Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing cover art

Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

By: Jonathan Greene
Listen for free

About this listen

 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
  • 259: Thoughtfully Structured Alternative Investments Designed For Long-Term Success with Brad Johnson

    259: Thoughtfully Structured Alternative Investments Designed For Long-Term Success with Brad Johnson
    Jul 14 2025

    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Brad Johnson, co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Vintage Capital. With over $3.3 billion in commercial real estate transactions under his belt, Brad brings a deep well of experience in structuring long-term, risk-adjusted investments, especially in the mobile home park space.

    Brad’s journey into real estate began in his twenties, when he and his friends started buying single-family rentals with profits from a startup. Over time, he transitioned from remote investing to institutional asset management, eventually discovering the opportunity-rich world of mobile home parks. What began as curiosity evolved into a nationwide operation of 2,300 pads.

    Brad and Jonathan explore what makes mobile home parks uniquely positioned for stable, long-term returns. They discuss the operational demands of the asset class, why infrastructure and capital reserves are essential, and how seller relationships shape acquisitions in this niche market. Brad emphasizes that these often-misunderstood communities fill a critical need in the affordable housing landscape.

    You’ll also hear how Brad built trust with mom-and-pop sellers, scaled a portfolio through reputation and consistent deal flow, and developed the ability to underwrite quickly and confidently. His firm’s approach to long-term holds, tax efficiency, and conservative underwriting stands in contrast to the high-leverage, short-term mindset that has tripped up many investors in recent years.

    Whether you're an experienced investor or exploring alternatives to traditional real estate assets, Brad’s perspective highlights the importance of patience, structure, and choosing the right operating partners.

    In this episode, you will hear:

    • Brad’s early path from startup founder to long-term investor

    • Lessons from managing over 2,000 mobile home park pads

    • How infrastructure and reserves impact mobile home park performance

    • Ways reputation and follow-through win deals in tight-knit markets

    • Why tax advantages make long-term holds more attractive

    • The pitfalls of chasing high IRRs with short-term strategies

    • What separates strong operators from struggling syndicators

    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:

    Vintage Capital website - www.vintage-funds.com

    Connect with Brad Johnson on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bradleyjohnson

    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
    51 mins
  • 258: Helping Investors Build Wealth Through Multifamily Real Estate with Andrew Cushman

    258: Helping Investors Build Wealth Through Multifamily Real Estate with Andrew Cushman
    Jul 10 2025
    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan interviews Andrew Cushman, founder of Vantage Point Acquisitions, to explore the evolution of his investing career and how he helps others build wealth through multifamily real estate. After leaving a stable career in chemical engineering in 2007, Andrew made a bold leap into house flipping and eventually multifamily investing, where he has now syndicated or repositioned over 3,000 units. Andrew explains why flipping quickly became unsustainable for him and his wife, and how they transitioned into multifamily with the help of a mentor. His first apartment deal was a 92-unit building, and although it was far from easy, that launch laid the groundwork for the portfolio and investor network he manages today. With an approach rooted in long-term thinking, strategic geographic focus, and patient underwriting, Andrew shares how his firm continues to navigate uncertain markets without sacrificing performance or investor trust. Jonathan and Andrew cover factors in evaluating multifamily deals, like tenant demographics, hold timelines, and operator experience, and why many of the syndication struggles happening now can be traced to poor management and unrealistic expectations. They discuss the importance of investor education, the illusion of passive income, and the mindset shifts that make syndications work. This conversation underscores the importance of a disciplined approach to underwriting, market selection, and investor relations in driving sustainable growth, even during unpredictable economic cycles. For anyone considering multifamily investing, whether actively or passively, Andrew offers a realistic and clear-headed perspective on what it takes to succeed. In this episode, you will hear: Andrew’s path from chemical engineer to multifamily operator Lessons from scaling a portfolio beyond 3,000 units The value of mentorship in launching a real estate career What separates reliable operators from risky ones Ways investor communication supports long-term trust Red flags that emerged in syndications post-2020 How regional focus contributes to stronger performance 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: Vantage Point Acquisitions website - www.vpacq.com Vantage Point Acquisitions podcast - www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_QgwfTrg4xnXjYv_sp4k7OP6eHuraqp3 Connect with Andrew Cushman on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcushmanvpa 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
    53 mins
  • 257: Creating Risk-Adjusted, Tax-Advantaged Returns Through Real Estate with Austin Masket

    257: Creating Risk-Adjusted, Tax-Advantaged Returns Through Real Estate with Austin Masket
    Jul 7 2025
    In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Austin Masket, founder and Chief Investment Officer of Riverly Capital. With a background as a commercial broker and portfolio manager for a family office, Austin brings a seasoned and data-driven approach to multifamily investing and distressed debt acquisition. His firm focuses on creating risk-adjusted, tax-advantaged returns in key U.S. markets like Denver, Atlanta, and Phoenix. Austin’s early exposure to real estate came from his family, but his professional foundation was shaped at Marcus & Millichap. That experience gave him direct access to institutional-level underwriting, which later informed his strategy as a portfolio manager. Now at Riverly Capital, he specializes in acquiring multifamily assets and distressed debt with a sharp eye on entry point, tenant demographics, and economic cycles. Jonathan and Austin break down how missteps in the last economic cycle, especially during the COVID-era boom, created today’s distressed opportunities. They discuss the mismatch between cap rates and interest rates, why overleveraged syndications are struggling, and how Austin’s team identifies assets with true upside. Austin explains how Riverly uses deal-by-deal capital raising to maintain discipline, and why chasing volume can lead to trouble. The episode also explores Austin’s outlook for the next market cycle. He walks through supply and demand imbalances, the coming drop in new construction deliveries, and how strategic acquisition of non-performing debt offers a short-term window for experienced investors. For those focused on buying right and building durable returns, this conversation highlights the benefits of in-depth analysis, patient capital, and understanding where the market is headed, not just where it has been. In this episode, you will hear: Lessons Austin Masket carried over from brokerage into asset management The mechanics behind acquiring and working out distressed debt How overleveraged deals from the COVID boom are unraveling The appeal of Class B and C multifamily assets in today’s market Entry strategies that favor strong tenant bases and proven demand Why patient capital and disciplined underwriting lead to stronger returns What makes debt acquisition a strategic move in a tightening cycle 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: Riverly Capital website - riverlycap.com Riverly Capital on Facebook - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573078168565 Connect with Austin Masket on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/austin-masket1 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
    46 mins

What listeners say about Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.