In this episode of The Circle Investor Podcast, we sit down with Andy Rucker, Director of Sales at Trueblood Real Estate, to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes of today’s real estate industry. From Zillow’s rebrand from Flex to Preferred, to how large brokerages actually compete, collaborate, and scale across markets, Andy shares candid insights on lead-based models, agent growth, and why real estate is ultimately a people-first business. The conversation also dives into affordability, market education, and timely topics like 50-year mortgages—exploring how new financial tools, appreciation, and mindset shape long-term success for both agents and buyers in today’s market.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Andy explains how Zillow Preferred works, why the rebrand matters, and how lead platforms fit into a modern brokerage model.

• We explore how brokerages compete while still collaborating across markets, and why strategy sharing changes when you’re outside your local territory.

• Andy walks through his personal journey from property management into real estate leadership and what betting on yourself really looks like in this business.

• A candid discussion breaks down why real estate is more personal than transactional, and how managing expectations is a core part of serving clients well.

• We unpack the pros, cons, and long-term implications of 40- and 50-year mortgages, including how appreciation and affordability factor into the debate.

• The episode closes with insights on agent branding, why “you are the brand,” and what truly drives sustainable, organic growth in real estate.

Make sure you’re locked in for next week’s episode! We’re keeping the momentum going with more insights, real stories, and strategies to help you build your real estate business. Hit subscribe, tap the notification bell, and don’t miss what’s coming next.

The Circle's Founder (Ryan Rominger) and Director of Operations (Stuart Smith) discuss what’s happening in the world of Real Estate Investing, Property Management, and running a small business based in Indianapolis. The show focuses on the Central Indiana real estate market, but also explores beyond the Hoosier state to gain intriguing insights in the world of business and real estate investing. We interview our favorite influential people from across Central Indiana (and beyond) to learn from the people having the biggest impact on our market.

Do you have any questions, suggestions, or simply want to reach out? Contact us through this email address:

Gmail = circleinvestorpod@gmail.com

Follow us on all of our socials:

Facebook = www.facebook.com/thecircleinvestor/

Instagram = www.instagram.com/thecircleinvestor/

You can also check our our website for more information:

Website = www.intriguepm.com

Upcoming Investor Meetups = www.intriguepm.com/thecircleindy

The 4th episode of The Circle Investor podcast features Richard Vinson—real estate agent, operations manager, investor, and longtime member of the Intrigue Real Estate & Property Management team. We dive deep into the realities of investing in Central Indiana, from navigating the current market and understanding 1031 exchanges to identifying strong neighborhoods, finding turnkey opportunities, and managing rentals with clarity and strategy. Richard also shares personal insights on balancing work and family, the evolution of local neighborhoods, and how logistics strangely prepared him for real estate. This episode is packed with practical guidance for new and seasoned investors, plus a behind-the-scenes look at life in the Indianapolis market.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Richard explains how 1031 exchanges work, why timing matters, and how investors should approach property identification with strategy and urgency.

• A discussion about the pros and cons of turnkey assets vs. renovation-heavy properties, and identifying which are ideal for out-of-state investors.

• Everyone chimes in on how they balance work, investing, and family life—and how Indianapolis offers great weekend activities for families to enjoy.

• Richard reflects on transitioning from logistics into real estate and how those skills translate to property management and investing.

• We unpack rental caps, HOA restrictions, and why policies in Fishers and Carmel are reshaping the rental landscape.

• The episode wraps with insights on working with contractors, tenant relations, inspections, and what first-time investors could do with $40K.

Make sure you’re locked in for next week’s episode! We’re keeping the momentum going with more insights, real stories, and strategies to help you build your real estate business. Hit subscribe, tap the notification bell, and don’t miss what’s coming next.

The Circle's Founder (Ryan Rominger) and Director of Operations (Stuart Smith) discuss what’s happening in the world of Real Estate Investing, Property Management, and running a small business based in Indianapolis. The show focuses on the Central Indiana real estate market, but also explores beyond the Hoosier state to gain intriguing insights in the world of business and real estate investing. We interview our favorite influential people from across Central Indiana (and beyond) to learn from the people having the biggest impact on our market.

Do you have any questions, suggestions, or simply want to reach out? Contact us through this email address:

Gmail = circleinvestorpod@gmail.com

Follow us on all of our socials:

Facebook = www.facebook.com/thecircleinvestor/

Instagram = www.instagram.com/thecircleinvestor/

You can also check our our website for more information:

Website = www.intriguepm.com

Upcoming Investor Meetups = www.intriguepm.com/thecircleindy

Episode 3 features a general contractor, business builder, investor, and owner of Investor Priced Services - Chase Eckelbarger. His company serves investors, homeowners, and out-of-state buyers with high-quality project management and renovation services across Central Indiana.

