1-on-1 with Frank Gallinelli: Learning Cash Flow from Best-Selling Real Estate Author

In this episode of Investor 1-on-1, we sit down with Frank Gallinelli, a renowned real estate educator, author, and founder of RealData, whose software has helped investors analyze billions in real estate deals for over four decades.Frank’s journey began in the early days of digital real estate analysis, where he developed tools to help investors make smarter, data-driven decisions. But what started as a software company soon evolved into something much bigger—an education platform that has shaped how generations of investors think about cash flow, risk, and return.He’s the author of the bestselling classic What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow… And 36 Other Key Financial Measures, a book that’s become a must-read for anyone serious about mastering the numbers behind successful deals. Today, Frank also teaches at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, sharing decades of hard-won experience with the next generation of real estate professionals.In this conversation, we explore how Frank went from building software to building minds, what inspired his bestselling books, and why understanding cash flow is still the #1 skill for every investor. He also breaks down the biggest mistakes investors make when analyzing deals, how to leverage tools like RealData for smarter decisions, and what major trends he sees shaping the industry in the years ahead.Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your portfolio, this episode is packed with timeless lessons on the fundamentals of real estate investing and how to think like a pro.📌 Timestamps00:00–00:50 – Intro00:51–04:59 – Career Journey — From software to author and educator05:00–09:29 – Writing & Books — The story behind his bestselling classic09:30–10:36 – Key Lessons from Books — Core takeaways that stand the test of time10:37–15:09 – Teaching & Collaboration — Bringing real-world investing to the classroom15:10–22:59 – Quote or Core Philosophy — The principle that guides his work23:00–25:49 – Market Trends & Industry Outlook — Where real estate is heading next25:50–26:29 – Common Investor Mistakes — Misconceptions about deals and risk26:30–28:19 – Resources for Investors — Must-have tools and knowledge28:20–30:14 – Starting Over Advice — How to begin with just $5,00030:15–32:09 – What’s Next — Upcoming projects and focus areas32:10–32:39 – Connect — How to learn more from Frank🔔 Subscribe for more 1-on-1 interviews with the nation’s top real estate investors and educators.Connect with Frank:📘 https://realdata.com/📗 What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}