Shows
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersThe Armchair Urbanist Who’s Rewriting Chattanooga’s Playbook | EP#44What if the problem isn’t the developer… but the story no one told before the vote?In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Jon Jon Wasolowski, better known online as The Happy Urbanist, a Chattanooga local who is not a developer, not a city planner, but somehow became one of the most influential voices shaping how his city grows.From single stair reform to accessory dwelling units, from five lane death traps turned into thriving streetscapes, to a nine to zero city council vote that killed a project because the story was mishandled, this episode pulls back...
2026-03-1048 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersShe Risked Her 401k, Leveraged Her Home, and Rewrote a 16-Unit’s Story | EP#43What if the deal you keep driving past is not too risky… it is just waiting on you to believe in it?In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Dana McMahan shares the real story behind acquiring and transforming a 16-unit building in Louisville. No trust fund. No institutional backing. Just a cashed-out 401k, equity from her personal home, and the willingness to bet on herself.When the opportunity showed up, she did not have twenty percent down. Traditional financing was tight. The numbers were close. Bu...
2026-03-0349 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersCommunity Is Medicine: How Neal Collins Is Rebuilding Real Estate From the Ground Up | EP#42What if real estate stopped extracting from communities and started healing them?In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Neal Collins to unpack one of the most honest and unconventional development journeys we have heard.Neal did not grow up dreaming of commercial real estate. He started in the Peace Corps, worked in global community development, and eventually found himself building $30M to $300M mixed-use projects. But after family health crises forced a hard reset, Neal stepped away from cookie-cutter...
2026-02-2450 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersShe Bought Land First and Figured It Out Later: Steph Weber’s Path Into Development | EP#41Most people wait until they feel ready.Steph Weber bought land and learned on the fly.What started as curiosity about real estate turned into a hands-on crash course in zoning, city processes, design decisions, and risk. Steph did not come from a development background. She learned by doing, asking questions, and staying in the room even when things felt overwhelming.In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Steph Weber to unpack what it really looks like to step into development without having it all figured out. From her first land purchase to navigating municipalities, consultants, and...
2026-02-1754 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBuilding Where You Live: Why Local Developers Shape Better Communities | EP#40What if the people shaping your neighborhood actually lived there?Desmond Dunn didn’t grow up knowing he could be a real estate developer. No one in his community looked like him who was building anything. So he taught himself. For ten years. Nights on Zillow. Deep dives into zoning code. Sketching site plans at the kitchen table while everyone else was out living life.In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Desmond to talk about what it really means to be a community-first developer. Not chasing sc...
2026-02-1053 min
Commercial Real Estate 101 PodcastCRE Development Discussion - Louisville - Kristi & RaphaelIn this episode of CRE 101, Raphael Collazo and his friend, local real estate developer and podcast co-host Kristi Kandel, dive into the commercial real estate development projects they’re actively pursuing, from Louisville’s evolving retail landscape to Kristi’s large-scale development work in Florida. It was an engaging and inspiring conversation between two passionate builders who believe in creating value, empowering local communities, and demystifying development. You won’t want to miss this!🔗 Connect with Raphael Collazo• Website: https://raphaelcollazo.com/ Explore his commercial real estate services, listings, podcast content, and CRE resou...
2026-02-0551 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersShe Risked Her 401k, Leveraged Her Home, and Rewrote a 16-Unit’s Story | EP#43What if the deal you keep driving past is not too risky… it is just waiting on you to believe in it?In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Dana McMahan shares the real story behind acquiring and transforming a 16-unit building in Louisville. No trust fund. No institutional backing. Just a cashed-out 401k, equity from her personal home, and the willingness to bet on herself.When the opportunity showed up, she did not have twenty percent down. Traditional financing was tight. The numbers were close. Bu...
2026-02-0349 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersShe Walked Away from the Golden Handcuffs and Built a Tiny Home Village | EP#39What would it take for you to walk away from a 14-year corporate career with no clear plan and bet on yourself?For Dedria Kolb, it was the pull to build something real.In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developers Podcast, Kristi sits down with Dedria Kolb, a former corporate attorney turned first-time developer who left the legal grind to build a tiny home village in rural North Carolina. With no prior development track record, Dedria bootstrapped her first deal, navigated zoning gray areas, managed construction herself, and opened a fully leased 10-acre tiny home community in...
2026-02-0347 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBuilding with the Right Capital and the Right Community | EP#38Local development is not just about finding deals.It is about people, trust, and choosing the right kind of capital.In this episode, Kristi Kandel and Raphael Collazo sit down for an in person conversation about what it really takes to scale local development while staying true to your mission. From juggling hundreds of moving parts in a development to deciding when to bring in partners, they break down the real decisions developers face behind the scenes.They talk openly about the limits of using only personal...
2026-01-2749 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBuilding Infill the Hard Way in San Diego: Why Slow, Local Development Wins | EP#37Most people look at San Diego and say, “It’s too expensive.”Brian Koons looked at it and said, “There has to be a smarter way.”From serving in the military to house hacking, ADUs, and small-scale infill development, Brian didn’t break into real estate with big money or shortcuts. He built it one disciplined decision at a time in one of the toughest markets in the country.In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Brian Koons to unpack the unglamorous but powerful reality of local dev...
2026-01-2052 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Live Streams to Construction Sites: Betting on 3 Lots with No Experience | EP#36After years glued to a screen building income through social media, Christopher Oester hit a breaking point.He was burned out. Tired. And looking for a way to turn short term hustle into something real.So he took a leap. A big one.In this episode of the Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Chris to unpack what it actually looks like to jump into ground up development with no construction background, no design experience, and a whole lot on the line.From buying his first lot in a conservation district to taking on...
2026-01-1344 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom One Airbnb to a 5-Year Masterplan: How Jacqueline DiMaggio Built Her Own Lane | EP#35What if the people closest to you can’t see the vision you’re building… but you know deep down you’re right?In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Jacqueline DiMaggio, a designer-turned-developer who’s quietly building a hospitality ecosystem in rural Wisconsin. What started as two Airbnbs with a pond and a beach turned into land acquisitions, a multi-phase farmhouse project, and a growing design and co-hosting business that locals now recognize by name.Jacqueline shares the real story behind creating experiences guests actually feel, navigating...
2026-01-0649 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersA Year of Local Wins: Our Year-End Thank You | EP#34If you’ve been rocking with us all year, listening, learning, sending messages, showing up every week, thank you. Truly.In this short but powerful episode, Kristi and Raphael pull back the curtain and share what this podcast is really about: not big-money developers, not corporate initiatives, but locals with grit who are stepping up to shape their cities one project at a time.It’s a thank-you, a reset, and a rally cry for the next chapter of local development.Whether you’re already building or still gathering the courage to start, this episode is a reminder: you’re part...
