What if the fastest route to freedom wasn’t more doors, but a better-aligned asset? We sit down with Ryan to trace a bold leap from duplexes and a five-unit to owning a 100-acre golf course, unpacking the exact moves that turned a passion into a viable business. You’ll hear why early rentals taught the right lessons but couldn’t deliver the life he wanted, and how one mastermind conversation reframed the plan: buy what you love if the numbers work.

We break the deal into concrete steps. Ryan explains how a golf course is both land and an operating company, why banks get skittish, and how an SBA 504 for the real estate plus a 7a for the business can blend into a workable structure. He shares purchase price, revenue context, the 15% down hurdle, and the role of appraisals in allocating debt. Then come the war stories: three days before closing, a $300k hole appears after an underwriting miss; 30 minutes before signing, the HUD shows a five-figure surprise. The save arrives through relationships and relentless transparency: a trusted contact bridges the shortfall with a private loan, and partners step up to close.

Once the keys are in hand, the real work begins. We talk payroll, carts, clubhouse events, and why marketing is the lever that can turn seasonal swings into steady cash. On underwriting, we compare DSCR realities, cap rates near the high single digits, and business valuation multiples in the three-to-four range. Most of all, we highlight how community accelerates progress. Masterminds and meetups raised the bar, opened lending doors, and kept the vision sharp when the first attempt fell apart.

If you’re weighing a big pivot—or wondering how to finance a complex, land-heavy business—this story lays out the road map: align with your purpose, assemble the right lenders and consultants, and let persistence compound. If the episode helped you think bigger, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s ready to turn passion into a plan.

VCap Real Estate Podcast