One of the key pillars of success in business or real estate is knowing how to manage people. If you can’t manage people—or don’t learn how—it’s going to be an uphill struggle, to say the least. In this episode, Mike, Brook, and A’marri break down what real-world management actually looks like.
3:00 Brook opens the discussion with a key management rule: be friendly, not friends, and learn how to balance respect with authority.
6:15 A’marri shares how overexplaining leads to confusion and time-wasting, and why clarity is more powerful than reasoning.
11:00 Mike breaks down a classic management moment from The Godfather, showing how simple authority gets things done.
21:00 Mike tells a real story about assuming new hires know how to clean up—and how that mistake cost them with a long-time client.
34:30 Brook and Mike stress the value of scripting and being prepared—how it reduces anxiety and leads to better leadership decisions.


Going Around The Track Again on Managing

Mike, Brook and A'marri talk about the mentality infecting a lot of Cleveland Heights residents that accepts the status quo and how the presence of Laura Hong who is running for mayor will hopefully shake things up.
1:30 Mike introduces the episode and explains why Cleveland Heights’ upcoming mayoral election is critical for local investors and property owners.
3:45 A’marri talks about the apathy residents have toward deteriorating areas in Cleveland Heights and the need for visible change.
6:00 Brook criticizes the city’s poor decisions like costly roundabouts, calling for practical leadership and budget priorities.
10:00 Mike shares Laura Hong’s professional background and why she represents a break from the city's stagnant leadership.
15:30 The team brainstorms a unique, issue-focused campaign strategy for Laura—featuring attention-grabbing yard signs that highlight local frustrations and demand real solutions.


Voices On The Margins and Laura Real Change Hong

Brook and Amarri talk about what they are looking for from the new mayor of Cleveland Heights once they are elected.
2:30 Brook introduces the topic: what younger Cleveland Heights residents want in the next mayor, highlighting the need for action and better leadership.
5:00 Brook shares a personal story about how potholes affect daily life and how simple planning could fix them.
8:30 Brook and A’marri discuss Cleveland Heights' communication issues and how improving updates through calendars, email blasts, or social media could help.
11:45 Brook brings up the underutilized Severance Town Center, suggesting retail development or even repurposing it into a public park.
17:30 Brook and A’marri wrap up their thoughts, emphasizing the need for a proactive mayor focused on housing, infrastructure, and city revitalization.


The Young Resident's Perspective On The Cleveland Heights Mayor

Mike and Brook revisit the topic of micro-targeting investment properties, a discussion first explored pre-COVID. They dive into the key indicators that determine whether a neighborhood is on the rise, in decline, or holding steady. From analyzing vacancy rates to spotting investment opportunities near high-demand areas, they break down the signals that real estate investors should pay attention to. Plus, they share insights on vetting tenants and assessing the long-term potential of a rental property. All this and more on the Cleveland Real Estate Investor Podcast

01:15 Mike warns investors to be cautious when dealing with realtors, as their primary goal is selling homes rather than advising on investment potential.
04:30 Brooke explains how local businesses like coffee shops and restaurants can indicate an up-and-coming neighborhood, contrasting them with areas dominated by dollar stores and check-cashing locations.
08:30 Mike explains how vacant and dilapidated houses on a street can signal a poor investment, emphasizing the importance of checking Google Maps for neighborhood conditions.
13:10 Mike and Brooke discuss the importance of visiting a neighborhood at different times, especially at night, to get a real feel for noise levels, safety, and overall livability before investing.
19:45 Mike identifies Van Aken in Shaker Heights as a successful example of retail-driven neighborhood growth and suggests Warrensville Heights as a potential emerging market.


Micro-targeting Investment Properties

Mike, Lindsey, and Travis walk through their detailed checklist for turning a vacant property into a ready-to-rent short-term rental. From cleaning and maintenance to communication with tenants and managing crew timelines, they share what it takes to make a successful property turnaround.
1:00 Lindsey explains why a long-vacant property needs extra cleaning and inspection compared to a quick turnover.
2:15 Mike details the importance of checking water, toilets, cobwebs, and outside conditions as part of the turnover checklist.
3:30 Lindsey shares an example of handling tenant concerns about pests and how to communicate reassurance.
5:00 Mike stresses time management and communication among the crew to avoid delays and missed tasks.
9:00 Lindsey highlights the importance of checking bedding and cleaning quality, and how missing details can impact tenant move-ins.


