Raise the Bar

The last two years have tested every real estate investor’s limits. In this episode, Jennings Smith, CEO of My First Million in Multifamily and co-creator of The Deal Room, joins Seth to break down what’s really happening in today’s market. Jennings opens up about over-scaling, selling off high-risk assets, and pivoting into easier, more stable investments.
Jennings also shares how he grew one of the fastest-rising Facebook groups in the real estate space by giving massive value, staying transparent, and teaching others to raise capital ethically and sustainably.
Bullet Points and Highlights:- Why raising capital in 2025 feels harder but better- The difference between scaling fast vs. scaling smart- How floating-rate bridge loans nearly broke his portfolio- When to pivot, liquidate, or double down- The real reason some investors failed after 2021- How to communicate value when people ask “what do you do?”- Why community and education have been his biggest growth tools- Behind the rise of My First Million in Multifamily
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesqhttps://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Jennings Smith Jr.'s Linkhttps://www.instagram.com/jenningsfostersmithjr/?hl=en&utmhttps://x.com/Jenningsfosterhttps://www.facebook.com/jennings.smith.50/?utm

What happened to the easy money era? In this episode, Seth reconnects with investor and BiggerPockets personality Matt Faircloth, founder of The DeRosa Group. They unpack how the capital-raising landscape has shifted, why fund-to-fund models are gaining traction, and why flipping homes isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Matt also shares his unfiltered perspective on the future of multifamily, the rise of accredited vs. non-accredited structures, and where smart money should focus next.
Bullet Points and Highlights:- Behind the scenes at BiggerPockets and Best Ever conferences- The rise of fund-to-funds and why it matters for capital raisers- Why Fractional isn’t a perfect fit for serious investors- The reality behind flipping vs. long-term real estate investing- How TV glamorizes flipping and why “slow wealth” isn’t sexy- Matt’s take on America’s obsession with quick returns- A preview of what’s next for The DeRosa Group
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Matt Faircloth's Linkhttps://www.facebook.com/mdfaircloth/?utmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mdfaircloth/https://www.instagram.com/themattfaircloth/?hl=en&utm

In this episode, Matt explains that his first million came from holding real estate long term. The biggest checks Matt has ever cashed were created through buying solid assets, letting debt amortize, capturing cash flow, and eventually selling after years of appreciation or forced value creation. Matt contrasts this with the recent era of short-term multifamily flips, which he views as a temporary market anomaly. His last million is coming from an eight-year hold on a 49-unit property, where Matt added “paper value” by securing site plan approval for additional units on an adjacent parcel. That entitlement process cost around $80,000 but created roughly $1.2 million in additional value. Looking forward, Matt expects to make his next million through business building. Matt is focused on scaling DeRosa and two other undervalued companies by improving operations, investing in leadership, and elevating each brand to its next stage of growth. Key Highlight Point - Matt made the first million by holding real estate long term and allowing appreciation and amortization to build equity. - Matt attributes large wealth gains to buying good assets and staying in them for years.- Matt believes the era of 18 month multifamily flips was an anomaly driven by an unusual market cycle.- Matt warns that future value creation in multifamily will rely more on long-term ownership and cash flow. - Matt’s last million is being earned from selling a 49-unit property held for eight years.- Matt created additional value by securing site plan approval on an adjacent parcel.- Matt spent around $80,000 in professional fees for engineering, legal, and approvals. - Matt and investors expect to gain roughly $1.2 million from that entitlement work alone. - Matt plans to make the next million by scaling existing businesses, including DeRosa.- Matt believes his companies are significantly undervalued and will grow through improved operations, leadership development, and strategic investment. Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesqMatt Faircloth's Link:https://www.facebook.com/mdfaircloth/?utm https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdfaircloth/https://www.instagram.com/themattfaircloth/?hl=en&utm

What happened to the easy money era? In this episode, Seth reconnects with investor and BiggerPockets personality Matt Faircloth, founder of The DeRosa Group. They unpack how the capital-raising landscape has shifted, why fund-to-fund models are gaining traction, and why flipping homes isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Matt also shares his unfiltered perspective on the future of multifamily, the rise of accredited vs. non-accredited structures, and where smart money should focus next. Bullet Points and Highlights: - Behind the scenes at BiggerPockets and Best Ever conferences - The rise of fund-to-funds and why it matters for capital raisers - Why Fractional isn’t a perfect fit for serious investors - The reality behind flipping vs. long-term real estate investing - How TV glamorizes flipping and why “slow wealth” isn’t sexy - Matt’s take on America’s obsession with quick returns - A preview of what’s next for The DeRosa Group Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links: Seth Bradley’s Links: https://x.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesq www.facebook.com/sethbradleyesq https://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesq https://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=enMatt Faircloth's Link https:https://www.facebook.com/mdfaircloth/?utmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mdfaircloth/https://www.instagram.com/themattfaircloth/?hl=en&utm