2025-12-3002 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBurnout, Breakdown, Breakthrough: Alan Underwood’s Rebuild | EP#33What happens when life knocks you flat, your business burns you out, and your next move isn’t obvious?Most people wait for clarity. Alan Underwood started building anyway.In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Alan, a high-performance coach and real estate developer who went from owning restaurants to reshaping his entire life around purpose, discipline, and community-focused development. Alan talks openly about the years he spent chasing work that drained him, the moment he realized he needed a different path, and the slow climb into a career that fi...
2025-12-2358 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersThe Deal That Nearly Broke Him: How Brett McManus Fought His Way Into Development | EP#32What happens when your first big project goes sideways, the money runs tight, and every choice feels like the wrong one?Most people quit. Brett McManus didn’t.In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Brett McManus, a local developer who learned the business the hard way by getting punched in the mouth on his very first project. Brett walks through how a simple investment turned into a full-blown development education he never asked for. Budget surprises, contractor issues, lender pressure, and the emotional toll of feeling in over your head… he lived every line...
2025-12-1651 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersThe Developer Who Refuses to Give Up on America’s Housing Crisis | EP#31What if the biggest housing crisis of our lifetime isn’t a policy problem… but a leadership problem? And what if the next wave of community builders won’t come from corporate boardrooms, but from people who actually care about the places they live?In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Evan Holladay, founder of Holladay Ventures, a developer who went from a curious college student to building affordable housing communities across the country. This conversation gets real about what it takes to build locally when the odds feel stacked agains...
2025-12-0944 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Firefighter to Full-Time Developer: How Jeremiah Parker Learned to Bet on Himself | EP#30Most people wait for the perfect moment. Jeremiah Parker ran toward the fire instead.Before he ever closed a deal, Jeremiah spent years as a career firefighter, working long shifts, responding under pressure, and learning how to stay calm when everything around him was chaos. Those skills followed him into real estate, where he started as a broker, stacked reps, and eventually stepped into development with the same mindset that kept him steady on the job: trust your training, move with purpose, and don’t freeze when things get hard....
2025-12-0241 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersSmall Bets, Big Shifts: How Katie Neason Is Redefining Local Development | EP#29Most people look at development and see something out of reach. Katie Neason looked at it and asked a different question: What if becoming a developer is less about expertise and more about identity?In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Katie for a grounded, brutally honest look at what it really takes to build where you live. From navigating infill projects and fighting “analysis paralysis” to learning to trust small first moves, Katie breaks down why local development isn’t reserved for the chosen few. It’s for anyone willing to learn the rules, build the right re...
2025-11-251h 01🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom L.A. Materialism to Nashville Purpose: Meg Epstein’s Mission to Redefine Development | EP#28What if the key to success wasn’t more but meaning?After building hundreds of millions in real estate, Meg Epstein could’ve stopped at wealth. But as she tells Kristi and Raphael, money without purpose leads to misery, a truth she learned firsthand in Los Angeles, surrounded by the rich and unhappy.Now based in Nashville, Meg has turned her focus toward freedom, purpose, and people, building projects that serve both investors and communities. From flipping the script on Airbnb condos to scaling The Modernist, her new model for flexible, investor-owned living spaces, Meg shares how to create deve...
2025-11-1845 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom City Hall to the Dirt: How Land-Use Attorney Anne Pollack Champions Local Developers | EP#27What happens when you stop waiting for big developers to show up and start building for your own community?In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Anne Pollack, a seasoned land use and zoning attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida, who’s helped shape some of the city’s most complex redevelopment projects. Anne doesn’t just know the rules, she teaches local developers how to use them to their advantage. From navigating city staff and neighborhood plans to learning through costly mistakes, Anne brings a real-world, no-shortcuts perspective to what it takes to turn local vision into approv...
2025-11-1155 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersThe $40 Million Comeback: Jason Duff’s Mission to Rebuild Main Street and Revive Local Hope | EP#26What if the future of your town depended on you? Jason Duff didn’t wait for investors or city hall to fix his fading downtown. He bought one empty building, turned it into a spark, and built a movement that brought life and $40 million of reinvestment back to his hometown of Bellefontaine, Ohio.In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Jason to unpack the real, boots-on-the-ground story behind Small Nation, his company that’s rewriting the playbook for small-town development. From losing tenants to rallying locals, from scraping by to building an ecos...
2025-11-0454 min
Real Estate Pros Show - Powered By Investor FuelHow Locals Can Lead Real Estate Development:Community Hubs,Crowdfunding & Making the Leap w/ KristiIn this conversation, Kristi Kandel shares her journey from a small-town girl in Ohio to a successful real estate developer with over $450 million in projects. She discusses her accidental entry into real estate, the importance of community-led development, and her passion for creating wellness destinations that foster belonging. Kristi emphasizes the need for locals to take charge of their communities and the innovative approaches she is implementing to make this happen, including crowdfunding and integrating local businesses into her projects. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:
2025-10-3123 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Marketing Maven to Hotel Developer: Hannah Corbacio’s 200-Year-Old Transformation | EP#25What if your first real estate deal wasn’t a rental or a flip… but a hotel? Most people would call that insane. Hannah Corbacio called it a challenge worth taking.In this episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Hannah Corbacio, a first-time developer who alongside her husband took on a 200-year-old historic bank building and is transforming it into The Rosalia Hotel, a luxury boutique stay and wedding venue in Pennsylvania.No background in development. No generational wealth. Just grit, vision, and a willingness to learn fast. Hannah opens up about what it r...
2025-10-2840 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Broken Leg to Real Estate Developer: Michele Correa’s Reinvention | EP#24After breaking her leg, most people would slow down.Michele Correa used it as her wake-up call.From 37 years in the family business to jumping headfirst into real estate in her 50s, Michele completely reinvented herself. One duplex, one rezoning battle, and one lesson at a time.In this episode, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Michele to talk about what it really looks like to build from scratch later in life: the pivots, the partnerships, and the persistence it takes to stay in the game when nothing goes as planned.Michele’s story is equal parts grit and gr...
2025-10-2148 min
The Real Estate Pessimist“Must Be Nice” Is a Myth: The Real Cost of Playing the Real Estate Game | EP#41“Must Be Nice” Is a Myth: The Real Cost of Playing the Real Estate Game | EP#41Ever looked at an investor’s highlight reel and thought, “Must be nice”? Cool. Let’s talk about the dues.Episode Summary:In this one, we go full Mythbusters on the lie that real estate investing is easy or that it ever will be. Kristi Kandel (developer/investor) and Erik Stenbakken (STR operator/agent) peel back the Instagram gloss and get painfully honest about what it really takes: the midnight lockouts, holiday emer...
