Shows
Pickup The Phone500 Deals a Year to Market Prophet: Real Estate Wholesaling, Appraisals & the Coming Housing Correction | Gibran BB Hernandez💡 Real estate veteran Gibran BB Hernandez — certified appraiser, broker, and former wholesaling powerhouse — joins host Josue Llanas on the Pick Up The Phone Podcast to break down what it really takes to succeed in today's shifting housing market.🔑 What you'll take away from this episode:The systems behind 500+ wholesale deals in a single yearHow the rise of iBuyers and institutional ad spend crushed small wholesalers — and how to survive itWhat appraisers actually do and why investors need them on their sideGibran's 2024–2025 housing market forecast: a mild recession, a 10–15% correction, and where smart money movesWhy multiple marketing streams aren't o...
2026-02-251h 07
Pickup The PhoneFrom Ukraine to Real Estate Empire — Kateryna Titenko's American DreamWhat does it take to leave everything behind and start over in a new country — and then build a real estate investing business from nothing?In this episode of Pick Up The Phone, Josue Llanas talks with Kateryna Titenko, a Ukrainian immigrant turned Houston real estate agent and investor. Kateryna shares her journey from arriving in the U.S. to building a property investment portfolio in the Texas real estate market.Topics covered: • Leaving Ukraine and starting over in America • Breaking into Houston real estate as a new immigrant • How she built her first investment portfoli...
2026-02-1257 min
Pickup The PhoneFrom 9-5 to RE EmpireFrom clocking in at a 9–5 to building a real estate empire.Derek Kelley’s story is about work ethic, confidence, and refusing to stay stuck.Derek has completed 400+ real estate transactions in just 4 years, currently runs 30 active house flips, and owns 300+ doors — all while starting this journey with a W-2 job.He didn’t wait for the “perfect time.”He worked nights, weekends, and holidays.He did his own handyman work, bought foreclosure deals, and learned the game while still showing up to work every day at the plants in Baytown.
2025-12-311h 26
Pickup The Phone100+ Flips a Year. 3,000+ Loans. | Inside the King James Lending MachineJames Toler is the #1 lender in Houston and Galveston County, with over 3,000 loans funded since 2021 and more than 100 flips per year under his belt. He’s the owner of King James Lending and one of the sharpest operators in the Texas real estate game.In this episode, James breaks down the mindset, strategy, and slow, obsessive improvement that built his empire — from earning just $4,000 in commission on his first flip… to becoming one of Houston’s most trusted lenders.James shares how early exposure to business shaped him, why confidence is essential in investing, and the real...
2025-12-181h 16
Pickup The PhoneShe Closed a Multi-Million Deal at 23 — Now She’s Taking It to CongressCrystal De León Sarmiento is a force.From growing up in Houston’s Southwest side to becoming a certified Business Behavior Analyst, Executive Business Coach, and the first Mexican-American councilwoman in Manvel Texas, her path is built on grit, execution, and leadership at the highest level.Crystal is the founder of The Ari Source, where she helps business owners scale with systems, KPIs, strategic hiring, and leadership development. She breaks down how personality, communication, and behavior directly impact performance inside every organization.In this episode, Crystal dives deep into the mindset, strategy, and...
2025-12-101h 27
Pickup The PhoneHe Built a $10M Portfolio — Using $7M of DebtMost people fear debt. Richard Marquez used it to build a $10M real estate empire. 🔥He now owns 39 units across single-family and multifamily — built through strategy, discipline, and smart leverage. And he reached full financial freedom doing it.But his story didn’t start in real estate. Richard began in sales, transitioned into banking, and eventually became a branch manager. That’s where everything shifted. He realized everyday people were quietly buying rentals on the side — and building wealth.That sparked the vision: You can work a 9–5 and build a portfolio a...
2025-12-031h 09
Pickup The Phone$100M in Loans a Year | Inside Jay’s Real Estate EmpireJay Bustos and his wife run a high-performing mortgage + real estate operation — generating over $100M in loans every year and $50M+ in real estate transactions, backed by a team of 40+ people. Loan officers, realtors, and operations all moving under one vision.Named one of Houston’s Top 20 Under 40 Realtors, Jay became obsessed with building, scaling, and creating generational wealth through smart moves and strategic leadership.In this episode of Pickup The Phone, Jay breaks down:• 📈 How he and his wife built a fully integrated mortgage + real estate company • 🌐 His plan to expand across...
