The Messy Money Podcast
The Messy Money Podcast focuses on making money by solving complex problems in real estate, including deals and opportunities many investors overlook. Host Courtney Fricke, an experienced real estate investor, explores curative title, creative deals, distressed properties, and the critical thinking needed to profit from messy situations. The show also includes Louisiana Real Estate Talks, a series about issues shaping Louisiana real estate. Listeners can subscribe and connect through CourtneyFricke.com.
Episodes
LA RE Talks EP 18: I Moved to Florida But I Never Stopped Investing in Louisiana
It’s officially been one year since I moved from Louisiana to Florida, but I never stopped investing in Louisiana.In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Talks, we flip the microphone and Stephen Keighery interviews me about what the first year has actually looked like.We talk about starting over in the competitive Tampa Bay real estate market, questioning whether my skills would transfer to a ne
EP 120: Before You Go From Wholesaling to Curative Title, Watch This
Thinking about making the jump from wholesaling into curative title investing?You probably have more of a head start than you realize—but some of the habits that work in wholesaling can actually hurt you in curative title.In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, I break down what transfers from wholesaling, what you may need to unlearn, and why curative title requires a deeper level of problem
LA RE Talks EP 17: Will Louisiana’s $2 Billion Port DESTROY St Bernard Parish Property Values?
Will the nearly $2 billion Louisiana International Terminal cause property values in St. Bernard Parish to crash or could the massive port project actually increase demand for Real Estate?That question has become increasingly important for homeowners in Violet, Chalmette, Meraux, and throughout St. Bernard Parish as the LIT project moves closer to becoming a reality.In this episode of Louisiana Re
EP 119: You’ve Probably Already Done a Curative Title Deal
Curative title might be one of the hottest niches in real estate investing right now but the problems themselves aren't new.If you've been investing for any length of time and have actually put in the reps, there's a good chance you've already encountered curative title problems.You may have even solved a few without realizing that's what you were doing.In this micro episode of
LA RE Talks EP 16: How Will SpaceX Impact Louisiana Real Estate?
SpaceX coming to Louisiana is no longer just a rumor.Now the bigger question is: What could one of the largest economic development projects in Louisiana history actually do to Louisiana Real Estate?In this episode of the Louisiana Real Estate Talks Podcast, Courtney Fricke and Stephen Keighery break down the potential Real Estate impact of SpaceX’s massive new development in Vermilion Parish—and
EP 118: How to Find Curative Title Deals Nobody Else Is Chasing
A lot of curative title investors are looking for the same thing: The secret list.The problem is, if someone can hand you a copy-and-paste list of distressed properties, they can probably hand that exact same list to everyone else.As more investors move into curative title, traditional lead sources like tax delinquency, code enforcement, probate, vacant properties, and foreclosure are only going t
LA RE Talks EP 15: Is Louisiana’s Property Insurance Crisis Finally Ending in 2026?
Louisiana spent years watching insurance companies leave the state. Now, insurers are coming back.After years of historic premium increases, insurance carrier insolvencies, fewer coverage options, and tens of thousands of Louisiana property owners relying on Citizens, there are finally signs that Louisiana's property insurance market may be stabilizing.But is the insurance crisis actually gett
EP 117: How to Get Your First Curative Title Deal: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you want to get your first curative title deal, you don't need the perfect list, expensive software, or to understand every complicated legal issue before you start.You need to start developing the ability to recognize the problems other Real Estate investors overlook.In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, Courtney Fricke breaks down a practical, step-by-step process for finding and pursui
LA RE Talks EP 14: Louisiana’s $2 Billion Port Could Change St. Bernard Parish
One of the largest economic development projects in Louisiana just cleared one of its biggest hurdles.The nearly $2 BILLION Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) proposed for Violet, Louisiana, has received the federal permit authorizing construction — bringing the massive St. Bernard Parish port project significantly closer to reality.But what could a project of this size actually mean for St. B
EP 116: Florida Probate Masterclass: Heirs, Wills, Trusts, Costs & Timeline
Most people think probate is simply about inheriting Grandma's house.In reality, probate sits at the center of some of the biggest ownership questions in Florida Real Estate.Missing heirs.Orphaned estates.Vacant properties.Family disputes.Unknown owners.Title problems.In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, I sit down with Florida probate attorney Al Nicoletti to break down what actually happe
LA RE Talks EP 13: Louisiana Missed the Last Boom, Will It Win the Next One?