2025-10-1543 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Selling Cars to Building Communities: Craig’s Journey into Development | EP#23This isn’t just another story about real estate. It’s about grit, reinvention, and what it really takes for locals to carve out their place in development.In this raw and inspiring episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Craig shares how he went from a career in car sales to staking his claim as a real estate developer. His story is one of transition, resilience, and the power of finding the right mentors and partners to help push past fear and into action. Craig lays out the unpolished truths of financing, navigating city politics, and breaking into development with...
2025-10-1457 min
Cash Flow Fight ClubHelping Locals Take Back Real Estate Development with Kristi KandelIn this episode of Cash Flow Fight Club, we’re joined by Kristi Kandel, a powerhouse in local real estate development who’s flipped the script on who gets to lead the shaping of our communities.
With nearly 20 years of experience and over $450M in developments, Kristi’s worked on everything from national retail rollouts to adaptive reuse and clean energy infrastructure. But today, she’s focused on helping locals take back control through her operating system for development, Dev-OS.
She shares how the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers Beach transformed her mission — and how re...
2025-10-1457 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFighting City Hall: Lance Cox on the Grit, Grind, and Gut Punches of Local Development | EP#22This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a playbook for LOCALS willing to take the hits and keep building.In this raw and real episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Lance Cox pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build in small-town Montana. From cutting his teeth in construction, to managing high-profile Disney projects, to coming home and battling politics, banks, and community pushback — Lance’s story is a masterclass in resilience.He doesn’t sugarcoat it. His first townhome project stalled. His subdivision sat for four y...
2025-10-0758 min
Rental Property Owner & Real Estate Investor PodcastFrom Investor to Developer: How to Build What Your Community Actually Needs with Kristi KandelMost investors stop at buying and renting—but what if your next move was developing the places your community actually needs? In this episode, real estate developer and consultant Kristi Kandel shares how everyday investors can become local developers without millions in the bank or a background in construction. With $450M+ in completed projects across retail, housing, clean energy, and adaptive reuse, Kristi breaks down what it really takes to turn vacant buildings or underutilized lots into thriving local assets. You'll learn: What development actually means (hint: it's not always ground-up construction)
2025-10-0632 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBetting on the Block: From Small Wins to Big Development Moves | EP#21This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this raw and inspiring episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Clayton Silva opens up about his journey from a curious entrepreneur testing small ideas to a developer stepping into bigger, riskier projects that could change his neighborhood’s future.Clayton didn’t come in with corporate backing or deep-pocket investors — he started with hustle, lessons learned the hard way, and a belief that locals should have a seat at the table. Through wins, setbacks...
2025-09-3050 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBreaking Barriers, Building Futures: Josh’s Journey Into Real Estate Development | EP#20This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a wake-up call for LOCALS who dream of building but don’t know where to start.In this raw and inspiring episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Josh shares how he went from construction roots to taking his first real swings at development. With honesty and grit, he opens up about the realities of navigating financing, city approvals, and the constant tug-of-war between vision and reality.Josh’s story isn’t polished — it’s real. It’s about learning by doing, leaning on mentors, and taking the hits that come with stepping into a...
2025-09-2347 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersHow Laura Kunkle Became the Developer Her Community Needed | EP#19No big firm. No roadmap. Just one woman building what she couldn’t find.What do you do when you love your neighborhood — but can’t find a home that fits your values, your lifestyle, or your people?In this raw and insightful episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Laura Kunkle shares how she stepped up to become the kind of developer her city didn’t even know it needed. With no real estate background and no deep pockets, she taught herself everything — from site selection to forming an LLC, hirin...
2025-09-1635 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersRebuilding The Beached Whale: How a Local Restaurant Became Ground Zero for Resilience | EP#18What do you do when your entire restaurant is washed away — and all that’s left are the pilings?In this powerful episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Mike and Dawn Miller, the local couple behind The Beached Whale — a beloved Fort Myers Beach restaurant that became both a symbol of loss and a beacon of local grit after Hurricane Ian hit.Just six months after purchasing the iconic spot, the Millers watched a Category 5 storm reduce it to rubble. No building. No busine...
2025-09-0943 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersTriple the Cost? Reimagining a 19-Lot Subdivision in Rural Idaho | MS#10What do you do when your project budget gets blown up overnight? Walk away or fight to find another path?In this minisode, Craig takes us inside his 19-lot subdivision project in rural Idaho, where a contractor’s estimate came back nearly triple what the realtor promised. Suddenly, a deal that looked straightforward on paper is underwater before breaking ground.Together, we dig into the real questions every small-town developer faces: Can you negotiate down infrastructure costs like curb and gutter? How do you balance what the code says ve...
2025-09-0425 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Wall Street to Boutique Hotel Developer | EP#17This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this episode of Local Real Estate Developers, we sit down with Marc Weisi, a former Wall Street analyst turned full-time real estate investor, to unpack how he went from house hacking in New Jersey to redeveloping a boutique hotel in the heart of San Juan, Puerto Rico.Marc doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He shares the unfiltered realities of transitioning from spreadsheets to scaffolding, the importance of trusting local operators, and how taking bold risks — in unfamiliar markets — can reshape your life and your portfolio...
2025-09-0249 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Broker to Builder: Flipping a Backyard Lot into Three New Homes in Charlotte | MS #10What happens when a broker stops selling deals and starts building them?In this minisode, meet Alan Cicito, a Charlotte-based land broker who went from helping others scale build-to-rent portfolios… to raising his hand and saying, “I want to be the buyer this time.”This is a real-life story of real estate development for beginners—how one relationship, one lot, and one zoning code changed everything.📍 Location: Charlotte, North CarolinaAlan didn’t overthink it. He saw the potential, partnered with a builder he tr...
2025-08-2824 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBreaking Ground and Breaking Stereotypes | EP#16This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a call to every LOCAL woman ready to take the lead in real estate — no permission required.In this raw and inspiring episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Christine opens up about how a personal breakdown became the breakthrough she needed to step into development. With no formal training, no partner, and two young kids, she rolled up her sleeves and figured it out herself — from running construction crews to navigating city permits and pushing through delays that would’ve made most people quit.Christine doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle. She shares the s...
2025-08-2640 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFeaturing Sylvia & Africa: How Two First-Time Developers Pivoted Into a 6-Unit Win | MS#09When your “easy” second project turns into a crash course in zoning, overlays, and HOA structuring what do you do?In this minisode, we’re back with Sylvia and Africa, two first-time developers in Sacramento who thought they could replicate their last infill townhome design just one block away. Instead, they ran into:✅ Zoning restrictions ✅ Historic district overlays ✅ Parking minimums ✅ And a city that said, “Nope.”But here’s where it gets good: rather than walking away, they pivoted...
