ivy League–trained physician who has built a strong real estate portfolio not by chasing headlines or spreadsheets—but by going extremely hyper-local, staying curious, and learning to see what others overlook.

Jordan shares how he uses on-the-ground observation, municipal GIS tools, zoning knowledge, and simple pattern recognition to uncover opportunities that don’t show up in a typical MLS search. One of his most creative wins: realizing a single-family home sat on nearly an acre of land, then successfully subdividing it into three buildable lots.

This episode dives into how he thinks, how he evaluates properties, and how he adapts in a shifting market.

We cover:

Why hyper-local knowledge beats long-distance spreadsheets
The power of curiosity: constantly asking, “What am I missing?”
How municipal maps, zoning meetings, and Google Earth reveal hidden value
A step-by-step look at his subdivision deal
How he leveled up from a condo to a three-unit via a clean 1031 exchange
Why he sticks to B-class rentals for resilience in all market cycles
A tough lesson learned about rejecting pet-owning tenants
Why he only invests in one small region—and how that protects him
How he uses AI for negotiation, deal clarity, and even diagnosing a broken toilet

This is a practical, detailed, and refreshingly honest look at what happens when you invest deeply in one market and understand it at street level.

Find out more:
Dr. Jordan Romano's LinkedIn
Medical Expert Witness

RPOAM Podcast EP530: When Good Deals Go Bad: Real Stories From Experienced Investors

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 16:23:00 GMT

Every real estate investor has at least one deal they would redo if given the chance. Some teach expensive lessons. Others leave scars.

In this episode, Brian Hamrick shares a live panel recording from the 2025 Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference, where three experienced investors pull back the curtain on their toughest deals and what they learned the hard way.

This is not theory. These are real properties, real numbers, real mistakes, and real consequences.

Panelists Featured

Ramond Harris – Detroit investor and founder of Harris Family Contracting, sharing the realities of rehabbing in high-risk neighborhoods and managing theft, vandalism, and city challenges.
Brooke Veltkamp – Newaygo County investor walking through extreme fixer projects, budget blowouts, and why buying right still matters more than anything else.
David Hall – Lansing-based investor, broker, and coach breaking down due diligence failures, permit issues, and why “new” does not always mean “good.”

Topics Covered

Buying properties with hidden deferred maintenance
When zero-down and creative financing deals go sideways
Fires, theft, vandalism, and city enforcement surprises
Roofs, plumbing, HVAC, and inspections that were missed
How long projects really take versus the original plan
When luck saves a deal and when it does not
Risk versus reward in changing market conditions
How experienced investors recover, pivot, and move forward

Why This Episode Matters

This panel is a clear example of what you get at the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference.
Experienced operators sharing real decisions, real consequences, and what they would change if they had the chance.

No theory. No highlight reels.
Just lessons earned the hard way and explained so you do not have to repeat them.

If you want to make better decisions, manage risk more clearly, and avoid common traps, this episode delivers.

Join Us in 2026

The Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference is a two-day, content-dense event built for investors who want to think clearly, act decisively, and grow with intention.

You will hear from active investors, operators, lenders, and builders covering acquisitions, financing, market cycles, operations, and risk. Conversations are practical, candid, and grounded in real experience.

If this panel resonated, you will want to be in the room.

For more information and to get your ticket, go to midwestreiconference.com

RPOA Podcast EP529: Rod Khleif on Mindset, Wealth, and the Future of Real Estate

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 02:14:00 GMT

How do you come back after losing $50 million — and build it all back stronger?

In this episode, Rod Khleif, multifamily investor, mentor to thousands, and host of one of the world’s top real estate podcasts, joins Brian Hamrick to share the mindset, systems, and focus that made his comeback possible.

Rod opens up about:

His journey from immigrant beginnings to owning thousands of units
The $50 million crash during 2008 and the mindset shift that helped him rebuild
How to create unshakable goals and “burn the ships” commitment
Why fear of regret is more dangerous than fear of failure
What today’s economic uncertainty and AI revolution mean for investors
The biggest wealth-transfer opportunities emerging in 2025-2026
How to pivot into new asset classes like senior housing and mobile home parks

Why focus, peer groups, and playing to your strengths drive lasting success

Rod also explains how he’s using AI to streamline his business and training systems, and why he believes this next decade will create more opportunity than any in history — for those willing to act.

