Real Estate Investing

How do you grade neighborhoods for real estate investment?
Memphis real estate experts Brett Bernard and Marissa Miller reveal the critical neighborhood grading system that separates profitable investments from costly mistakes. Discover why grading neighborhoods for real estate investment has nothing to do with demographics and everything to do with property conditions, investment potential, and market fundamentals. You’ll learn the exact criteria for evaluating C-grade neighborhoods—the sweet spot where Memphis investors achieve 12-14% returns—and why buying in D or F neighborhoods guarantees losses regardless of purchase price. From Whitehaven’s A-grade southern sections to Frazier’s remarkable transformation from gang-infested to solid C-market, we break down Memphis’s street-by-street investment landscape with real examples of $35,000 properties that cost investors $30,000+ in losses versus $115,000 Frazier homes generating $1,300 monthly rent. Whether you’re evaluating East Memphis near U of M or researching Cordova’s stable B-grade market, this episode provides the systematic approach you need.
https://mymemphisinvestmentproperties.com/podcast/how-do-you-grade-neighborhoods-for-real-estate-investment/

Why Owner Financing Fails for Memphis Home Sellers
In this episode, the team tackles the rising trend of owner financing in the Memphis real estate market. Owner financing is being touted as a game-changing strategy, but it comes with significant downsides that many investors and homeowners don’t fully understand. From seminars charging thousands to teach questionable techniques to investors blindly making offers without doing proper due diligence, this episode highlights the real consequences of not understanding the fine print.
https://mymemphisinvestmentproperties.com/podcast/why-owner-financing-fails-for-memphis-home-sellers/

Avoid Title Scams and Fund Smarter Real Estate Deals
Navigating the real estate investment landscape can be tricky, especially when dealing with wholesalers, contract disputes, and innovative financing options. In this episode, we dig into a cautionary tale of how a failed contract led to a clouded title due to a filed memorandum of contract. We uncover the mechanics of how such filings can derail a sale, cost thousands in legal fees, and force sellers into frustrating standoffs. You’ll also learn about legislative updates affecting wholesalers in Tennessee and the real-world implications of working without a licensed agent. This episode further dives into smarter funding strategies for investors, focusing on Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSR) loans, how they function, and who they benefit. Jo Garner, our mortgage expert, explains how creative financial planning—from 401(k) borrowing to portfolio loan structuring—can maximize leverage and minimize documentation. Whether you’re just starting or scaling your rental portfolio, this episode delivers essential insights on avoiding legal pitfalls and optimizing your cash flow strategy.
https://mymemphisinvestmentproperties.com/podcast/avoid-title-scams-and-fund-smarter-real-estate-deals/

Is a $146K Memphis Turnkey Worth It for Investors?
Would you pay $146K for a Memphis turnkey rental in 2025? In this episode, we break down a real investor’s real-world experience buying three turnkey properties—one of which is in Frayser, a fast-changing Memphis neighborhood. This isn’t just talk—we run the numbers on cash flow, dive deep into the 1% rule, and get into the weeds on rent estimates, Section 8 income, and real maintenance costs like termite treatments and insurance premiums. You’ll get the hard truths behind turnkey real estate investing, why some upfront costs make financial sense, and how one couple built in smart risk mitigation while scaling their portfolio.
https://mymemphisinvestmentproperties.com/podcast/is-a-146k-memphis-turnkey-worth-it-for-investors/

What New Investors Always Get Wrong (But Won’t Admit)
Real estate investing can be a goldmine or a landmine — and it all starts with your mindset. In this candid episode, we sit down with longtime investor Kevin Gaithier, who opens up about his early financial missteps, how he lost $14,000 on a single property, and what he learned that kept him coming back for more. We dive into the biggest mistakes new investors make — and rarely admit — including ignoring real math, relying on hype, and skipping essential reserve planning. Kevin shares his philosophy on long-term investing, avoiding emotional traps, and why having the right team makes investing out of state not just possible, but smart. Whether you’re a first-timer or trying to level up your game, this episode is packed with high-traffic real estate investing insights: from understanding cash-on-cash return to building a proper “Oh Beep” fund to protect your rental portfolio when tenants vanish or properties go sideways.
https://mymemphisinvestmentproperties.com/podcast/what-new-investors-always-get-wrong-but-wont-admit/

Memphis Real Estate Investing Turnkey Rentals & Big ROI
Memphis real estate in 38127 is booming, and investors are cashing in on high-ROI rental properties. In this episode, we break down why Fraser is the next big investment hotspot, following the success of Whitehaven and Raleigh. We share real case studies, including properties that were purchased, rehabbed, and flipped for substantial profits, and discuss the power of turnkey rentals producing over 1% cash flow.
We also highlight the importance of having a strong team—reliable agents, contractors, property managers, and inspectors—to ensure your investment succeeds. Learn how smart investors are avoiding costly mistakes, navigating financing and appraisals, and maximizing their returns in one of the most promising real estate markets in the country.
https://mymemphisinvestmentproperties.com/podcast/memphis-real-estate-investing-turnkey-rentals-big-roi/

Avoid These Costly Real Estate Offer Mistakes
2024 brought a wave of bizarre, unrealistic real estate offers—lowball bids, owner financing requests, and wholesale deals that just didn’t make sense. Investors, particularly newer ones, seem to be throwing offers at the wall, hoping something sticks. But in a strong rental market like Memphis, where sellers have cash-flowing properties, these tactics rarely work.
https://mymemphisinvestmentproperties.com/podcast/avoid-these-costly-real-estate-offer-mistakes/

2025 Real Estate Market Predictions & Investment Strategies
In this episode, the team returns from a brief hiatus to dive into the rollercoaster that was 2024 for real estate investors and makes predictions for the housing market in 2025. 2024 had rising interest rates, economic uncertainty, and political tension dominating the market, many investors and brokers faced significant challenges. Brett, Jeff, Nick, and new team member Marissa break down how these factors created a tough environment for buying and selling properties. They discuss the impact of inflated borrowing costs, the slowdown in investor activity, and how panic selling shaped the landscape. But it’s not all doom and gloom—this episode also looks ahead to 2025, highlighting emerging housing trends like new construction, creative financing options, and why savvy investors who stayed in the game are poised to reap the rewards as the market rebounds.

Why New Real Estate Investors Fail – Key Steps to Succeed
Jumping into real estate investing is exciting but can be overwhelming for new investors. In this episode, we break down why so many first-time real estate investors fail and, more importantly, how you can avoid the common pitfalls. We discuss the importance of finding a knowledgeable agent, setting realistic goals, and understanding the real estate market in Memphis. If you’re new to property investing or just curious about the process, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you make smarter decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Listen in as we guide you through the steps that can set you up for long-term success in real estate.
https://mymemphisinvestmentproperties.com/podcast/why-new-real-estate-investors-fail-key-steps-to-succeed/

DOJ Antitrust Lawsuit RealPage Impact on Real Estate Market
The recent antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice against RealPage has sparked significant debate in the real estate industry. The DOJ, along with eight other states, alleges that RealPage manipulated its software algorithms to inflate rents across the board, potentially violating antitrust laws. This discussion delves into the impact of this lawsuit on real estate investors and renters, examining the broader implications of technology’s role in shaping the housing market.