Episode 84: Why Private Lenders Are Leaving Real Estate (And How to Keep Yours)
What happens when the people funding your deals start disappearing? Private money has fueled countless flips, rehabs, and real estate careers, but many lenders are stepping back, tightening up, or leaving the game altogether.In this episode, Rich breaks down why private lenders are pulling away, and more importantly, how you can keep access to capital others are losing. If you borrow money for deals, this is the conversation you don’t want to miss.You'll Learn How To:Build trust that makes lenders want to work with you long-termCommunicate problems early, before they become relationship killersMake loan requests simple, fast, and respectful of a lender’s timeProvide clean draw requests lenders actually loveAvoid the one borrower mistake that ruins relationships instantlyWho This Episode Is For:Real estate investors who rely on private capitalAnyone who wants repeat lenders instead of one-time moneyBorrowers who want smoother, faster, stress-free fundingWhy You Should Listen:Access to private money is a competitive edge, and most investors will lose theirs without realizing why. This episode shows you how to stand out, earn trust, and keep the capital flowing, even when others get cut off. If you want lenders who return your calls, fund your deals, and stick with you long-term, this is the mindset and skillset that makes it happen.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] Why private lenders are leaving real estate right now[01:00] ROI vs ROT, the real thing lenders care about[02:00] The fastest way to present a deal and get a yes[03:30] How pictures/data make your loan proposals believable[04:30] Handling problems before they blow up your funding source[05:30] The right and wrong way to ask for draw requests[08:00] Why asking for a discount destroys trust instantly[09:30] How to become the borrower lenders prefer over your competitionFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
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Episode 83: Why I Quit Flipping Houses and Started Lending Money Instead - Mike Hambright
Flipping houses can be exciting, but it’s also exhausting, time-consuming, and sometimes unpredictable. What if there were a way to keep building wealth in real estate without living in a constant hustle? Private lending offers that opportunity, allowing experienced investors to put their money to work, earn strong returns, and maintain control without managing every renovation or tenant.In this episode, Mike Hambright sits down with Rich Lennon to talk through why he transitioned from flipping houses to lending money, how he structures self-directed IRAs and 401ks for maximum efficiency, and why private money can be a safer, higher-return strategy than many realize. Rich shares real-world strategies for leveraging other people’s money, structuring deals for security, and using local knowledge to outcompete big banks.You’ll Learn How To:Understand the differences between hard money and private moneyStructure self-directed IRAs and 401ks to invest in real estate deals efficientlySafely leverage other people’s money to increase returnsUse local expertise to compete with national lendersKeep your cash working without the constant stress of active property managementWho This Episode Is For:Real estate investors are exploring ways to earn passive incomeIndividuals looking to start a private lending businessInvestors interested in tax-efficient strategies for growing moneyAnyone curious about using IRAs, 401ks, or fractionalized notes for lendingWhy You Should Listen: This episode shows how to step off the property flipping treadmill and still grow wealth. Rich breaks down strategies for making high returns while maintaining control, demonstrates how to leverage multiple accounts for tax efficiency, and explains why private lending can offer both speed and security that big banks often can't.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] The basics of private lending and why it matters[02:00] How Rich built wealth flipping homes and using the BRRR strategy[05:00] Why private money differs from hard money lending fundamentally[09:00] How to use IRAs and 401ks to grow investments[15:00] How to structure deals for higher returns with partners[20:00] Why shifting from active investor to lender changes mindset[24:00] How local lenders compete with big national lending firms[27:00] What the market outlook is and resources to startFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
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29:42
Episode 82: Five Red Flags That Saved My Client $200,000 (Before It Went to Zero)
Think a high-return deal is always a golden opportunity? Sometimes the numbers are so tempting that you want to jump in fast, especially when everyone around you seems excited. But underneath those promises and pressure, some clues reveal whether an investment is solid or headed for disaster.In this episode, Rich Lennon shares the five warning signs that helped his client avoid losing $200,000 in a deal that went completely to zero in just two months. He walks through how unrealistic returns, fuzzy math, group pressure, lack of security, and inexperience can quietly lead investors into terrible decisions. With clear examples and straightforward reasoning, Rich shows you how to evaluate opportunities and protect your money with real confidence.You’ll Learn How To:Recognize when unrealistic returns point to deeper problemsCheck whether the math actually makes senseAvoid group pressure that pushes you toward high-risk decisionsUnderstand why secured investments protect you betterLean on experienced investors to filter out dangerous dealsWho This Episode Is For:New investors learning to spot risky opportunitiesPrivate lenders evaluating deal securityAnyone tempted by high return promisesListeners building confidence in investment decisionsWhy You Should Listen:This episode shows how a few simple checks can save you from losing six figures. Rich breaks down how to evaluate deals so you can protect your money and resist pressure. You'll invest from a position of real control and confidence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] Five warning signs that saved a client two hundred thousand[02:00] Why would they need your money if returns are truly that high[04:00] The danger of groupthink in investment decisions[06:00] Surrounding yourself with experienced investors[07:00] The bonus sixth factor, maintaining control of your money08:00] The Zillow housing market downgrade and what it means for lendingFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
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Episode 81: The Hidden Math That Makes a 12% Loan Actually Cost 17.5%
