Cover Article | Brandon Simmons

Become the Banker: How Creative Financing Can Transform Your Real Estate Business

Have you seen The Banker on Apple TV? It’s based on the true story of Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris, portrayed by Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson. In the 1960s, they were shut out of the banking system. Instead of giving up, they became the bank. That same idea can work for you today. What if your next deal didn’t need a bank at all? Here’s what most investors don’t realize: you don’t need a bank to do more deals. You need a strategy......[READ MORE]

Executive Director Message

Leadership Is The New Asset

Michael Del Prete | AZREIA Executive Director

In a single real estate transaction from direct-to-owner purchase, to wholesale, to renovation, to retail listing as investors we can easily touch 40 service providers.

Title. Escrow. Lenders. Contractors. Inspectors. Agents. Subcontractors. Appraisers. Attorneys. That’s not a side hustle. That’s an ecosystem. And whether we’re having a good day or a bad one doesn’t matter. The job still requires leadership.,.......[READ MORE]

AI in Real Estate: Efficiency Is Not the Same as Judgment

Rob Jafek | Boomerang Capital Partners

There is a growing narrative or concern that artificial intelligence will fundamentally displace real estate professionals, not just brokers, but pretty much everyone. The argument is straightforward. Real estate is described as a data business. Sales comparables, rental trends, demographic shifts, zoning overlays, school rankings, cap rates, credit scores. If those inputs can be aggregated.....[READ MORE]

Seller Financing & “Subject-To” Deals: Legal Pitfalls and How to De-Risk Them

Michael J. " McGirr | Phocus Law

If you’ve been to AZREIA lately, you’ve probably noticed a theme: creative finance is back. Higher rates and tighter underwriting have pushed investors toward tools like seller carrybacks, wraparounds, and “subject-to” acquisitions. These strategies can work, but they come with legal tripwires that can turn a If you’ve been to AZREIA lately, you’ve probably noticed a theme: creative finance is back. Higher rates and tighter underwriting have pushed investors toward tools.....[READ MORE]

Fundamental Truths About Home Insurance

Derek Kartchner | Gila Insurance

Let’s talk straight about homeowners' insurance. Whether you are a homeowner, a landlord, or the owner of a vacant dwelling (Flip), I want to pull back the curtain on how this industry works and share how I handle insurance in my own life. Why do rates always go up? One of the most common misconceptions is that if you don’t file a claim, your rates should stay the same.....[READ MORE]

FTC Starts Rule Making Process For "Fee Transparency"

Mark Zinman | Zona Law Group

Before even addressing what this story is about, it is important to note that NOTHING has yet changed. We are reporting on potential actions that the FTC is looking to take. There is no final rule yet, and there is a long process for the FTC to go through. Despite this, it's good for operators to be proactive and make changes now. On January 30, 2026....[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: Are Modifications Reasonable? At Whose Cost?

Mark Zinman | Zona Law Group

Question: I have a tenant, in a wheelchair, who lives in a single family home I own. He has submitted a request to install a grab bar in the shower and to lower cabinets in the kitchen. I know I have to allow him to install the grab bar, but do I really have to allow him to move around cabinets? That seems like a serious burden for me, as the owner. Also, who pays for all of this?.....[READ MORE]

50-Year Mortgage: Why the Lower Payment Sounds Good but May Cost You More

Jason Powers | 1024Wealth

The idea of a 50‑year mortgage recently resurfaced in Washington corridors as a proposed solution to America’s housing‑affordability squeeze. The Trump administration and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) floated it as a “game changer.” According to an Associated Press analysis in November 2025, on a median‑priced U.S. home ($415,200) with a 10 % down payment and a 6.17 % interest rate, a 30‑year mortgage would have a monthly payment of about.....[READ MORE]

Rethinking the Traditional 1031 Exchange

Eckard Enterprises | Eckard Enterprises

Many real estate investors use a 1031 exchange to defer capital gains taxes while moving from one property into another. Traditionally, this means trading an apartment building for a retail center or raw land for an industrial asset. However, some investors are exploring a different path by exchanging into mineral rights. Because certain mineral interests are treated as real property, they can qualify within a properly structured 1031 exchange.....[READ MORE]

DSCR Loans: Investor-Friendly Financing — But Definitely Not “No-Doc”

Andrew Augustyniak | Neighborhood Loans

One of the most common conversations I have with real estate investors right now sounds something like this: “I heard DSCR loans are basically no-doc. Super easy, right?” They are absolutely investor-friendly. They remove a lot of friction traditional financing creates. But “no-doc” is a myth, and believing it can slow deals down fast. If you understand what these loans actually require, they become one of the most powerful...[READ MORE]

Income, Collateral, and Capital Preservation in Today’s Market

Silvercrest Opportunity Fund | Silvercrest Opportunity Fund

Relationships matter — but data drives decisions. Today’s real estate market is defined by higher interest rates, rising construction costs, and increased volatility. As traditional equity strategies compress, private credit backed by real assets has emerged as a defensive, income-focused alternative. According to Federal Reserve and HUD data, U.S. household formation continues to outpace new housing supply, contributing to a national housing shortage estimated at. ...[READ MORE]

Investing in Real Estate With Your IRA: What Investors Need to Know

Nate Hare | Directed IRA

Many real estate investors focus on finding deals, raising capital, and managing cash flow, but overlook one of the most flexible tools available to them: their retirement account. Contrary to common belief, IRAs have always been permitted to invest in real estate. They can own rental properties, participate in private real estate partnerships, lend money as private lenders, or invest in commercial and multifamily projects. The limitation most investors encounter is not a legal one, but.....[READ MORE]

Various Real Estate Investment Transactions

Maria Brandenburg & Janet Moe | Great American Title

Whether you are a new investor or a seasoned investor, Real estate remains one of the reliable vehicles for short term and/or long-term wealth creation. For the investor, real estate agent, JV partners, it is important that your Title company is fully versed on facilitating these transactions. Your title and escrow partner needs to facilitate any type of transaction, including but not limited to the following types of transactions: All -Inclusive.....[READ MORE]