Did Louisiana miss the biggest economic boom in the Gulf South?Over the last two decades, nearly every Gulf Coast state has experienced significant growth.Texas became a technology and business powerhouse. Florida attracted millions of new residents and saw explosive Real Estate appreciation. Alabama quietly built one of the strongest aerospace and manufacturing economies in the country. Even Miss
Messy Money EP 8: 5 Curative Title Terms Every Investor Should Understand
Most investors hear terms like quitclaim deed, cloud on title, and quiet title action but don't really understand what they mean. In this episode, I break down five of the most common curative title terms every investor should know and explain them in plain English.What You'll LearnWhat fee simple ownership meansHow chain of title worksWhat creates a cloud on titleWhy quitclaim deeds are m
LA RE Talks EP 12: Louisiana Just Changed Wholesaling: HB468 Explained
Wholesaling in Louisiana is officially changing.In this episode of the Louisiana Real Estate Talks podcast, Courtney Fricke and Stephen Keighery break down Louisiana House Bill 468 and what it means for wholesalers, investors, agents, and Real Estate operators across the state beginning August 1, 2026.This is one of the most important legal and operational changes Louisiana wholesalers have faced
EP 115: 10 Financing Lessons From Investors Who Survived Multiple Crashes
In this episode, Courtney Fricke shares some of the most impactful financing lessons she learned from gray-haired mentors who have survived multiple Real Estate market cycles over the last 30, 40, 50, and even 60 years.While much of modern Real Estate culture focuses on acquisitions, scaling, leverage, and growth, this conversation focuses on something far less talked about: survival.What actually
EP 114: What Average Investors Can Learn From Brandon Turner’s $15M Loss
In this episode, Courtney Fricke breaks down the lessons average investors can learn from the reported $15M investor loss tied to a multifamily syndication involving Brandon Turner, Open Door Capital, and Disrupt Equity.This is not a hit piece. Instead, it’s a deeper conversation about leverage, financing, risk management, and what modern Real Estate culture often gets wrong about scaling.Courtney
Messy Money EP 7: They Opened Probate on the Wrong Dead Person
In this episode of the Messy Money podcast, Courtney sits down with Tampa Bay Real Estate investor Joey Long to break down one of the wildest curative probate deals you’ll ever hear.What started as a vacant house in Joey’s neighborhood quickly turned into a full-blown ownership investigation involving:- A probate opened on the wrong deceased person- An enhanced life estate deed- Multiple marriages
LA RE Talks EP 11: Foreclosure Problems Are Rising Across Louisiana
Is Louisiana heading toward a foreclosure crisis or are we simply watching the market normalize after years of historically low foreclosure activity?In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Talks, Courtney Fricke and Stephen Keighery break down the latest foreclosure and mortgage delinquency data impacting Louisiana Real Estate in 2026.From rising mortgage distress to underwater homeowners, insura
Messy Money EP 6: How I Actually Find Curative Title Leads
In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, Courtney Fricke breaks down how she actually finds curative title leads and ownership problem opportunities in today’s Real Estate market.Instead of chasing the same overcrowded lead lists as everyone else, Courtney explains why some of the best deals come from marketplace inefficiencies, abandoned processes, overlooked public records, and problems other
LA RE Talks EP 10: St Tammany Needs 17,000 Homes? We Asked the Parish Council Member Behind the Study
