Episode 514: How Rick Escaped His W-2 & Used Creative Deals to Retire with Confidence with Rick Marotto

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Rick Marotto, a High 6 Associate in the Wicked Smart Community, who shares his incredible journey from healthcare professional to real estate investor. Rick and his wife Linda initially ventured into house flipping as a means to secure their retirement, only to face roadblocks, setbacks, and disappointing coaching. But their story didn’t end there.

 

After a rough start in traditional real estate, Rick discovered the Smart Real Estate Coach community and completely transformed his approach. In this episode, he shares how the “in-the-trenches” support, bootcamps, and clear planning helped him confidently close creative deals and generate three-payday profits—all while helping buyers get back on their feet. 

 

If you’re looking to ditch the W-2 and replace it with a step-by-step investing strategy, Rick’s story is packed with insight and encouragement.

 

Key Talking Points of the Episode

 

00:00 Introduction
03:24 Rick’s story: from the medical field to real estate investing
05:10 Bootcamp experience and a boost in confidence
07:27 Real-time coaching, dials, and how practice built belief
09:00 Managing full-time jobs while launching a real estate business
10:14 Setting a retirement plan vs. just a goal
14:42 Rick’s first creative deal and how it helped a buyer reclaim his family
18:51 How Rick’s 2nd deal turned a seller’s problem into a sub-to success
20:33 Defining terms in creative real estate: VA, AO, resetting the clock
24:06 Buyers vs. Sellers: Which is harder to find?
25:37 Why bootcamps and QLS Live are game-changers

Quotables

 

“We were working full-time, trying to get the flipping business off the ground. It just wasn’t sustainable.”

 

“After the bootcamp, I started making dials and I could hear myself differently. The confidence boost was huge.”

 

“Creative real estate creates a win-win-win. The buyer wins, the seller wins, and we win.”

 

Links

 

QLS Live

https://qlslive.com

 

Real Estate On Your Terms and Deal Structure Overtime

https://wickedsmartbooks.com/podcast

 

FREE Master’s Class

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast

 

FREE Strategy Session with Chris Pre

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast

 

QLS 4.0

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/qlspodcast

 

Investor Resources

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/resources

 

Apprentice Program

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/apprentice-pod

 

In the Trenches Bootcamp

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/ittb-pod

 

3 Paydays Virtual Event

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/3paydayspodcast

 

REI Blackbook

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/REIBB-pod

 

7 Figures Funding

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/7figures-pod

 

Land Voice

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/landvoice-pod