Think a 12 percent loan really costs 12 percent? Think again. On paper, the numbers might look simple, but the way money moves tells a different story. The timing of payments, upfront points, and how interest is collected can quietly change your true rate of return or cost of borrowing. What happens when the math behind a 12 percent loan adds up to something much higher?In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down the hidden rate loan structures and how timing, points, and payment collection can dramatically affect yield. He walks through how to understand your true rate of return and spot when lenders are tweaking the numbers. With the right knowledge and transparency, you can gain a real advantage in the lending world. You’ll Learn How To:Spot how loan terms like prepaid interest and points change true ROICalculate the internal rate of return (IRR) versus the stated annual interestAvoid being misled by “lower” advertised ratesUse transparency as a competitive edge in lending dealsEducate clients to build trust and long-term business Who This Episode Is For:Private lenders who want to understand real returns on their loansReal estate investors are comparing lending options and hidden costsBorrowers seeking to avoid surprise fees and inflated interest ratesAnyone who wants to make smarter lending and borrowing decisionsWhy You Should Listen:Behind every loan lies a story told by numbers. Rich Lennon shows how a few shifts in structure can raise a 12 percent loan to a 17.5 percent cost, and how knowing the math gives you the power to negotiate smarter, earn more, and lend with confidence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] Greetings from Orlando and the value of education[01:00] How payment timing and points affect loan returns[02:00] The risks of skipping payments and losing compounding[04:00] What makes a 12% loan effectively cost 17.5%[06:00] How educating clients reveals the true cost of borrowing[08:00] The impact of transparency on trust and repeat businessFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
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9:29
Episode 80: Why 95% of Wealth Is Gone by the Third Generation (And How to Stop It)
Ever heard the saying, shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations? Sadly, it’s true, 95% of all wealth disappears by the third generation. The real reason? Most people spend their lives chasing wealth but never teach their kids how to build it, manage it, or respect it.In this episode, Rich Lennon shares the personal story behind The Lennon Bank, a simple system he created to teach his kids about earning, saving, investing, and responsibility. From peanut butter sandwiches to horse races, Rich breaks down how small, consistent lessons at home can change your family’s financial future for generations.You’ll Learn How To:Teach your kids real money habits without lectures or spreadsheetsTurn everyday family routines into lessons about work and rewardBuild generational wealth that lasts long after you’re goneUse earned ownership to help your kids value what they buyIntroduce financial lessons that stick, no fancy tools required Who This Episode Is For:Parents who want to raise financially smart, grounded kidsFamilies looking to break the cycle of spend it, lose it wealthAnyone serious about building a legacy that actually lastsWhy You Should Listen:Wealth isn’t just about money; it’s about mindset, habits, and stewardship. This episode gives you a practical, heart-level way to start teaching financial wisdom in your own home. You’ll walk away with ideas you can use right away to help your kids and grandkids build confidence, independence, and a real understanding of value.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] Why 95% of wealth disappears by the third generation[01:00] The origin story of The Lennon Bank and what it teaches kids[03:00] The simple $20-a-week system that builds money habits early[05:00] How earning before spending changed Rich’s family dynamic[07:00] What family vacations taught them about budgeting and priorities[09:00] The surprising money lesson that came from a horse race[10:00] How loss, choices, and ownership create lifelong financial wisdom[11:00] The lasting impact of The Lennon Bank on generational wealthFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
Want to grow your money at 30% to 50% per year—without the stock market rollercoaster, soul-crushing 80-hour workweeks, or gambling on risky get-rich-quick schemes?Do you crave financial freedom but feel stuck in the outdated “work harder, save more, retire someday” model?Welcome to The Growing the Money Podcast, where host Rich Lennon pulls back the curtain on the wealth-building strategies the banks, billionaires, and ultra-wealthy use every day to grow their fortunes—strategies that YOU can start using today.If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, this podcast is your shortcut to creating sustainable, long-lasting wealth. Forget Wall Street’s 4% “safe” retirement model or risky investment fads. Instead, Rich will show you how to build wealth smarter, faster, and with less risk—all while keeping your time and sanity intact.Whether you’re a:Real estate investor looking to scale your portfolio without overleveraging...Private money lender searching for higher, more predictable returns...Entrepreneur ready to grow your income streams and outsmart traditional financial systems...Or a professional tired of working harder just to stay stuck in the rat race...This show is your blueprint to financial freedom.Every week, Rich shares his proven money frameworks—strategies designed to grow your wealth faster and more sustainably, all while protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build. You’ll learn how to:Achieve 30% to 50% annual returns without relying on the stock market or complex schemes.Put your money to work for you, so you’re not trading your time for dollars.Avoid the pitfalls that keep most people broke and stressed about money.Unlock the same wealth-building secrets banks and the rich use to grow their empires.But this is more than just a podcast—it’s a movement to help you flip the script on your financial life.If you love podcasts like The Suze Orman Show, The Dave Ramsey Show, or BiggerPockets Money Podcast, or if you’re inspired by money minds like Grant Cardone, Robert Kiyosaki, or Tony Robbins, you’ll feel right at home here.No fluff. No gimmicks. Just real-world strategies to grow your money smarter, faster, and without the stress.It’s time to stop following the same tired advice that keeps you stuck in the grind. It’s time to grow YOUR money. Let’s reclaim your financial freedom together.