Getting A Property Turned Around For A Short Term Rental

Our new analyst Sophie, walking us through what the temperature of the current real estate market looks like and feels like. Also talks about the market settling down, interest rates, inventory being low... and more.

1:40 Sophie introduces herself as the new market analyst and shares her first impressions of the Cleveland real estate market.
4:20 Mike and Sophie discuss how low inventory and steady interest rates are shaping a more balanced, less chaotic market.
7:15 Brook explains why pricing a home correctly is key, and how overpricing can scare off serious buyers.
12:30 The team dives into psychological staging—why presentation matters and how to make a house “look like a deal.”
18:45 Mike compares real estate negotiations to poker, emphasizing the importance of staying in control at the closing table.


Heat Check Returns!

Mike, Brook, and A’marri break down the hidden costs of Cleveland investment properties—how out-of-town buyers often underestimate rehab budgets, the importance of neighborhood quality, and why working with the right team prevents costly mistakes.
1:00 Mike shares a story about an out-of-town investor who underestimated repairs by nearly $100K.
2:30 The team explains how to calculate the true value of a property by factoring in rehab costs before buying.
5:00 Brook emphasizes the importance of choosing the right neighborhood and knowing realistic comps.


Do You Really Know What The Cost Of The Property You're Buying Is

Part 1 involves a meeting with Alex who works in consulting and providing solar energy for businesses. Part 2 is a recap and follow up from Brook and Amarri on what they would like to see in Cleveland Heights as young residents.
1:45 Mike lays out Cleveland Heights’ housing and vacancy problems, linking crime, retail decline, and lack of city action.
4:30 Discussion on eliminating point-of-sale inspections and instead enforcing property upkeep with fines.
7:30 Alex and Mike brainstorm new approaches for Severance and Medusa: solar-powered modular housing, hydroponics, and bold redevelopment.
10:00 Mike suggests using video storytelling to highlight problems like weed-filled lots and introduce Alex as a forward-thinking “energy guy.”
12:00 Brook and A’Marri reflect on local leadership drama, share frustrations as Cleveland Heights residents, and discuss priorities like potholes and vacant homes.


Investing In Solar Power And Change

Mike, Brook and A'marri discuss their new process for hiring as well as learning lessons from the past, how people spend all their time looking for jobs instead of working them, how hiring is a stress tester for your managers as well as a quick journey into the similarities between managing and being a father.
1:15 Mike introduces the concept of “time wasters” and how they show up in business—especially in hiring, partnerships, and communication.
5:30 Brook talks about how vague job interviews and non-committal communication are early red flags when hiring or delegating tasks.
10:45 A’marri shares a personal experience with a job candidate who failed to follow up, stressing the importance of action over talk.
14:20 Mike outlines the “Four Filters” they use in their hiring process to quickly weed out unreliable applicants.
20:05 The team emphasizes that time is more valuable than money—and learning to protect it is one of the most important business skills you can build.


The Time Wasters

Mike, Brook and A'marri talk about collections and problem customers.
How do you collect the money owed to you? When to do a deposit or a prepay? How to make sure you don't run into the same problems with the same customers.
1:15 Mike kicks off the discussion on unpaid bills, asking Brook how to handle clients who don’t pay.
2:15 Brook shares prevention tactics like deposits, credit cards on file, and liens to secure payment.
4:00 A’marri emphasizes profiling customers and requiring upfront payments for newer clients.
6:00 Mike and A’marri explain the “status X” system to flag problem customers and avoid repeat issues.
15:15 The team wraps up with final thoughts on deposits, due diligence, and credit score consequences.


Where's My Money!

Mike, Brook, and A’Marri share how they personally and professionally use AI — from handling emails and financial reports to streamlining business processes and even creative work.

2:30 A’Marri explains how ChatGPT helps solve work problems and create podcast notes more efficiently.
5:30 Brook describes using AI for workout plans, financial schedules, and even relationship advice.
7:00 Mike compares the rise of AI to the early days of personal computers in the 1980s.
11:30 Discussion on how foremen and staff can use AI for drafting emails, organizing hours, and summarizing reports.
22:15 Brook and A’Marri wrap up with the importance of adapting to AI, its role in creative industries, and practical advice for anyone new to the technology.


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