2025-08-2131 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Rock Bottom to Rental Riches: Ray’s Local Developer Comeback Story | EP#15This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this gripping episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Ray Smith shares the raw, unfiltered journey of losing it all — and rebuilding it piece by piece with grit, creativity, and purpose. After Hurricane Ian destroyed his Florida-based general contracting business, Ray was left broke, living with his parents at 42, and searching for a way back.But instead of chasing big money or flashy flips, he doubled down on relationships, kept it local, and chose a place few would: Albuquerque, New Mexico.Ray reveals how he wen...
2025-08-1955 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Lot Lines to Neighborhood Vision in Idaho | Think Like a Developer MS#08Sometimes what looks like a simple infill deal ends up challenging you to think way bigger. In this minisode, we’re back with Craig Parsons in small-town Idaho where the drainage lot doesn’t come with the rest of the land, infrastructure costs are stacking up, and the idea of acting as his own general contractor is starting to make real sense.But this episode isn’t just about utilities and tap fees. It’s about building something that actually fits the community and truly designing for strategic placemaking that will last for gene...
2025-08-1415 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersThe Office Conversion Playbook — Will Bockoven’s Leap Into Development | EP#14This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this episode of Local Real Estate Developers, we sit down with Will Bockoven, founder of Block Ventures, to unpack the vision, challenges, and successes behind 175 LEX — a 52,000 SF, six-story mixed-use building that’s redefining urban living in Lexington, Kentucky’s Central Business District.Completed in 2023, 175 LEX features 23 modern residential units along with retail and office space, creating a vibrant hub where people can live, work, and connect in the heart of the city. Will shares how his team navigated design, financing, and construction to bring t...
2025-08-1252 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Flip to Ground-Up: How 2 First-Time Developers Turned a Backyard Lot Into a Real Project | MS#7What happens when two flippers walk a property and realize the real opportunity isn’t in the house, it’s in the backyard?In this minisode, Sylvia and Africa break down the moment they decided to go from fix-and-flip to ground-up development in Sacramento.🛠 What they got right: → Seizing a seller-financed, shovel-ready deal → Calling themselves developers before they felt ready → Taking ownership when their architect dropped the ball💡 What they learned the hard way: → Why passive deal management delays projects → The legal shift when raising 6 figures → How a messy back lot can kill your flip saleThis is exactly the kind of story emerging...
2025-08-0726 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Restaurant Redevelopment to Multi-Phase Impact Projects | EP#13This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this inspiring episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Sieria “Sisi” Payne shares her incredible journey from launching a restaurant in a corporate business park to co-developing a multi-phase community project in her hometown of Milwaukee. Her story is a powerful testament to vision, grit, and purpose-driven development.Sisi opens up about the full life cycle of her first major commercial project — a 10,000 sq ft building she redeveloped into a restaurant and coworking space, then later sold to auto industry investors near a brand-new Porsche de...
2025-08-0547 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom “Unbuildable Lot” to First Ground-Up Deal in Rural Virginia | MS#06What do you do when everyone says “you can’t build there”? You figure it out.In this minisode, Chase Louderback shares how he turned a narrow, overlooked lot in rural Virginia into his very first ground-up development. With no prior construction experience and no green light from the town—at first—he stayed curious, did the research, and uncovered a forgotten zoning clause that let him build a 24-foot home where everyone else saw a dead-end.He breaks down how he:navigated setback approvals and obscure code worka...
2025-07-3122 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersReclaiming Public Spaces and Empowering Communities with Tactical Urbanism | EP#12This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this inspiring episode of Local Real Estate Developers, we sit down with Krista Nightengale, Executive Director of Better Block, an organization that helps communities reimagine and reclaim public space — quickly, creatively, and collaboratively.Krista shares how Better Block helps activate underutilized lots and corridors using 120-day demonstration projects that bring residents, vendors, and artists together to test new ideas. From temporary food parks and shaded seating to pop-up markets and intersection takeovers, she explains how short-term action can lead to long-term change...
2025-07-2946 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate Developers🎙 BONUS EPISODE: How Kristi Kandel Became a Real Estate Developer — From CVS Rollouts to Community-Driven Projects🎙 BONUS EPISODE: How Kristi Kandel Became a Real Estate Developer — From CVS Rollouts to Community-Driven ProjectsThis week, we’re flipping the mic. In this bonus episode, Kristi shares her real estate journey on Commercial Real Estate 101 with LRED cohost Raphael Collazo.They dive into Kristi’s accidental start in development, what she learned managing 30+ projects a year, and how she structured her first deals after leaving her corporate job. This episode covers the mindset, risks, and strategies behind building real estate projects that actually serve a community—and why Kristi...
2025-07-2852 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersDrainage, Phasing & Density in Small-Town Idaho | Think Like a Developer MS#05Sometimes development doesn’t come with a clean blueprint. Sometimes it comes with drainage issues, missing permits, and a one-woman building department. In this minisode, we’re back with Craig Parsons as he unpacks the messy middle of an inherited subdivision project in rural Idaho.From standing water to zoning strategy, Craig is figuring it out as he goes—talking to neighbors, walking the site with contractors, and meeting with county staff to untangle what’s possible. He’s navigating infrastructure costs, site phasing, and whether adjusting lot lines could allow for duplexes, triplexes—or even four...
2025-07-2415 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBuilding Community-Driven Developments with Intention | EP#11This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this insightful episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Josh — a real estate developer, educator, and founder of the Impact Development Collaborative — shares his journey from leaving a corporate job to building meaningful infill housing projects that shape communities and create long-term value.Josh walks us through the multi-year process of launching a townhome development in Cedar City, Utah, including forming the right partnerships, selecting a contractor, navigating entitlement, and making critical decisions around property management. He offers a grounded perspective on balancing family, finances...
2025-07-2237 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersHow a First-Time Real Estate Developer Funded His Deal Without Millions | MS#04 What if your first real estate deal wasn’t about deep pockets, but about trusting yourself to figure it out? Rajan Chida went from reselling sneakers in high school to closing his first development deal in Front Royal, Virginia all before turning 22. When most people think about real estate development, they imagine needing millions in the bank and years of experience. But Rajan Chida’s story proves otherwise.In this episode, Rajan shares how his journey started by flipping shoes, saving up his profits, and buying his first rental prope...
2025-07-1717 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Flipping Dirt to Building Neighborhoods — Brian Wied’s Lean Path to Land Development | EP#10This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this tactical and eye-opening episode of Local Real Estate Developers, we sit down with Brian Wied, a land flipper turned developer and environmental consultant, who built his real estate business from scratch — while working overseas in Saudi Arabia.Brian shares how he went from nervously tackling his first land deal to running a multi-state operation that combines data, direct mail, and AI to acquire and subdivide rural land across the U.S. With a passion for simplicity, lean teams, and real-world pragmatism, Brian breaks...
