What if the only thing standing between you and your next real estate deal isn't finding the property — but finding the money to fund it?

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Greg Lafferty to unpack private money lending — how it works, where to find lenders, and how investors can use other people's money to fund real estate deals without relying solely on traditional banks.

But it's not just about finding the money. It's about protecting your investments, building trust, and creating deals that work for everyone involved.

In this conversation, they share:

• What private money lending is and how it differs from traditional financing
• Why someone would lend money to a real estate investor
• What lenders look for before funding a deal
• How to structure loans, repayment terms, and legal protections
• Where investors can find private lenders beyond friends and family
• How to access capital through home equity, self-directed IRAs, and other sources
• What happens when borrowers or lenders don't follow through
• Why relationships, communication, and stewardship matter just as much as the numbers

This episode is for anyone who:

• Wants to invest in real estate but feels limited by available capital
• Is curious about earning returns through private lending
• Wants to understand how to fund their first (or next) deal
• Believes in building wealth through smart decisions, strong relationships, and responsible investing

You don't always need to have all the money yourself to get started. But you do need to understand the risks, surround yourself with the right people, and know how to structure a deal responsibly.

👉 Learn more about our mentorship and investor community at https://www.branchwealthpartners.com/
👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about real-life investing.

Real estate investors spend a lot of time thinking about how to make money — but keeping it is another story.

In this episode, Christina sits down with Jennifer Lauda, an enrolled agent with 25 years of experience, to break down the tax strategies real estate investors should understand before buying, selling, or growing their portfolios.

You’ll hear about:
✅ The tax mistakes Jennifer sees investors making
✅ How depreciation and cost segregation actually work
✅ Deductions investors may be overlooking
✅ Tax preparation vs. proactive tax planning
✅ Why talking to your tax professional before a transaction matters

This episode is for anyone who:
• Owns or plans to buy investment property
• Wants to better understand the tax side of real estate
• Wants to keep more of what they make as they grow their portfolio

Jennifer’s biggest advice? Don’t wait until tax season to start thinking about taxes.

“Call your tax accountant before you buy that property or sell that property or go on that trip. We can help you before you do.”

👉 Learn more at BranchWealthPartners.com
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What if the home equity you’ve spent decades building could become another tool for building wealth?

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Rudy King, a reverse mortgage professional with nearly a decade of experience, to unpack one of the most misunderstood financial products in real estate: the reverse mortgage.

For years, reverse mortgages have carried a reputation for being risky, complicated, or even a way to lose your home. Rudy explains where those misconceptions came from, how the product has changed, and how investors and homeowners can think about reverse mortgages differently.

In this conversation, they cover:
• What a HECM actually is — and how a reverse mortgage works
• Why reverse mortgages developed such a negative reputation
• How today’s regulations and borrower protections have changed the product
• How homeowners can potentially use equity to create liquidity without a traditional monthly mortgage payment
• How one retired couple used a reverse mortgage line of credit to fund real estate flips
• How reverse mortgages can potentially be used to purchase another home or investment property
• The potential of using equity to build an ADU and create another income stream
• How buying a duplex with a reverse mortgage could create both housing and rental income
• What happens to the home when the borrower passes away
• The biggest myths Rudy hears — and what’s actually true

This episode is for anyone who:
• Owns significant equity in their home
• Has parents approaching or already in retirement
• Wants to understand creative real estate financing strategies
• Is looking for ways to make existing assets more useful
• Wants to separate the facts from the myths before making a financial decision

You don’t have to use every tool in the toolbox. But you should know what the tools are.

👉 Learn more about Branch Wealth Partners at BranchWealthPartners.com
👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about real estate, investing, wealth, and real life

This season of Branching Out has been filled with conversations about real estate, but more importantly, the people, lessons, and purpose behind it all.

In this special Season 1 finale, Christina reflects on the biggest takeaways from the incredible guests we've had throughout the season—from house hackers and short-term rental operators to lenders, attorneys, investors, and property managers.

One message kept showing up again and again:

There isn't one "right" way to invest in real estate. There is only the path that's right for you.

In this episode, you'll hear about:
• Why successful investors choose a strategy that fits their goals—not someone else's
• The common thread behind nearly every guest's investing journey
• Why building the right team matters more than having all the answers
• How real estate becomes a tool for creating freedom, purpose, and generational wealth
• The biggest lessons Christina learned as a first-time podcast host—and as an investor

Whether you're:
• Thinking about buying your first investment property
• Growing an existing portfolio
• Or simply exploring what real estate investing could look like for your future...

This episode is a reminder that progress doesn't come from knowing everything—it comes from taking the first step.

Thank you for being part of our first season. We're excited to bring you even more real investor stories, practical strategies, and honest conversations in Season 2.

🌿 Until then, don't let analysis paralysis hold you back. Take one lesson from this season, put it into action, and we'll see you in Season 2.

What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next investment property isn't your savings account?

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with mortgage expert Reanna Walls for a practical conversation about creative financing using conventional lending products. From HELOCs and cash-out refinances to house hacking and non-QM loans, Reanna breaks down how investors can use the equity they already have to grow their real estate portfolio—without chasing risky strategies.

