Built For This Show

What does it take to keep moving forward in real estate, even when the path isn’t always clear? In this episode of the Built For This Podcast, hosts Alissa Bickar and Andrea Lane sit down with Biz Wallace, a marketing professional turned investor who has built a portfolio one unique step at a time.
Biz shares how she became an “accidental landlord,” how an unusual investment in a parking space turned into an unexpected win, and why her energy, curiosity, and network have been key to her success. She opens up about the lessons she’s learned from both wins and challenges, and how her refusal to sit still has shaped her investing journey.
If you’ve ever wondered how to keep momentum in your investing career—or how to turn chance opportunities into lasting success—this conversation is full of inspiration and practical insights.
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

What does it take to build a real estate portfolio while also building a life you love? In this episode of the Built For This Podcast, hosts Alissa Bickar and Andrea Lane sit down with long-time real estate investor Pegie Brandt, who bought her very first property at just 16 years old.
Pegie shares how her early start, time in the savings and loan industry, and years of experience in retail, property management, and construction shaped her unique approach to investing. She talks about her passion for real estate, why negotiating lights her up, and how learning to let go of homes and identities has been one of her biggest growth lessons.
Listeners will hear Pegie’s advice on navigating capital gains laws, redefining success on your own terms, and her latest project aimed at helping seniors stay in their homes while partnering with investors.
If you’ve ever felt stuck holding onto the wrong property — or even the wrong vision of success — Pegie’s story is a reminder that sometimes letting go is the key to moving forward.
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

Show Notes:In this episode of the Built for This Podcast, Alissa Bickar and Andrea Lane sit down with Patty Aubery, a powerhouse in publishing and real estate investing. Patty shares how her 40 years of professional experience — including building the Chicken Soup for the Soul book brand — shaped her creative approach to real estate.
From starting with a single condo to managing multimillion-dollar properties and turning them into retreat centers, Patty reveals why she believes real estate is the fastest way to build wealth. She opens up about her mindset, the importance of vision, and how the right people around you can turn big dreams into reality.
Patty also talks about her biggest challenges, her philosophy of turning obstacles into opportunities, and why she calls her properties her “accountability projects.” Whether you’re a new investor or seasoned pro, this episode will inspire you to think bigger and get creative.
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

In this episode, Rachel Orvis shares how she and her husband ventured into real estate investing as part of their journey toward financial independence. A mother of (soon to be) four and the co-owner of an 8-unit property, Rachel talks about buying a fixer-upper, dealing with unexpected tenant challenges, and the lessons she’s learned from trusting advisors over gut instincts.
Rachel also opens up about balancing family, finances, and big real estate moves—like closing on a property with a newborn and navigating cast iron plumbing issues on a multi-unit property. Her strategy? Listening, researching, and staying open to expert guidance, even when it feels counterintuitive.
What You'll Learn:
Why the FIRE movement sparked Rachel’s interest in real estate
How going big with an 8-unit property paid off
The importance of scaling efficiently and trusting the process
Real-world lessons from tenant dynamics and surprise repairs
Rachel’s tips on using your strengths and surrounding yourself with the right advisors
 
-------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

This week on the Built For This Podcast, Alissa and Andrea sit down with real estate investor Joyce Kraley, who jumped head-first into property ownership by purchasing five units right out of the gate. Joyce shares her journey from considering fix-and-flips to building a steady stream of income through buy-and-hold properties, all while navigating property managers, turnover, and unexpected curveballs.
Joyce brings her financial background and project management skills to the table, revealing how real estate investing isn't just about properties—it's about owning the process, staying on top of the details, and building strong relationships. She also gets candid about what it really takes to manage property managers and why setting clear expectations is non-negotiable.
 
--------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

What happens when you combine creativity, people skills, and a love for community? You get Molly Welpott’s real estate journey.
In this episode of The Built For This Podcast, hosts Alissa Bickar and Andrea Lane sit down with Molly, a Pennsylvania-based realtor and investor who’s been in the game for more than a decade. Molly shares how a late-night infomercial first sparked her interest in real estate and how her passion for helping families find safe, beautiful homes has shaped her approach to investing.
From flipping and rentals to her work as a realtor, Molly explains why she never buys a property she wouldn’t live in herself, how she balances her clients’ needs with her own investing goals, and why creativity and communication have been her biggest strengths in business.
You’ll also hear about her latest win, the lessons she’s learned about affordability, and what excites her most about the future of real estate in her community.
 
