In this episode of Masters of Real Estate, Matt Owens and Deborah Razo share some of their most valuable and hard-earned lessons from their careers moving from small flips to multi-million dollar multifamily and lending deals.

From overcoming the fear of bigger numbers, to protecting yourself from contractor fraud, to building a network that’s as emotionally supportive as it is resource-rich, Matt lays out what it really takes to scale in this business.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Why fear and lack of confidence keep investors stuck in small deals—and how to break through.
The role of networking events in building not just skills, but the mindset and energy needed to succeed.
Why flipping keeps the lights on, but long-term wealth comes from appreciation.
How to structure your team so you’re not doing it all yourself, and the real risks of relying on the wrong partners.
The contractor theft story that changed Matt’s entire verification process.
Background checks, private investigators, and other must-have due diligence tools to protect your business.
Why creating financial freedom is about more than money, it’s about reclaiming your time for what matters most.

Want more resources from Mathew? Grab his free due diligence checklist and other tools at www.mathewowens.com!

Most investors focus on the returns. But few read the docs. In this episode, Mathew Owens and Kyle Swafford break down what actually protects you in a deal, and what doesn’t. From key PPM clauses to the real role of an attorney, this episode is a wake-up call for operators and investors alike. Whether you're raising capital or writing checks, you’ll want to understand the legal risks you're taking on, and how to avoid getting burned.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why understanding your legal docs is just as important as underwriting the deal

• What the PPM really protects, and who it’s written for

• The operator’s legal risks (and how the SEC can hold you personally liable)

• How to structure investor returns and fees to align incentives

• What to document from day one to protect yourself years later

• Why most accredited investors aren’t ready to prove it—and what that means for your raise

• The danger of passive investing without reading the fine print

• How interest rate shifts have wrecked recent deals, and what to watch for moving forward

What if real estate wasn’t just a smart investment, but a necessary one in today’s economy? In this episode, Matt Owens and Matt Theriault break down the true drivers of wealth in a system stacked against the average investor. He shares why inflation is your biggest threat and your biggest opportunity, how to avoid the traps of active investing, and what your kids need to learn now if you want them to escape the rat race later.

What You'll Learn:

• Why busy professionals don’t need to manage real estate directly to get tax advantages and cash flow

• How inflation, government debt, and long-term asset growth shape smart investing strategies

• The difference between good and bad debt—and how to use leverage without bleeding cash

• Why holding hard assets gives you more control than most passive investments

• How syndications allow you to own a piece of larger deals without the operational burden

• The connection between money printing, asset prices, and the shrinking middle class

• Why urgency matters: the longer you wait to invest, the harder it gets for the next generation

• How pain drives growth—and why teaching kids about resilience and risk matters now

• The truth about discounted property deals and how helping sellers benefits everyone

Most investors think they’re doing enough due diligence, until they lose money.

In this episode, Matt Owens sits down with seasoned passive investor Jeremy Roll to break down where most investors go wrong, how to properly vet a deal, and what risk really looks like in today’s market. Jeremy has invested in over 100 opportunities across multiple asset classes and brings a brutally honest lens to what it takes to preserve capital and create reliable cash flow.

If you’re looking to invest smarter and avoid costly mistakes, this one’s for you.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why you should never go all-in on your first deal, even if it looks solid

• The right way to vet operators (hint: it’s more than a background check)

• How to dissect a financial model and test assumptions around rent growth, debt, and expenses

• What hidden landmines to look for in legal docs that most investors miss

• When it’s smart to raise more capital upfront instead of relying on risky refinancing

• Why cap rate and interest rate math can quietly destroy your cash flow

• How to prepare your portfolio for a potential recession, without sitting in cash

Want more resources from Mathew? Grab his free due diligence checklist and other tools at www.mathewowens.com!

In this episode, Matt and guest Tyler Lyons share what it actually takes to build wealth in real estate, from starting with single-family homes to managing large multifamily assets. He breaks down the parts most investors overlook, like managing lease expirations, planning around inflation, and treating asset management as the real profit center.

Whether you're just starting or scaling into bigger deals, this episode will sharpen how you think about your business plan, operations, and long-term strategy.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

• Why starting with single-family rentals is a valuable training ground—even if it won’t make you rich

• What new syndicators get wrong about acquisition fees and scaling too fast

• Why strong asset management (not more deal flow) is key to long-term investor trust and profitability

• How inflation and rising insurance costs can erode cash flow if you’re not proactively adjusting your plan

• How market shifts (like tax law or population changes) can impact your renovation and rent growth strategy

• Why lease timing and tenant planning is just as important as renovations

• How to schedule lease renewals to avoid vacancies and maximize rent-ready timing

• What to prepare before closing on a 300+ unit property so your business plan doesn’t fall apart

Want more resources from Mathew? Grab his free due diligence checklist and other tools at www.mathewowens.com!

In this episode, Matt shares what it really takes to build a business that lasts.

From losing $500K to building better income streams, training his team, and staying mentally strong through it all—this is a behind-the-scenes look at the wins, the mistakes, and the mindset that drives long-term success.

If you're a founder, investor, or operator, you'll want to hear this.

• Why entrepreneurship isn’t about chasing money—it's about solving problems and helping people

• How Matt turned a $500,000 loss into a more profitable, lower-stress business

• The trap most entrepreneurs fall into—and how to get out of it

• Why you need to train your team before you need them

• How to build a company that pays you and your people through real cash flow

• What most business owners misunderstand about transparency and trust

• Why physical discipline in the gym reflects your capacity to lead under pressure

• How to analyze yourself without ego—so you can actually grow

• The mindset shift that separates struggling founders from resilient leaders

Want more resources from Mathew? Grab his free due diligence checklist and other tools at www.mathewowens.com!

Most people want passive income. But few understand what it really takes to earn it consistently. In this episode, Matt shares why owning hard assets yourself, even just a few, builds the knowledge base you need to invest wisely with others. From the hidden costs of poor due diligence to the power of strategic diversification, we break down the hard lessons, real-life gains, and mindset shifts that separate real estate pros from amateurs.

• Why managing your own assets gives you the best investor education

• The real risks most passive investors overlook

• How to vet deals, operators, and markets the right way

• What owning 10 single-family homes can teach you about scaling

• How to diversify across assets, markets, and risk profiles

• The real power of investor communities (and what to look for)

• How Matt created time freedom and raised $3M while abroad

Subscribe and leave a review if this episode challenged how you think about raising capital!

Want more resources from Mathew? Grab his free due diligence checklist and other tools at www.mathewowens.com!