Brad Harper is a Broker at Century 21 North Homes Realty, where he serves military families, first responders, and veterans. With nearly 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, he consistently ranks among the top 3% of realtors globally for sales. Brad is recognized as a top relocation specialist and has received awards such as the President’s Award and the Pinnacle Quality Customer Service Award.
   

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• [8:09] How Brad Harper began investing in Airbnb properties in Nashville and the cash flow benefits he’s experienced
• [12:29] A synopsis of The American Dream and how Brad began hosting the show
• [18:53] The work ethic that drives Brad’s productive career in real estate
• [21:21] Brad’s lead generation system and follow-up process
• [27:57] Strategic partners for real estate agents
• [36:53] Tips for investing in second homes and vacation rentals like Airbnbs 
• [41:34] How to coach military personnel on long-term wealth in real estate
• [46:07] Get to know Brad with rapid-fire questions about his personal life

In this episode…

Real estate is a practical wealth-building strategy; yet, many professionals are stuck with underperforming rentals or feel unsure of where to begin. Rising interest rates, market uncertainty, and a lack of guidance often stop would-be investors before they start. How can you optimize your real estate assets to build long-term wealth?

According to top-producing real estate agent Brad Harper, strategic investments like short-term vacation rentals and second homes can become long-term wealth generators. Investors can employ cost segregation methods to improve tax outcomes for Airbnb properties and other vacation rentals. To create a steady flow of deals, Brad emphasizes proactively following up with leads, building a strong social media presence, and building relationships with referral partners like attorneys, property managers, and lenders.

In the latest episode of Work Hard, Play Harder, Jake Hanes sits down with Brad Harper, a Broker at Century 21 North Homes Realty, to discuss building long-term wealth through real estate. Brad shares his Airbnb investment strategy, how he builds his portfolio through disciplined work habits, and how military personnel can leverage VA loans.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Jake Hanes on LinkedIn
• Action Tax Service, LLC
• Brad Harper on LinkedIn 
• Century 21 North Homes Realty
• The American Dream

Quotable Moments:

• “Don’t fake it until you make it, but earn while you learn.”
• “You can achieve anything that you set your mind to, no matter what the circumstances are.”
• “You’ve got to keep going, and you’ve got to do that with real estate.”
• “How nice is it to have a quarter million of just something you can pull out of?”
• “You are set for such an advantage, and they’re not taking advantage.”

Action Steps:

1. Invest in short-term rental properties: Airbnb investments can provide strong cash flow while offering tax benefits through cost segregation strategies. This creates a powerful path to wealth with relatively low upfront capital.
2. Stay proactive with lead follow-up: Regularly reaching out to past and potential clients ensures you stay top of mind when they’re ready to act. Consistency builds trust and leads to long-term referrals and repeat business.
3. Build relationships with strategic partners: Connecting with estate attorneys, assisted living managers, and military networks opens a steady pipeline of potential listings. These partners can refer highly qualified leads in moments of key life transitions.
4. Encourage younger clients to buy, not rent: Many young adults overlook the advantages of early homeownership, like equity building and tax savings. Educating them early can create loyal clients and set them on the path to long-term wealth.
5. Leverage social media for market insights and visibility: Monitoring social platforms helps identify life events that signal buying or selling opportunities. Sharing valuable content also positions you as a knowledgeable and approachable expert.

Sponsor for this episode

This episode is brought to you by Action Tax Service, LLC, which provides income tax, bookkeeping, and payroll services to individuals and businesses.

With a specific focus on the growth and success of small businesses, Action Tax provides companies with specialized training and support in Quickbooks accounting software.

Our team of seasoned tax preparers, professional bookkeepers, payroll specialists, and CPAs process federal, business, personal, partnership, and estate returns.

To learn how you can save time and money on your bookkeeping, visit us at https://actiontaxteam.com/.