--------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

What does it really take to build a successful real estate business? In this episode of The Built for This Podcast, hosts Alissa Bickar and Andrea Lane sit down with Jeff Gill, a buy-and-hold investor with over 20 years of experience, who currently manages 20 units in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Jeff shares his unfiltered perspective on the realities of real estate investing—the good, the bad, and the frustrating. From battling unreliable contractors to learning how to network as an introvert, Jeff reminds us that while real estate can create freedom, it is far from “passive.”
Listeners will hear Jeff’s journey of building systems, managing properties, and finding allies through networking. He highlights how business relationships often grow into friendships and why persistence is the most valuable trait an investor can have.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why real estate isn’t truly passive income
How systems and processes keep your business from running you ragged
The importance of networking and building real connections
Common challenges investors face, from cash flow crunches to contractor struggles
Why “doers” become your best allies and often your friends
 
--------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

What if the best real estate deal you’ll ever find is closer than you think? In this episode of The Built For This Podcast, hosts Alissa Bickar and Andrea Lane sit down with Columbus-based investor Jennifer Marlatt to hear how her journey started with a neglected duplex right next door—and grew into a thriving rental portfolio.
Jennifer shares how her upbringing, industrial design background, and hands-on skills shaped her approach to real estate investing. From turning overlooked properties into welcoming homes to navigating today’s hot Columbus market, she shows how persistence, creativity, and community connection can lead to long-term success.
You’ll hear:
How Jennifer’s first property deal sparked her love for real estate
Why she believes the best opportunities are often in your own backyard
The challenges of investing in today’s Columbus market
Her exciting next step: exploring new builds and auxiliary housing
The win that made her proud: owning three doors free and clear
 
--------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

In this episode of the Built For This Podcast, hosts Alissa Bickar and Andrea Lane sit down with Ricardo Sheard, a real estate investor turned mortgage lender, who shares how his love for numbers and his “why” — his family — fuel his journey.
Ricardo opens up about how he and his wife started in real estate investing, the lessons they learned through Fortune Builders, and how he transitioned into mortgage lending during a time of big life changes. He explains how his skills with numbers gave him an edge, how he balances family with business, and why his long-term vision is to grow into commercial real estate.
Whether you’re just starting out in real estate or looking for inspiration to keep going, Ricardo’s story is proof that persistence, purpose, and passion can reshape your path.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Ricardo and his wife got started in real estate investing
Why his background in engineering and finance gave him an edge
The role of family as motivation in his business journey
His biggest challenges with lending and how he overcame them
Why commercial real estate is his long-term goal
 
--------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!

Real estate investing can look exciting from the outside, but the real lessons often come from the struggles. In this episode of Built For This, hosts Alissa Bickar and Andrea Lane sit down with investor and commercial real estate agent Dayna Klein to talk about the real-life challenges behind building a portfolio.
Dayna shares her family’s generational story of investing — from her great-grandmother’s resilience to her own experiences managing properties across states. She opens up about the highs and lows, including stalled starts, emotional decision-making, costly mistakes, and how every misstep became part of her education as an investor.
This conversation is an honest look at what it takes to build wealth through real estate: patience, persistence, removing emotion from the numbers, and learning that not every property is the right one for your goals.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why legacy and family history shaped Dayna’s path into real estate
The reality check of managing rentals across states
How emotions can cloud judgment and stall growth
Why learning from mistakes is the most valuable education
The importance of refining systems, insurance, and tax strategies
How refinancing and negotiating with lenders can open new opportunities
 
--------------------------------------------------------- Be A Guest Are you a single family home real estate investor or landlord with insights to share? Apply to be a guest on https://builtforthisshow.com/guest and share your expertise with a wide audience eager to learn about you!