Investing in Real Estate with Clayton Morris | Investing for Beginners

President Donald Trump has recently floated a groundbreaking idea: eliminate federal income tax altogether, potentially replacing it with tariffs, consumption-based taxes, or other revenue sources.This idea has majorly raised eyebrows, as many Americans can’t imagine a country without taxes. But here’s a fact most people don’t realize: income tax hasn’t existed for most of American history – and that its creation is deeply connected to war, debt, and the modern financial system. On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we’re going to discuss these intricate connections and how a country without income tax could change things.

If you’ve been watching the markets lately, you know exactly what panic looks like.We saw gold and silver crash at historic rates and then rebounding the very next day. Then of course, there’s news of the dollar declining. Stocks have been up and down, and the markets are panicking.Today I want to break down exactly why stocks, tech, precious metals, crypto, all of it, feels unstable, what the Federal Reserve has to do with this mess, and why boring, predictable assets might be the only thing keeping portfolios stable in 2026.

Too many people think inside the box when it comes to buying real estate. And honestly, it’s not their fault. For most of our lives, banks, lenders, and even well-meaning family members have conditioned us to believe there is only one acceptable path to owning a piece of real estate. So on this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I’m going to walk you through some of my favorite creative financing methods you can use to start or build your portfolio. These are creative financing secrets the banks will NEVER bring up, even though they’re completely legal and legitimate.

The news is true, the dollar is collapsing. On today’s show, we’re going to discuss this recent breaking news, including the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and their disturbing contents. We’re also covering the concept of the Great Reset as discussed at the World Economic Forum. You're going to learn important insights into current events and geopolitics. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to invest to protect yourself from the collapsing U.S. dollar.

This could seriously shake up the US housing market. President Trump recently outlined plans to crack down on big corporations, Wall Street firms, and hedge funds that have been scooping up single-family homes at scale. In short, the idea is to ban or severely limit institutional investors from dominating the residential housing market.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we’re diving into the politics and economics of this proposal and its potential effects.

Inflation hurts, and everyone knows it. You feel the pinch every time you check out at the grocery store, every time you fill up your gas tank, and every time another bill suddenly shoots up. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that the impact of inflation goes way beyond your grocery bill. Long periods of inflation can trigger recessions, destroy the value of your retirement savings, and erode your wealth without you even noticing.Today, I’m going to break down the secret wealthy people use to beat inflation, and how you can use the same strategy to protect your money, grow your wealth, and stay ahead when everyone else is falling behind.

President Trump recently signed an executive order making it easier for investors to use their 401(k) to invest in alternative assets like crypto and real estate. On today’s show, we’re going to unpack the details of this change and what it means for you. Today’s guest, Mat Sorensen is the Founder and CEO of Directed IRA, a wealth attorney, and entrepreneur. Mat is back for a conversation on the latest changes made to retirement plans and how you can use them to your advantage. Understanding your options when it comes to wealth building is key, and Mat’s insights are incredibly useful.

Inflation is eating your paycheck. Prices keep rising. But have you ever wondered who’s really pulling the strings? What's behind the rising costs at the grocery store and the gas pump? Today, we’re diving into the powerful institution at the heart of the U.S. economy — the Federal Reserve — and uncovering how it influences and shapes inflation.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, you’re going to learn about the history of the Fed and how it became a powerful influence on the economy. You’re going to learn about the Federal Reserve’s main roles, its role in today’s inflationary crisis, and much more.

When done correctly, investing in land can be a great way to make a profit or grow your net worth. On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, you’re going to learn the basics of land investing, including how to get started, and how to know if you’re making a solid investment. Today’s guest is Seth Williams, the founder of REtipster. Seth joins the show for a conversation on land investing in 2026. You're going to learn the benefits of land investing, insider tips for beginners, and Seth's predictions for the real estate market in 2026.

If you’ve been paying attention, you know there’s been a lot of uncertainty in the housing market in recent years. Headlines are constantly talking about stubbornly high interest rates, affordability troubles, and buyers who have been completely priced out of the market. That’s been the major story over the last couple years – fear, uncertainty, and a market that’s totally frozen.And while that’s part of the story, what if I told you something different is about to happen? On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we’re diving into the powerful signals hiding in plain sight that point to not only a recovery, but a major housing boom on the horizon in 2026.

