Doctors Building Wealth
Doctors Building Wealth is for physicians drowning in student debt and working endless hours, wondering if your medical career will ever bring true freedom. Despite your six-figure income, the path from successful doctor to financially independent professional feels impossibly complex.We get it—balancing patient care and financial planning is overwhelming when no one taught you how to invest during medical school. Lucky for you, you don't have to figure it out alone.Meet Drs. Letizia Alto and Kenji Asakura, physicians who've built a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio while maintaining their medical careers. They've helped hundreds of fellow doctors re...
Top Tax Strategies for Real Estate Investors
Most real estate investors know real estate comes with tax advantages. Far fewer are actually using them to the fullest, and even fewer understand the advanced strategies that can meaningfully change the math on a single property.
That's the gap this episode closes. Recorded live at our Fast Fire to Freedom Summit, we sit down with Kim Lochridge, Chief Revenue Officer of Engineered Tax Services and a go-to tax expert for Fortune 500 companies and family offices. Kim is also a real estate investor herself, and she sits on the tax committee of the...
Asset Protection for Real Estate Investors
You've done the hard part. You found the deals, you built the portfolio, and you can finally see the outline of the life it's going to buy you. Now here's the uncomfortable question almost no one asks until it's too late: if someone came after you tomorrow, could they take it?
For physicians and high-income earners, the risk runs in two directions at once. A claim on the practice side can reach your real estate. A claim on the real estate side can reach everything else. And the higher your income and...
Choosing Principles Over Trends: Practical AI Business Strategies
Every week there's a new model, a new tool, a new "must-use" prompt. If you've ever felt like you're falling behind on AI no matter how much you read, you're not alone, and according to our guest, you're also worrying about the wrong thing entirely.
In this episode, we sit down with serial entrepreneur Lior Weinstein. Lior has built and sold multiple technology companies, holds multiple patents, has a book coming out with Tony Robbins, and spends his days helping CEOs of eight and nine-figure businesses actually use AI instead...
What Is Zero to Freedom? Our Real Estate Investing Course Explained
You've probably heard us mention Zero to Freedom. Maybe you've even Googled it, and found a pile of other people's reviews before you found anything from us actually explaining what it is.
So we wanted to set the record straight, in our own words. What is Zero to Freedom really about? Who is it for? Who is it honestly not for? And what happens once you're inside?
Here's the short version: Zero to Freedom is a cohort-based course built for doctors and high-income earners who want to go...
How This Doctor Rents by the Room for More Cash Flow
You already know cash flow is what makes a rental worth owning. But what if the same property you were about to buy could produce noticeably more of it, just by renting it out a different way?
That's the promise of the rent-by-the-room strategy, and in this episode we sit down with Paula, an ophthalmologist who has turned it into a thriving portfolio she runs alongside a demanding medical career.
Paula's story is worth hearing on its own. She started investing right after college, flipped her first properties and even ...
6 Components of a Great Real Estate Deal
You keep hearing the phrase "a great deal." But if someone put a property in front of you right now, could you actually say whether it was great, good, or one to walk away from? Most investors can't. And it's almost impossible to go find a great deal when you've never clearly defined what one is.
Think of it like the four-minute mile. For years nobody believed it could be broken, until someone defined the target, hit it, and suddenly runners everywhere were breaking it too. Real estate has...
Starting Real Estate Later in Life: How Real Estate Can Support Your Retirement Goals
You've thought about real estate for years. Maybe fifteen of them. But life kept happening. There were kids to raise, tuition to pay, a demanding career that took everything you had. And now retirement is on the horizon, and a quiet question keeps surfacing: is it too late for me to start?
It's one of the most common questions we hear from doctors, and it usually comes wrapped in doubt. Should I just leave everything in the stock market and my 401(k)? Am I about to take a risk I should...
Investing in the Downturn: How Doctors Build Wealth When Others Are Waiting
Everywhere you look, the message is the same: wait.