A recent housing study claiming that St. Tammany Parish may need between 11,500 and 17,300 new housing units by 2030 sparked major debate across South Louisiana.Some residents see it as proof that affordability has become a serious issue for workers and families trying to live in the parish. Others see it as a warning sign of overdevelopment, worsening traffic, infrastructure strain, and flooding
Messy Money EP 5: The $100K Title Problem Nobody Else Wanted
In this episode of the Messy Money Podcast, Courtney sits down with Tampa-based curative title operator Matt Pamfilis for a deep dive into the real mechanics of solving complicated ownership and title problems for profit.This is not a surface-level conversation.Matt breaks down real curative deals involving multi-generational heirs, life estates, tax delinquent properties, affidavit of heirship st
LA RE Talks EP 9: Why Most Wholesalers FAIL in Louisiana (250 Deals Later)
Most people think wholesaling is just flipping contracts for quick cash.But after 250 deals in Louisiana, Steve Keighery says the investors who survive long term think completely differently.In this episode of the Louisiana Real Estate Talks Podcast, Courtney Fricke sits down with Steve Keighery of Home Buyer Louisiana and the co-host of this show to break down the real lessons learned from build
LA RE Talks EP 8: The SpaceX Louisiana Rumor Just Got VERY Real
What if one of the biggest economic development projects in Louisiana history is quietly unfolding right now?Rumors have been spreading across South Louisiana about a possible aerospace expansion tied to 100,000+ acres in Vermilion Parish. Some believe it could involve SpaceX or a related space-exploration company. Others think it may be tied to a larger Gulf Coast aerospace strategy already takin
Messy Money EP 4: The Real Money in Real Estate Isn’t in Houses, It’s in These 5 Problems
Where is the real money made in Real Estate?In this episode, Courtney breaks down the core concept behind “Messy Money” — the idea that the biggest opportunities in Real Estate don’t come from clean, easy deals, they come from solving complex problems.After years of investing, Courtney has narrowed down the five types of problems that consistently lead to the most profitable and repeatable deals.
LA RE Talks EP 7: They Say St. Tammany Parish Needs 17,000 New Homes & Locals Are Pushing Back
Is St. Tammany Parish really in a housing shortage… or is the situation more complicated than the headlines suggest?A new 400+ page study claims the parish needs between 11,500 and 17,000 new housing units by 2030—with the majority expected to be rentals. But when you look closer, the data, the market realities, and the local reactions don’t all line up.In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Tal
Messy Money EP 3: By Solving This One MAJOR Problem He Got 46 Doors With No Money Down
Most investors are out here looking for deals but the real money is made by solving problems.In this episode of Messy Money, Courtney sits down with seasoned investor Adam Johnson to break down a 46-door deal that sat untouched for years. Multiple investors looked at it. No one could make it work.Until someone approached it differently.This wasn’t a clean, easy transaction. It involved a long-term
LA RE Talks EP 6: 10 Things Out-of-State Investors MUST Know About Louisiana Real Estate
Louisiana is one of the most misunderstood Real Estate markets in the country.Many out-of-state investors are drawn in by low purchase prices and the promise of cash flow… but quickly realize this market operates very differently than what they’re used to.In this episode, Courtney Fricke and Stephen Keighery break down the 10 most important things out-of-state investors need to know before investi
LA RE Talks EP 5: Hyundai Plant + RiverPlex: What Does This Mean for Louisiana Real Estate?
