Episode 522: Scaling from 5 to 34 Units with Creative Deals with Joe Jensen

In this Wicked Smart Master's Class, I sit down with Joe Jensen—a thrill-seeker turned real estate investor who scaled from 5 to 34 units in less than two years. Joe's story takes us from growing up on a rural ranch in Utah, to a decade in door-to-door sales, to building a diverse real estate portfolio that gave him the freedom to raise his kids and live life on his terms.

Joe shares how divorce reshaped his mindset, why leveraging debt safely was a game-changer, and how he used multiple creative strategies such as seller financing, subject-to deals, partnerships, and even buying dirt lots to hit his freedom number within one year.

Whether you're new to investing or looking to pivot, Joe's journey is packed with practical insights, mindset shifts, and a reminder that clarity of goals is everything.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 Introduction

01:03 Who is Joe Jensen?

02:13 Podcasts: Real Estate Investing School & Not So Average Joe

02:51 Growing up on a ranch in rural Utah & lessons in hard work

04:20 First sales jobs: roofing, waiting tables, and a church mission that taught grit

06:01 Getting into real estate through an FHA townhome & rental properties

07:11 The turning point: divorce, two kids, and a year to figure out real estate

08:12 Breaking old beliefs about debt and learning the power of leverage

09:56 Using multiple strategies: seller finance, subject-to, cash buys, partnerships

12:38 Why he experimented with every asset class to "teach what he did"

13:14 Dirt lots: renting land to RV/mobile homeowners for passive income

15:11 The importance of defining your goals, timeframe, and resources

19:26 Perspective is Power: Leveraging life challenges instead of excuses

21:36 Breaking out of the "safe bubble" and taking more risks after the divorce

23:17 Thrill-seeking adventures: cliff swings, triathlons, and making play a priority

26:25 Advice to W-2 employees: the importance of a clear plan and timeframes

28:28 How to get in touch with Joe

29:21 Current plan: simplifying the portfolio, buying quality assets, and future multifamily

31:05 The power of clarity and community

Quotables

"Blame is the enemy of progress. Ownership is the fuel for momentum."

"Debt felt like the devil growing up but once I understood leverage, it became the game-changer."

"You don't get rich off cash flow, you get freedom. You get rich off equity growth."

Links

Joe Jensen

https://linktr.ee/josephfjensen

Real Estate Investing School Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/6X10Xeascsh6LIWzGdDlht

The Not So Average Joe Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/2WR4MqlTXJa1p2AlFbiSdo

QLS Live

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/qlspodcast

QLS 4.0

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/qls4.0podcast

Apprentice Program

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/apprenticepodcast

In the Trenches Bootcamp

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/ittbpodcast

3 Paydays Virtual Event

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/3paydayspodcast

Masterclass ($297)

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/webinarpodcast

Masterclass (Apprentice)

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/masterspodcast

Wicked Smart Books

http://wickedsmartbooks.com/podcast

Strategy Session

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/actionpodcast

REI Blackbook

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/reibb-dd

7 Figures Funding

http://smartrealestatecoach.com/7figures-pod

Landvoice

https://smartrealestatecoach.com/landvoice-pod