2025-07-1550 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersHow a Closed Church Became a Lifeline for Local Youth in Columbus | Think Like a Developer MS#03Sometimes the biggest wins start with trust. This is how locals reshape their communities from the inside out.Ben Sears and the Star House team didn’t just redevelop a closed church in Columbus, Ohio. They are creating a drop-in center that’s now transforming young lives. In this minisode, we pull back the curtain on how they navigated zoning, city bureaucracy, and a neighborhood that already believed in them before the project ever hit the agenda.When you build with your community, not to i...
2025-07-1016 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersHow Chris King Turned a Historic Property Into His First Development Deal | EP#9This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this insightful episode of Local Real Estate Developers, we sit down with Chris King, a young and ambitious real estate investor and developer based in Pensacola, Florida. Chris shares how he transitioned from licensed realtor to full-time developer—all before age 30—by tackling a high-risk, high-reward historic redevelopment in downtown Pensacola.Chris opens up about getting his start in real estate through his mom, landing a huge deal while still in college, and how a relationship with his former basketball coach turned into a critic...
2025-07-0856 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Beer Talk to Deal Structuring in Idaho | Think Like a Developer MS#02From Beer Talk to Deal Structuring in Idaho | Think Like a Developer Minisode#02You don’t need a pitch deck—you just need to talk about what you’re doing. In this minisode, we’re back in Idaho with Craig Parsons as he unpacks how funding actually happens when you’re starting small. One moment he’s chatting about his project at a local bar—next thing you know, someone overhears and offers to connect him with an investor. From seller financing to sweat equity and everything in...
2025-07-0316 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersTransforming Communities Through Mission-Driven Development | EP#08This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this compelling episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Rachel Chwaszczewski — a 30-year real estate veteran, builder, and community strategist — shares her powerful journey from flipping homes to spearheading transformational workforce housing and infill development projects. Rachel’s work sits at the intersection of private, nonprofit, and municipal collaboration, and she brings a unique, action-oriented mindset to complex neighborhood revitalization.Rachel opens up about the lessons learned from decades of building, consulting, and partnering with cities. She discusses how intentionality, persistence, and curiosity can unlock new...
2025-07-0144 minCommercial Real Estate 101 PodcastHow To Become a Local Real Estate Developer with Kristi Kandel▶️ Visit to know more: https://www.raphaelcollazo.com/ Welcome, and for all your questions, Raphael is here to help you with How To Become a Local Real Estate Developer with Kristi Kandel.If you are interested in learning about the many facets of commercial real estate, whether you're a business owner, investor, or just someone who's curious about the subject, you'll gain value from being a part of the group! In this meeting, Kristi Kandel, Founder of Local Real Estate Developers, talked about his background and how she got started in the business.Along with that, he shared insights abou...
2025-06-2654 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersFrom Sneaker Hustles to Cabin Resorts: Rajan Chida’s Leap Into Development | EP#07This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this inspiring episode of Local Real Estate Developers, we sit down with Rajan Chida — a young entrepreneur who went from reselling sneakers to co-developing a modern cabin resort alongside his partner, Renzo. With no formal background in real estate, Rajan shares how sheer curiosity, hustle, and relationship-building opened the door to his first major development opportunity.Rajan unpacks how his early hustle selling shoes taught him valuable lessons in grit, scaling, and flipping — all of which translated into his jour...
2025-06-2451 min
Affordable Housing & Real Estate InvestingWhat Developers Must Know About Utilities & Entitlements: Step-by-Step Guide - Kristi KandelHow to Handle Utilities and Entitlements in Real Estate Development What do developers need to know about utilities, entitlements, and site planning? In this episode of Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing (the top podcast on Affordable Housing Investments hosted by Kent Fai He), Kristi Kandel shares how to navigate permitting delays, utility coordination, and city planning requirements!If you're asking:• How do I get utilities approved for my real estate development?• What is the entitlement process for new housing?• What permits and plans are required before construction?This video is it!...
2025-06-2351 min
🎙️ Local Real Estate Developers🎙 From Deli Sandwich to 19-Lot Deal in Small-Town Idaho | MS#01🎙 From Deli Sandwich to 19-Lot Deal in Small-Town Idaho | Minisode #01Wait—did that deal just fall into your lap at the deli?That’s exactly what happened in Idaho, where Craig Parsons went from chatting about an old building to uncovering a 19-lot residential development opportunity—already zoned, mapped, and nearly shovel-ready.No trust fund. No formal title. Just local relationships, smart questions, and the guts to follow a thread.This minisode is packed with real numbers, rural strategy, and what...
2025-06-1918 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersHow to Turn a Motel, a Church, and a Calling Into Community Impact | EP#06🛑 What if the future of real estate isn't about ROI… but about rebuilding trust?In this episode of The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, we’re handing the mic to someone who’s walking the talk—Ben Sears, VP of Expansion at Star House in Columbus, Ohio. Ben’s team didn’t wait around for the system to fix itself—they became the community operator & developer. From turning a condemned motel into housing to navigating the politics of adaptive reuse in a 70-year-old church building, Ben breaks down what it really takes t...
2025-06-1743 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBuilding Community Through Missing Middle Housing & Small Business Support | EP#05This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this powerful episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Garland Harris shares his journey creating affordable, innovative housing solutions rooted in community and equity in Houston.Garland dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of missing middle housing, zoning code changes, and designing developments that support small businesses and entrepreneurs who don’t fit the traditional mold. He discusses the vision behind his French Town Village project, the impact of city policies on live-work units, and the importance of thinking long-term to build...
2025-06-101h 01The Real Estate PessimistCongrats, You Just Made the Worst Financial Decision of Your Life | EP#22Congrats, You Just Made the Worst Financial Decision of Your Life What would you do if your own dad told you your first flip was a total disaster… Right after you bought the house?That’s exactly what happened to DJ Dubuono. But spoiler alert: it turned out to be the start of everything.In this episode, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken sit down with DJ—one of our Local Real Estate Developer alums—for a wild ride through live-in flips, family dynamics, bad drywall jobs, an...
2025-06-0439 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersHow to Build Millions in Retail—Without Leaving Your Neighborhood | EP#04This isn’t just commercial real estate. It’s community-building at its boldest.What if the strip malls, empty lots, and tired old shopping centers in your city weren’t dead—they were just waiting for someone like you to reimagine them?In this episode of The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast, Kristi and Raphael sit down with Beth Azor—a retail leasing legend turned developer—who proves you don’t need to fly across the country to make big moves. You just need to walk your neighborhood, knock on doors, and...