A $5.8 billion Hyundai steel plant and the RiverPlex MegaPark are coming to Ascension Parish and most investors are looking at it the wrong way.Big economic development projects create headlines. They create excitement. And they attract attention from investors across the country.But they also create confusion.In this episode, Courtney and Steve break down what’s actually happening behind the scen
EP 113: How to Build a Real Estate Portfolio That Survives Any Market with John Schaub
In today’s market, a lot of investors are stuck.Interest rates are higher. Insurance and expenses are rising. Deals don’t “pencil” the way they used to. And because of that, many are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the “perfect” opportunity.But what if the deals that build the most wealth don’t look perfect at all?In this episode, Courtney sits down with long-time investor and mentor John Sch
AI for REI EP 12: Use AI Like an Employee (Not a Tool)
In this episode, we walk through how to think like a CEO using AI, how to identify what to delegate first, and how to decide what should be a one-off GPT vs an automated system running in the background. This is about building real leverage, not just playing with tools.ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experien
EP 112: I Bought a Rental That Loses $350/Month (On Purpose)
Most investors are taught one rule: if a deal doesn’t cash flow, don’t buy it. But what if that’s incomplete?In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Hasser to break down a real deal he bought that loses $350/month and why he still said yes. We get into something most people are never taught: how to think beyond a single deal and start managing your portfolio as a system, including how to offset ri
EP 111: FinCEN Reporting Explained for Real Estate Investors
There’s a lot of noise around FinCEN reporting right now, but most investors don’t actually know what triggers it or who has to report. Especially if you do creative or curative deals. We broke it down with two real estate attorneys so you can understand how this actually impacts your deals.FinCen FAQ: https://www.fincen.gov/rre-faqs ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educatio
AI for REI EP 11: Why Some Wholesalers Will Win with AI and Others Won’t
Most investors are using AI like a shortcut. In this episode, we talk about how to actually use it in a wholesaling business to improve training, speed up decision-making, and create leverage without losing the human side of Real Estate.ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not inten
LA RE Talks EP 4: New Louisiana Wholesaling Law? HB 468 Explained for Investors
Is Louisiana about to change wholesaling laws?We break down House Bill 468, the proposed 14-day cancellation rule, and what it could mean for investors and sellers.To read the bill yourself, check it out here: https://legiscan.com/LA/text/HB468/id/3377706/Louisiana-2026-HB468-Introduced.pdf ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and refl
AI for REI EP 10: Why Most Real Estate Lists Are a Waste of Money
Why Most Real Estate Lists Are a Waste of MoneyMost investors think they need bigger lists to find more deals. In reality, the bigger the list, the more money you burn competing with everyone else pulling the exact same data. In this episode, we break down how we’re using AI to tighten our lists, rank motivation, and focus on the properties most investors overlook. ATTENTION:The information share
AI for REI EP 9: AI Is Moving Too Fast (Do This Instead)
AI is moving faster than any of us can keep up with.New tools. New updates. New platforms. Every single week.But here’s the truth most Real Estate investors need to hear: you don’t need to master all of it. You need to use it intentionally.In this episode, Maria and I break down what’s going on in the AI world right now between Anthropic (Claude, OpenClaw) vs OpenAI (ChatGPT) and the Department of
EP 110: What I Wish Real Estate Taught Me Sooner
I learned this the hard way.For years, I was executing the “right” Real Estate strategy… according to everyone else. Flip. Sell. Reinvest. Repeat. And I got good at it.But what I actually wanted was time freedom and long-term equity. And the strategy I was copying wasn’t aligned with that.There’s nothing wrong with flipping or running a Real Estate business. But if you don’t get clear on whether y
EP 109: How to Brand Yourself So People Send You Deals (Without Being Salesy)
In Part Two of this live Clubhouse breakdown, we shift from deal flow strategy to something even more foundational:Your message.Because here’s the reality — most investors don’t have a lead problem.They have a clarity problem.If your marketing says the same thing as everyone else, you will blend into the noise. And when you blend into the noise, you compete on speed and price instead of trust and
EP 108: From $7,500/Month Marketing to Deals Coming to You (My Shift)
In this episode, I’m sharing PART ONE of a live conversation from a Clubhouse room where we broke down a question every Real Estate investor eventually asks:Is there a better way to get deals than constantly paying for them?If you’re a wholesaler, flipper, landlord, agent, or investor tired of high marketing spend, cold calling burnout, and unpredictable deal flow, this episode is for you.I walk t
EP 107: How to Build a Deal-Attracting Brand in Real Estate with Content
