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Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

By: Jonathan Greene
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 What if you could learn from experienced real estate investors, find out what got them to where they are now, get insight into their daily habits, and take these insights to inspire your own growth? That’s what each episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing brings. Hosted by Jonathan Greene, a real estate investor for more than 30 years, as well as advisor and coach, the founder of Streamlined Properties and the Team Leader of Streamlined Properties, brokered by Real, every episode is an in-depth look at the mindful approach to real estate investing. If you are looking to start from scratch, get to the next level, or just for a straightforward and honest approach to real estate investing, Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing is the free mentorship program you can take with you anywhere.2024 Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • 255: Rebuilding Communities and Redeveloping Housing with Peter Neill

    255: Rebuilding Communities and Redeveloping Housing with Peter Neill
    Jun 30 2025
    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Peter Neill, co-founder and partner at GSP REI, for a conversation that blends capital raising, real estate development, and a commitment to rebuilding underserved communities. Peter shares how he moved from a sales and marketing role at a distressed mortgage firm to managing funds focused on affordable and workforce housing throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Along the way, he discovered that long-term success in real estate hinges on experience, consistency, and assembling the right team. Peter reflects on early lessons—managing his first duplex, working alongside seasoned mentors, and learning to value communication as much as capital. His partnership with Ron, a builder with decades of experience, provided Peter with a clear understanding of the construction side of real estate, which is crucial when repositioning distressed single-family homes for long-term rental. Together, their team redevelops blighted homes in cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and parts of South Jersey, focusing on high-quality work and sustainable investment returns. Throughout the episode, Jonathan and Peter discuss the challenges of raising private capital in today’s market, why marketing alone is insufficient without execution, and how Peter’s team utilizes vertical integration to manage construction and property oversight internally. The conversation underscores the importance of knowing your market, especially when working in workforce housing, where local demand and regulation can make or break a deal. They also talk about investor education, red flags in the capital-raising world, and why transparency and authenticity build more trust than flashy pitch decks. Peter emphasizes staying close to the work, whether that means walking properties, managing renovations, or talking to tenants. As someone who raises funds and executes deals, he believes you can’t fake experience, and that humility and honest communication go further than hype. This episode is packed with practical knowledge for anyone managing real estate projects, raising capital, or trying to build a sustainable, ethical investment business in today’s complex market. In this episode, you will hear: Peter Neill’s early transition from distressed mortgages to long-term real estate investing How construction knowledge strengthens investment decisions Aligning marketing efforts with operational execution Key factors that make workforce housing more resilient Structuring investor conversations around trust and clarity Why GSP REI focuses on single-family portfolios and long-term holds Managing property oversight through a vertically integrated model Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: GSP REI website - gsprei.com Accredited Investors Only on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AccreditedInvestorsOnly/videos Peter Neill’s Facebook page - www.facebook.com/peter.neill.5203 Real Estate Investing on Point on Instagram - www.instagram.com/real_estate_investing_on_point Connect with Peter on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/peter-neill-gsprei Website - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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    55 mins
  • 254: Learning To Invest Wisely and Manage Strategically with Tommy Visaggio

    254: Learning To Invest Wisely and Manage Strategically with Tommy Visaggio
    Jun 26 2025
    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Tommy Visaggio, Founder and Managing Member of Viza Property Management, for a wide-ranging conversation on investing smart, scaling responsibly, and managing real estate with a long-term mindset. Tommy began his journey with no industry connections, taking an unpaid internship in finance that provided him with early exposure to commercial real estate deals and loan structures. From there, he rolled up his sleeves, learned through experience, and built both a real estate portfolio and a property management company that serves clients throughout New Jersey. Tommy shares how his early deals—flipping homes and buying multifamily properties—taught him the importance of buying right, learning from mistakes, and staying involved with tenants and municipalities. As he expanded into small mixed-use buildings, he discovered the value in providing quality rental units and maintaining strong relationships with local governments. His business grew not just from acquisitions, but also from his ability to self-manage properties and eventually turn that experience into a scalable property management company. The conversation also dives into the business of managing for others. Tommy discusses his approach to building systems, earning trust from landlords, and gradually expanding into third-party management and HOA contracts. Jonathan and Tommy discuss how effective property management can protect investors from risk, enhance tenant retention, and generate more consistent long-term income. They also touch on mixed-use properties as a way to combine residential stability with the upside of commercial retail, especially in emerging Main Street communities. Tommy’s approach emphasizes calculated growth, risk management, and keeping things personal. Whether he’s onboarding a new HOA or helping a landlord turn around a rental, he stays focused on systems, communication, and protecting all parties involved. For newer investors or landlords considering management support, this episode offers a clear look at how to build wisely and why the right relationships matter more than ever. In this episode, you will hear: Starting with a finance background and scaling into real estate What early renovation mistakes taught Tommy about risk and pricing Why South Jersey offers better yield and fewer regulatory challenges How to handle tenant relationships in lower-rent markets Building a property management firm from internal systems Vetting landlords just as carefully as managing tenants Expanding into HOA management and how it's different from rentals Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Viza Property Management website - www.vizapropertymanagement.com Viza Property Management on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@VizaPropertyManagement Find Viza Property Management on Facebook - www.facebook.com/people/Viza-Property-Management/61557462205953 Viza Property Management on Instagram - www.instagram.com/vizapropertymanagement Website - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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    52 mins
  • 253: How To Find Fresh Investments With Juiced Returns with Cory Jacobson and Ryan Bevilacqua

    253: How To Find Fresh Investments With Juiced Returns with Cory Jacobson and Ryan Bevilacqua
    Jun 23 2025
    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Cory Jacobson and Ryan Bevilacqua, co-hosts of the Wealth Juice Podcast and co-founders of Juice Enterprises. Their story is a practical roadmap for newer investors and professionals who want to build passive income while staying grounded in their full-time careers. Starting with a simple house hack, Cory and Ryan grew their real estate portfolio through deliberate learning, strong partnerships, and a growing community. The two friends met in college and started investing during the early days of the pandemic. With zero formal training but a shared drive to escape the limitations of a 9-to-5 job, they launched a podcast, began documenting their journey, and connected with mentors and investors. Through their social media and podcast, they built trust and transparency by being open about every step of their process. That authenticity led to investor relationships, real estate partnerships, and larger deals, including multifamily properties in the Northeast and Florida. Jonathan digs into how Cory and Ryan transitioned from duplexes to raising capital for 10-, 20-, and 40-unit projects. They share how they vet partners, stay consistent, and turn mentorship into momentum. Their emphasis on mindset, taking action, and keeping promises to yourself offers a clear path forward for aspiring investors who feel stuck. Whether you’re trying to get your first deal or move from active to passive investing, this episode shows how consistency, education, and the right relationships can help you grow your portfolio and income, without losing authenticity or overcomplicating the process. In this episode, you will hear: Building a brand and community while growing a portfolio The role of house hacking in creating financial freedom Partnering on larger deals by aligning skills with operators Using masterminds and mentorships to speed up growth Helping others invest without sacrificing trust or clarity Getting over analysis paralysis with consistent reps and coaching Turning a podcast into a platform for education and connection Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Wealth Juice Podcast on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@wealthjuiceofficial Wealth Juice on Instagram - instagram.com/wealthjuiceofficial Find Wealth Juice on TikTok - tiktok.com/@wealthjuiceofficial Listen to the Wealth Juice Podcast - podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wealth-juice-real-estate-personal-finance-investing/id1506974626 Website - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
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