2025-11-261h 00
Pickup The Phone$1M Net Worth by 25 | He Fired Half His Team in Real EstateOver $100M in real-estate sales and $1M net worth before 25 — Kaleb Monroe is proof that execution beats excuses. 👊Kaleb is the founder of The Monroe Team, a Houston-based real estate company known for its strong culture, rapid growth, and relentless mindset. He started in 2020 — right when the world shut down — with zero experience and one goal: move fast and learn faster.In this episode, Kaleb breaks down how he built a powerhouse operation before most people finish college:From selling knives in high school to leading The Monroe Team 🔥Hitting $100K+ by his 2nd year in real...
2025-11-201h 29
Pickup The PhoneShe Lost $80,000 — Then Built a 7-Figure Wholesale BusinessAndrea Cruz is the founder of a multi-million-dollar wholesale company that flips, wholesales, and renovates properties — all built from grit, risk, and smart execution.Her story starts with a tough lesson — losing $80,000 on her first flip — but that loss became her greatest teacher. With no mentor and no system, she paid the price to learn what not to do. Later, with the right mentorship, Andrea learned how to build systems, scale her business, and hit massive milestones.In this episode, Andrea breaks down how she went from struggle to scaling 👊From hairstylist to 7-figure real esta...
2025-11-1258 min
Pickup The PhoneHe Had $36 Left | How Adam Hunt Built His Real Estate Company Adam Hunt is a commercial developer and the founder of Hunt Commercial & Housing, a private boutique real estate company. He didn’t start with success — far from it.In 2015, Adam had just $36 left on his credit card. A friend got him a leasing job, and within two weeks, he became the #1 sales agent on the team. But his real turning point came years later — when a contractor walked away in the middle of three high-end flip projects, leaving him out over $90,000.Most people would’ve quit right there. Adam didn’t.He doub...
2025-11-0555 min
Pickup The Phone$100M Funded | How She Built a Nationwide Private Lending CompanyJanine Cascio is the CEO and founder of Simple Lending Financial, a nationwide private-money lending company that has funded over $100 million in loans 💼.From studying accounting to modeling in New York, Janine’s journey proves what happens when ambition turns into execution. She always knew she was meant for more — and built a business that now funds deals across the U.S.In this episode, Janine breaks down how she turned bold moves and systems into a lending powerhouse:Raised $500K in her first 3 months and turned it into a thriving lending business 💰Built a 10-perso...
2025-10-2957 min
Pickup The PhoneHe Turned Connections Into Contracts | The Power Move That Changed His BusinessEddie Mendoza built his construction company, Remodel HTX, from the ground up — now completing projects for Starbucks, Raising Cane’s, and Five Guys 🔥. With over 2,000 commercial work orders and 100+ home renovations, Eddie’s story shows how powerful relationships and relentless networking can turn hustle into opportunity. In this episode, Eddie breaks down his journey and the lessons that built his success:Turned early labor jobs into a business trusted by national brands 🏗️The first commercial project that didn’t pay — and the contract lessons every builder needs 💼The power of relationships — how one connection led to national-brand co...
2025-10-221h 09
Pickup The Phone7 Figures in 24 Months | Luxury Real Estate & Flipping SuccessJustin Davis started flipping homes in 2019 — and hit 7 figures within his first 24 months 💰. From student loans and humble beginnings to building luxury homes and flipping houses in Houston’s premier neighborhoods, Justin’s story is about focus, faith, and forward momentum.In this episode, Justin breaks down his journey and the mindset that shaped his success:Getting fired after 17 years in corporate — and why it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him 💼How one rental property with six nightmare tenants became the foundation of his investing journey 🔑His first flips — the challenges, the les...