If you’re paying attention, you know that Americans have struggled for years to save for retirement. Now, the worst retirement crisis in history is here, and it's no longer just about money. On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to unpack the systemic issues that have led us to this point, and how you can create a better future for yourself. We’re going to talk about the future of Social Security and the problems with popular retirement accounts. You’re also going to hear the latest statistics on the state of retirement across the country, real solutions for everyday Americans, and the importance of generating income into your retirement years.

If you want to save on taxes in April, your tax strategy actually has to begin the year prior. On today’s show, Mark Kohler from KKOS Lawyers is back on the show to share critical end-of-year tax moves you can make NOW to pay less in taxes. Mark is a nationally-recognized CPA and attorney who is on a mission to help small business owners–including real estate investors–succeed. On this episode, you’re going to learn about everything from employing your family members to setting up tax advantaged accounts like an HSA. Mark is also sharing details about the Big Beautiful Bill, retirement accounts, and more. Whether you’re a W-2 employee or an entrepreneur, Mark is bringing high level tips you can use to lower your tax bill!

When I say that real estate investing is the number one way to build wealth, that’s not just my opinion, it’s the truth. There’s no other investment type that allows for the numerous benefits that real estate can provide.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we’re going to cover the top 12 reasons why real estate is the best investment vehicles you can use to build wealth.

What’s the difference between bonus depreciation and a cost segregation, and can they coincide? That’s the first question I’m answering on today’s Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate!This encore episode features three great listener questions on tax strategies, getting started in real estate with no money and bad credit, and the truth about elevated home prices. I’m also going to be sharing some news about the impending bank crisis and the future of commercial real estate. Click play to hear my answers to your real estate investing questions!

If you’re sitting on piles of cash or stale savings accounts, I’ve got bad news for you – you’re not saving money, you’re losing money. Today you’re going to learn why saving money may actually be hurting your bottom line, and three strategies you can use instead. You’re going to learn about the best ways to invest your cash, whether you’re looking to save for retirement or just want a short-term option. If you’re ready to invest your cash like a pro, just click play on this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

Today’s first caller owns a couple of rental properties alongside her husband. As they reach retirement age, what’s the best investment type? Should they open a self-directed IRA or buy properties in other ways? That’s the first question I’m answering on today’s show!This encore episode of Investing in Real Estate features three of your investing questions on topics like retirement, the best incentives of investing in the US from overseas, and how to decide if you should convert your home into a rental property. As always, I appreciate your great questions, and I hope you find this episode helpful on your real estate investing journey.

Start early by building your financial education. I believe that a strong financial education is one of the most overlooked and undervalued things you need to survive in today’s world. Luckily, building a strong financial education is free, and you can start right now. Listen along with the show for more information!

There are many benefits of investing inside of a retirement account like a self-directed IRA. But if you want to retire early, can a self-directed IRA help you reach your goals? That's the first question I'm answering on this episode of Investing in Real Estate!This encore Q&A episode features three great listener questions on deciding if retirement accounts are right for you, how to determine if you should use your home equity to invest, and how to get into investing if you don't want to invest in the United States.

For years now, the US has been in the depths of a housing shortage, specifically an affordable housing shortage. From a basic economic standpoint, a normal, balanced housing market should have about a 4-6 months’ supply available of houses. Anything less than that is considered a housing shortage.On today's show, you're going to learn how vast the housing shortage is. We're going to talk about some of the major contributing factors to this shortage and how new construction real estate investing can help remedy this situation.

If you own a rental property that needs constant repairs and maintenance, what should you do? Is it better to sell a high maintenance property, or is there a better way to deal with it? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate.Today I'm answering three of your great questions on dealing with repetitive repairs, turning your first home into a rental property, and the rules on using a property in your self-directed IRA.

The affordable housing crisis keeps getting worse and worse. It was recently reported that New York City rents are so high, that less than 5% of rental units are affordable for the average salary.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to dive into what's going on with housing costs across major US cities, mainly New York City. You're going to learn about how the price of rent has risen in recent years, the future of the affordable housing crisis, and much more!

