In this solo episode of Burning the Ships, I break down one of the biggest questions new and seasoned real estate investors face: how do I fund my deals?
I walk through every major funding option I’ve personally used—cash, self-directed retirement accounts, HELOCs, unsecured lines of credit, private money, hard money loans, and even seller financing. Each comes with its trade-offs, costs, and opportunities for scale. I share real examples from my journey and explain why resourcefulness is the single most important trait you need to figure out how to take down deals consistently.
If you’re ready to scale your investing business but aren’t sure where the money will come from, this episode gives you the roadmap and the mindset to make it happen.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
03:35 JJ’s Joke of the Week
04:36 Cash: fastest, simplest option, but limits scalability and ties up liquidity
06:42 The opportunity cost of using your own cash
07:56 Self-directed retirement accounts (IRAs, Solo 401k) and how they work
10:01 HELOCs (home equity lines of credit)—leveraging equity to fund deals
13:11 Unsecured lines of credit: why bankability matters
14:52 Private money: building relationships with individuals who fund your deals
17:28 Hard money: definition, misconceptions, and how 608B Capital operates differently
19:22 Why hard money might be your best starting point if you lack other resources
21:43 Seller financing: creative strategies when sellers become the bank
23:36 Why seller finance should often be your first question when structuring deals
26:00 Using resourcefulness as the ultimate tool
28:06 Real-life examples: fitting in workouts, staying healthy on the road
31:25 Parenting, schedules, and the family motto: “We figure shit out”
Quotables
“Cash is the fastest and simplest way to buy real estate, but it will cap your growth.”
“Private money is not easy to find, but once you have it, it can change everything.”
“Resourcefulness is the mindset that will get you through deals, business, and life.”
Links
608B Capital
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