Most Real Estate investors are trained to chase.Chase sellers.Chase agents.Chase private lenders.Chase attention.But what if the real leverage isn’t in chasing more deals…It’s in becoming the person deals naturally get sent to?In this episode, recorded from my talk at New Orleans REIA, I break down what it actually means to build a deal-attracting brand using content and why visibility has quietly
AI for REI EP 8: How Real Estate Investors Are Using AI to Run Comps (Trust But Verify)
Comping properties is one of the most time-consuming parts of being a Real Estate operator. And it’s also one of the most dangerous places to be wrong.In this episode of the AI for REI Podcast, Courtney Fricke and Maria Giordano break down exactly how they’re using AI to run comps, underwrite deals, and systemize their analysis — without blindly trusting the numbers.ATTENTION: The information shar
EP 106: Why Most Investors Should NOT Do No Equity Subject To Deals
Low to no equity Subject To deals are being marketed as the fast track to building a Real Estate portfolio.But should they be?In this episode, Courtney breaks down why she does not believe low, no, or negative equity Subject To deals should be promoted to the masses. This is not a Courtney vs. guru episode. This is a conversation about sound investing, risk management, and portfolio responsibility
EP 105: I’m No Longer on WWL Radio and Here’s Why
For the last five years, I’ve been on the air every Saturday from 11–1PM CST on WWL Radio, the largest radio station in the Greater New Orleans area.And this week, that season came to an end.In this episode, I share why I made the decision to step away from the WWL Home Improvement Show, what the opportunity meant to me, the unexpected impact it had on my Real Estate career, and the business lesso
Messy Money EP 2: Curative Title + Creative Finance: The Combo Most Investors Miss
Most investors treat Curative title work and creative finance as two completely separate skill sets.That is a mistake.In this episode, Courtney Fricke and Ellis San Jose break down how combining Curative strategy with creative deal structuring can dramatically reduce risk, lower cash outlay, enhance returns, and create opportunities most investors never even see.If you operate in messy estates, mu
EP 104: Subject To vs Seller Finance: What a 50+ Year Investor Would Do Today
In this episode, Courtney sits down with longtime mentor Leon Johnson to break down what actually holds up in Creative Finance after five decades in Real Estate. They compare Subject To and Seller Finance through the lens of real-world risk, not guru hype, including how due-on-sale changed the landscape, why Leon avoids being “sandwiched” long term, and when a short-term Subject To can still make
EP 103: Freedom & Peace :The Real Goal in Real Estate Investing
What if the real goal in Real Estate investing isn’t more doors, more units, or more revenue — but freedom and peace?In this conversation, I sit down with a seasoned investor who has been in the business for more than 50 years. He’s seen cycles, partnerships, big wins, painful mistakes, and everything in between. And after all of it, the words he keeps coming back to are simple:Freedom.Peace.Not h
LA RE Talks EP 3: Is Cash Flow REALLY Dead in Louisiana? (2026 Reality Check)
In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Talks, Courtney Fricke and Stephen Keighery tackle the question investors keep asking in 2026:Is cash flow actually dead in Louisiana?You have probably heard it.Insurance is up.Interest rates are up.Rents feel flat.Deals are “not penciling.”Some investors are sitting on the sidelines. Others are leaving the state entirely.But is cash flow truly dead… or has
AI for REI EP 7: AI Just Audited Her Instagram & Here’s What It Said
In this episode of AI for REI, Courtney puts Maria on the hot seat to show a simple, practical way Real Estate investors can use AI to improve their online brand. They walk through an example of using ChatGPT to critique Maria’s Instagram bio, then break down what makes a bio convert cold viewers into followers. The bigger takeaway is that AI is not doing the work for you. It helps you think bette
EP 102: Who Should You Trust to Teach You Subject To?
There has been a lot of noise around Subject To lately.Lawsuits. Opinions. Strong personalities. Short-form clips. Hot takes.So the real question becomes:How do you actually learn Subject To safely?In this episode, Courtney breaks down how to evaluate your education, who you are learning from, and what questions you should be asking before you ever put a property under contract using Subject To fi
EP 101: Why I Disagree With Pace Morby on No Equity Deals
There’s a message circulating in the creative finance world that sounds bold, confident, and advanced:“Equity doesn’t matter. Just focus on cashflow.”In this episode, Courtney addresses why that language — especially when applied to Subject-To deals and paired with private money can be dangerous for the average investor, ESPECIALLY a newer investor with less liquidity or assets.This is not about a
EP 100: Is a Class Action Lawsuit Coming for a Subject To Investor?
Is Subject To dead?That question is circulating heavily right now after multiple lawsuits surfaced in Florida involving an investor who acquired dozens of properties Subject To and allegedly stopped making payments. As foreclosure filings increase and sellers and private lenders come forward, rumors of a potential class action lawsuit have followed.NOTICE: All defendants are presumed innocent unti
AI for REI EP 6: This AI Trend Is Getting Attention but Most People Are Using It Wrong.
