Women Invest in Real Estate

Hosted by Amelia McGee, Grace Gudenkauf

Business Investing Education

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Episodes

247

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the Women Invest in Real Estate podcast where we talk about real estate investing, business, and give a behind-the-scenes look at Amelia and Grace’s lives as full time investors.

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60 recent

September 14, 202653 min

WIIRE 248: From $5,500 to Financial Freedom: How Kelsey Porter Calculated Her Escape Number

This week we are joined once again by Kelsey Porter , who used real estate to build a life she actually wants to live. As an investor and realtor out of Des Moines, Kelsey traces how she went from “Is $8,000/month even possible?” to a lean, intentional 10‑door portfolio that pays for things like her wedding, travel, and future family plans. We talk about why financial freedom is a number, not a feeling, and how sitting down in 2020 with a simple spreadsheet—income in, expenses out—led Kelsey to her first financial freedom number of $8,000/month in cash flow. We share how that number initially felt out of reach, what it took to get there faster than expected, and why she later raised the bar. We dive into: Living below your means (even when your income grows) House hacking, renting out your primary, and being a one‑car household Using medium‑term rentals and short‑term rentals to get more “juice from the squeeze” Kelsey’s nine real estate eras: Disbelief, Hustle, Lucky/Harvest, Enjoyment, Opportunistic, Debt Payoff, Coast, and “Sell It All” The tension between hustling hard and actually allowing yourself to enjoy what you’ve built If you’re a woman investing in real estate and you want inspiration, real numbers, and a roadmap for building a small‑but‑mighty portfolio that supports your values (not just your ego), you’ll feel right at home in this conversation with Kelsey. Resources : Listen to Kelsey's first WIIRE appearance in Episode 121 Connect with Kelsey on Instagram Get on the waitlist for the WIIRE Community Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

September 7, 202630 min

WIIRE 247: BRRRR Investing: The Five Decisions That Actually Matter

This week, we pull back the curtain on the BRRRR method and share why it’s not just a five-step formula—it's five big decisions that can make or break your portfolio. We walk through Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat from the perspective of women actively building portfolios, and we talk honestly about the mistakes we’ve made so you don’t have to. We talk about getting crystal clear on your buy box, choosing the right markets, and making sure each BRRRR actually supports the lifestyle and long-term goals you want—not just what looks good in a spreadsheet. We dig into how to rehab for durability and longevity (not just cute, cheap finishes), including siding, materials, contractors, W-9s, and handling those awkward “cash only” contractor conversations. We also touch on tenant selection, setting boundaries, and treating your rentals like the business they are. Then we go deep on refinancing—rates, lenders, CLTV, appraisals, and how our community has helped us challenge low appraisals and negotiate better terms. Finally, we share why the “Repeat” step should always include a post-mortem so each BRRRR gets better, easier, and more aligned with your version of financial freedom. If you’re a female real estate investor looking to scale with BRRRR more intentionally, this episode is for you. Resources : Get on the waitlist for the WIIRE Community Listen to Episode 45 Listen to Episode 141 Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

August 31, 202635 min

WIIRE 246: You Bought Multiple Properties…Now You’re Stuck. Here’s Why.

This week, we are diving into why so many experienced female real estate investors hit a wall after their third or fourth property—and exactly how to move past it. We talk about what happens when the numbers stop penciling, even though you know real estate works because it’s already worked for you. We're breaking down the biggest reasons you’re feeling stuck, including: Why not having a true buy box (with real metrics, not vibes) keeps you in analysis paralysis How “Is this a good deal?” is the wrong question—and what to ask instead The trap of trying to eliminate all risk and how that kills every deal on your spreadsheet Why waiting for a “home run” deal is keeping you from building long-term wealth How your next best deal might already be in your portfolio through refinancing, restrategizing, or selling The power of a sanity check and surrounding yourself with other women investors who get it If you’re a woman on deals 4–10 who’s tired of spinning your wheels alone, this episode will help you see what’s really holding you back and give you practical ways to start making confident offers again. Resources : Get on the waitlist for the WIIRE Community Grab our SO P Templ ates Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

August 24, 202631 min

WIIRE 245: Why Your Real Estate Portfolio Feels Stressful (And How to Fix It)

