In this episode of The Real Estate Ride, I walk you through the ins and outs of a live owner finance deal where I acquired a property with none of my own money. We dive deep into the numbers, from rehab costs to rental income, and explore two strategies for working with investors or using loans to fund deals. Whether you’re an experienced investor or just dipping your toes into creative financing, this episode gives you a clear, real-world example of how to make a deal work — even when you’re short on cash.

We also touch on an inspiring tenant success story, and I share insights into why owner financing is one of my favorite tools in real estate. You’ll walk away with practical strategies you can apply to your own deals, plus the motivation to get moving on your next project.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - How I bought a property with zero money down

[1:46] - Breaking down a 15% investor return and profit split

[2:59] - Purchase price, rehab estimates, and making it rent-ready

[8:03] - A fast lease-up story and helping a tenant in need

[10:52] - Why tax season is prime time for lease-option deals

[14:00] - Creative ways to reduce rehab costs through partnerships

[18:00] - The pros and cons of different flooring choices for rentals

[26:04] - Calculating a 30%+ annual return on investment

[32:04] - Partnering vs. borrowing: choosing the right funding approach

[35:00] - Why I love owner financing over traditional bank loans

[36:04] - Next steps for lining up funding and contractors

5 Key Takeaways

1. You can buy real estate with none of your own money — if you’re willing to be creative with financing.

2. A well-structured owner finance deal can deliver over 30% annual ROI.

3. Tax season is the perfect time to lock in lease-option deals, thanks to buyers with cash in hand.

4. Partnering with contractors or tradespeople can dramatically cut your rehab costs.

5. Choosing between a partner and a lender depends on whether you want to split profits or keep the full upside.

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