Cover Article | Jules Wrubel, Make Money Lend Money

How Private Lenders Earn Double-Digit Returns — Safely and Simply

In today’s market, lending has quietly become one of the most reliable paths to financial freedom. While stocks and bonds swing with uncertainty, well-structured real estate loans can deliver predictable, double-digit returns — backed by hard assets and common-sense underwriting. Private lending isn’t about chasing risk; it’s about replacing volatility with control. When you lend on real estate — especially short-term bridge or rehab loans — you step into the same...[READ MORE]

Executive Director Message

AZREIA: America’s Best REIA, Celebrating 23 Years of Empowering Arizona Investors

Michael Del Prete | AZREIA Executive Director

This year, at the National REIA Conference in New Orleans, AZREIA was honored as the Best Real Estate Investors Association in the country, chosen from more than 200 REIAs nationwide. That recognition did not happen by chance. It is the result of more than two decades of doing what we do best: empowering Arizona’s investors to grow, serve, and give back. What Is the National REIA and Why It Matters -The National Real Estate Investors Association.....[READ MORE]

Creative Destruction

Andrew Bang | Boomerang Capital Partners

We chase that perfect alignment of price, timing, financing, and comfort. But markets don’t reward perfection; they reward participation. The perfect deal is a mirage, and the longer you stare at it, the more opportunity drifts past. Economist Joseph Schumpeter called capitalism a process of “creative destruction”, a continual tearing down and rebuilding that drives progress. Real estate is no different. Every neighborhood, every project, every cycle lives....[READ MORE]

How CPA-Attorney Collaboration Strengthens Business Decisions and Reduces Risk

Michael J. " McGirr | Phocus Law

In business, legal and financial decisions are deeply connected. That’s why it is so valuable to have your CPA and lawyer work together. Both professionals bring distinct and essential expertise to the table. When they collaborate, clients benefit from more thorough, efficient, and practical advice. Lawyers spot legal risks; accountants spot financial risks. Each brings different perspectives to the table and when they work together, catch issues the other might miss.....[READ MORE]

My Insurance Rates Go Up Every Year…

Derek Kartchner | Gila Insurance

“My insurance rates go up every year” is a common comment I hear as I meet with people at our monthly meetings. While this might sound like music to the ears of an insurance agent trying to get your business, it’s a bit more complex than you might think. Because, while at times, insurance rates seem to rise as reliably as property taxes and tenant complaints—and it might feel like your carrier is simply testing your patience—there’s actually some logic, albeit layered....[READ MORE]

Provisions in a Construction Contract

Mark Zinman | Zona Law Group

As an owner or investor of real estate, it is inevitable you will eventually need a contractor to fix issues at your home. We strongly suggest always using licensed contractors, to ensure that the work is done properly and to provide protection from liability if there is a problem in the unit. It is very easy for a resident to point blame when big renovations are completed at a property, which cause injury, and the owner doesn’t use a licensed contractor.....[READ MORE]

Invest Your Retirement Savings with Pride

J.P. Dahdah | VantageIRA

Investing is typically not an area most people are confident in. In fact, anything surrounding money and financial matters tend to make people uncomfortable, stressed, and anxious....[READ MORE]

Deconstruction vs. Demolition: 4 Primary Benefits

Chuck Warshaver | Stardust

When a business and/or homeowner decides to rebuild or remodel an existing structure, they want to finish the project as soon as possible and at the lowest cost. At first glance, it seems easier and quicker to demolish the building....[READ MORE]

Where the Smart Money Moves Next: A Clear Read on Today’s Market

Dan Noma Jr. | Easy Street Offers

After six months inching toward a buyer’s market, Phoenix has snapped back to balanced—not because demand spiked, but because over 40% of Q2 listings were canceled. When that much inventory is pulled from the MLS, supply appears tighter even as motivation among sellers quietly rises. Active listings are up double digits year over year, yet prices per square foot remain flat. Days on market have stretched toward 70, and price reductions are climbing....[READ MORE]

Expanding Single-Family Properties for Maximum ROI

Nicholas Tsontakis | Dwell Boldly

Often times, the best real estate strategy does not include finding another great deal, but looking at your existing inventory and realize it could be more. Maybe it’s a detached garage waiting to become an ADU. Maybe it’s a side yard wide enough for a new primary suite. Or maybe it’s an outdated floor plan yearning for open air and light. The potential is there and unlocking it takes imagination and preparation. Investors ready to expand single-family homes and small-scale....[READ MORE]

Legally Speaking Q&A: Does A Government Shutdown Affect Rents

Mark Zinman | Zona Law Group

Question: We have residents that are government employees, and they are not getting paid during the shutdown. What am I supposed to do? Answer: This is partially a legal question and partially a managerial discretion question. As to the legal question, while this situation may be unique, it boils down to.....[READ MORE]

You Haven't Arrived - You've only Begun

Jason Powers | 1024Wealth

There is a thought process out there that, quite possibly, has limited the achievements of mankind more than any other, and it is dubbed, “The Arrival Syndrome.”

When I first heard about this, I think logically I knew that as just a human being, I had a predisposition to this syndrome. We all do. However, what we do about it is a different story. I used to have my phone navigation map talk me through directions.....[READ MORE]

Does Working Interest Work for Real Estate Investors?

Eckard Enterprises | Eckard Enterprises

If you’re looking to expand beyond real estate, there's another investment vehicle that's capturing the attention of investors like yourself – one that offers immediate tax benefits that can dwarf even the most aggressive real estate depreciation schedules. Working interest in oil and gas operations isn't just about energy speculation. It's about creating a powerful tax strategy that complements your real estate portfolio while opening doors to an entirely different...[READ MORE]

Update from Neighborhood Loans – October 2025 Newsletter

Anderew Augustyniak | Neighborhood Loans

Mortgage rates have finally shown some relief as we head into the last quarter of 2025. As of mid-October, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate sits around 6.25%, down slightly from recent highs earlier in the year. While still elevated compared to the ultra-low rates of just a few years ago, this small improvement has created a bit more breathing room for buyers and investors who have been sitting on the sidelines. The recent easing in rates is largely tied to movements.....[READ MORE]

Invest Beyond Wall Street: Building Wealth With a Self-Directed IRA

Nate Hare | Directed IRA

Most investors know that IRAs and 401(k)s are powerful retirement tools, but few realize how flexible they can be. A self-directed IRA (SDIRA) allows you to move beyond traditional stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, giving you the freedom to invest in real estate, private funds, notes, and other alternative assets you know and trust. For real estate investors, this flexibility can be a game-changer. Instead of watching your retirement savings rise and fall with the stock market.....[READ MORE]

Investors and Wholesalers BEWARE! Real Estate Fraud is Always Lurking in Our Industry!

Maria Brandenburg & Janet Moe | Great American Title

The definition of Real estate fraud is using property transactions for financial deception, with common scams including wire fraud to intercept payments, fake listings, and impersonation of professionals like agents or lenders. Other forms include mortgage fraud, where false information is used to secure a loan, and title fraud, where ownership is fraudulently transferred. First-time homebuyers and renters are particularly vulnerable, making it crucial to verify.....[READ MORE]