When Real Estate Gets Real

How to Escape the Stock Market with Passive Apartment Investing: Lon Welsh Manages $100M+ in Real Estate: A Smarter Way to Retire!

In Episode 25 of the Stephen Lee-Thomas Show, we talk multifamily real estate with Lon Welsh, who has scaled over $100 million in assets under management. Lon shares his journey from strategy consultant at Deloitte and Accenture to founding Your Castle Real Estate and eventually transitioning into full-time passive real estate investing with Ironton Capital.
Discover why Lon moved from single-family homes and active investing into passive syndications and how he helps busy professionals like physicians, engineers, and attorneys escape burnout while still building long-term wealth.
Lon dives deep into the power of passive investing, why he moved into fund-based models, and how he’s helping investors reduce taxes and increase returns through strategic real estate vehicles.
This episode is packed with powerful insights for those who are ready to move beyond stock market volatility and start earning reliable, tax-efficient returns without managing toilets or tenants.
What You’ll Learn:
Why traditional retirement math doesn’t work for most professionals
The three types of passive income real estate funds and who they’re best for
How depreciation, IRAs, and Roth conversions can slash your tax bill
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] – Welcome & Introduction to Lon Welsh
[00:03:18] – What’s happening in the Denver real estate market
[00:06:42] – Retirement math that changed Lon’s financial plan
[00:10:05] – Buying his first multifamily deal with saved capital
[00:15:00] – Starting Your Castle Real Estate & growing to 750+ agents
[00:21:00] – Transitioning to passive investing: who it’s for and why
[00:25:55] – Three fund structures: short-term, medium-term, and long-term
[00:33:40] – What assets back each fund (real examples)
[00:38:22] – Tax strategies, Roth IRA conversions, and bonus depreciation
[00:42:00] – Who Lon helps and how to get started
Ways to Connect with Lon Welsh:
Website: https://www.irontoncapital.com
Download the Free Guide: irontoncapital.com/expertadvice
Phone/Text: 303-619-0633
Email: lonwelsh@irontoncapi
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From W-2 to Wealth: 9 Lessons for Apartment Investing Success, Scale Smart Today!

In this solo episode of the Stephen Lee-Thomas Show, I shared 9 powerful lessons that I learned from nearly a decade of apartment investing. If you're just starting out or looking to level up, these actionable insights will help you fast-track your journey, avoid costly mistakes, and build long-term wealth through multifamily real estate.
From mindset and strategy to deal criteria and networking, I walk you through the foundational principles that separate successful investors from those who stall out. Whether you're working a full-time job or already dabbling in real estate, this episode is your playbook for scaling intelligently and replacing your W-2 income with passive cash flow.
What You’ll Learn:
Why starting BIG can be the smartest path
How to define your investment criteria for consistent deal flow
The mindset shift that helps overcome fear and take action
How to network with intention and build the right team
What it takes to raise capital the smart way and stress-test your deals
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] – Introduction: Lessons from 10 Years in Multifamily[00:01:15] – Lesson 1: Start Big, Don't Start Small[00:03:00] – Lesson 2: Clarify Your Why to Stay Motivated[00:05:25] – Lesson 3: Define Your Investment Criteria[00:08:05] – Lesson 4: Network With Purpose[00:09:30] – Lesson 5: Build an Experienced Team[00:11:00] – Lesson 6: Always Raise More Than You Need[00:12:50] – Lesson 7: Avoid Greed and Laziness[00:14:30] – Lesson 8: Assess the Risk, Not Just the Reward[00:16:00] – Lesson 9: Don't Do It Alone
This is a must-listen for any professional ready to break free from the rat race and build scalable, time-leveraged income through apartment investing.
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Contact Us: For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@raisegenius.ai.

How to Raise Capital by Becoming the Bank: Eddie Speed Reveals the Passive Income Advantage

In Episode 24 of the Stephen Lee-Thomas Show, we talk multifamily real estate alternatives with Eddie Speed, who has completed over 50,000 note deals and is a pioneer in the note investing space. Eddie is the founder of NoteSchool and president of Colonial Funding Group. He shares his remarkable 40+ year journey from working in real estate to building a career as a full-time note investor, helping others convert rental headaches into passive, high-yield note income.
Discover why Eddie says “be the bank, not the landlord”, and how his students including multifamily syndicators are raising capital and creating scalable, income-generating note portfolios.
Eddie dives into the scalability of notes, how seller financing fills major financing gaps in today’s market, and how to raise capital and run your own bank without toilets, tenants, or turnover.
This episode is packed with practical strategies for professionals looking to pivot from traditional rentals to more passive, systematic real estate income through notes.
What You’ll Learn:
How to raise capital and run your own “bank” through note investing
Why note investing outpaces rental income in today’s market
How to convert underperforming rentals into passive, cash-flowing notes
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] – Introduction: Eddie Speed's 40-year journey and the power of note investing[00:07:42] – What is a note? Why seller financing matters in today’s economy[00:17:05] – The origin of NoteSchool and who it serves[00:26:12] – How to convert rentals into notes[00:31:22] – Raising capital and running your own bank (audio teaser clip)[00:33:38] – Where the market’s heading: Eddie’s 5-year outlook
Ways to Connect with Eddie Speed:
Website: https://noteschool.com
LinkedIn: Eddie Speed
Instagram: @thenoteauthority
Podcast: Coming Soon via NoteSchool
Visit www.skool.com/multfamilymasteryhub and fast-track your way to becoming a full-time real estate entrepreneur today!
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Contact Us: For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@raisegenius.ai.

