When the Headlines Scream No: Finding Hidden Yield with Tom Dunkel

In this episode, Jim brings on Tom Dunkel, founder of Eagle Capital Investments, co-founder of U.S. Mortgage Resolution (11k+ loans transacted), real-estate investor, and author of The Wealth Builders Playbook. Tom left the “corporate penitentiary,” got bloodied in ’08, then built durable wealth across distressed mortgage debt, self-storage, STRs, and a fund-of-funds platform.

They break down why “now” is always the right time if your horizon is long, how to own the paper when bricks are a pain, and how to evaluate deals with his SAFE method so you compound without blowing up.

What You’ll Learn
- Why headlines aren’t a strategy: time horizon and cashflow beat “perfect timing”
- Distressed mortgage debt 101: how banks offload non-accrual loans—and how pros work them out
- The SAFE due-diligence method (Sponsor, Asset, Financials, Exit) you can apply to any alt deal
- Active vs passive: “who, not how” for busy owners who want diversification without a second job
- How tax advantages (depreciation, cost seg) and steady cashflow protect high earners

Action Steps
1. Map Your Horizon & Cashflow
Decide your hold period (5–10+ years) and set a monthly cashflow target that makes you work-optional.

2. Run SAFE on Your Next Deal
Vet the Sponsor first, then Asset, Financials, and Exit. If any letter fails, pass and keep your powder dry.

3. Choose Your Lane

Active: commit to learning, mistakes, and reps. Passive: piggyback a proven operator’s network (fund-of-funds, co-GP) to diversify now.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Investment Opportunities
02:39 Navigating Distressed Mortgage Debt
05:39 The Importance of Networking in Real Estate
08:23 Understanding the SAFE Method for Investment
11:25 Tax Advantages in Real Estate Investing
14:24 The Role of Mentorship in Business
16:56 The Compound Effect in Wealth Building
20:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connect with Tom Dunkel:
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tomdunkel/
Website: eaglecapitalinvestments.com

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