#5 - Josh Villareal | How a VA Loan Built My Real Estate Empire

In this episode of Wealth Made Simple, host Karlton Dennis sits down with real estate investor and entrepreneur Josh Villareal to explore his incredible journey from military service to building a seven-figure coaching business. Josh shares how a chance Instagram DM sparked a deep friendship with Karlton, and how their early morning workouts became business masterminds in the steam room. He opens up about his humble beginnings, enlisting in the military at 17, and hustling through multiple business ventures—including marketing and dropshipping — before discovering his true calling in real estate.

Josh reveals how he leveraged his VA loan benefits to buy his first property with $0 down, turning a duplex into a co-living space that now cash flows over $2,000 a month — while he lives there for free. He breaks down the co-living strategy, the renovation process, and how he used credit cards and family support to make the deal happen. The conversation dives into financial literacy within the military, why so many veterans overlook the VA loan opportunity, and how Josh is now on a mission to educate others through his fast-growing coaching program, which has helped hundreds of service members become real estate investors.

The episode wraps with a candid discussion about entrepreneurship, mindset, and marketing. Josh and Karlton reflect on the power of discomfort, the importance of mentorship, and the lessons that come from failure and persistence. Whether you’re in the military, an aspiring real estate investor, or building your own business, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, heartfelt moments, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from experience.