On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene sits down with Joel Kraut, co-founder and managing director of BRRRR Loans, to explore the realities of long-term real estate investing, private lending, and sustainable financial decision-making. Drawing on decades of experience as an investor, lender, and former Wall Street trader, Joel challenges popular investing shortcuts and explains why slowing down and mastering fundamentals is often the fastest path to real wealth.

The conversation dives deep into the limitations of the FIRE movement, the dangers of over-leverage, and how emotional decision-making derails otherwise solid deals. Joel shares lessons from market cycles, early BRRRR strategies, and hard-earned mistakes, emphasizing that success in real estate is far more about people, preparation, and honesty than chasing the newest strategy or acronym.

Listeners will gain practical insight into what lenders actually look for in borrowers, how to present deals professionally, why organization and credit discipline matter, and how long-term relationships—not hype—drive consistent success in real estate.

• Why the FIRE movement often overlooks patience and foundational investing

• How Joel's early real estate and refinancing experience shaped his lending philosophy

• The real dangers of over-leverage and market-specific concentration risk

• What private lenders look for beyond credit scores and projections

• Why honesty, preparation, and organization matter more than clever deal structures

• How long-term relationships create repeat business and lasting wealth

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Connect with Joel:

Website: http://www.brrrr.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrrrrLoans

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brrrrloans/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brrrr_loans/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joelbrrrr/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-kraut/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brrrr_loans

Connect with Jonathan:

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/streamlinen​j

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/jonathangreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - info@streamlined.properties

This episode was produced by Outlier Audio.