The Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference (MREIC) is back April 27–28, 2026 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and this year's theme is Thrive.

This quick special announcement features Erika Farley, Executive Director of the Rental Property Owners Association of Michigan (RPOAM), breaking down what's new, who it's for, and why you should lock in your ticket now. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference)

You'll hear how the 2026 agenda is built around systems, real-world strategy, and operating resilience, including major focus on AI integration and a grounded economic outlook for 2026 that investors can actually use. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference)

Thrive, with a clear emphasis on "Where Strategy Meets Systems" and building portfolios that can perform in changing market cycles. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference)

• Why "Thrive" matters right now and what attendees should expect to walk away with

• AI keynote with Steve Brown (former executive at Google DeepMind and Intel) and what practical AI strategy looks like for investors and operators

• Economic forecast keynote with Dr. Paul Isely (GVSU) and why it's consistently one of the most packed sessions

• Featured speakers and what they're known for (private equity, tax and legal, multifamily, commercial, missing middle housing)

• Networking, kickoff reception, vendors, and sponsor support that make the event worth showing up for

• Steve Brown (AI keynote)

• Dr. Paul Isely (2026 economic outlook keynote)

• John Burley, Mark Kohler, Anthony Chara, Paul Moore, Nathan Biller

• Smart Systems and AI Integration

• Market Outlook and Economic Data

• Operational Risk and Compliance

• Capital and Acquisitions Strategy

• Sustainable Growth and Scaling

• Advanced Portfolio Management

• MREIC Kickoff Reception: Sunday, April 26, 2026 (5:00–7:00 PM). Included with registration, RSVP required, space limited.

• Private Keynote Strategy Forum: limited capacity add-on for deeper discussion (conference registration required).

Discounted conference hotel options include the Amway Grand Plaza (connected to DeVos Place) and the JW Marriott Grand Rapids (short walk). Book through the official hotel block.

Super Early Bird pricing runs through January 31 and pricing increases February 1. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference)

• 00:00 Conference dates, location, and why this matters

• 00:40 Theme: Thrive in Every Market

• 01:00 AI keynote and why it's front and center

• 02:00 Economic outlook with Dr. Paul Isely

• 02:40 Speaker lineup and topic variety

• 05:00 Networking and kickoff reception

• 06:00 VIP and deeper access opportunities

• 08:00 Sponsors, vendors, and early pricing

Lock in your seat at midwestreiconference.com. (Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference)

Creative financing opens amazing doors for real estate investors—but it can also destroy deals when done wrong.

In this episode, Caleb Christopher, founder of Creative TC, breaks down how to use Subject-To and Seller-Financing strategies safely, legally, and ethically. Caleb shares real-world stories from the trenches—like taking over a mortgage where the sellers actually paid him—and explains what to watch out for when banks threaten the due-on-sale clause.

You'll learn:

• What creative financing really means (and when you should—or shouldn't—use it)

• How to protect sellers, buyers, and your reputation

• The biggest legal and ethical mistakes wholesalers make

• What happens when banks call a loan due—and how to fix it

• How Caleb uses AI to streamline contracts, due diligence, and compliance

If you've ever been tempted to close a deal "subject-to," this conversation will show you how to do it right—and keep yourself out of trouble.

Find out more:

Homepage: https://calebchristopher.io/

Creative Finance Consulting: https://creativetc.io

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fcalebchristopher

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/calebchristopherhimself

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebchristopher/

Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Artificial intelligence is transforming every corner of real estate—from how we analyze deals to how we manage tenants, leads, and operations. But most investors still don't know where to start.

In this episode, Brian Hamrick talks with Clay Lehman, a longtime investor, property-management expert, and AI educator who helps entrepreneurs and agents use today's tools to save time, make better decisions, and grow their business.

You'll learn:

• The fundamentals vs. hype of AI in real estate investing

• How to use Google Gemini, Notebook LM, and Claude for research, analysis, and automation

• Ways to map your ideal client using AI and psychographic data

• How to build AI-driven processes that improve communication, marketing, and customer service

• What's coming next: agentic AI tools like Manus and Comet that can complete multi-step tasks for you

Clay also shares real-world use cases—how he runs a title company with AI assistance, automates team training, and even experiments with voice and text AI agents to follow up with leads.

Whether you're an investor, property manager, or agent, this episode will show you practical ways to start integrating AI today and stay ahead of the curve in 2026.

Find out more:

www.imclaylehman.com

www.facebook.com/claylehman

www.facebook.com/unstuckai

Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Every successful real estate development starts long before the first shovel hits the ground. From concept and capital stack to design, construction, and operations—understanding the process is key to building with purpose.

In this episode, Steve Achram and Peter Skornia of Cella Building Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, share a step-by-step guide to sustainable development and walk us through their Wealthy & Sheldon project—an example of how thoughtful design, solid financial modeling, and community collaboration can turn a vision into a high-performing building.

We cover:

• What goes into a bulletproof proforma and capital stack

• How to conduct site due diligence and align with municipal priorities

• Using grants and incentives like the Emerging Developer Grant in Grand Rapids

• The full timeline from concept to construction to operations

• How sustainability and community equity drive long-term value

• Lessons learned from the Wealthy & Sheldon mixed-use development

• Why affordable and attainable housing starts with smart design

• How Cella is using (and approaching) AI tools in their business

Whether you own land or are just exploring development, this episode demystifies what it takes to plan, finance, and deliver a successful project that serves both people and planet.