AI trends move fast. One day they are everywhere, and the next day they are gone.In this episode of AI for REI, Courtney Fricke and Maria Giordano break down one of the most recent viral AI trends, the AI caricature trend, and explain why simply copying the trend is rarely the right move for Real Estate operators.ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational
EP 99: The Year I Wanted to Quit Real Estate (And Why I Didn’t)
There’s a version of the Real Estate story that gets shared online all the time — growth, momentum, and wins. What rarely gets talked about are the seasons when life gets heavy and even experienced investors quietly question whether they want to keep going.In this episode, Courtney sits down with returning guest Lindsey Jensen to talk honestly about 2025 — a year that forced Lindsey to step back f
EP 98: Why Most Real Estate Businesses Break When They Try to Scale
Most Real Estate businesses do not fail because of a lack of deals. They fail because growth outpaces structure.In this episode, Courtney sits down with Lauren Navarre, a 17-year business law attorney and the COO and CFO of Arena Collective, a group of nine integrated companies serving Real Estate entrepreneurs. Together, they unpack what actually causes businesses to break when they attempt to sc
AI for REI EP 5: The Real Reason Your Rehab Runs Over Budget (And the AI Fix)
Scopes of work are one of the biggest profit leak points in Real Estate projects. Missed details, unclear expectations, wrong materials, and poor communication with contractors can quietly turn a good deal into a bad one.ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, ta
LA RE Talks EP 2: Meta’s $10 Billion AI Facility in Louisiana: Real Estate Impact Explained
In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Talks, Courtney Fricke and Stephen Keighery break down the Meta Platforms AI data center being built in Richland Parish.ATTENTION:The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financial, or investment advice. Real Estate laws, tax ru
EP 97: Stop Making More Offers. This Is Why You’re Stuck in Real Estate.
What if doing more in Real Estate is actually what’s keeping you stuck?In this episode, Courtney sits down with Adrian Smude for an honest, reflective conversation about focus, self-sabotage, and why many experienced investors quietly plateau without realizing it. Adrian shares how his 2025 forced him to confront shiny object syndrome, overcommitment, and task switching, and why his 2026 strategy
AI for REI EP 4: How Real Estate Investors Can Use AI for Bookkeeping (Exact Prompts)
Bookkeeping is one of the most common pain points for Real Estate investors. Not because investors don’t care about their numbers, but because the systems are often unclear, inconsistent, or poorly set up from the start.In this episode of AI for REI, Courtney Fricke sits down with Maria Giordano to walk through exactly how Real Estate investors can use AI as a thinking partner in their bookkeeping
EP 96: How One Flipper Bought Her Best Deals in 2025
Flipping houses in 2025 was anything but easy. Higher rates, more inventory, tougher buyers, and tighter margins exposed weak assumptions across the Real Estate market. Many flippers quietly struggled. Some stepped away altogether.ATTENTION: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended a
EP 95: The Boring Work I Keep Avoiding (And It’s Costing Me)
There’s a version of burnout that doesn’t come from failure.It shows up after things start working.In this episode, Courtney walks through a pattern she’s caught herself repeating in her Real Estate businesses over the years. Not because deals stopped closing, but because success created options, distractions, and quiet avoidance of the boring work that actually makes money.Framed as a Real Estate
Messy Money EP 01: Curative Title Explained: How Investors Make Money When Deals Can’t Close
In this first episode of the Messy Money Podcast, Courtney Fricke sits down with Ellis San Jose, a 30+ year Real Estate investor who specializes in curative title work, the side of Real Estate most people avoid.ATTENTION: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects personal experiences and opinions. It is not intended as legal, tax, financ
EP 94: Don’t Let the Market Turn You Into a Spectator (Real Estate Lessons From 2025)
In this episode, Courtney sits down with returning guest Joey Long, an active investor in the Tampa Bay market (primarily St. Petersburg and Pinellas County), for an honest review of what 2025 exposed for Real Estate operators and what Joey is doubling down on in 2026.The Tampa Bay market surged post-COVID, then flatlined heading into 2025. Between shifting buyer demand, rising property taxes, and