Wait for rates to come down. Wait for the market to settle. Wait until it feels safe again. And so most doctors are doing exactly that, sitting on the sidelines, watching, waiting for a green light that may never come the way they expect.
Here's what almost no one is saying out loud: the waiting is the opportunity. We've been in a real estate downturn for a year or two now, and downturns are precisely when fortunes get built. Not...
Local Bank or Loan Broker? How to Finance Your First Commercial Deal
You found the deal. A five-unit, a small apartment building, your first property big enough to count as commercial. Now comes the question nobody really prepared you for: how do you actually finance it?
Most doctors freeze right here. Do you hand it to a commercial loan broker who shops the whole market for you, or do you walk into the local bank where they already know your name? One charges a fee that makes you wince. The other gives you a single option and a lot of trust. And the wrong...
What to Do When You Feel Like You Failed in Real Estate
You did your homework. You ran the numbers. You bought the property believing it was a good decision. And now something has gone wrong: a tenant problem, a repair you never saw coming, a deal that just isn't performing the way you were sure it would.
And quietly, a voice starts up in the back of your mind. Maybe you're not cut out for this. Maybe you should have known. Maybe you should just get out before it gets worse.
We've been there. After investing together since 2015, and with...
How Doctors Use Bonus Depreciation to Legally Pay Almost No Taxes
What If Your Tax Bill Isn't as Fixed as You Think?
You did everything right to earn this income: the training, the years, the brutal hours. And every April, you watch a huge chunk of it simply disappear. You've heard that other doctors, people earning what you earn, somehow pay a fraction of what you pay. And part of you wonders if they're doing something shady, or if you're just missing something.
Here's the truth: in most cases, they're not bending the rules at all. They're using the rules...
How to Maximize Returns on Properties You Already Own
Most Owners Stop Optimizing. The Disciplined Ones Keep Finding Returns.
You bought the property. You found the tenant. You set up the systems. Now it cash flows. It's stable. You don't really think about it anymore.
That's the moment most owners quietly start losing money. Not in expenses, but in the returns they're not capturing because they stopped asking the question.
We've been guilty of this ourselves, even with 185-plus doors in our portfolio. It's so easy to assume the property you already own is performing about...
How to Work with Your Spouse When Investing in Real Estate
Should You Really Invest in Real Estate With Your Spouse?
You and your partner have been thinking about real estate. Maybe you've been dreaming about financial freedom for years. Maybe you've been watching other doctors build portfolios and wondering if it could work for you too.
But one question keeps stopping you: do we do this together, or do I do it on my own?
It's one of the most loaded decisions a physician couple can make. Most advice online skips right past the real complexity, treating "...
What Does a Semi-Retired Life Look Like?
What If You Didn't Have to Wait Until 65 to Start Living?
You're building wealth. You're making progress. But have you actually designed the life that wealth is for?
Most physicians haven't. The default plan is to grind for 20 or 30 more years, retire, and then finally start doing the things you've been dreaming about. But what if that plan has a flaw you can't see until you get there?
We found out the hard way. And what we discovered completely changed how we think about work, freedom, and what...
Why You Should Always 1031 Exchange (And How to Do It Right)
What If Selling Your Rental the "Normal" Way Is Costing You a Fortune?
You bought a rental property years ago. It's appreciated, you've paid down the loan, and now you're thinking it might be time to sell. Maybe you want to upgrade to something bigger. Maybe the property isn't performing the way it used to. Either way, the plan feels simple: list it, sell it, pay the taxes, move on.
We get it. That's the path most people take, and it feels responsible.
But here's what we've learned after...
Ep 175: Can Mid-Term Rentals Really Get You 20% Cash-on-Cash Returns?
What If You Could Get Short-Term Rental Cash Flow Without All the Work?
Mid-term rentals have quietly become one of the most popular strategies in our community, and it's easy to see why. You take a property that would work as a regular long-term rental, furnish it, and rent it to tenants staying 30 to 90 days. The result? Significantly higher cash flow with a fraction of the turnover and management that comes with short-term rentals.