2025-06-0357 minThe Real Estate PessimistI’ll Just Do It Faster Myself — How That Mentality Is Sabotaging Your Freedom | EP#21Think freedom means doing everything on your own? Think again.In this episode of The Real Estate Pessimist: The Good, The Bad, and The Truth About Real Estate Investing, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken get brutally honest about the mindset mistakes that keep entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners stuck in survival mode.We dive into: → Why “I’ll just do it myself” is costing you time, energy, and growth → How to spot the hidden pain points you are creating by avoiding systems → Real e...
2025-05-2844 min
Commercially Speaking Podcast- Commercial Real Estate Investing That EntertainsCould You Be a Real Estate Developer? Kristi Kandel Thinks So!🏡 What if you could be the developer your hometown has been waiting for?In this episode of Commercially Speaking, Bo and Timmy sit down with Kristi Kandel, a powerhouse real estate developer on a mission to revitalize overlooked communities by empowering locals to lead the change themselves.From her early days developing Family Dollars across California to building a self-managing company and launching Local Real Estate Developer, Kristi is bridging the gap between mission and money. This episode is about creating freedom, wealth, and community impact—all at once.🎯 What You’ll Learn:Why 75...
2025-05-281h 18🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersBuilding Generational Wealth Through Real Estate Development | EP#03This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.In this powerful episode of Local Real Estate Developers, Kenneth Bell, a seasoned developer, entrepreneur, and community advocate, explores the world of real estate development from a deeply personal and practical lens.Kenneth shares his unique journey from early entrepreneurial pursuits to becoming a full-time developer passionate about revitalizing communities and helping others create generational wealth. Throughout the episode, he unpacks lessons from his own projects, dives into the realities of the entitlement and cons...
2025-05-2752 min
The Freedom Blueprint42: Real Estate Isn’t Just for the Rich—Kristi Kandel’s $450M Story Proves ItFor today’s episode, I’m joined by Kristi Kandel—an incredible developer behind $450M+ in projects with brands like CVS and Chick-fil-A. What makes her story truly stand out is her mission to make real estate development accessible to people who genuinely care about their communities.
Kristi shares how she got started from scratch, why she believes local investors are the future, and how she scaled sustainably—without millions in the bank or burning out. If you’ve ever thought about stepping into development, this conversation will open your eyes to what’s truly possible.
👉 Want to...
2025-05-2632 minThe Real Estate Pessimist🔥 Someone Tried to BLOW UP His Investment?! Real Estate Pessimist Podcast ft. Mike Sgandurra | EP#20🔥 Someone Tried to BLOW UP His Investment?! | Real Estate Pessimist Podcast ft. Mike Sgandurra🚨 Has the ATF ever called you about one of your real estate deals?Didn’t think so.But that’s just another day in the investing life of Mike Sgandurra — and in this episode, things get unhinged in the best way. From a near-bombing of his Cybertruck 🚛💥 to a 4-year-long out-of-state reno gone off the rails — Mike's story is the chaotic cautionary tale every investor needs to hear so you can avoid similar ch...
2025-05-2143 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersHow Lynn & Jason Bought a Waterfront Resort and Built a Sauna Empire | EP#02Ever thought your dream project was too risky… or too remote?Lynn Makela didn’t let any of that stop her.In this episode, we’re diving into the story of how she and her husband left the grind of city life to redevelop a forgotten lakeside resort in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—using grit, vision, and a whole lot of sweat equity.This isn’t some fairytale flip. This is what it really looks like to start where you are, with what you’ve got, and bu...
2025-05-2056 minThe Real Estate PessimistFast & Furious Real Estate? Why Social Media is Wrecking New Investors | EP#19Would you learn how to drive by watching Fast & The Furious?Then why are so many people learning real estate investing from Instagram reels and TikTok gurus?In this episode of The Real Estate Pessimist: The Good, The Bad, and The Truth About Real Estate Investing, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken break down hyperreality — the blurry line between what’s real and what’s just for show in the real estate world (and life).We’re pulling back the curtain on: → Fake door counts → Burnout business models → Curated social media highlight reels → Chasing goals that aren’...
2025-05-1435 min🎙️ Local Real Estate DevelopersWhat If You’re the One Your Town’s Been Waiting For? | EP#01This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement for LOCALS ready to lead.What if the buildings you drive by every day—the vacant lots, the rundown corner stores, the old warehouses—were yours to reimagine?This first episode of The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast kicks off the mission: breaking down the gatekeeping in development and showing locals exactly how to start building real projects in their own communities.Kristi Kandel and co-host Raphael Collazo share their backstories, how this podcast came to life, and why real estate development should no longe...
2025-05-1324 minThe Real Estate PessimistFrom 875 Houses to Hotels, Real Wealth, & What Actually Matters: Keith Blackborg Tells All | EP#18What happens after the big win? After the exit, the accolades, the passive income?In this no-BS episode of The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken sit down with Keith Blackborg— CPA, high-net-worth advisor, real estate investor, and the guy whose team bought 875 houses. But this isn’t just a flex-fest—it’s a soul check for every investor out there.💥 We talk divorce scares and treasure chest proposals. 💥 Wealthy clients who looked rich but felt empty. 💥 What really happens when you sell your business and lose your identit...
2025-05-0754 minThe Real Estate Pessimist🤔 The One Thing That Almost Every Successful Investor Ignores | EP#15The One Thing That Almost Every Successful Investor Ignores | EP#15✨ Must-watch for anyone who's ever thought "I'll be happy when..." 💥 Spoiler alert: that moment never comes.In this episode, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken drop the truth bomb that nobody in the real estate game wants to admit—success is boring. No flashy cars. No 100 doors in 6 months. Just the same hoodie, same systems, same daily habits… repeated for years.We talk about:*Why Erik wore the same “mechanic” shirt for two decades—and how it made him wildly successful
2025-05-0644 minThe Real Estate PessimistWhat do faith, purpose, BetterLife, $25K backflows, and a rogue Instagram comment have in common? | EP#17What do faith, failure, purpose, BetterLife, $25K backflows, and a rogue Instagram comment have in common?They’re all part of how Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken — two wildly different real estate investors — somehow ended up co-hosting a podcast together.In this special behind-the-scenes episode of The Real Estate Pessimist: The Good, the Bad, and the Truth About RE Investing, we’re not talking asset classes. We’re talking soul. Calling. Alignment. And how you actually find people who get you...even if you've never met in person....