AI for REI EP 3: ChatGPT Feels Useless Until You Fix This 1 Mistake (Real Estate)
Most Real Estate investors try ChatGPT once, get vague or generic answers, and walk away thinking it’s overrated. In this episode of AI for REI, Courtney Fricke and Maria Giordano break down why that happens and what investors are actually doing wrong when they first start using ChatGPT.This conversation is not about tools, upgrades, or technical jargon. It’s about mindset and usage. The biggest m
EP 93: The Annual Reset My Wife and I Use to Design Our Life
Most couples do not intentionally design their life together. They drift, repeat the same year, and mistake effort for alignment. Every year, my wife and I sit down for one conversation that prevents that drift.This episode walks through the exact annual framework we use to review the past year, get aligned in the present, and intentionally plan the next season of life. This is not about resolutio
EP 92: Stop Marketing to Everyone in Real Estate (You’re Paying for It)
Most Real Estate operators are still marketing like it’s 2012. Cast a wide net, say “we buy houses,” and hope the right deal shows up. In 2025, that approach quietly failed a lot of otherwise hardworking investors.In this episode, Courtney sits down with title attorney and business owner Jared Miguez to break down what last year exposed behind the scenes and why 2026 will reward operators who get
EP 91: He Almost Died, Then Real Estate Exposed the Income Lie
Courtney Fricke sits down with Adam Johnson, a long-time Real Estate investor with over two decades of experience, to reflect on the lessons 2025 forced him to confront and how those lessons are reshaping his focus for 2026.What began as a normal year quickly turned into a life-altering wake-up call when Adam faced a serious health crisis that removed his ability to work for months. That interrupt
AI for REI EP 2: AI Isn’t Google (Real Estate Investors Keep Getting This Wrong)
Most Real Estate investors are hearing about AI everywhere but still feel unsure how it actually fits into their business. In this episode of AI for REI, Courtney Fricke and Maria Giordano break down AI basics in plain English for investors who already know how to do deals but feel lost when people start talking about prompts, automations, and AI tools.This is not a technical conversation and it i
EP 90: The Sellers Most Likely to Say Yes to Seller Financing (And Why They Do)
Most investors assume Seller Financing fails because of bad terms or weak negotiation. In reality, it fails because it’s offered to the wrong sellers.In this episode, Courtney reframes Seller Financing as a seller-specific solution, not a universal strategy. She explains why most sellers will never need Seller Financing and why that’s not a rejection, but a filter. The investors who succeed with c
EP 89: She Made Money (And Still Regretted These Real Estate Decisions in 2025)
In this episode, Courtney sits down with her student Colleen Gallagher for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what 2025 actually looked like as a wholesaler experimenting with multiple Real Estate strategies.From wholesaling and creative finance to managing a highly intensive shared-housing property, Colleen breaks down where she made money, where she lost time, and which decisions she would abs
LA RE Talks EP 1: Give Us 29 Minutes to Explain Why 2026 Will Be THE Year to Buy Real Estate in Louisiana
Many buyers and investors across Louisiana are sitting on the sidelines right now. They’re waiting for interest rates to drop, headlines to improve, or for someone online to say it finally feels “safe” to buy again.In this episode of Louisiana Real Estate Talks, Courtney Fricke is joined by longtime business partner and investor Stephen Keighery (aka Aussie Steve) to make a clear, grounded case fo
EP 88: Why Your Real Estate Meetup Is Losing to YouTube University
Real Estate meetups and REIAs are struggling and it’s not because people stopped wanting community.In this episode, Courtney breaks down the uncomfortable truth many meetup leaders don’t want to admit: attention has moved. Investors are discovering education, credibility, and leadership online long before they ever walk into a room. And if your meetup doesn’t have a strong online video presence, i
EP 87: How a Full-Time Land Investor Made $750K in 2025 and What He’s Changing in 2026