In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to get started with mid-term...
The Hidden Risks of Short-Term Rentals (And Why Most Investors Ignore Them)
What If the Biggest Risk in Short-Term Rentals Is the One You're Not Thinking About?
Short-term rentals are one of the most popular strategies in our community — and for good reason. The tax benefits through the short-term rental loophole are incredible, the cash-on-cash returns can be 15–20% or higher, and you get the added bonus of a vacation home your family can enjoy.
But here's the thing: we've seen too many investors jump into short-term rentals without understanding the risks that can turn a great investment into a stressful liability. And...
Will Real Estate Investing Make My Life More Stressful?
What If Real Estate Investing Actually Reduced Your Stress?
You're already juggling a demanding career, a family, and a never-ending list of responsibilities. The last thing you want is to add more stress to your plate.
So when someone suggests real estate investing, your first thought might be: "That sounds like a lot of extra work I don't have the bandwidth for."
We get it. We felt the same way. But here's what we discovered after building a portfolio that replaced our clinical income: real estate didn't add...
Should I Pay Off Student Loans Before Investing?
What If Paying Off Your Student Loans First Is Actually Costing You?
If you're a physician sitting on $200K+ in student loans, you've probably been told the same thing over and over: pay off the debt first, then start building wealth.
It sounds responsible. It feels safe. And we get it, because we both did it ourselves.
But looking back, we wish someone had challenged that advice. Because what we've learned after reaching financial freedom in just three years of real estate investing is that waiting five to ten years to...
Why Retirement Planning Isn't the Same as Planning for Financial Freedom - Interview with Austin Dean
What if you could stop waiting until 65 to enjoy the freedom you're working so hard for?
Most financial advisors hand you a retirement plan and tell you to max out your 401(k), invest in the market, and wait. Wait until you're older. Wait until you have "enough." Wait until you've traded decades of your life for a number on a statement.
But here's the thing: a high net worth on paper doesn't buy you freedom. Cash flow does.
In this episode, we're sitting down again with Austin Dean, founder and CEO...
How Can I Invest in Real Estate If I Don’t Have Any Time?
You Have More Time Than You Think
"I don't have time."
It's the number one objection we hear from doctors considering real estate investing. And honestly? It's a question we asked ourselves back in 2015 when we were both working 80+ hours a week as hospitalists, Kenji had a startup, and I was picking up OB shifts on the side.
So we get it. Your schedule is packed. Your responsibilities are real. And the idea of adding something else to your plate feels impossible.
But here's what we've learned after building a portfolio...
Real Estate Lessons Every Doctor Needs to Hear (Our Top Episodes of 2025)
What if you could learn the most powerful real estate lessons from an entire year of episodes in just 20 minutes?
We're closing out 2025 by revisiting the three most popular episodes of the Doctors Building Wealth Podcast, each one packed with insights that help physicians build wealth, reduce taxes, reclaim their time, and design a life on their terms.
From the costly mistakes new real estate investors make, to the mindset shifts that fuel physician entrepreneurs, to the investment strategies the ultra wealthy use that most doctors never learn: this recap has it all.<...
Why Doctors Often Struggle with Goal Setting
Why do so many doctors—who’ve achieved one of the most difficult professional goals—struggle to set personal goals beyond medicine?
Most physicians are conditioned to follow a clearly laid-out path: college, med school, residency, attendingship. But once they reach the end of that predefined road, many feel stuck, directionless, or burned out.
In this episode, Leti and Kenji unpack the hidden reasons why goal setting is so challenging for doctors—and how to break free from the “do more, achieve more” trap to start intentionally designing a life you actually love.
BY T...
Why 2026 Is Set Up to Be a Great Time to Invest in Real Estate
What if the best window to build real wealth isn’t when everyone feels confident—but when most doctors are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for clarity that never comes?
