Weekly Ramble: How to Fund Real Estate Investing Deals

In this solo episode of Burning the Ships, I break down one of the biggest questions new and seasoned real estate investors face: how do I fund my deals?I walk through every major funding option I’ve personally used—cash, self-directed retirement accounts, HELOCs, unsecured lines of credit, private money, hard money loans, and even seller financing. Each comes with its trade-offs, costs, and opportunities for scale. I share real examples from my journey and explain why resourcefulness is the single most important trait you need to figure out how to take down deals consistently.If you’re ready to scale your investing business but aren’t sure where the money will come from, this episode gives you the roadmap and the mindset to make it happen.Key Talking Points of the Episode00:00 Introduction03:35 JJ’s Joke of the Week04:36 Cash: fastest, simplest option, but limits scalability and ties up liquidity06:42 The opportunity cost of using your own cash07:56 Self-directed retirement accounts (IRAs, Solo 401k) and how they work10:01 HELOCs (home equity lines of credit)—leveraging equity to fund deals13:11 Unsecured lines of credit: why bankability matters14:52 Private money: building relationships with individuals who fund your deals17:28 Hard money: definition, misconceptions, and how 608B Capital operates differently19:22 Why hard money might be your best starting point if you lack other resources21:43 Seller financing: creative strategies when sellers become the bank23:36 Why seller finance should often be your first question when structuring deals26:00 Using resourcefulness as the ultimate tool28:06 Real-life examples: fitting in workouts, staying healthy on the road31:25 Parenting, schedules, and the family motto: “We figure shit out”Quotables“Cash is the fastest and simplest way to buy real estate, but it will cap your growth.”“Private money is not easy to find, but once you have it, it can change everything.”“Resourcefulness is the mindset that will get you through deals, business, and life.”Links608B Capitalhttps://608bcapital.com