Financial Freedom Fighters
by Jacob Sandoval & Michael Magno
Step into the world of real estate investing with your hosts, Jacob and Mike. Join Jacob, a W-2 tech employee trying to escape the rat race, and Mike Magno, a top 1% Cleveland realtor, as they share real stories and valuable insights from their journey towards financial freedom.
Episodes
-
EP #34 - Major Money Milestones in Your 20s, 30s & 40s
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the intentional steps needed to achieve financial freedom by your forties, focusing on key milestones in your twenties, thirties, and forties. Learn why setting financial goals is crucial, how to build a strong financial foundation, and the importance…
more -
EP #33 - Listen to This If You're Tired of Being Broke (7 Money Mistakes)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the seven critical money mistakes that are preventing you from achieving financial freedom. From living paycheck to paycheck to ignoring investing, we break down common financial pitfalls and offer actionable tips to help you get ahead. Learn why...
-
EP #32 - You Don’t Need an LLC to Buy Rental Properties (Here’s Why)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters Podcast, hosts Jacob Sandoval and Michael Magno dive into the common question: 'Do you need an LLC to invest in rental properties?' They explore the pros and cons of setting up an LLC, discussing liability protection, financing...
-
EP #31 - The American Dream is Dead (Here’s What to Do Instead)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters Podcast, hosts Jacob Sandoval and Michael Magno debunk the outdated concept of the American Dream. They argue that traditional paths like working a corporate job, saving in a 401k, and hoping for a comfortable retirement no longer...
-
EP #30 - 2025 Real Estate Predictions: What Every Investor Should Know
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters podcast, hosts Jacob Sandoval and Mike reflect on the 2024 real estate market and share predictions for 2025. They discuss high mortgage rates, modest home price increases, and the potential impact of the upcoming Trump...
-
EP #29 - One Rental Property Changed His Life – From Broke to 500+ Units
Send us Fan Mail Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Jay Maranan, a seasoned real estate investor who has mastered house hacking, Airbnb, out-of-state investing, and large-scale syndications. Jay shares his personal story, highlighting the importance of mindset, the power of taking...
-
EP #28 - Why I Walked Away From a $250K Job—The 3 Fears I Had to Overcome
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I share my journey of leaving a high-paying yet unfulfilling job, the fears I faced, and how I prepared financially to take the leap. I discuss practical advice for those considering quitting their job, including the importance of financial security and following...
-
EP #27 - How To Analyze a Rental Property (Cleveland Duplex Example)
Send us Fan Mail Join Jacob Sandoval and expert realtor Michael Magno as they dive deep into the intricacies of analyzing rental properties, using a real Cleveland property as their case study. Learn how to filter properties, assess their pros and cons, and calculate potential returns using a...
-
EP #26 - House Flipping 101: How This Investor Lost Money (Key Lessons)
Send us Fan Mail Join Jacob Sandoval and Michael Magno in this episode as they dive into the inspiring journey of Lorenzo Mercado, a pediatric RN turned real estate investor. Lorenzo shares his evolution from struggling financially, living paycheck to paycheck, to making significant strides in…
more -
EP #25 - The Truth About Paying Your Mortgage Off Early
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Jacob Sandoval and Michael Magno discuss the nuances of paying off your mortgage early. They explore the pros and cons based on interest rates, investment journey stages, and personal financial goals. Highlighting real-life scenarios and strategies, they...
-
EP #24 - How to Buy Your First Rental Property: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters Podcast, Jacob guides you through the 10 essential steps to buy your first rental property. From determining your goals and budget to finding an investor-friendly agent and getting your property rented out, this comprehensive…
more -
EP #23 - Why Turnkey Rental Properties are a Scam
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters Podcast, hosts Jacob Sandoval and Michael Magno dive deep into the concept of turnkey rental companies. They discuss the potential pitfalls and hidden challenges of these "turnkey" investments, especially for new real estate...
-
EP #22 - Accountant Explains: Buying Your First Apartment Building
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters Podcast, host Jacob Sandoval and co-host Michael Magno interview Ian Cruz, a successful real estate investor from the Bay Area. Ian shares his journey from working as a CPA to becoming an expert in the Cincinnati real estate…
more -
EP #21 - How Much Do You Need to Retire? (Why the 4% Rule is Wrong)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jacob breaks down the path to financial freedom and challenges the traditional 4% rule that many rely on for retirement planning. Discover why aiming for an unrealistic retirement number can keep you trapped and how understanding your living expenses is key to...
-
EP #20 - Property Management 101: What New Investors Need to Know
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters podcast, hosts Jacob Sandoval and Mike Magno explore the essentials of property management for real estate investors. They discuss the importance of choosing the right property manager and outline key questions to ask during the...
-
EP #19 - Rental Properties vs. Stocks: The Ultimate Investment Breakdown
Send us Fan Mail In this insightful video, Jacob delves into the age-old debate between investing in rental properties versus stocks. Through a comprehensive seven-round comparison, Jacob breaks down key factors such as appreciation, cash flow, level of effort, volatility, leverage, liquidity…
more -
EP #18 - Software Engineer Talks About "Nightmare" 1st Rental Property
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jacob interviews Liam Delumpa, a Software Engineer turned real estate investor in the San Francisco Bay Area. Liam reflects on his rollercoaster journey in real estate, starting with the nightmare of his first rental property. Through perseverance and resilience,...