In this conversation, you'll hear:
• How to decide between a HELOC, HE Loan, and cash-out refinance
• Why your home's equity could become your biggest investing tool
• Creative ways to finance your next investment property
• House hacking strategies that can lower your housing costs while building wealth
• The difference between conventional and non-QM loans—and who they're best suited for
• The biggest financing mistakes investors are making in today's market
• What Reanna is seeing with interest rates, inventory, and opportunities for buyers

This episode is for anyone who:
• Thinks they need a huge down payment before investing
• Wants to better understand financing options before buying their next property
• Is looking for practical, conservative investing strategies
• Wants to build long-term wealth with confidence—not guesswork

If you've been waiting for the "right time" to invest, this conversation may help you realize you already have more options than you think.

👉 Learn more about our mentorship and investor community at BranchWealthPartners.com

👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about real-life investing

Most investors are waiting for the market to get easier.

Wendell Butler is doing the opposite.

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Wendell, founder of Hammerhead Capital, to discuss what it takes to build a real estate business in today's market—from raising private capital and making hundreds of offers to building systems that scale.

Wendell's journey didn't start in real estate. It started in the medical field before a career pivot led him into lending, investing, and entrepreneurship. Along the way, he discovered that long-term success isn't about waiting for the perfect market—it's about staying disciplined and continuing to take action.

In this conversation, they discuss:
• How Wendell went from medicine to full-time real estate investing
• The first deal that changed his perspective on building wealth
• Why raising private capital starts with trust and preparation
• Why he's focusing more on new construction in today's market
• How systems and AI help him scale his business
• The biggest mistakes investors make when emotions drive decisions

This episode is for anyone who:
• Feels stuck waiting for the "right" market
• Wants to raise capital or grow a real estate business
• Believes success comes from consistency, discipline, and taking action

If you're wondering how experienced investors are navigating today's market, this conversation is full of practical insights you can apply to your own investing journey.

👉 Learn more about our mentorship and investor community at BranchWealthPartners.com

Connect with Wendell: Visit WendellButler.com to find his businesses, podcast, newsletter, email, and social channels.

👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about real-life investing.

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with investor, broker, and creative deal-maker Kirk Hanson for a conversation about the side of real estate most people never see.

From getting fired twice for "making too much money" to building a career around solving complicated real estate problems, Kirk shares how he found his niche in creative financing, distressed properties, and investment opportunities others often overlook.

In this conversation, you'll hear about:

• How buying three properties from a magazine launched his investing career
• What owner financing and subject-to deals actually look like in the real world
• The most creative deal he's ever structured—and how it helped solve a difficult situation
• Why loyalty matters more than almost anything in real estate investing
• What he's seeing in today's residential and commercial markets
• The opportunities hidden inside distressed properties and shadow inventory
• Why some of the best deals start with a problem nobody else wants to solve

Kirk has spent decades helping investors find opportunities, navigate complex transactions, and think differently about real estate. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how creative thinking can open doors that traditional approaches often miss.

This episode is for anyone who:

• Wants to learn creative financing strategies
• Is looking for opportunities in today's changing market
• Enjoys hearing real stories from experienced investors
• Wants to become a better problem-solver in business and real estate

If you've ever wondered how experienced investors find deals that never hit the mainstream market, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

👉 Learn more about our mentorship and investor community at BranchWealthPartners.com
👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about real-life investing

In this episode of Branching Out: Where Real Estate Meets Real Life, Christina sits down with Kyle Moody from American IRA for a practical and eye-opening conversation about self-directed IRAs — and how investors can use retirement funds to invest in real estate, private lending, and alternative assets.

Most people think retirement accounts only belong in the stock market.

But Kyle explains how self-directed IRAs can open the door to:
• Long-term rentals
• Private lending
• Real estate partnerships
• Precious metals
• Raw land and other alternative investments

More importantly, he breaks down the rules investors need to understand before getting started — because one prohibited transaction could create serious tax consequences.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:
• How Kyle went from real estate and property management into the self-directed IRA space
• Why most investors have never heard about true self-direction
• The difference between traditional IRAs and self-directed IRAs
• What you can — and absolutely cannot — do inside a self-directed account
• How non-recourse loans work for real estate purchases
• Common mistakes investors make (and how to avoid them)
• Why education, stewardship, and long-term thinking matter when building wealth

Kyle also shares some surprisingly creative investments he’s seen inside IRAs over the years — including livestock, timber, and more.

This episode is for anyone who:
• Wants to diversify beyond the stock market
• Has old retirement accounts sitting unused
• Is curious about using retirement funds for real estate
• Wants to understand the rules before making costly mistakes
• Believes wealth should be built thoughtfully — not recklessly

If you’ve ever wondered whether your retirement account could do more for you, this conversation is a great place to start.

👉 Learn more about American IRA at AmericanIRA.com
👉 Learn more about our mentorship and investor community at BranchWealthPartners.com
👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about real-life investing