Many doctors get stuck trading time for money, parking their savings in familiar places, and telling themselves they’ll invest “when things feel safer.” Meanwhile, rising costs, market cycles, and missed opportunities quietly compound, keeping them locked into the rat race longer than they planned.
In this episode, Kenji and Leti break down why 2026 is shaping up to be a rare inflection point for real estate inv...
You’re Not in Control—And That’s a Good Thing with Dr. Jacob Liberman
Is it possible that your constant drive to do more is actually keeping you stuck?
Many doctors find themselves in a cycle of chasing achievement—checking boxes, hitting milestones, and pushing forward without ever really feeling fulfilled. You’ve been taught that success comes from effort and control. But what if the freedom you're working so hard for requires a completely different approach?
In this episode, Dr. Jacob Liberman—optometrist, visionary, and author of Luminous Life—offers a powerful reframe. He shares why letting go of force and tuning into what’s already calling yo...
Why EB Pros Scale Faster: The Patterns That Lead to Real Estate Success
Is real estate still just a side project—despite your best intentions to build wealth and reclaim your time?
Many doctors get stuck trying to do it all alone, without the structure or support to make real progress. In this episode, Leti and Kenji share five key patterns they’ve observed among the most successful members of their EB Pro mastermind.
These are the behaviors that consistently lead to faster scaling, bigger portfolios, and lasting confidence as a doctor-investor.
By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:
Why a clear...Debate: Structured vs. Freeform Content? Which is Better?
What’s the best way to create content for your audience: with a structured plan or just going off the cuff?
Do you struggle to find the right balance between having a structured plan and letting your creativity flow freely in your content?
Not having enough structure can lead to confusion and a lack of clarity, while over-structuring can stifle creativity and spontaneity. So how do you find the middle ground?
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
The benefits of having structure in your content crea...Who Ever Said the Goal Is to Be Comfortable?
Ever wondered why the goal shouldn’t be to just be comfortable in life?
A lot of people, especially doctors, are stuck in a cycle of comfort that prevents them from taking the next big step toward financial independence and real freedom.
This comfort zone—while safe—can become a trap. The idea of living comfortably often stops us from embracing challenges that lead to true wealth and freedom. It’s time to break free from the norm.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Why being comf...Unlocking Wealth: The Power of Leverage with Dan Peck and Scott Clirehugh
Are you still thinking all debt is bad when it comes to real estate investing?
Many doctors shy away from building wealth through real estate because they’ve been taught to fear debt and avoid leverage.
But misunderstanding the difference between good debt and bad debt might be holding you back from unlocking serious financial freedom.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Why leverage is one of the most powerful tools in real estate investing—and how smart investors use it to grow fastThe five most i...What Type of Property Should I Buy?
What kind of rental property should you invest in first—short-term or long-term?
If you're stuck on this question, you're not alone—and the wrong choice could cost you time, money, and tax benefits.
Many high-income professionals dive into real estate without aligning their first property purchase with their financial goals—and end up missing out on key tax savings or getting overwhelmed by property management.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
The key differences between short-term and long-term rentals, including risk, return, and workloadWhy short-te...How Dr. Alex Schloe Built Financial Freedom Through Assisted Living Real Estate
What if one real estate investment could unlock your time freedom—while filling a critical healthcare gap?
Too many doctors try to build wealth by working harder or picking the “easiest” investment strategy—only to burn out or break even.
But there’s a powerful, often overlooked niche in real estate that not only offers significant cash flow—it also allows you to serve aging patients with dignity.
In this episode, Dr. Alex Schloe shares how he built a thriving real estate business focused on residential assisted living—all while practicing medicine and p...
Aline & Carlos: How to Build a Successful Real Estate Portfolio with Assisted Living Facilities
What if you could invest in real estate and make a real difference at the same time? Aline and Carlos Zamora chose assisted living facilities as their path to financial freedom—and impact.
In this episode, they share how they went from full-time doctors to full-time real estate investors. They talk about how they found their first deal, hired the right team, and learned to run a care-based business.
