#197: Loretta McNally’s 35-Year Journey Through Rentals, Regulations, and Real Estate Resilience

In Episode 197 of The Real Estate Rundown, we sit down with long-time investor and realtor Loretta McNally, who takes us on a candid journey through 35+ years of owning and managing single-family rentals. From her very first $15,000 South Omaha rental in 1990 to managing 31 doors and now scaling down to focus on her real estate agent career, Loretta shares valuable insights on everything from Section 8 housing and lead-based paint compliance to pest control nightmares, political beginnings, and her recent pivot to Airbnb.

This episode isn’t just about the wins. Loretta shares a few of the “fail forward” moments—including buying a property with missing tenants, living through bat and bed bug infestations, and the time she realized her mother couldn’t remember the address if she disappeared checking a vacant unit. You'll also hear about the reality of being a hands-on landlord, what it's like being audited by the EPA, and why even the best tenants sometimes move out before you’re ready.

Whether you're new to rentals, thinking about Section 8, or just need a healthy dose of real estate humor and heart—this one’s for you.

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