What does it take to turn a flooded bank into a luxury, mixed-use anchor in downtown Des Moines?

Jesse Bunny, General Manager at Lawmark Capital, shares the inside story of the Metso on Walnut project, from redevelopment hurdles and $12 million renovations to 209 luxury apartments and game-changing leases.

With deep experience in asset management and a mindset built on persistence, Jesse walks through the vision, grit, and community partnerships it takes to pull off one of the city's most ambitious downtown transformations.

🧠 Jesse Bunny's Top 5 Takeaways:
• How a $10/hour job at Chick-fil-A helped Jesse rebuild his career and align with his purpose.
• Why persistence and empathy became the foundation for leading complex real estate projects.
• How mixed-use momentum is redefining downtown Des Moines.
• What it takes to balance construction, leasing, and tenant needs, without losing your mind.
• Why every building is a business, and success comes down to people and process.

👤 About Jesse Bunny:
Jesse Bunny is the General Manager at Lawmark Capital, where he leads asset management, development strategy, and operations for over 1 million square feet of commercial real estate, including the landmark Metso on Walnut project in downtown Des Moines. Originally from Miami, Arizona, Jesse's path has taken him from commercial brokerage at CBRE to leading redevelopment for Lawmark's growing portfolio. His career spans asset management, leasing, ground-up redevelopment, and relationship-first leadership.

Known for his hands-on approach and passion for people, Jesse has helped reshape downtown Des Moines through strategic vision, deep local partnerships, and a commitment to making every project better than the last.

Contact Info:

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/jbunney

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessebunney/

Are high-end rentals really worth the work?

After 15 years in real estate, Mark Lane has found his niche. And it's not where he started.

Mark shares how his business evolved from flipping to wholesaling, and why certainty, simplicity, and smart marketing drive his strategy. He discusses how effective marketing fuels deal flow, why higher-end rentals became a new focus, and how vision and personal growth are baked into his business goals.

With a focus on lean operations and long-term relationships, tune in to hear one of Des Moines' most active investors unpack what it takes to stay profitable and purposeful in today's market.

Mark Lane's Hard-Earned Insights:
• How wholesaling created a leaner, more predictable business model with better margins and less risk.
• Why the real value in real estate is made at the time of purchase, not at the sale.
• How investing in better-quality rentals has elevated Mark's portfolio and tenant experience.
• Why marketing is the heartbeat of successful investing and the key to consistent deal flow.
• How personal growth, clear vision, and strong relationships have fueled Mark's long-term success.

👤 About Mark Lane:
Mark Lane is a seasoned real estate investor based in Des Moines, Iowa, with over 15 years of experience buying, selling, and holding residential properties. A former factory worker at John Deere, Mark left the assembly line in 2010 to pursue a more purpose-driven path in real estate. Since then, he has bought and sold hundreds of homes, becoming one of the leading house buyers in the Des Moines metro.

Mark's business today focuses on high-margin wholesaling and quality rental properties, with an emphasis on community impact, efficient systems, and personal development. He's passionate about helping homeowners out of difficult situations, revitalizing neighborhoods, and creating safe, affordable housing. Mark lives by the motto:
"Work hard, do good, and live well."

Contact Info:

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/buymyrehab

What can one flip teach you about risk, relationships, and resilience?

Real estate investor Greg Rosa shares his journey from the mortgage world to house flipper in Des Moines. He reflects on the lessons learned from his first deal, the evolving market dynamics, and how buying right, building strong contractor relationships, and franchising with HomeVestors helped him find his stride.

Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at flipping in a shifting market: where strategy, simplicity, and a steady mindset make all the difference. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, Greg's story offers practical insights and grounded perspective from someone doing the work every day.

🧠 Greg Rosa's Top 5 Takeaways:
• How Greg's background gave him a head start in evaluating deals and managing risk.
• Why buying right is the foundation of every successful flip, especially in a changing market.
• How strong contractor relationships make all the difference.
• Why franchising with HomeVestors provided the systems, support, and marketing to scale quickly.
• How long-term rental goals and a love for problem-solving keep Greg grounded in business.

👤 About Greg Rosa:
Greg Rosa is a Des Moines-based real estate investor focused on residential property flips and long-term rentals. Originally from Oregon, Greg has worked across the country in mortgage origination, multifamily property management, and now full-time real estate investing. Since moving to Iowa in 2019, he has built a business rooted in smart buying, efficient renovations, and faith-driven persistence. Today, he balances growing his portfolio with building a future of financial freedom—one flip at a time.

