The Money Is Moving ft. Rob Leonard Jr.

Welcome to another episode of The AZREIA Show! In this episode, Michael Del Prete sits down with Rob Leonard Jr., President of the Arizona Private Lenders Association (APLA) and partner at Colonial Capital, to discuss the evolving landscape of private lending in Arizona. Rob shares his journey from real estate investing into lending, explains why he chose financing over flipping, and reveals how Colonial Capital has grown since 2003 by helping investors fund everything from fix-and-flips to commercial real estate projects through hard money, bridge loans, and creative capital solutions. Drawing from decades of experience through both the Great Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 market disruption, Rob shares valuable lessons on risk management, disciplined underwriting, and avoiding deals that don't make financial sense. The conversation also explores today's biggest opportunities across Arizona, including industrial development, retail build-to-suit projects, land bridge financing, and the long-term impact of major economic drivers like TSMC, infrastructure expansion, and population growth. Rob also explains the mission of the Arizona Private Lenders Association and how it helps lenders, investors, and industry professionals stay informed on market trends and regulations. Whether you're looking for private capital, exploring commercial real estate opportunities, or simply wanting to understand where Arizona's market is headed, this episode delivers practical insights from one of the state's most experienced private lenders. Learn what makes a strong lending opportunity, where smart investors are focusing today, and how private lending continues to play a critical role in Arizona's real estate market. 01:21 – Rob's Real Estate Origin 03:18 – Choosing Lending Over Flipping 04:04 – Colonial Through the Housing Crash 05:37 – Early Career Lessons 06:40 – Modernizing Colonial Capital 08:18 – Colonial Capital Overview 11:53 – Passive Investing Advice 14:19 – COVID Deal Stress Test 18:44 – What's Hot in Arizona Today 20:29 – Retail Deals & Market Growth 21:13 – Arizona's Future Outlook 23:25 – Infrastructure & Economic Growth 25:17 – Investor Playbook 28:13 – What's Next for Phoenix 31:32 – Arizona Private Lenders Association (APLA) 34:56 – Who Should Join APLA 36:16 – How to Connect Online -- Contact Alden of Silver Crest Opportunity Fund at http://silvercrestopportunityfund.com "AZREIA does not endorse specific investments. Please do your own due diligence." Want to grow your real estate business? 💼 Subscribe, like, and tap the bell so you never miss an episode of The AZREIA Show! 🔑 Ready to take the next step?   👉 Ready to become a member of Arizona's largest and most trusted real estate investing network? Join AZREIA now - https://azreia.org/join   🤔 Not sure if real estate is right for you yet? Start with our free email series: Get the 12 Essential Steps to Becoming a Real Estate Investor -https://azreia.org/12-essential-steps-to-becoming-a-real-estate-investor   ✨ Either way: take action, keep moving forward, and never stop working toward the life you want. AZREIA has helped thousands of investors since 2002 find their strategy, stay accountable, and build the life of their dreams.   💭 Will you be our next success story? It all starts with one step — and we'll walk it with you. Michael Del Prete Phoenix City Council Candidate District 6 #SellerFinancing #OwnerFinancing #CreativeFinancing #RealEstateInvesting #ArizonaRealEstate #PhoenixRealEstate #AZREIA #AZREIAShow #CashFlow #InvestmentProperty #SubjectTo #FinancialFreedom