Secrets to Raising Capital & Compressing Time in Real Estate: Ginger Faith’s Blueprint for Fast-Tracking Success

In Episode 23 of the Stephen Lee-Thomas Show, we talk multifamily real estate with Ginger C. Faith, who has scaled her residential and commercial portfolio over three decades, flipping 57 homes including two featured on HGTV and recently venturing into large commercial assets. Ginger shares her inspiring journey from reading Nothing Down in her 20s to becoming a trailblazer for women in real estate investing. Discover how she transitioned from single-family properties to multifamily and commercial deals, built networks like the Women's Wealth Network, and became an Airbnb Superhost.
Ginger dives into strategies for compressing your investing timeline, overcoming limiting beliefs, and aligning your goals with your natural genius. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone especially busy professionals and women looking to build financial freedom and create a life by design through real estate.
What You’ll Learn:
How Ginger went from a 6-unit Victorian to flipping 57+ homes
The power of compressing time to accelerate your investing success
Why helping women overcome limiting beliefs is key to building wealth
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] – Introduction: Ginger’s 30-year journey in real estate[00:02:30] – Starting with a six-unit Victorian: leaping past single-family[00:10:45] – Lessons from the 2008 crash and flipping during market turmoil[00:18:00] – Empowering women: founding Women’s Wealth Network[00:25:20] – Overcoming limiting beliefs and the role of mentors[00:31:10] – Ginger’s new book: 21 Ways to Stop Chasing Hustle
Ways to Connect with Ginger C. Faith:
Facebook: Ginger Crystal Faith
LinkedIn: Ginger Crystal Faith
Instagram: Ginger Crystal Faith (gingergirlinvestor)
Email: ginger@gingerfaithrealty.com
Visit www.skool.com/multfamilymasteryhub and fast-track your way to becoming a full-time real estate entrepreneur today!
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Contact Us: For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@raisegenius.ai.

The Beginner’s Guide to Apartment Investing: Start Smart, Scale Fast

In this solo episode of the Stephen Lee-Thomas Show, I break down the exact 3-step blueprint to get started in apartment investing, even if you're brand new and still working a full-time job.
You'll learn why the first step isn’t about tactics, it’s about mindset. I'll walk you through Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow Quadrant and how shifting your position from employee to investor is the real first move to building lasting wealth. Then, he explains the mechanisms you need to master to find and fund your first deal and why having the right mentor can shortcut your learning curve by years.
Whether you want to be an active deal sponsor or a hands-off passive investor, this episode lays out your path clearly and practically.
What You’ll Learn:
The mindset shift that sets wealthy investors apart
What “mastering the mechanisms” of apartment deals really means
Why the right mentor can save you from costly mistakes
Passive vs. Active Investing: which path is right for you?
How I replaced my income and scaled to 4,000+ units!
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] – Introduction: Your Path to Apartment Investing [00:01:02] – Step 1: The Mindset Shift Using the Cashflow Quadrant [00:04:41] – Step 2: Master the Mechanisms (Deal Flow, Underwriting, Raising Capital) [00:08:17] – Step 3: Why Mentorship Matters & Avoiding Common Mistakes [00:11:40] – Choosing Between Passive Investor or Deal Sponsor [00:12:45] – Final Thoughts & Call to Action
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Support the Show: Enjoy our content? Share with your family and friends and anyone who will benefit with the insight we shared today. Leave us a review on your preferred platform to help us grow or any suggestion.
Join Our Community: Become a part of our exclusive Skool community, Capital Raising Mastery Hub. Get valuable resources, engage in discussions, and receive support for real estate entrepreneurs. Join Now! We are live!
Contact Us: For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@raisegenius.ai.

From Job Loss to Financial Freedom: Janice Greenley’s Journey to 152 Units

In Episode 22 of the Stephen Lee-Thomas Show, we talk multifamily real estate with Janice Greenley, founder of Greenroot Capital, who has scaled her portfolio to 152 units in assets under management. Janice shares her journey from being a headhunter to becoming a full-time real estate investor. Discover why she transitioned from single-family rentals and energy consulting to multifamily and storage syndications and how she used education and grit to go all-in.
Janice dives into the importance of scalability, partnering smart, and helping professionals escape the stock market roller coaster. This episode is full of clarity for busy professionals exploring alternative investments.
What You’ll Learn:
How Janice transitioned from corporate life to multifamily investing
Why control, cash flow, and tax benefits make syndications powerful
What passive investors should know before diving into deals
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] – Intro: Janice Greenley joins the show
[00:01:32] – From energy consulting to multifamily real estate
[00:05:55] – Why she rejected wholesaling and flipping
[00:09:10] – Multifamily investing explained simply
[00:15:28] – Comparing returns: stock market vs. apartment syndications
[00:21:10] – Tax advantages for passive investors
[00:24:15] – Misconceptions about investing in apartments
[00:28:01] – Janice breaks down her 152-unit Texas deal
[00:31:10] – Final advice: how to get started
Ways to Connect with Janice Greenley:
Website: https://www.greenrootcapital.com
Email: janice@greenrootcapital.com
LinkedIn: Janice Greenley
YouTube: Search "Greenroot Capital"
Visit www.skool.com/multfamilymasteryhub and fast-track your way to becoming a full-time real estate entrepreneur today!
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Support the Show: Enjoy our content? Share with your family and friends and anyone who will benefit with the insight we shared today. Leave us a review on your preferred platform to help us grow or any suggestion.
Join Our Community: Become a part of our exclusive Skool community, Capital Raising Mastery Hub. Get valuable resources, engage in discussions, and receive support for real estate entrepreneurs. Join Now! We are live!
Contact Us: For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@raisegenius.ai.