2025-04-3057 minThe Real Estate PessimistSwiss Army Knife for Life – Voiceover, Real Estate, and the Power of the Three-Foot Toss | EP#16Jamie Hill—The Voice Behind the Brands, the Investor Behind the Fear, and One of My Closest FriendsFeaturing: me (Kristi Kandel), Erik Stenbakken, and the one and only Jamie Hill (@voicesbyjamiehill)This episode? Whew. We laughed, we nodded so hard our necks hurt, and honestly—I probably need to go back and re-listen with a notepad in hand.Because when Jamie talks? You shut up and soak it in.Whether it’s behind the mic for a major brand or behind the scenes of her...
2025-04-2330 min🎙️ Local Real Estate Developers🎙️ EP#1 Drops 5/13/25 — Why Locals Should Be the Ones Leading DevelopmentMost podcasts talk about real estate from the top down.This one’s different. We’re starting from the ground up.With locals.The Local Real Estate Developer Podcast is for people who are tired of waiting for someone else to fix their town.For people who drive past the same vacant building every day thinking, “That could be something.”For people who care deeply—and are ready to build boldly.In Episode 1, we’re setting the table:→ What sparked this podcast→ Why real estate isn’t just for the wealthy and we...
2025-04-2203 minThe Real Estate PessimistThe Unexpected Jedi Mind Trick That Makes Real Estate Investors Rich! | EP# 13Did you know Yoda had some of the best real estate investing advice ever?"Do or do not. There is no try."That’s the essence of a Buy Box—a simple yes or no filter that separates winning investors from those stuck in analysis paralysis.On this episode of The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken break down:✅ Why a Buy Box is the #1 tool for making smart, fast real estate decisions✅ How most investors start backward...
2025-04-0241 minThe Real Estate PessimistImprovise, Adapt, and Overcome: Craig Parsons—The Man Who Does What He Says and Figures It Out 🛠️🏡 | EP #12In this gripping episode of The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken sit down with Craig Parsons. A man who started in construction at just nine years old but didn't jump into real estate investing until five years ago. And when he did? Buckle up.Craig's story is one of resilience, creativity, and sheer grit. From a flooded building to shattered storefront windows to a tenant-induced waterfall, he's seen it all. And through every unexpected twist, Craig found a way to adapt, learn, and come out s...
2025-03-2645 minThe Real Estate PessimistPART 2: Wait! Don't Buy a Short-Term Rental... Yet! 🏖️🚫 | EP # 11Before you jump into the world of vacation rentals, you need to listen to parts one and two of The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast. In this can’t-miss episode, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken break down how the short-term rental game has changed—big time.From sky-high guest expectations to professional scammers, the days of easy money with Airbnbs are over. But that doesn't mean you can't succeed. It just means you need to know the truth before you buy.👉 Here's what you'll learn:
2025-03-1935 minThe Real Estate Pessimist🚨 PART 1: The Short-Term Rental Market is Changing – Are You Prepared? 🚨 | Ep #10What worked for STRs in 2020 won’t cut it in 2024. The game has changed, and if you’re not paying attention, fees, taxes, and regulations could wipe out your profits. 🏡💸In this episode of The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast, Erik Stenbakken and Kristi Kandel expose the realities of STR investing today:🔥 The New Landscape – How investors, municipalities, and HOAs reshaped the market.⚠️ Regulation Crackdowns – Why cities are banning permits overnight and how to protect your investment.💰 Hidden Costs – The skyrocketing taxes, licensing fees, and operational expenses eating into your...
2025-03-1231 minThe Real Estate PessimistHow to Win in Real Estate When the Odds Are Stacked Against You 🏠 | Ep #9🎙️ Welcome to the Real Estate Pessimist Podcast—the good, the bad, and the truth about real estate investing!In this episode, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken sit down with Vish Muni, a seasoned real estate investor, obstacle race enthusiast, and mindset powerhouse from Austin, Texas. Vish shares his journey from starting small with duplexes to navigating complex commercial deals like TripleNet leases and industrial outdoor storage.What You’ll Learn:💪 The Power of Persistence: Vish’s story of overcoming rejection from 12 banks before landing his first deal—and how perseverance unlocked the door to his real esta...
2025-03-0539 minThe Real Estate Pessimist7 Reasons You’re Not Ready to Scale (Yet!) – Avoid These Costly Mistakes! |EP #87 Reasons You’re Not Ready to Scale (Yet!) – Avoid These Costly Mistakes! Scaling your real estate portfolio sounds exciting, but growth without the right foundation can lead to costly mistakes.In this episode of The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken break down the 7 biggest red flags that could hold you back from successful scaling.Here’s what we cover:✅ No systems in place? Scaling without automation = chaos✅ Cash reserves too low? Unexpected expenses can wipe you out✅ Messy debt strategy? The wrong loans can sink you...
2025-02-2646 min
Agents Building CashflowEP 191: Empowering Local Developers for Community Revitalization with Kristi KandelSeasoned real estate developer, Kristi Kandel, sits down with Randal to dive into the world of real estate development. Kristi shares her journey from working at a sign company to becoming a leading developer, specializing in public-private partnerships that revitalize neglected properties. She discusses the importance of local community engagement, the misconceptions about development, and how aspiring developers can get started with minimal capital. Kristi also reveals her mission to empower 1,000 ordinary people to become local developers, transforming their communities from the inside out. Whether you're a real estate agent or an aspiring developer, this episode is p...
2025-02-1943 minThe Real Estate Pessimist🎥 The Truth About Real Estate: Exposing Myths, Lies, and How to Play Your Own Game | EP #7Welcome to The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast—where we dive into the good, the bad, and the truth about real estate investing. 🎙️ In this episode, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken unpack the hype surrounding real estate, debunk common misconceptions, and share how they transformed hesitation into action, building wealth one deal at a time.What You’ll Learn:🚩Why "highlight reels" on social media often leave out the messy truths of real estate investing.🏡 How "doors" and "income" metrics can be misleading, and what questions to ask before believing the hype.💪 The importance of...
2025-02-1943 min
Outrunning FailuresOvercoming Challenges: Kristi Kandel's Real Estate AdventuresToday’s guest is Kristi Kandel.Kristi is a real estate developer with almost 20 years of experience, specializing in public-private partnerships and transforming overlooked properties into community spaces. She has managed over $450 million in projects and collaborated with major brands. Kristi is the founder of Local Real Estate Developers, where she aims to empower 1,000 people to redevelop their communities. She has dedicated over 50,000 hours to real estate development, working as a developer, consultant, and planning commissioner. Kristi also played a role in a 30-year master plan update for her commun...