-
EP #17 - Breaking Down My First Airbnb: Lessons, Risks, and Numbers
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jacob shares the details of his first Airbnb investment —a lakefront property in Michigan. Despite the widespread pessimism of Airbnbs in the current environment and the complexities of this specific deal, Jacob moves forward, excited about the potential of the...
-
EP #16 - Accountant Explains: Tax Advantages of Real Estate Investing
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jacob Sandoval and Mike Magno are joined by Tony, also known as the "CPA Dude," to explore advanced tax strategies and financial planning tactics. They dive into the intricacies of the Short-Term Rental (STR) tax loophole, real estate professional status, and the...
-
EP #15 - How Rental Properties Make You Rich (And Help You Retire Early)
Send us Fan Mail This episode dives deep into the multifaceted world of real estate investing, breaking down the four essential components—cashflow, appreciation, loan pay down, and tax benefits. Jacob uses relatable metaphors and practical examples to demystify the complexities of real estate,...
-
EP #14 - 8 Common Mistakes New Real Estate Investors Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters podcast, hosts Mike Magno and Jacob Sandoval delve into a range of crucial topics for aspiring real estate investors. From the significance of setting clear investment criteria and sticking to a strategy to the pitfalls of…
more -
EP # 13 - Is Real Estate Still a Good Investment? 5 Reasons to Start Now
Send us Fan Mail In this solo episode, Jacob outlines five key reasons why real estate investment remains a lucrative avenue for building long-term wealth and achieving financial freedom, covering aspects such as the housing shortage, passive income potential, leverage advantages, diversification...
-
EP #12 - How to Finance Your First Rental Property: A Beginner’s Guide
Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Jacob and Mike are joined by Steve, a seasoned mortgage professional, to unravel the complexities of financing real estate investments. The trio delves into the intricacies of investment property loans, emphasizing the importance of building a solid…
more -
EP #11 - These Real Estate Myths are Holding You Back
Send us Fan Mail Jacob and Mike dive into debunking common real estate myths, encouraging listeners to break free from limiting beliefs. They challenge notions like needing extensive capital or expertise, emphasizing the value of building a team and efficient time management. Closing with...
-
EP #10 - House Hacking Just Got a Lot Easier
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jacob and Mike delve into the strategy of house hacking, emphasizing its potential with the 5 percent down payment option from Fannie Mae. They discuss the Federal Reserve's potential interest rate cuts and its impact on the housing market. The hosts also address...
-
EP #9 - Flipping Houses is Not Investing but You Can Get Stupid Returns
Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of the Financial Freedom Fighters podcast, real estate investor Mike Magno shares key lessons from recent house-flipping endeavors. Covering a range of topics, Mike discusses the importance of due diligence, strategic negotiations, relationship…
more -
EP #8 - Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Doing $1M a Year on Airbnb
Send us Fan Mail In this dynamic podcast episode, Jacob, Mike, and guest Matt, a seasoned real estate investor and coach, embark on a comprehensive exploration of achieving financial freedom through real estate. Matt shares his inspiring journey from a challenging background to corporate success...
-
EP #7 - How to Buy 140 Houses and Not Be Like Blockbuster
Send us Fan Mail The podcast features Jim Manning, discussing his extensive real estate journey and its pivotal role in creating passive income. Throughout, the conversation emphasizes real estate as a bedrock for financial stability, distinct from conventional investments like the stock market....
-
EP #6 - Real Estate vs. Stocks (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 6 of the Financial Freedom Fighters podcast, Jacob and Mike delve deeper into the ongoing debate between real estate and stock market investments. Building on the insights shared in the previous episode (Episode 5), they reiterate the importance of personal financial...
-
EP #5 - Real Estate vs. Stocks (Part 1)
Send us Fan Mail In Episode 5 of the "Financial Freedom Fighters Podcast," Jacob and Mike debate the merits of stocks versus real estate, providing valuable insights for budding investors. They compare both options in terms of appreciation, cash flow, and the level of effort required. Stocks win…
more -
EP #4 - Current State of the Housing Market
Send us Fan Mail In this episode titled "The Current State of the Housing Market," Jacob and Mike provide a comprehensive analysis of the real estate landscape. They delve into surging demand's impact on affordability and stress the need for a long-term investment perspective, highlighting the...
-
EP #3 - How To Buy Your First Rental Property (Part 2)
Send us Fan Mail In this podcast episode, Jacob and Mike outline nine essential steps for those interested in real estate investing. They emphasize the significance of the decision to invest and stress the need for clear investment criteria. Building a reliable team, securing financing, and...
-
EP #2 - How To Buy Your First Rental Property (Part 1)
Send us Fan Mail Discover the intricacies of real estate investment with hosts Jacob Sandoval and Mike Magno in this informative episode. They break down the key steps to success, from defining your investment goals and selecting the right market to working with an investor-friendly agent and...
-
EP #1 - Unlocking Financial Freedom Through Real Estate
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Jacob and Mike delve into their personal journeys, sharing stories and insights that bridge their fear of post-2010 real estate with their current pursuit of financial freedom. They discuss missed opportunities, the compounding nature of time, and the…
more
About this show
Step into the world of real estate investing with your hosts, Jacob and Mike. Join Jacob, a W-2 tech employee trying to escape the rat race, and Mike Magno, a top 1% Cleveland realtor, as they share real stories and valuable insights from their journey towards financial freedom.
Hosted by
Jacob Sandoval & Michael Magno