Building a $500M Real Estate Lending Empire: Ruben Izgelov on Shifting from Risk to Reward

In Episode 21 of the Stephen Lee-Thomas Show, we talk multifamily real estate and private lending with Ruben Izgelov, who has scaled his portfolio to over $500 million in assets under management. Ruben shares his incredible journey from humble beginnings as an immigrant in Queens, NY, to co-founding two powerhouse firms: We Lend, a tech-driven private lending company, and States Capital, a $300 million private debt fund.
Ruben takes us through his transformation from real estate flipper to institutional-grade lender. Discover why he made the leap into private lending, how he built a fund with zero losses on $700M deployed, and why private credit is one of the most scalable, time-efficient paths for investors seeking strong returns with minimal volatility.
What You’ll Learn:
Why Ruben transitioned from flipping homes to becoming a lender
The advantages of private lending over active real estate ownership
How to qualify for fast funding through We Lend
The surprising long-term benefits of holding real estate during inflation
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] – Introduction: Ruben’s journey from immigrant to investor[00:04:15] – The early days: door-knocking deals in Queens[00:12:22] – Flipping vs. lending: how Ruben found his wealth-building lane[00:18:45] – How We Lend funds deals and supports small operators[00:27:33] – Investment opportunities in the States Capital debt fundWays to Connect with Ruben Izgelov:
Website: https://www.welendlc.com
Email: ruben@wlndllc.com
Phone: 917-815-1222
Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/ruben_izgel/
Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/welendllc/
TikTok: @WeLendLLC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubenizgelov/
Visit www.skool.com/multfamilymasteryhub and fast-track your way to becoming a full-time real estate entrepreneur today!
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Support the Show: Enjoy our content? Share with your family and friends and anyone who will benefit with the insight we shared today. Leave us a review on your preferred platform to help us grow or any suggestion.
Join Our Community: Become a part of our exclusive Skool community, Capital Raising Mastery Hub. Get valuable resources, engage in discussions, and receive support for real estate entrepreneurs. Join Now! We are live!
Contact Us: For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@raisegenius.ai.

How to Buy Real Estate on Your Own Terms: Chris Prefontaine’s Insider Strategies

In Episode 20 of The Stephen Lee-Thomas Show, we dive deep into creative real estate investing with Chris Prefontaine, founder of Smart Real Estate Coach, 4-time best-selling author, and Forbes Business Council member. With over 33 years of experience, Chris has weathered multiple market cycles and built a thriving real estate business without relying on banks or personal loans.
Chris shares how he transitioned from traditional financing to creative financing strategies, helping investors structure deals with no banks, no credit, and little to no money down. He also breaks down his "Three Paydays" system, a unique approach that generates upfront cash, monthly cash flow, and long-term wealth.
If you're looking to escape the 9-to-5, scale your portfolio, or learn how to buy real estate on your own terms, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why market cycles don’t matter when you use creative financing ✅ How to buy real estate without using banks or personal credit ✅ The “Three Paydays” system that generates long-term wealth
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] – Welcome & Chris’s journey into real estate[00:05:12] – Surviving the 2008 crash & rewriting the rules of investing[00:12:45] – The power of creative financing: subject-to, seller financing & lease purchases[00:18:30] – The Three Paydays: How to generate multiple streams of income per deal[00:23:10] – Mindset shifts for escaping the W-2 & achieving financial freedom
Ways to Connect with Chris Prefontaine:
📚 Free Book: https://wickedsmartbooks.com/
 🌐 Website: https://smartrealestatecoach.com/
 🎙️ Podcast: Smart Real Estate Coach Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisprefontaine_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisprefontaine/
Visit www.skool.com/multfamilymasteryhub and fast-track your way to becoming a full-time real estate entrepreneur today!
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Support the Show: Enjoy our content? Share with your family and friends and anyone who will benefit with the insight we shared today. Leave us a review on your preferred platform to help us grow or any suggestion.
Join Our Community: Become a part of our exclusive Skool community, Capital Raising Mastery Hub. Get valuable resources, engage in discussions, and receive support for real estate entrepreneurs. Join Now! We are live!
Contact Us: For inquiries, guest appearances, or sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@raisegenius.ai.