I sat down with a real estate investor whose story challenges one of the most deeply held beliefs in our industry: that you need money to get started. In this conversation, we talk about what really holds capable investors back, how mindset often matters more than capital, and why creative financing opens doors most people never realize exist. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting for the “right time,” the “right credit,” or the “right amount of money,” this conversation will stretch how you think about growth, leverage, and what’s actually possible in real estate.
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Hello everyone, and thanks for tuning in. We are recording this on New Year’s Eve, so it’s a special conversation as we wrap up the year. I’m here today with a guest, and we’re diving into insights to help you scale, systemize, and create more freedom with your real estate investing. Thank you so much for joining me today.
Thank you for having me.
I’m excited to hear your story. If we start at the beginning, my understanding is that you went from being broke to building a multimillion-dollar portfolio, which is incredibly powerful. I’d love to dig into the specific moment or decision that shifted your mindset from survival mode into wealth creation.
I was in survival mode for most of my life. I had periods where I was less than broke. I went through over fifteen evictions. I lived in a house where I couldn’t get the utilities turned on and had to run extension cords from my car. I kept trying to learn real estate because where I’m from, the inner city of Detroit, that isn’t taught. We aren’t taught about cash flow or passive income. We’re taught the opposite. We’re taught that you have to work hard for your money. That mindset was what I had to overcome. It eroded little by little, but I was determined to learn real estate. I had an innate desire to be in real estate from a young age, and I learned through a lot of trial and error.
I’m glad you did. It’s clearly been transformational for you and for the people you’ve helped. A big part of your story is that you didn’t have capital. Most people believe they need money to start investing. Why do so many smart, capable people stay stuck in that belief?
That was the mindset I had to overcome. My first two real estate deals were no money or extremely low money deals. The first one was absolutely no money. At closing, I walked away with money. I went in with nothing. I was broke, unemployed, and had no credit. I bought a home and walked away with ten thousand dollars. That was in the nineties, so it was significant. I did two no-money deals, but I still believed I needed good credit, a down payment, and my taxes in order. Even after proving I didn’t need those things, I stayed trapped in that mindset. That’s what we grow up believing. Breaking that mindset is the hardest part of the journey. Real estate is easy once you understand it and believe it. The mindset is the hardest part.
That hits so many limiting beliefs we’re taught. We’re told we have to work hard for money, that we need money to make money, that credit is everything. The truth is, that isn’t always true.
It’s definitely not true. There are many ways to invest without those things. Credit and capital can play a role, but they don’t have to stop you from starting. Even now, I still do deals where I don’t use my own capital, and my credit doesn’t even get pulled. Once you succeed that way, you keep doing it.
That’s what’s so powerful about real estate. There are many paths, and you can choose what works for you. Let’s talk more about your no money method. What is it, and what isn’t it?
Coming from where I’m from, I know a lot of people who are still struggling, living paycheck to paycheck, and heading toward retirement on a fixed income. I coach people like that and help them break the mindset that says real estate isn’t for them. Even when they see what I’m doing, they think it works for me but not for them. That belief stops them. I started saying, “I have a no money method. You can do this at any level.” I help people who can’t even maintain a bank account, have bad credit, or have had accounts closed. That’s where the name came from.
I love that because it makes real estate approachable for people who feel excluded or unworthy.
A lot of people see someone else succeed and immediately disqualify themselves. That’s what I’m trying to help people overcome.
Real estate doesn’t require you to be unusually smart, connected, or wealthy. Anyone can succeed.
Most millionaires and almost all billionaires built their wealth through real estate. There’s a reason for that.
Part of your no money method involves creative financing like seller financing and other people’s money. What advice do you have for people unfamiliar with that?
Everyone’s situation is different. I had someone who worked with me who had no down payment, bad credit, and no tax records. He needed to move and asked if he could rent one of my properties, but none worked for him. I told him he could do this himself. That small push was enough. He found a seller-financed triplex. He negotiated the down payment by doing handyman work. He came out of pocket with no money. Two units were rented, one was vacant, and at closing he collected rent and moved in. He went in with no money and collected rent on day one. It depends on the individual and what their starting point is.
Two things stand out in that story. First, when people feel backed into a corner, they’re more willing to try something new. Second, he was willing to ask. I see this with my kids all the time. If you ask and the answer is no, you’re no worse off than before.
We’re afraid of hearing no. I didn’t go to college and didn’t follow a traditional career path. I got into sales, which was commission-only. You don’t make money unless you sell. You learn to accept no and move on. That training helped me tremendously. In creative financing, you can’t stop at closed doors. You keep going.
Early on, my very first deal involved my childhood home. My father told me he was selling it. I wanted to buy it, and he laughed. I didn’t know how I would do it, but I was determined. I called lenders from the phone book. Everyone asked for a down payment and credit. I said no to both. They laughed. I didn’t stop. Eventually, I found someone open to creative structures. My father gifted equity to cover the down payment. My brother partnered with me for credit. My father sold the house to us for sixty thousand, but the loan was for eighty. At closing, my father received sixty, and my brother and I split twenty thousand. We went in with no money and walked away with ten thousand each. If I had stopped at any of those no’s, it never would have happened.
That story shows what happens when there’s no plan B. When you have to make it work, you find a way.
That’s exactly how the no money method started for me. I needed a property and didn’t know how I would do it. I stayed up for days trying to figure it out. I reached out to people I barely knew and simply asked if they were open to hearing about an investment. All three said yes. One deal materialized, and it changed everything.
That’s why stories like this matter. They break down the mental barriers people build.
Once I saw it work, there was no stopping me.
Let’s talk about raising private capital. Where should someone start?
You need to get around people with money. Join real estate groups. Be active. Introduce yourself. Then go where professionals are: chambers of commerce, rotary groups, business meetups. There are plenty of people with capital who want to invest but don’t want to manage real estate. They need someone like you.
People with money don’t leave it sitting idle. If the deal is right, money isn’t scarce. You need to learn how to present the opportunity properly.
How do you structure those conversations so people feel confident?
Real estate is backed by an asset. I show the rents, the market, where the numbers are today, and where they’re going. I explain how the money is protected and what the return looks like. Then I present it confidently. Confidence comes from preparation.
That confidence shows when you’ve done the work.
Let’s talk tools. Any tech you recommend?
If you’re not using AI, you’ll get left behind. I don’t replace attorneys with AI, but it’s a powerful starting point. You can analyze deals, review contracts for balance, and structure investor presentations. I use it constantly.
I agree completely. AI is part of how we work smarter now.
Before we wrap up, what does real wealth mean to you today?
Wealth gives you time. I once missed my son’s school play because I couldn’t take time off work. That never happens now. Real wealth also means impact. I’ve helped people become homeowners who never thought it was possible. That changes their children’s lives too. That’s what matters most.
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for sharing your story and perspective.
If someone wants to learn more, how can they connect with you?
They can find me as the No Money Millionaire. I also have a free book available at nomoneymillionaire.com. I wanted people to have access without needing money to get started.
That’s the perfect place to wrap up. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom, and thank you to everyone listening.