Land investing gets written off as boring until you see what’s actually possible when it’s done intentionally.In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Johnsen, a full-time land investor who generated roughly $750,000 in gross profit in 2025 despite a more competitive and demanding market. We break down what really worked, what stopped working, and why his strategy in 2026 looks very different than it
EP 86: A, B, C Your Rentals: Shaun Stephens’ 2025 Portfolio Reset and 2026 Plan
2025 forced a lot of Real Estate operators to pause and reassess what they were actually building. In this episode, Courtney sits down with returning guest Shaun Stephens, a full-time landlord and buy-and-hold investor in Ohio, to unpack what 2025 revealed about portfolio growth, management overhead, and lifestyle tradeoffs.What starts as a conversation about buying rentals turns into a deeper dis
AI for REI EP 1: The Case for AI: Why Every Real Estate Investor Should Be Using It
Many Real Estate investors feel hesitant about AI. It sounds complicated, risky, or like just another thing to add to an already full plate. In this episode, Courtney Fricke and Maria Giordano cut through the noise and explain why AI is not a trend, a gimmick, or a replacement for experience.Instead, they make a clear case for why AI is quickly becoming essential infrastructure for modern Real Est
Ep 85: Facing Foreclosure? The Conversation That Has to Happen Before Any Offer
If you are facing foreclosure, the most dangerous thing you can do is wait for permission to act.In this episode, Courtney walks through what she calls the “come to Jesus” conversation she has with homeowners and property owners facing foreclosure. This is the conversation that happens before any offer is ever discussed. The goal is clarity, not pressure.Courtney breaks down how foreclosure actual
EP 84: Why You’re Losing Deals to Investors With Less Skill (Because They Show Up Online)
If you’ve ever lost a deal to someone with less experience than you, this episode isn’t about ego. It’s about adaptation.The Real Estate investors getting picked today aren’t always the most skilled operators. They’re the ones people recognize, remember, and trust because they show up consistently. Skill still matters. But visibility is how credibility is built now.In this episode, I break down wh
EP 83: Your Name Is Your Capital: Rich Rice on 2025 Lessons and 2026 Focus
Every investor lived through 2025 differently.For Rich Rice, 2025 marked a major shift. A new season of fatherhood, multiple moves, joint ventures that tested relationships, deals that went sideways, and a full restructuring of the Fire Center forced him to reassess how he spends his time, energy, and reputation.In this episode, Rich returns to the show for a candid year-in-review conversation. We
EP 82: These 10 Real Estate Problems Kill Most Deals. I Specialize in Solving Them.
Most Real Estate deals don’t fall apart because of price. They fall apart because of complexity.In this episode, I break down the 10 real estate problems I solve frequently that most investors, buyers, and even professionals avoid because they’re messy, emotional, or legally complicated.These are the situations where sellers feel stuck, deals stall, and options feel limited.This video walks throug
Known Deal Maker Fundamentals: Content 101 Workshop (March 14-15, 2026) PROMO & FAQ
In this video, Courtney breaks down exactly what Known Deal Maker Fundamentals is, who it’s for, and why building visibility through content is no longer optional for Real Estate investors and Real Estate-related businesses.This is not about becoming an influencer.This is about becoming known as the person who solves Real Estate problems and closes real deals.What Is Known Deal Maker Fundamentals?
EP 81: What 2025 Taught Maria Giordano the Hard Way About Running a Real Estate Business
What 2025 Taught Maria Giordano the Hard Way About Running a Real Estate Business2025 exposed a hard truth for a lot of Real Estate investors: deals don’t save you if your operations are broken.In this episode, Maria Giordano joins me for an honest breakdown of what 2025 revealed about running a Real Estate business in a changing market. With over 20 years of experience, Maria isn’t new to cycles,
EP 80: Best Year Ever in a Tough Real Estate Market: What Aussie Steve Did in 2025 When Others Quit
2025 was the year a lot of Real Estate investors hit pause. Higher friction, tighter spreads, shifting demand, and plenty of people waiting on the sidelines.Stephen “Aussie Steve” Keighery did the opposite.In this episode, Steve breaks down why 2025 became his best year yet, how he expanded while others retreated, and what he believes is required to win in 2026. If you want a grounded look at what
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