When we think of real estate, the image that likely comes to mind is of pristine new properties with all the bells and whistles. But what if the real magic lies in the seasoned and well-loved properties? On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, join Jonathan as he takes a fascinating tour of real estate investing with Chad Zdenek, a seasoned professional engineer, licensed general contractor, and former CEO of Mobile Illumination. From his early fascination with construction to earning an MBA in entrepreneurship, Chad shares his inspiring journey and imparts valuable insights on passive income, building syndications, and the pros and cons of being a general or limited partner. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, the evolving landscape of real estate can be challenging to navigate. Chad candidly discusses the complexities arising from legislative changes in real estate investing, underlining the importance of quick decisions in a seller's market. He also opens up about his experiences investing outside his home state of California, discussing the factors influencing his investing location choices. As we delve deeper, Chad also touches upon the challenges of increasing insurance rates on properties in Florida, yet how rental growth and vacancy rates remain promising. As the conversation comes to a close, Chad highlights the role of networking and the power of mastermind groups in real estate investing. If you're looking to build a successful career in real estate, learning from those who have walked the path before you could be crucial. Chad emphasizes collaboration, trust, and taking calculated risks in new markets. Join Jonathan for this episode brimming with actionable advice and firsthand experiences as we uncover the world of real estate investing with Chad. In this episode, you will hear: Chad Zdenek, a seasoned professional engineer, licensed general contractor, and former CEO of Mobile Illumination, and his journey into real estate investing with insights on passive income, building syndications, and the roles of general and limited partners The complexities arising from legislative changes in real estate investing and the value of quick decision-making in a seller's market His experiences investing outside his home state of California with factors such as population growth, income growth, and job growth influencing his choice of states for investing The challenges of increasing insurance rates on properties in Florida, yet rental growth and vacancy rates remain promising The significance of networking and the power of mastermind groups in real estate investing, as well as the importance of collaboration, trust, and taking calculated risks in new markets The dynamics of real estate syndications, with Zdenek sharing his experiences with buying older properties in Long Beach and how to maximize cash flow through appreciation play His advice to newer real estate investors on what to look for when joining a mastermind group and the benefits of connecting with other people, learning from their experiences, and taking a leap of faith in new markets Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, we've created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/058 to download it. Supporting Resources: CSQ Properties - https://csqproperties.com CSQ Properties on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@csqproperties Find CSQ Properties on Facebook - www.facebook.com/CSQProperties CSQ Properties on Instagram - www.instagram.