This week we dive into why your real estate portfolio feels so stressful—and how to fix it . You'll hear the exact mindset shifts and systems we’ve used (and taught thousands of women) to turn a scattered rental portfolio into a streamlined, profitable business. We break down: Why “more doors” can mean more stress, especially when you’re holding too many small, high-effort, low-return properties How to evaluate your rentals using cash flow and Return on Equity (ROE) so you can confidently decide what to keep, sell, or trade up The difference between being a “mom-and-pop landlord” and a real estate CEO—and the SOPs, bookkeeping, and insurance checks you actually need How systems, boundaries, and business hours with tenants protect your peace (and prevent 3:30 a.m. calls) Why most everyday investors don’t know their numbers, and how that fuels anxiety and indecision The power of community, mentorship, and accountability for women real estate investors who are making big decisions alone If your portfolio looks good on paper but feels like a second full-time job, this episode will help you get clarity, reduce stress, and start running your rentals like the high-performing business they are. Resources : Get on the waitlist for the WIIRE Community Grab our SOP Templates Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

August 17, 202642 min

WIIRE 244: Landlord Scripts: Exactly What to Say to Difficult Tenants (Word-for-Word)

In this episode of the WIIRE Podcast, we sit down with Victoria Sydni , owner of Fulcrum Property Management in Corvallis, Oregon, to talk about something every woman in real estate secretly worries about: hard tenant conversations. We walk through real scripts and strategies for: Screening tenants with no credit, no job, or big sob stories Enforcing your lease terms when tenants cause damage Charging back for maintenance issues that are clearly tenant-caused Handling non-responsive tenants and repeated no-shows for maintenance Setting and communicating business hours and true emergency protocols Doing security deposit accounting confidently, with documentation to back you up Navigating breakups on the lease (when one partner wants off) Communicating rent increases without feeling like “the bad guy” We also talk candidly about the mindset shift from “I feel bad” to “I run a business,” especially for female landlords and investors who want to stay kind but firm. You’ll hear how we set boundaries, avoid becoming friends with tenants, and still lead with compassion—without getting walked on. If you’re a female real estate investor or aspiring landlord who fears the midnight maintenance call or the angry text, this episode will give you language, confidence, and systems to protect both your cash flow and your peace of mind. Resources : Follow Victoria on Instagram Listen to Episode 158 Get the deets on Steadily Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

August 10, 202634 min

WIIRE 243: How Much Do Our Rentals Actually Make?

This week, we are pulling back the curtain on the real numbers behind our long‑term rental portfolios—and the myths about quitting your W‑2 to “live off real estate” that female investors are constantly sold online. We share how we both left our full-time jobs, why active income (flips, side businesses, WIIRE, etc.) was critical, and what it actually looked like to live well below our means while our rentals slowly grew. We walk through real deals—including single‑family rentals in small‑town Iowa and a small multifamily triplex—breaking down purchase prices, cash flow, refinances, negative cash flow decisions, and long‑term appreciation plays. You’ll hear: Why most investors can’t replace a full‑time income with long‑term rentals in 2–5 years How we used cash‑out refis and BRRRR strategies to scale and access tax‑advantaged capital The role of tenant quality and neighborhood class in your real cash flow When a $300–$500/month cash‑flowing rental is actually a great deal—and when it’s not worth your time We also talk about the power of community. If you’ve ever underwritten a deal alone at midnight with no one to sanity‑check the numbers, this episode will show you what’s possible when you stop investing in isolation and start surrounding yourself with other ambitious women in real estate. Resources : Book your spot at WIIRE Summer Camp before it fills up Simplify how you manage your rentals with TurboTenant Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

August 3, 202627 min

WIIRE 242: Why Cash Flow Isn't the Whole Story: Understanding Total Return

In this episode of the WIIRE Podcast, we break down why cash flow alone is not the full story for female real estate investors—and how focusing only on monthly cash flow may be keeping you stuck and sidelining some of your best deals. We walk through the four ways real estate actually makes you money: Cash Flow – what’s left after all expenses (and why accurate bookkeeping matters). Debt Paydown – how your tenants quietly increase your net worth every month. Tax Benefits from Depreciation – the “paper loss” that can put real dollars back in your bank account at tax time. Appreciation – why market growth can dwarf your cash flow, especially in higher-priced markets. We also talk about: How trying to mitigate every risk and build a 25-point “buy box” can actually be a stalling tactic. Why doors don’t matter nearly as much as total return and return on equity. How time in the market amplifies every part of your return—cash flow, amortization, appreciation, and your own skill set. If you’re a woman real estate investor feeling stuck because “nothing pencils out,” this episode will help you zoom out, see the full picture of total return, and run a simple framework you can use to evaluate your own portfolio. Resources : Book your spot at WIIRE Summer Camp before it fills up Get the deets on Steadily Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

July 27, 202634 min

WIIRE 241: How Much Real Estate Do We Actually Own?