Find out more:

Rod Khleif — Main Link Hub
LinkedIn — Rod Khleif
Instagram — @Rod_Khleif
Twitter — @RodKhleif
Facebook — Rod Khleif Official
YouTube — Rod Khleif
TikTok — @RodKhleif

RPOA Podcast EP528: Surety Bonds with Gary Eastman

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:38:00 GMT

Most real estate investors have never heard of surety bonds, yet these little-known financial tools can determine whether a project finishes on time—or falls apart.

In this episode, Brian Hamrick talks with Gary Eastman, attorney turned entrepreneur and founder of Axcess Surety and Swiftbonds, two of the nation’s leading surety bond brokerages. After 17 years as General Counsel for Fortune 500 companies, Gary discovered how surety bonds quietly drive the $22 billion construction and development industry.

Gary explains why every developer, investor, and property owner should understand how surety bonds protect capital, guarantee performance, and keep projects moving even when contractors fail or materials run short.

You’ll learn:

What a surety bond actually is—and how it differs from insurance
How surety bonds protect investors from contractor default, liens, and delays
Real-world examples of bonds preventing multimillion-dollar losses
Why material shortages and labor constraints are making bonds more essential than ever
How lenders are beginning to require bonds for new development projects
The cost-benefit math behind when to bond and when not to
How Gary uses AI to analyze project data and identify emerging risks in real estate

If you’re investing in multifamily, development, or rehab projects, this conversation will change how you think about risk management in real estate.

Find Out More:

https://swiftbonds.com/

https://x.com/swiftbonds

https://www.facebook.com/swiftbonds

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-swiftbonds-76a4b861/

https://www.youtube.com/@SwiftbondsOverlandPark

RPOAM Podcast EP527: The Smartest Real Estate Play of 2026 with Scott Sherman

Mon, 9 Feb 2026 14:28:00 GMT

Billions of dollars in office and retail buildings are trading at deep discounts right now. While most investors see risk, Scott Sherman, Founder and Principal of Torose Equities, sees opportunity.

Scott has built a $700M+ portfolio by buying, repositioning, and re-tenanting distressed commercial assets — from South Beach retail to Florida office towers. In this episode, he joins Brian Hamrick to break down:

Why the best deals are hidden inside distressed office and retail
How to spot management problems and operational inefficiencies that destroy value
The strategy behind buying retail condos and mixed-use ground floors before they’re built
How to work with institutions and family offices to finance value-add projects
Why office space isn’t dead — it’s just being repriced
The 2026 outlook for commercial real estate, from Florida to national markets

Whether you’re an investor, developer, or property owner, you’ll learn how to turn distress into profit — and why the next wave of opportunity may already be here.

Find out more:

scott@toroseequities.com

https://toroseequities.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-sherman-6019234/

Momentum Is Building for the 2026 Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:26:00 GMT

Super Early Bird registration for the 2026 Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference is currently open, with pricing set to increase February 1 when Regular Early Bird registration begins. The April 27–28 event in Grand Rapids will bring together housing providers and real estate investors from across the Midwest for two days of education, deal-focused discussion, and peer exchange.

This year’s main stage will include keynote sessions from Steve Brown, a former Google executive focused on applied artificial intelligence, and Dr. Paul Isely of Grand Valley State University, who will deliver an economic outlook grounded in Midwest markets. Their sessions are intended to frame conversations around how investors are evaluating risk, technology, and capital allocation heading into 2026.

Beyond the keynote programming, the conference will also feature breakout sessions and panel discussions. Dedicated spaces such as the Deal Room are planned to support deal analysis, partner conversations, and real-time feedback on active opportunities, alongside networking blocks designed to keep conversations practical rather than theoretical.

Many of these themes were discussed recently during a podcast conversation between RPOAM Executive Director Erika and host of the RPOAM podcast Brian Hamrick, where they talked through how investor priorities have shifted, what operators are paying closer attention to, and why the 2026 agenda places a stronger emphasis on operational decision-making and real-world execution.

Additional speakers, sessions, and special programming will be announced as the agenda is finalized. Visit the conference website to learn more about the event, listen to the recent podcast episode, and review current registration options.