If you want to use a HELOC to pay off your mortgage, the easiest way is to utilize your HELOC as a checking account. But where can you find these types of HELOCs? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate!Today's Q&A episode features three of your great questions about finding HELOC products, rental companies, and how to buy rental properties inside a self-directed IRA.

Over the last several decades, the American retirement system has shifted immensely. Working hard used to result in guaranteed retirement income through a pension plan. But today, a pension plan is no more -- and Americans are left with a shell of a retirement plan.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to cover the history of the pension plan, why the 401k doesn't work on its own, and what you can do instead to create a retirement plan that works for you.

How can you teach your children financial intelligence? What are the best resources you can arm yourself with in order to pass down important lessons about money? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate!This episode features three of your great questions about financial education resources, minimizing high taxes, and deciding what to do with a highly appreciated property with low cash flow.

Due to the state of the economy, Americans have reported being worried about money, cutting back their spending habits, and even dipping into their retirement funds just to make ends meet. On today's show, we're going to unpack what's going on with the average American consumer.We're going to talk about the state of credit card debt in the US, how interest rates are impacting the average American, and the truth about how people are managing their finances today. And most importantly, we're going to cover what to do if you're becoming increasingly worried about money. It's all here on this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

What are the best states to buy rental real estate? And what makes a rental market profitable? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A edition of investing in real estate!On today's episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three of your great questions. We're going to cover topics like rental markets, buydown credits, and how a banking collapse could affect your portfolio.

On today’s show, we’re going to talk about one of the major tax savings strategies that all real estate investors need to know about: the 1031 exchange. All real estate investors need to have this information in their back pocket, because you never know when you might need it.You're going to learn about the basics of a 1031 exchange and how it works. We're going to cover the major benefits of this strategy, who it's for, and so much more.

Our audience asks the best questions, and on today's show, I'm going to tackle a few of them. On this encore episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'll be answering three of your questions on various real estate topics.This Q&A episode features three great questions on topics like investing with a high debt-to-income ratio, how to decide if you should pay off mortgages, and buying a property with a solo 401k.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: the middle class is dead. The last several years have presented hard economic times for the American people. With high inflation, elevated housing costs, and the rising prices of everything, it's never been harder to remain in the middle class.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to unpack why the middle class is shrinking and what you can do to protect yourself in an ever changing economy.

Insurance is a critical piece of owning and protecting any piece of real estate. Is it a good idea to self-insure your rental property? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate!On today's show, I'm answering three of your great questions about self-insurance, self-directed IRAs, and how to invest in US real estate from Canada. We'll also talk about living the life you want now, the importance of being empowered in your financial freedom, and more.

For years, we’ve been in an affordable housing crisis. Since the great recession, there has been a massive shortage of homes. Builders, of course, have been hesitant to build in droves since getting burned in 2008 and 2009. And we know that in the past few years, the prices of everything have risen dramatically. This includes lumber, land, and labor. It has become very expensive to build a home.Then, there are interest rates. Higher interest rates over the past couple years have put a massive halt on home sales across the country. Today we’re going to talk about the critical connection between interest rates and the housing crisis we’re seeing across the United States.

Today's first caller used a Veterans Affairs loan to house hack. What's the best way for him to grow a strong real estate portfolio? On today's show, I'm answering this great question, and more!This encore Q&A episode features three of your questions on investing with a VA loan, vacancy rates in our rental markets, and my take on the possibility of a global banking crash. As always, I appreciate your thoughtful questions, and I hope you enjoy this episode of Investing in Real Estate!

My general philosophy when it comes to real estate investing is that the credit score isn’t as big of a deal as people make it out to be. If you’re holding back on reaching your real estate goals because of a credit score, I think that’s a huge mistake. There are so many ways to work around a low credit score.However, it’s true that a higher credit score can benefit you in a number of ways. The higher your score, the easier it is to qualify for loans and get access to the best rates and terms. If you’re looking to improve your credit score, this episode is for you. You're going to learn about five specific ways you can boost your score!

