340. From Chickens to Cashflow: Inside a $3.5M Lending Portfolio and 100+ Door Empire

In this episode of the Tax Smart REI Podcast, Thomas and Ryan sit down with entrepreneur and investor John Paul Houston to unpack his journey from running a backyard chicken operation to building a $3.5M private lending portfolio and a 100+ door real estate empire — all while dramatically reducing his tax bill by qualifying as a Real Estate Professional. Tune in to learn: - How John went from semi-retirement to scaling multiple income-producing businesses - Why he shifted from passive lending to active investing for greater returns and tax benefits - The REP strategies and depreciation plays that helped him save big on taxes - How he structures equity incentives to retain top talent and transfer ownership - Why West Virginia is his secret weapon for finding 12-cap multifamily deals with minimal red tape - The role private lending plays in his long-term diversification and estate planning To become a client, request a consultation from Hall CPA, PLLC at go.therealestatecpa.com/3KSEev6 Get your FREE ticket to the 2025 Tax, Legal, and Wealth Summit: www.taxandlegalsummit.com/registration Subscribe to REI Daily & Enter to Win a FREE Strategy Call: go.therealestatecpa.com/41JuQBX The Tax Smart Real Estate Investors podcast is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Information on the podcast may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or listener of this podcast should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this podcast without first seeking legal and tax advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney and tax advisor can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this podcast or any of the links or resources contained or mentioned within the podcast show and show notes do not create a relationship between the reader, user, or listener and podcast hosts, contributors, or guests.