In this episode, Matt explains that the value separating Matt in the top 1 percent is creativity, problem solving, sustained focus, and a strong commitment to positivity. Early in Matt’s career, shiny object syndrome pulled Matt in multiple directions, bouncing between flips, wholesales, and rentals. Once Matt learned to deny that impulse and stay focused, results compounded. Matt’s positive outlook is a defining advantage, allowing Matt to navigate crises, reframe challenges, and find solutions even when situations look chaotic. The biggest risks Matt has taken include quitting a job to go all-in on real estate and making large, calculated bets on undervalued or irreplaceable assets. Matt points to a major multimillion-dollar fix and flip and a 198-unit multifamily purchase in North Carolina as examples of big, well-calculated bets that built significant wealth.
Bullet Points and Highlights:- Matt says creativity is one of the main qualities that separates Matt from others.- Matt identifies problem solving as a core driver of Matt’s success.- Matt acknowledges shiny object syndrome held Matt back during the early years.- Matt’s results took off once Matt committed to a single lane and stayed focused.- Matt considers positivity a defining part of Matt’s brand and approach.- Matt uses positive thinking to reframe challenges and find solutions under pressure.- Matt’s first major risk was quitting a job to pursue real estate full time.- Matt and Matt’s wife lived below their means for years to build the foundation.- Matt takes large but calculated bets on undervalued and irreplaceable assets.- Matt highlights wins like a multimillion-dollar fix and flip and a 198-unit North Carolina property as examples of big bets that built Matt’s wealth.
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Matt Faircloth's Linkhttps://www.facebook.com/mdfaircloth/?utmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mdfaircloth/https://www.instagram.com/themattfaircloth/?hl=en&utm

In this episode, Devan explains that he made his first million by launching Burn Boot Camp from a parking lot in Charlotte when he and his wife had no money and knew no one. Within two years, the business took off, but Devan immediately reinvested every dollar back into the company to fuel growth. Devan says his last million came recently, noting that the business now produces that level of income in extremely short time frames due to scale. Looking ahead, Devan’s focus is no longer on his own next million. Instead, Devan wants his next million to come through helping franchise partners hit their first million. Devan sees himself as a creator and fire starter rather than an operator, and he believes the real game now is elevating others and making the “million dollar club” part of the Burn Boot Camp culture.
Bullet Points and Highlights:- Devan and his wife launched the business without money or connections.- Burn Boot Camp grew quickly, reaching seven figures within two years.- Devan reinvested all early profits back into the business rather than keeping them.- Devan says the last million came very recently due to the scale of the company.- The business now generates million dollar increments in very short time frames.- Devan believes the first million is the hardest and most important because it creates financial freedom.- Devan identifies as a fire starter and visionary rather than a CEO or operator.- Devan wants his next million to come from helping franchise partners reach their first million.- Devan says the culture of Burn Boot Camp is now shifting toward celebrating franchisees joining the million dollar club.- Devan made the first million by starting Burn Boot Camp in a parking lot in Charlotte at age 24.
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Devan Kline's Linkhttps://www.instagram.com/devan.kline/?hl=en&utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.facebook.com/devankline1/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/devan-kline-79469949/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://x.com/devankline?lang=en&utm_source=chatgpt.com

In this episode, Devin explains that what separates him in the top 1 percent is his patience and long-term thinking in a world obsessed with instant gratification. He created a clear vision early on for what his business would look like once fully built, including a target of 10,000 locations by age 57. Devin stresses that real success cannot be compressed into a single year and that thinking in decades is the real competitive advantage. He also shares the biggest risk he ever took, rolling his first million in cash back into the business at age 26 and continuing to reinvest every year. Devin believes equity and wealth are synonymous and that holding equity, doing the dirty work, and refusing to sell too early is what compounds long-term wealth.
Bullet Points and Highlights:- Devan believes patience is his biggest differentiator in an industry where people expect instant results. -Devan emphasizes that most entrepreneurs fail because they want success too quickly.- Devan created a detailed long-term vision early, defining exactly what the finished business would look like.- Devan’s target is 10,000 locations by age 57, and he is currently at 620 locations at age 37.- Devan believes you cannot compress a decade of progress into a single year.- Devan agrees that the most successful people think in decades rather than days or minutes.- Devan says the biggest risk he ever took was reinvesting his first million in cash back into the business at age 26.- Devan continued reinvesting year after year, delaying personal income to preserve ownership.- Devan believes equity and wealth are synonyms and that entrepreneurs should avoid selling equity too early.- Devan says every year you hold onto equity allows future value and wealth to compound significantly.
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Devan Kline's Linkhttps://www.instagram.com/devan.kline/?hl=en&utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.facebook.com/devankline1/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/devan-kline-79469949/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://x.com/devankline?lang=en&utm_source=chatgpt.com