If you have access to a big chunk of equity, how much should you tap into to grow your real estate portfolio? And what is the best product to help you reach your goals? That's the first question I'm answering on this encore Q&A edition of Investing in Real Estate!On today's show, I'm answering three of your real estate investing questions spanning topics like using home equity to invest, the mechanics of buying US rental properties from Canada, and the cost of setting up a self-directed IRA.

Thanks to skyrocketing home prices, American homeowners are flush with equity in their homes. It was reported that over 47% of mortgaged homes across the United States are considered equity rich. Today, we're going to talk about what this amount of equity could mean for the American homeowner.You're going to learn why now is a great time to leverage your home to buy a rental property, and how to do it. We're going to talk about specific lending products you can use, their pros and cons, and what to consider before you use this strategy.

If you have a mortgage on a rental property that's owned by your self-directed IRA, how does the mortgage need to be paid? On today's show, we're going to answer this question — and more!This encore Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate features three listener questions on self-directed IRA payments, how to choose a landlord friendly state to buy investment properties, and what investors should consider about taxes when buying raw land.

One of the best parts about buying real estate is that you don’t need gobs of cash to get started. In fact, I would argue that your creativity and your determination are more important factors than your savings account balance. All you need to do to get started is to secure a down payment on your first rental property and let the bank finance the rest.There’s no other asset type that you can buy with the banks money to grow your net worth and begin creating passive income. So on this episode, I’m going to help you brainstorm a few ways to fund a down payment on your next rental property.

Smart investors know that utilizing a self-directed IRA is an incredible way to build wealth and maximize your retirement. But is there a way to take a loan from your self-directed IRA in order to take advantage of further tax benefits? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!This encore episode of Investing in Real Estate features three of your questions on self-directed IRA rules, distributions, and getting into real estate as a beginner.

A lot of people spend their lives hard at work, dreaming of the day that retirement comes around. If you’re lucky, you can claim Social Security benefits at the age of 62, and you can tap into your 401k or IRA without penalty at 59 ½.But what if you didn’t have to wait until you’re 60 years old to give up the daily grind and the dreary commute? What if you could travel when you wanted, without being tied to a work schedule? On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, we're going to discuss the major flaws with our society's retirement system and what you can do instead.

My general advice is to rent the home you live in. But what about using the equity in your primary residence to buy rental properties? Today we're going to walk through the pros and cons of owning your home.On this episode of Investing in Real Estate, I'm answering three listener questions about owning vs. renting, using business credit, and how to best utilize your savings when investing in real estate. If you want to learn more about real estate investing, this episode is for you!

If you’ve ever wondered about how to actually build wealth through real estate investing, this one is for you. On today’s show, we’re going to dive into the main mechanisms that can help you build your net worth, accumulate cash flow, and live financially free.We’re going to cover the ultimate formula you need to build your roadmap to financial freedom, the one principle you need to know in order to be successful long-term, and the powerful four streams of income that real estate investing can provide. By the end of this episode, you’re going to have a solid foundation of knowledge on how to unleash the power of real estate investing. You might want to take notes for this one – let’s get into it!

Today's first caller has $200k in equity in his primary home. He's thinking about leveraging his equity in order to pay off a rental property. Is that a good idea? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!This encore Q&A episode of Investing in Real Estate features three great listener questions on using equity to pay off debt, what to consider before you sell a rental property, and changes to the mortgage interest deduction in 2025.

Today you’re going to learn about the main tenets of financial intelligence. This is the stuff you didn’t learn in school, and your kids won’t learn either, unless you take the initiative to teach them the value of financial education. I hope you’re ready to take notes, because I’m going to share ten foundations to financial intelligence that you need to know to build a better future for your family.Whether you’re a beginner or you just need some reminders to sharpen your skills, this episode is going to arm you with the skills and mindset shifts you need to create your own path to wealth.

Today's first caller has started making great returns by investing in real estate notes and he's paying down his student loan debt. What should he do in order to reach his ultimate goal of investing in real estate? That's the first question I'm answering on today's show!This encore Q&A episode features three of your great questions on planning for financial freedom, accessing the equity of a rental property in an LLC, and how to get first position HELOC. Click play to hear my answers to your investing questions!