2025-02-1234 minThe Real Estate PessimistHow We Stopped Playing It Safe and Built Real Estate Wealth with Grit, Risk, and a Little Crazy | EP #6Ever wondered how everyday people break into the world of real estate investing and unlock opportunities they didn’t even know existed? 🏠 In this episode of The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast, hosts Kristi Kandel and Eric Stenbakken share their personal journeys from being stuck in the "hamster wheel" 🐹 of active income to discovering the life-changing machine of real estate investing. 🤯🔑 Breaking the Rules: How stepping away from "conventional wisdom" opened up a whole new financial world.📈 The First Step: What it feels like to take the leap into your first deal—and why that deal is always the gateway to more...
2025-02-1238 minThe Real Estate PessimistThey Said She Couldn’t Buy a House… So She Bought a Duplex Instead! How April Beat the System | EP #5🔥 💰 They Said She Couldn’t Buy a House… So She Bought a Duplex Instead! How April Vogt Beat the System & Bought Real Estate on a Bartender’s Salary!You are NOT going to want to miss this episode of @TheRealEstatePessimist Podcast!We sat down with April Vogt, who started investing in real estate when she literally couldn’t afford real estate. That’s right, she couldn’t qualify for a single-family home, so she did something crazy…👉 She bought a duplex instead.Sounds impossible, right? Think again.💥 On a bartender’s salary, Apr...
2025-02-0536 minThe Real Estate Pessimist🎙️ Mindset: The Key to Surviving and Thriving in Real Estate | #4🌟 Episode Summary:In this episode, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken dive into the critical role mindset plays in real estate investing and life. It’s more than the numbers and strategies. It’s how you navigate setbacks, take ownership, and find the courage to move forward when things get tough. 💪Kristi and Erik share personal stories of challenges, like rebuilding after hurricanes, tackling failed investments , and facing fears of taking big risks. They explore how embracing mindset as a top skill helps investors thrive, even when things go wrong. Whether you're dealing with unexpected property damage, uncooperative tenants, o...
2025-01-2940 minThe Real Estate PessimistWhen Homeland Security Kicks in Your Door: Real Estate Horror Story Turned Win | # 3In this episode of The Real Estate Pessimist Podcast, Kristi Kandel and Erik Stenbakken dive into a story that’s as shocking as it is full of lessons for real estate investors. 🏡 Imagine closing on what seems like the perfect fourplex only to find out Homeland Security is busting into one of the units because it’s a stash house for the cartel. 😳Kristi shares the jaw-dropping details of inheriting a tenant with a double life, law enforcement's raid, and how it led to months of lost rent and costly repairs. But that’s not the end of th...
2025-01-2235 min
Free to Be Mindful Podcast | Helping Professional Moms Find Calm in a Busy WorldLiving Intentionally with Kristi KandelIn this episode, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman sits down with Kristi Kandel, a visionary real estate developer, to explore the power of purpose-driven living and the transformation of neglected communities. Kristi takes us on a journey from her humble beginnings in a small Ohio town to becoming a successful entrepreneur and passionate advocate for revitalizing underserved areas.Kristi opens up about how her experiences growing up in poverty and her unwavering work ethic paved the way for her career in real estate. She discusses her deep commitment to community empowerment, emphasizing the importance of collaborating with local...
2024-12-2333 min
The Real Estate PessimistBeyond the Hype: What Real Estate Investing Really Takes | #1Welcome to the very first episode of The Real Estate Pessimist: The Good, Bad, and the Truth About Real Estate Investing. In this episode, Erik and Kristi Kandel introduce themselves and share the mission behind this podcast: to uncover the raw, unfiltered realities of real estate investing.We dive into our personal journeys, sharing the pivotal moments that shaped our paths, including some of our biggest mistakes (and what we learned from them). This isn’t just another podcast about quick wins and overnight success in real estate—we’re here to educate, inspire, and empower you throug...
2024-12-1236 min
The Hope MatrixEpisode 32: Finding Hope Through Natural Disasters, Featuring Kristi KandelIn this episode, podcast host Kathryn Goetzke engages in a profound conversation with Kristi Kandel, the CEO and Founder of I&D Consulting. They discuss the impacts of natural disasters on individuals and communities, focusing on resilience, hope, and the importance of community support. Kristi shares personal experiences of navigating through hurricanes and wildfires, highlighting the emotional turmoil and uncertainty faced during these events. The duo explores challenges and potential solutions for rebuilding, including the use of modular construction and proactive measures for insurance coverage.Kristi emphasizes the power of small steps, goal setting, and sharing personal...
2024-08-1354 minAffordable Housing & Real Estate Investing17 Acres: How to Phase Real Estate Development and Split Responsibilities + Profits - Kristi KandelGet ready to witness the incredible transformation of 17 acres into a thriving mixed-income community! Our latest podcast episode of "Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing," Jen Aintablian (@humanitarian.investor) and I got to interview Kristi Kandel re: an incredible 17-acre development project, showcasing every step of the journey from turning dirt to a thriving, self-sustaining neighborhood with affordable housing. Dive deep into the world of development with us today!🔹 What You'll Learn:- The planning and design process for a large-scale development project- How to look at project and optimize for the high...
2024-08-0150 min
Abundant Journey PodcastKristi Kandel Is Here to Make You a Local Real Estate Developer | Ep. 70Summary
In this episode, Kristi Kandel shares her entrepreneurial journey and her new endeavor in real estate development. She discusses the importance of having clarity and getting feedback from others to refine your ideas. Kristi emphasizes that anyone can get started in real estate development, especially in smaller communities where there are fewer barriers to entry. She also highlights the advantages of being a local developer, such as having community support and building relationships with strategic partners. Kristi encourages networking with local officials and taking on low-hanging fruit projects to gain experience. Finally, she explains why she...
2024-06-0359 min
The REI Agent#2 - Freedom Hacking With Kristi KandelIn this Episode we speak with Kristi Kandel! Through I&D Consulting & Freedom Hackers, Kristi Kandel is redefining real estate development by mentoring emerging developers on projects that not only promise financial returns but also add awesome assets to your community!
After years of navigating hundreds of corporate development projects from inception to completion, Kristi broke away from the nine to five and founded a development & consulting company to help others complete successful development projects!
A couple of years after starting her first company, I&D Consulting, Kristi started investing the profits into her personal real estate portfolio. She currently h...
2024-04-1855 min
Abundant Journey PodcastKristi Kandel Wants You to Be Financially Free, and She’s Here to Help! | Ep. 29Discover the remarkable journey of Kristi Kandel, a visionary CEO, real estate developer, and investor, in our latest podcast episode. Join us for an inspiring exploration into Kristi's expertise, her passion for community building, and her dedication to empowering individuals in every phase of their real estate endeavors.
Hailing from a quaint Ohio farm town, Kristi's upbringing instilled values of hard work and integrity, shaping her into the dynamic leader she is today. With over 14 years of experience in the real estate industry, she's a true testament to the transformative power of real estate, not only for...
2023-08-141h 01