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