2025-10-151h 41
Pickup The PhoneInside the Mortgage Game | Sales Master. Developer. Closer.Josh Fard is the owner of First Nation Financial Corporation a mortgage broker company and a proven sales leader and real estate developer 💼. With more than 500 sales reps hired and trained, he’s built multiple divisions in the mortgage industry, developed projects from the ground up, and continues expanding his footprint from Los Angeles to Houston.In this episode, Josh breaks down the mindset and moves that shaped his success:Leaving his job at 23 years old to build his own business — generating $8 Million in revenue and managing 60 people 💪Breaking down the full development process — from land acquisition...
2025-10-091h 02
Pickup The Phone22 Years in the Game | Lessons From Hard Money Lender DarelDarel has been in business for 22 years — he’s the owner of Nobel Mortgage & Investments (a leading hard money loan company) and Co-Owner of Legacy Insurance Advisor 💼. Every January, he hosts one of Houston’s biggest investment forecast events with over 500 active professionals in attendance.In this episode, Darel shares the mindset, strategies, and lessons that helped him build longevity in business:Secrets to staying in business for 22 years, including 500+ 5-star Google reviews ⭐His take on today’s market: interest rates, property taxes, insurance premiums, and temporary rate buy-downs 📈Starting as a natural closer and loan officer in hard...
2025-10-0158 min
Pickup The PhoneFrom Prison to Financial Freedom | Robert Master SalesmanRobert went from prison to financial freedom — earning a reputation as a Master Salesman 💼. Sales became his passion, his weapon, and the foundation that turned his life around.In this episode, Robert breaks down his journey and the lessons that built his success:How prison fueled his obsession with learning 📚The first legal $4,000 check he earned — and why he kept it as a symbol of attraction 💰Closing house deals while still behind bars 🔑The private lender who believed in him — and the 17 months it took to build that trust 🤝The 3 laws from The Laws of Success that became his bluep...
2025-09-241h 15
Pickup The Phone$50M Portfolio | How Jake Built His Industrial FortuneJake has built a $50 Million real estate portfolio with 400,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space and 30 acres of industrial outdoor storage 💼. And he’s done it with minimal partners.In this episode, Jake breaks down how he went from wholesaling land at 18 to becoming a leader in the industrial warehouse space:His early strategy of flipping land while stacking industrial deals 🏗️Using hard money to buy and fix houses, then rolling into note receivable loans 💰The negotiation tactics that helped him close his first business park 🤝His unconventional edge: going direct-to-seller 🔑How being young worked against him — and how he overcame i...
2025-09-171h 44
Pickup The Phone$40M Net Worth | Boris Sanchez Commercial Real Estate PowerBoris Sanchez built himself from the ground up to a net worth of over $40 Million 💼. His first commercial deal in real estate earned him $250K — enough to retire his dad and by 32, he had already hit his first million 💰.In this episode, Boris shares:Why he knew the 9–5 life wasn’t for him 🚫How he became addicted to learning by studying appraisals 📚Why the popular BRRR method is limited — and how he created his own “KISS Method” 🔑The story of his worst deal and the lessons it taught him ⚠️His belief that in real estate, you make money when you buy, not wh...
2025-09-101h 13
Pickup The Phone$35M Insurance Empire | Paul’s Strategy to ScalePaul’s storyis all about scaling with strategy. He went from working at his dad’s agency tolaunching Greenline Insurance Group, now running a $140K monthly payroll andleading 22 full-time W-2 employees 💼In this episode, Paul shares:How he built relationships with top mortgage lenders in Houston 🤝 The systems & processes(created by his wife, the operations genius) that fuel growth⚙️Why he has 6 agents fully dedicated to serving lenders with quotes 📈How he & his wife merged two offices into one powerful operation 🏢 Tips he gives struggling insurance agents on how to improve —...
2025-09-0359 min
Pickup The PhoneFrom $180K in Debt to Building a $50M Real Estate Empire💰 690 rental units, 60 active flips and a real estate portfolio worth $50M — that’s where Jon Rickey stands today. But it didn’t start there.His story isn’t about luck it’s about grit, sacrifice, and playing the long game. 📈 He grew up riding in his dad’s truck, learning how to turn ranches and land into opportunity. By 20, he closed his first deal flipping timber and a property for a quick profit. $180K in debt, a foreclosure, no health insurance, and 36 court appearances later, most people would’ve quit. Jon didn’t. He hustled, cut firewoo...