In this episode of Raise the Bar, Seth Bradley sits down with Devan Kline, founder and CEO of Burn Boot Camp, to unpack his journey from professional baseball to leading one of the fastest-growing fitness franchises in America. Devan shares how he transformed adversity into motivation, how faith and vision guide his leadership, and why building people, not just businesses, is the key to lasting success.
Bullet Points and Highlights:- Devan Kline shares his early journey from minor league baseball to entrepreneurship- Talks about how pain, discipline, and belief built the foundation for Burn Boot Camp- Why leadership starts with self-awareness and service to others- How he scaled Burn Boot Camp into a nationwide movement- Discusses balancing family life, faith, and business growth- Insights on developing strong company culture and empowering communities- Lessons from mentorship, resilience, and personal transformation
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Devan Kline's Linkhttps://www.instagram.com/devan.kline/?hl=en&utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.facebook.com/devankline1/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/devan-kline-79469949/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://x.com/devankline?lang=en&utm_source=chatgpt.com

In this episode, Rob explains that he made his first million through Lone Star Capital’s core business model of buying, managing, and selling apartment communities. Acquisition fees provided upfront income, while successful exits produced carried interest once investors received their preferred return. Rob says his last million came the same way, simply through repeating the process at a larger scale as the portfolio grew from a few hundred million to nearly a billion dollars in assets. Looking ahead, Rob’s next milestone is building enough recurring management fee income to generate a million dollars without having to rely on buying or selling properties, creating a stable and scalable revenue engine for the company and himself.
Bullet Points and Higlight Points:- Rob made the first million by buying and selling apartment communities through Lone Star Capital.- Rob earned acquisition fees when closing deals.- Rob earned carried interest when property performance exceeded investor return thresholds.- Rob participated in profit splits once investors received their minimum return.- Rob’s last million came from the same model, but at a larger scale.- Rob scaled the business from a portfolio of a few hundred million to almost a billion in assets.- Rob enjoys repeating and refining the same business model rather than chasing new strategies.- Rob believes that if you can operate a million dollar property, you can operate a hundred million dollar property.- Rob’s goal for the next million is to generate it through recurring management fees rather than asset sales.- Rob aims to build a large enough portfolio for fee income to cover payroll, operations, and still produce meaningful personal income.
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Rob Beardsley's Linkhttps://www.facebook.com/RobertToddBeardsleyIII/?utmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-beardsley/?utmhttps://x.com/robbeardsley3?utm

In this episode, Rob Beardsley, CEO and founder of Lone Star Capital, joins Seth Bradley to unpack how he built a billion-dollar multifamily portfolio through disciplined operations, conservative projections, and long-term relationships. Rob explains the real challenges of property management, raising capital in today’s market, and why sticking to your values builds lasting success. Rob also shares his journey from aspiring football player to real estate leader, and how dropping out of college became the best decision of his life.
Bullet Points and Highlights:- Why Rob built in-house property management and how it drives better operations- The real economics behind property management and why it’s rarely profitable- How Lone Star Capital is still acquiring properties while others have slowed down- The truth about “hot money” investors and how conservative marketing protects your brand- Rob’s mindset on long-term vision vs. short-term growth- How he went from college quarterback to real estate mogul- Why accounting and transparency are critical to scaling- The power of humility, mentorship, and thinking decades ahead
Links from the Show and Guest Info and Links:
Seth Bradley’s Links:https://x.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.youtube.com/@sethbradleyesqwww.facebook.com/sethbradleyesqhttps://www.threads.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.instagram.com/sethbradleyesq/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethbradleyesq/https://passiveincomeattorney.com/seth-bradley/https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/sethbradleyesqhttps://medium.com/@sethbradleyesqhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sethbradleyesq?lang=en
Rob Beardsley's Link:https://www.facebook.com/RobertToddBeardsleyIII/?utmhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-beardsley/?utmhttps://x.com/robbeardsley3?utm