Chase opens up about his journey from flipping houses in 2019 to building a construction company rooted in communication, transparency, and systems. We dig into how contractors think, the red flags investors miss, the realities of pricing and change orders, dealing with subs, using tech to stay organized, and what out-of-state investors really need to know about the Indianapolis market.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• What flippers and investors usually get wrong about contractors.

• How transparent communication solves 90% of construction and project problems and why he thinks responsive and quick communication becomes a contractor’s superpower.

• Chase explains the “rob Peter to pay Paul” system that contractors must avoid at all times.

• He enumerates contractor ‘red flags’ that everyone should be aware of (some might even come from names recommended by ‘big name’ companies).

• How to properly approach due diligence as an out-of-state investor.

• Chase explains how the buy-and-hold strategy impacts flip margins in a competitive Indy market.

  
  

Make sure you’re locked in for next week’s episode! We’re keeping the momentum going with more insights, real stories, and strategies to help you build your real estate business. Hit subscribe, tap the notification bell, and don’t miss what’s coming next.

The Circle's Founder (Ryan Rominger) and Director of Operations (Stuart Smith) discuss what’s happening in the world of Real Estate Investing, Property Management, and running a small business based in Indianapolis. The show focuses on the Central Indiana real estate market, but also explores beyond the Hoosier state to gain intriguing insights in the world of business and real estate investing. We interview our favorite influential people from across Central Indiana (and beyond) to learn from the people having the biggest impact on our market.

Do you have any questions, suggestions, or simply want to reach out? Contact us through this email address:

Gmail = circleinvestorpod@gmail.com

Follow us on all of our socials:

Facebook = www.facebook.com/thecircleinvestor/

Instagram = www.instagram.com/thecircleinvestor/

You can also check our our website for more information:

Website = www.intriguepm.com

Upcoming Investor Meetups = www.intriguepm.com/thecircleindy

In episode 2 of The Circle Investor Podcast, we sit down with David Powell - President and Senior Mortgage Officer at Powell Home Mortgage - as he describes his observations of the past two decades in the mortgage industry. He breaks down what the “Wild West” days of 2008 are like, how lending standards evolved after the 2008 crash, why housing affordability feels so impossible for younger generations, what’s driving the supply crunch, and how investors can get started with strategies like house hacking. The conversation gets into market cycles, Fishers/Carmel rental caps, builder trends, and David’s own predictions for whether we’ll ever see another housing crash.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• David shares how he went from an IU journalism grad to stumbling into mortgages right out of college — and staying for 20 years.

• He explains unbelievable old practices in the mortgage industry. From 100% financing, stated-income loans, and almost little-to-none verification and how all of these changed after the housing crash of 2008.

• How today’s tight lending standards and required down payments make another massive housing collapse unlikely.

• The guys talk about why millennials and Gen Z struggle with homeownership despite paying high rent — and why builders keep pumping out large, expensive homes.

• He explains smart entry strategies for new investors: multifamily house hacking with low-down-payment loans, leveraging home equity, and the “rinse and repeat” method.

• Everyone discusses the new rental restrictions hitting Hamilton County and how they’ll reshape investor strategy and rental demand.

Make sure you’re locked in for next week’s episode! We’re keeping the momentum going with more insights, real stories, and strategies to help you build your real estate business. Hit subscribe, tap the notification bell, and don’t miss what’s coming next.

The Circle's Founder (Ryan Rominger) and Director of Operations (Stuart Smith) discuss what’s happening in the world of Real Estate Investing, Property Management, and running a small business based in Indianapolis. The show focuses on the Central Indiana real estate market, but also explores beyond the Hoosier state to gain intriguing insights in the world of business and real estate investing. We interview our favorite influential people from across Central Indiana (and beyond) to learn from the people having the biggest impact on our market.

Do you have any questions, suggestions, or simply want to reach out? Contact us through this email address:

Gmail = circleinvestorpod@gmail.com

Follow us on all of our socials:

Facebook = www.facebook.com/thecircleinvestor/

Instagram = www.instagram.com/thecircleinvestor/

You can also check our our website for more information:

Website = www.intriguepm.com

Upcoming Investor Meetups = www.intriguepm.com/thecircleindy