Learn More: https://cellagr.com
Contact Steve: sachram@cellagr.com
RPOAM Webinar: Beyond Rent Checks: Boost Health, Go Green, and Unlock Hidden Profit in Your Portfolio – January 26, 2026 (Register here: https://bit.ly/49qGKV7)

Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Underperforming properties are where the biggest money is made—if you know how to fix them. That's where expert property management comes in.

In this episode, Brian speaks with Craig Marquardo, VP of Multifamily at VCS Property Management, who has over 20 years of experience cleaning up operations, boosting tenant retention, and maximizing NOI. Craig pulls back the curtain on how property managers really operate and what every owner needs to know to protect their investment.

You'll learn:

• Tenant Psychology: How residents think about rent increases and what keeps them paying on time.

• Reducing Delinquencies: Why 80% of late rent is due to management neglect—and how to fix it.

• Spotting Red Flags: How to audit your management company and avoid hidden fees, sloppy files, and missing leases.

• Owner Oversight: Why annual administrative reviews are just as important as physical inspections.

• Development Mistakes: Why property managers should be involved before you break ground to avoid costly design flaws.

• AI in Property Management: How Craig uses automation to improve tenant communication without losing the personal touch.

Craig emphasizes that property managers aren't just caretakers—they're investment managers. And the best results come when owners and managers treat the relationship as a true partnership.

Find out more:

Craig@vcs-pm.com

www.vcs-pm.com

Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Negotiation, deal structure, and legal traps—these can make or break a real estate investor. Few people understand this better than Bob Diamond, a seasoned real estate attorney, investor, and developer featured on Fox, NBC, NPR, and TLC's Flip That House.

With 30 years of legal and investing experience, Bob has personally negotiated more than $100 million in real estate transactions and authored three books on real estate investing. In this episode, he shares powerful strategies investors can use today to thrive in a shifting market, including:

• Overages 101: How to claim surplus funds left over after foreclosure auctions and turn them into a cash business without buying properties.

• Foreclosure Creative Plays: How reinstating loans and taking over existing mortgages can save investors cash and avoid personal guarantees.

• Commercial Property Opportunities: Why distressed office buildings and loan workouts are prime for repositioning into housing.

• Negotiating with Local Lenders: How to build relationships so banks call YOU when they need to move distressed properties.

• Puerto Rico Advantage: How Bob slashed his taxes to 4% by moving to Puerto Rico and tapped into a community of top entrepreneurs.

• AI & Real Estate: Where AI tools are already making real estate more efficient—and where not to rely on them.

Bob also discusses why this is one of the best times in decades to pursue creative strategies, given rising foreclosures, distressed commercial assets, and reduced competition from younger entrepreneurs flocking to AI.

Find out more:

www.bobdiamond.com

Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

One of the biggest challenges for rental property owners is ensuring residents pay on time—and keeping them motivated to stay. What if you could turn rent into a win-win, boosting your cash flow while helping tenants improve their credit and earn rewards?

In this episode, Brian talks with Lily Liu, founder and CEO of Pinata, a fast-growing platform that transforms rent payments into financial progress. Lily shares how Pinata helps:

• Renters build credit by reporting on-time payments to all three bureaus

• Property owners increase on-time payments by 20% or more

• Landlords and managers reduce turnover with rewards that matter—groceries, utilities, everyday essentials

• Owners generate ancillary revenue with resident benefit packages

With over a million renters already using Pinata, Lily explains how the system works, what it costs, and why forward-thinking landlords are adding it to their toolkit.

If you're looking for practical ways to improve collections, boost retention, and give your tenants real value, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Find out more:

pinata website - https://www.pinata.ai/

Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

For investors, developers, and property owners, the future of real estate isn't just about location—it's about building smarter, cheaper, and more sustainably.

In this episode, Brian Hamrick sits down with Josh Dorfman, climate entrepreneur, media personality, and co-founder of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials company recognized by Fast Company as one of the most innovative in the world.

Josh has spent his career at the intersection of business and sustainability. You may know him as the creator of The Lazy Environmentalist (Sundance Channel, Sirius XM, and two books). Today, he's focused on practical climate solutions that save money, boost NOI, and increase property values—without forcing investors to change how they build.

Topics we cover include:

• How carbon-negative panels are replacing OSB and plywood in new construction—and why DR Horton placed a 10 million-panel order.

• The role of AI and smart HVAC systems in cutting energy costs up to 25%.

• Game-changing retrofits like aerosol sealing technology that stop energy leaks without tearing into walls.

• What's next for single-family and multifamily investors, from heat pumps and induction stoves to EV charging as a revenue stream.

• Why leading investors like Goldman Sachs are underwriting fossil-fuel-free buildings—and what that means for future returns.

Whether you own one rental or manage a large multifamily portfolio, you'll discover actionable ways to lower expenses, future-proof your properties, and unlock new profit centers while helping the planet.

Find out more:

* Weekly Newsletter | https://supercool.beehiiv.com/subscribe

* YouTube Channel | https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTcMrkjAmgqzv6Jhg6-V52gShRWKdc3t4

* LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/getsupercool

* Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/getsupercool

* https://getsuper.cool/playbook/

Today's episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com