If you're looking for a unique way to grow your portfolio, this episode will show you what's possible.
BY THE TIME YO...
Dream Bigger: From Limiting Beliefs to Six Short-Term Rentals with Dr. Lama Noureddine
What would your life look like if you stopped letting fear make your decisions?
Are your limiting beliefs keeping you stuck in analysis paralysis while your dream life passes you by? You’re not alone—but that hesitation might be the biggest obstacle standing between you and financial freedom.
In this inspiring episode, Lama Nordine—a full-time nephrologist, mom of four, and real estate investor—shares how she pushed past fear and built a portfolio of six short-term rentals… all while managing a busy life and career.
BY THE TIME YOU F...
How to Build a High-Cashflow Real Estate Business With Sober Living Homes with Rebecca and Scott Steenbergh
What if your real estate investments could create financial freedom and transform lives at the same time?
Too often, doctors think they have to choose between profit and purpose. But Rebecca and Scott Steenbergh discovered a strategy that delivers both — and it’s not your typical rental model.
By investing in sober living homes, they’ve created a portfolio that not only cashflows but also supports people in recovery — offering them stability, dignity, and a real shot at a new life.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENIN...
Tax Breaks for 2025 and Beyond: How Real Estate Can Slash Your Tax Bill with Amanda Hann and Matt MacFarland
Are you unknowingly giving away more money to taxes than you spend on food, clothing, and housing combined?
Many high-income earners—especially physicians—make this one costly mistake: they accept high taxes as inevitable and never take action to change their situation.
But what if we told you that by learning a few key strategies, you could legally slash your tax bill and keep more of what you earn?
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Why taxes are your biggest expense—and how to start thinking...How the New Tax Law Impacts Real Estate Investors with Nick Aiola
Are you unknowingly missing out on powerful tax-saving strategies hidden in the new tax law?
Too many high-income professionals are walking into tax season without a strategy—and it’s costing them tens of thousands.
The 2025 tax law changes are complex, but if you understand how to use them, you can dramatically lower your tax bill and accelerate your path to financial freedom.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Why the extension of the 37% top tax bracket and standard deduction changes could impact your bottom lineHo...How Dr. Regina Kim Built Confidence—and Cashflow—Beyond Medicine
What’s holding you back from taking the first step toward financial freedom through real estate investing?
You might think you're too busy, too late to the game, or that past failures mean you're not cut out for this.
But what if those beliefs are the only things standing between you and the life you actually want?
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Regina overcame limiting beliefs—and a skeptical spouse—to take action fastThe unexpected way Zero to Freedom gave her “permission” to invest with...The 5-Year Rule: How to Safeguard Your Investments in Any Market with J. Scott
What kind of real estate investing is smart right now—and what should you avoid at all costs?
If you're still flipping homes or buying properties without a clear exit strategy, you could be putting your financial future at serious risk.
The market is changing. A recession may be coming. And if you're not adjusting your strategy accordingly, you may be caught holding the bag. But the good news? There is a way to continue investing—and even thrive—if you follow a few critical rules.
BY THE...
How to Know When It’s Time to Change Real Estate Markets
Are you stuck wondering if it’s time to move on from your first real estate market? You’re not alone—this is one of the most common questions new investors ask.
Too many investors make the mistake of jumping ship too early... or spreading themselves too thin. Without mastery in one market, you're risking time, money, and missed opportunities.
The good news? There’s a better way—and it starts with getting focused, building relationships, and finding hidden value.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISC...
From Shifts to CEO: Dr. Takashi Nakamura’s Path to Time and Financial Freedom
What if you could create geographic and time freedom—without leaving medicine entirely? Many doctors believe the only way out of burnout is to leave medicine altogether. But what if that’s not the only option?
You may be underestimating how powerful telemedicine can be for regaining control of your time and income.
In this episode, we dive into how Dr. Takashi Nakamura built a location-independent income stream—and how you can too.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Dr. Nakamura got licensed in all 50 s...