Ken Barton: How to Access Real Estate Deals Instead of Chasing Them

In this episode of the Profit First for Real Estate Investing podcast, I sit down with Ken Barton—entrepreneur, real estate investor, and founder of Offa—to talk about how he went from high-income W-2 sales to building a platform that’s changing how investors find and fund deals.We dive into Ken’s unconventional journey, from selling $40M in software to buying his first off-market deal, and how frustration with outdated systems led him to build a marketplace for real estate investors. We also unpack the real opportunity behind off-market deals, why most investors struggle with access and financing, and how connecting deal flow with lending could completely change the game. If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to find deals or funding, this episode will open up a new way of thinking.  Episode Highlights[1:15] – Ken’s unconventional background and global sales career[2:21] – Why high income doesn’t equal wealth (tax problem realization)[4:00] – The turning point: discovering real estate for tax advantages[6:07] – The $185K business plan story that funded his first investments[8:14] – Buying his first duplex for $75K during the pandemic[9:26] – Why off-market deals outperform on-market opportunities[11:33] – The frustration that led to building Offa[13:10] – Why both buyers and sellers hated existing platforms[15:17] – Building a marketplace that actually serves investors[17:22] – How Offa is growing purely through word-of-mouth[18:55] – Why buyer behavior is more powerful than static “buy boxes”[21:33] – The vision: becoming the MLS for real estate investors[25:06] – The real monetization strategy: lending, not subscriptions[27:08] – Why access to debt is the biggest bottleneck for investors[29:31] – 100% financing: how it works and why it’s a game changer[30:28] – The long-term vision to scale Offa into a massive platform5 Key TakeawaysHigh income doesn’t equal wealth. Without tax strategy and investing, W-2 income alone won’t build long-term freedom.Off-market deals are where the real opportunity is. The best deals are rarely found on the open market.Access beats knowledge. Many investors know what to do—they just lack deal flow or funding.Debt is a powerful tool when used correctly. Leveraging financing (even up to 100%) can accelerate growth dramatically.The future of investing is connection. Platforms that connect deals, buyers, and funding will dominate the next wave of real estate.Links & ResourcesExplore Offa (real estate marketplace): https://offa.com/Learn more about Profit First for real estate investors: https://www.simplecfo.comIf this episode helped you think differently about how to find deals, fund them, and scale your investing business, make sure to rate, follow, and review the podcast. And share it with an investor who’s ready to stop chasing deals—and start accessing them.