We’ve spent the last five to six years building our real estate portfolios from a single property to dozens of doors—and in this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on exactly what we own, how we own it, and why. We walk through our real-life portfolios: Amelia’s mix of small multifamily (triplex, quadplex, fiveplex) and a future luxury short-term rental Grace’s single-family homes, small multis, and new construction projects How many units we fully own vs. 50/50 partnerships with family and trusted operators We get honest about: Why unit count is overrated and how syndication ownership is often misrepresented The difference between owning vs. investing in real estate deals How we’ve used flips, BRRRR, mid-term and short-term rentals to create income and recycle capital Working with our moms as partners, navigating trust, money, and roles What “enough” looks like to us in terms of cash flow, lifestyle, and long-term freedom We also share our vision for Women Invest in Real Estate Summer Camp—a space to normalize big portfolios, big dreams, and female financial independence at any age. If you’re a woman building—or dreaming of building—a real estate portfolio that supports your life (not the other way around), this episode is for you. Resources : Book your spot at WIIRE Summer Camp before it fills up Get the deets on Steadily Simplify how you manage your rentals with TurboTenant Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

July 20, 202640 min

WIIRE 240: Are You Making the Insurance Mistake That Could Cost You Hundreds of Thousands?

This week, we sit down with Vania Nettleford to unpack every real estate investor’s worst nightmare: a devastating house fire and the discovery that her insurance policy didn’t actually cover what she thought it did. We walk through how Vania bought her first house hack—a two‑family property with a finished attic in Belleville, New Jersey—and turned it into a profitable mix of long‑term rentals and MTR arbitrage, going from paying the mortgage to getting paid to live there. Then we shift into the moment everything changed: the grease fire , the frantic calls, the damage, the claim process, and the emotional and financial toll of carrying a $3,000/month mortgage with no rental income. Together, we break down: The difference between homeowner and landlord insurance Why correct occupancy and coverage type (ACV vs. replacement) matter How to advocate for yourself with your insurance agent What we, as female real estate investors, can do this week to protect our portfolios We also talk about mindset—why Vania didn’t quit real estate, how she leveraged relationships to sell the damaged property, and how to stay in the game when things go horribly wrong. Resources : Book your spot at WIIRE Summer Camp before it fills up Follow Vania on Instagram See what Vania is up to next Get the deets on Steadily Simplify how you manage your rentals with TurboTenant Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram

July 13, 202635 min

WIIRE 239: 10 Reasons Not To Switch Markets When You Feel Like Giving Up

In this episode of the podcast, we get real about a question almost every female real estate investor faces at some point: “Is my market the problem… or am I just early?” We share the story of Jamie, a WIIRE community member who came to us ready to pivot to a new city. After talking through her situation, she didn’t switch markets—she wrote an offer on an 8‑unit deal in the very city she was ready to abandon. We unpack exactly why. We walk through: Why quitting a market after 1–3 deals keeps you stuck in “Zillow beginner mode” The power of deep local knowledge—rents, ARVs, school districts, “weird” pockets, and neighborhood vibes you’ll never see on Google Maps How long-term relationships with local lenders, realtors, and contractors can lower your costs, strengthen your offers, and get you access to off‑market deals Why consistency (even one deal every year or two) naturally moves you up the “totem pole” with agents, banks, and vendors How community and honest conversations with other women investors can stop you from burning it all down on a hard day If you’ve ever late‑night Zillow‑searched your way into believing “everyone else just has a better market,” this one’s for you. Resources : Book your spot at WIIRE Summer Camp before it fills up Simplify how you manage your rentals with TurboTenant Make sure your name is on the list to secure your spot in The WIIRE Community Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Leave us a review on Spotify Join our private Facebook Community Connect with us on Instagram