2025-08-271h 17
Pickup The PhoneWholesaling Real Estate - Going from $2M to $3M a Year: JR Reed shares how he's doing itEver wondered what it truly takes to build a multi-million dollar wholesaling company from the ground up? In this power-packed episode of the Pick Up the Phone podcast, we sit down with real estate mogul JR Reed, who pulls back the curtain on how he built a $3,000,000 wholesaling powerhouse. JR doesn't hold back, revealing his secrets, including how to leverage the Sandler Call System to not just make calls, but to genuinely connect and close more deals with consistency.Get ready to uncover JR's game-changing 5Ds Strategy – a powerful framework you can immediately implement to streamline your op...
2025-07-291h 05
Pickup The PhoneScaling from Scratch: Jonathan Chacon Path to 340 Units & 12 Active Flips (No Money to Millions)Join us as we uncover Jonathan Chacon's incredible journey from humble beginnings to 340 real estate units owned and 12 active flips! Discover the systems, strategies, and mindset that allowed him to scale his business exponentially. If you're a real estate investor ready to deploy capital and achieve massive growth, this episode reveals the exact blueprint for building a multi-million dollar portfolio. Learn how proven processes, smart leveraging of other people, and a relentless work ethic can transform your business.If you are a real estate investor ready to scale your business, find out how Vancom.io can help...
2025-07-211h 04
Pickup The PhoneHow Franklin Warens scaled a multiple 7 figure mortgage brokerage business, Guiding Hundreds of Families towards their new homesJoin us on this episode of Pick up the Phone Podcast for an inspiring conversation with Franklin Warens, a testament to what focus and determination can achieve in the mortgage industry. Franklin takes us through his remarkable career trajectory, beginning with his early life as a young boy in Cuba. He shares the pivotal moment his family won the lottery for US citizenship, opening the doors to a new future, and how writing down all his goals from a young age laid the groundwork for his eventual success. This deep-seated drive has fueled his rise to dominance as a...
2025-07-1450 min
Pickup The PhoneRoofing Leads: The Guaranteed System to $400K+ Months with Cody PurtleHow This Roofing Company is Hitting $5M in Revenue This YearIn this episode, we sit down with Cody, a roofing industry powerhouse who's on track to gross over $5 million in revenue this year. This isn't just a fluke; Cody breaks down the precise strategies that fueled his explosive growth, offering a masterclass for any roofing company looking to scale beyond its current limits.Cody pulls back the curtain on his journey, sharing the trials and failures he navigated to build a thriving enterprise. You'll discover his secrets to hiring the right people for the...
2025-07-071h 05
Finding Discounted PropertyFrom Oil & Gas to Real Estate Success: 'Josue Llanas' JourneyOn this episode of the Finding Discounted Property Podcast, Michael Pinter sits down with Josue Llanas from Houston, TX — an electrical engineer turned full-time real estate investor. 🏘️ Josue shares how he left the oil & gas industry to chase his passion for real estate, scaling his business through smart systems, consistency, and a hunger to learn. 🔥 Key Takeaways: Transitioning careers with intentionBuilding a real estate business from scratchLessons from six years in the gameHow to reach Josue: Cell Number: (956) 827- 7697Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jllanasInstagram: http...
2025-06-0331 min
The Real Estate BoyzNever Chase Another Lead: Vancom.io’s AI Nurtures Deals on Autopilot🚀 REAL ESTATE MEETS TECH: This CEO Is Changing the Game! 🎙️🔥 Must-Watch/Listen Episode of The Real Estate Boyz 🔥💡 Want to automate your deals? Scale with data? Run your business like a machine? Then you NEED to hear this 👇We sat down with Josue Llanas, CEO of Vancom.io, the tech genius turning real estate into a digital powerhouse. In this exclusive episode, he reveals how investors, agents, and teams are using tech to close more deals, cut costs, and dominate their markets—faster than ever.🎯 Inside This Episode ✅ The tech stack every investor should be us...
2025-04-1451 min