Contact Info:

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-rosa-34709a38/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/grosa

What if your Airbnb business could fund your next investment, and your dumpster company could bring in your next client? In this episode, Darson Grantham shares how he's blending real estate savvy, short-term rental strategy, and entrepreneurship to build lasting wealth in Des Moines. From automation to mindset, Darson breaks down what it really takes to succeed in a shifting market.

Darson shares how he broke into real estate, scaled a portfolio of Airbnbs, and why creating memorable guest experiences is key to standing out. He dives into tools like automation and virtual assistants, compares flipping vs. buy-and-hold strategies, and reveals how launching a dumpster business opened new doors for growth.

Whether you're just getting started or expanding your portfolio, Darson offers sharp, actionable insights for navigating real estate with confidence and creativity.

🧠 Darson Grantham's Top 5 Takeaways:

• How short-term rentals are booming in Des Moines—and why unique guest experiences make the biggest impact.
• Why self-managing STRs is no joke—and how automation and virtual assistants help keep it scalable.
• How Darson thinks about flipping vs. buy-and-hold—and why your strategy should match your lifestyle and goals.
• Why launching a dumpster business turned into a surprising lead generator for real estate deals.
• How mindset, grit, and a strong network have helped Darson push through challenges and stay focused on the big picture.

👤 About Darson Grantham:
Darson Grantham is a Des Moines-based real estate agent, investor, and entrepreneur helping families and investors build long-term wealth. Since going full-time in real estate in 2020, he has grown a portfolio of short-term rentals, built a local investor community through weekly meetups, and launched educational YouTube channels to share real estate insights. With a focus on smart systems and people-first service, Darson is building both business and community—while raising a family of five in the city he proudly calls home.

Contact Info:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/darson.lee

What does 40+ years in banking teach you about real estate, risk, and resilience?

Veteran lender Larry Wolf shares lessons from a career spanning market cycles and major real estate shifts. He unpacks the risks of lending, the trends shaping today's CRE landscape, and how adaptability and planning have guided his approach through decades of change.

Tune in for real stories from the frontlines of commercial lending: sharp insights, grounded advice, and hard-earned wisdom on what separates good investors from great ones, and why character still matters in today's high-stakes lending world.

🧠 Larry Wolf's Top 5 Takeaways:

• How decades of lending taught Larry that character, not just credit scores, plays a central role in successful financing.

• Why planning for the worst is a critical mindset for anyone investing in real estate or taking on construction debt.

• What the Great Recession revealed about risk, resilience, and the importance of keeping borrowers grounded in reality.

• How large developers can sway market prices, and why smaller investors need to stay disciplined.

• Why even in tough markets, adversity creates new opportunities for those willing to adapt and take calculated risks.

👤 About Larry Wolf:

Larry Wolf is a seasoned commercial banker with over 40 years of experience in real estate and financial services. He began his career in Illinois and moved to Iowa in 1993, where he served for three decades at Hardin County Savings Bank in Eldora. Larry has financed projects across a wide range of asset classes—including office, industrial, medical, multifamily, and self-storage—and is known for his practical, relationship-focused approach to lending. With roots in agriculture and real estate, Larry brings deep market insight and a steady hand to every deal.

Contact Info:

Email | Larry@LittleGuyLoans.com

Phone | (641) 751-2263

How does a beekeeping medic from Israel become a real estate investor?

In this conversation, real estate investor Adam Metzker opens up about his journey from military service in Israel to real estate investing across the U.S. He talks about weathering the oil crash in North Dakota, adapting to market slowdowns, and staying focused on fundamentals like affordable housing and strong economic indicators.

Adam also explores the rise of AI, robotics, and cryptocurrency in real estate, and how these shifts may change the way we buy, build, and manage property.

His global outlook and commitment to balancing tech with human connection make this episode both practical and forward-thinking.

🧠 Adam Metzker's Top 5 Takeaways:

• How real estate became Adam's go-to hedge against inflation.

• Why Adam likes hard assets to add portfolio stability in uncertain times.

• How cryptocurrency and tokenization could revolutionize the ownership of real estate

• Why the growing demand for affordable housing is both a challenge and a major opportunity for mission-driven investors.

• How staying human in a tech-driven world gives Adam an edge, and why relationships still matter more than ever.

👤 About Adam Metzker:

Born and raised in the coastal village of Michmoret, Israel, Adam Metzker has worn many hats: DJ, medic, beekeeper, flight attendant, and now full-time real estate investor. After launching his investing career in North Dakota during the oil boom—buying, renovating, and managing over 35 properties—he shifted his focus to sustainable investments in thriving U.S. markets. Today, Adam invests in single-family, multi-family, commercial, and mixed-use real estate, with a focus on regions like Des Moines, Iowa. His diverse background, international perspective, and tech-forward mindset set him apart as a unique voice in modern real estate.

Contact Info:

Website | https://adammetzker.com/

The real estate market has a not-so-secret weapon: home staging. And few understand its power like Theresa Agey.

A Des Moines native who grew up in her family's furniture business, Theresa launched her own store in 2011 and quickly discovered how staging could transform a property's first impression—and its final sales price.

Today, with nearly 80% of her clients being investors, Theresa has become a go-to partner for turning empty spaces into market-ready homes. From navigating the shift to online furniture retail to meeting the unique demands of staging Airbnb and STR properties, she's built her business on adaptability and detail.

In this episode, Theresa shares how design can drive real estate success, why flexibility is her biggest competitive edge, and how her resilience—both as a business owner and as a breast cancer survivor—continues to shape her impact in Des Moines and beyond.

5 Takeaways

• How family roots in furniture shaped Theresa's eye for design — and how that gives her an edge in staging today.

• Why first impressions matter & how staging transforms the way buyers perceive a property and helps investors move homes faster.

• How Theresa stages with ROI in mind — and why every investor needs a designer who understands the numbers.

• Why adaptability is your biggest asset — and how staging trends have shifted from retail homes to Airbnbs and STRs.

• How Theresa's experience as a breast cancer survivor shaped her leadership — and why empathy builds stronger teams and businesses

👤 About Theresa Agey

A West Des Moines native, Theresa Agey has been immersed in the furniture business since childhood. After opening her own store in 2011, she discovered her passion for home staging—helping transform properties for investors, realtors, and short-term rentals. Based in Park Fair Mall, her business has grown into a trusted partner for creating spaces that sell. Beyond furniture and design, Theresa is a breast cancer survivor, a volunteer with Can Do Cancer, and a leader in the Young Survivor Coalition. She lives in Ankeny with her husband, Jordan, and brings her love for community, design, and resilience into everything she does.

Contact Info:

Website | https://homefurnishingsiowa.com/

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/HomeFurnishings

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thefurnituregirl

The U.S. is facing a double crisis: a shortage of affordable housing and a massive gap in skilled trades talent.

Few people sit at the intersection of both challenges quite like Dan Knoup. From serving in the Navy to building more than 700 homes over two decades, Dan now leads the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines—where he’s championed initiatives that have already introduced over 30,000 Iowa students to careers in construction.

In this episode, Dan shares how resilience and vision have shaped his journey, why the definition of “affordable housing” is shifting toward “attainable housing,” and how programs like the Skilled Trades Academy and Build My Future are creating real pathways for the next generation

5 Takeaways:

• How Dan’s Navy discipline and hands-on framing experience laid the foundation for building over 700 homes and a career of leadership in home construction.

• Why the Home Builders Association is more than an advocacy group—it’s a catalyst for collaboration, education, and innovation in Des Moines’ housing market.

• The skilled trades gap: why closing it is critical for Iowa’s economy and how Dan’s programs are bringing thousands of students into construction careers.

• How interest rates, costs, and shifting demand are redefining “affordable housing” into a new era of attainable housing—and what that means for families.

• Why strong relationships—between builders, trades, and the community—remain the cornerstone of long-term success in the homebuilding industry.

About Dan Knoup:

Dan Knoup is the Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines, with over 22 years of experience building custom homes and leading industry growth.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Dan transitioned into home construction, eventually overseeing divisions that built hundreds of homes. Today, he champions the importance of skilled trades, launching initiatives like Iowa Skilled Trades, the Skilled Trades Academy, and Build My Future, which has introduced over 30,000 Iowa students to opportunities in the trades.

Contact Info:
Website | https://www.dsmhba.com/

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-knoup-b8660ba/