SparkRental’s Bucks Outside the Box Podcast:

Uncommon Cents for Unconventional Investors

Challenge assumptions. Question the status quo. Build an extraordinary life.

The Latest from SparkRental’s Bucks Outside the Box Podcast:

No Jargon or Fluff: A Real Estate Podcast of Quick Bites!

In 2018, SparkRental cofounders Brian Davis and Deni Supplee started broadcasting live every week to the SparkRental Facebook page and Landlords & Real Estate Investors’ Hub. Eventually they started publishing broadcasts as their Live Off Rents podcast, and eventually started challenging conventional wisdom with their Bucks Outside the Box show.

Today, we still release new episodes every week, interviewing some of the sharpest minds in personal finance, investing, real estate, and financial independence. 

We pack a ton of information in concise 5-15 minute episodes. From stock investing strategies to real estate, passive income to active earning, early retirement, active vs. passive real estate investing and beyond, we’ve got you covered.

Most of all, we help you keep the big picture in mind: building the life you want and reaching financial independence.

Happy listening!

Want all the benefits of real estate investing without the headaches?

Learn how to invest passively in group real estate investments.

Every month, our Co-Investing Club vets a new real estate syndication deal. All deals are open to all members (including non-accredited investors). 

Our target returns: 15-30%. 

Curious? Watch this 86-second video.

Prefer Reading? Check Out Our FIRE & Real Estate Blog!

Ultra-Niche Passive Real Estate Investments That Pay Ultra-Returns

Ultra-Niche Passive Real Estate Investments That Pay Ultra-Returns

At a Glance: In general, the deeper the niche, the higher the returns. We’ve had good experiences with these four niche investments over the last year. Ever hear the expression “the riches are in the niches”? Hokey rhymes aside, it’s true. Here are a few examples of...

Weakening economy? How should you invest?

At a Glance: There are actually huge advantages to investing through a downturn especially in real estate Dollar cost averaging protects you from dangerous emotions like fear and greed I keep investing $5,000 a month no matter what happens in the economy The Labor...

U.S. Housing Market Outlook: Cities Facing the Steepest Home Price Declines

U.S. Housing Market Outlook: Cities Facing the Steepest Home Price Declines

At a Glance National Home Prices Declining: Unlike most past recessions, U.S. home prices are projected to fall about 1% nationally, with some local markets facing much steeper drops of 5–15%. Key Drivers of the Decline: Rising insurance premiums, higher mortgage...

Who Counts as Middle Class and Upper-Middle Class in America Today?

Who Counts as Middle Class and Upper-Middle Class in America Today?

At a Glance Income & Net Worth Benchmarks – The upper middle class is typically defined as households earning $145K–$235K annually or having a net worth of $658K–$1.9M, though exact ranges vary.  Location Matters – What qualifies as upper middle class depends...

Housing Markets Projected to Fall in 2025: The Cities at Risk

Housing Markets Projected to Fall in 2025: The Cities at Risk

At a Glance Certain U.S. housing markets are projected to see significant price declines in 2025, with smaller cities like Greenville, MS (-16.7%) and major metros like New Orleans (-7.2%) and San Francisco (-6.1%) most at risk. Key factors driving these declines...

Trump vs. Powell: Can Trump Force Mortgage Rates Lower?

Trump vs. Powell: Can Trump Force Mortgage Rates Lower?

At a Glance: The Fed controls the federal funds rate, not mortgage rates Mortgage rates are more based on bond yields, not the federal funds rate The Trump Administration can’t control bond yields – or mortgage rates The Fight Over the Fed President Trump has tried...

Curious about other passive real estate investments?

Check out our comparison chart of Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms. Our cofounder G. Brian Davis has invested in most of them personally, for firsthand experience. Here’s a quick preview of just a few:

ConcreitGroundfloorFundriseArk7LoftyArrivedConnect InvestStreitwise
Min. Investment$1$10$10$20$50 $100$500$1,000
Investment FormatPooled Fund of Loans, Fractional Ownership in RentalsSecured LoansPooled Funds & REITsFractional Ownership in RentalsFractional Ownership in RentalsFractional Ownership in RentalsShort-Term NotesREIT
Real Estate TypeHard Money Loans & Apartment BuildingsResidential (Short-Term Loans), Notes, Cash Flow AdvancesResidential & CommercialSingle-Family Rentals (Long-Term & Airbnb), MultifamilySingle-Family Rentals, Mixed-Use, CommercialSingle-Family Rentals (Long-Term & Airbnb), MultifamilySecured Residential & Commercial LoansCommercial Office Buildings
Dividend Freq.WeeklyN/AQuarterlyMonthlyDailyQuarterlyMonthlyQuarterly
Dividend Yield Last Year6.24% (more with referrals)N/A7.70%Avg. 4.6%Varies by property1.9 - 8.3% (long-term rentals), 1.4 - 5.6% (short-term rentals)7.5-9%5.1%
Total Return Last Year6.24% (more with referrals)Avg. 9.78%7.70% (income account); 0.68% (growth account) Avg. ~8%Varies by propertyVaries by property7.5-9%5.1%
Hold Time w/o Penalty1 Year (but no principal penalty)2-18 Months5 Years3 MonthsNone5 Years6-24 Months5 Years
Built-In IRANoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
Year Launched20182013201220192018202120152017
Brian Invests PersonallyYesYesYesYesNot YetYesNot YetYes
Learn MoreConcreitGroundfloorFundriseArk7LoftyArrivedConnect InvestStreitwise

financial freedom rental propertiesIs This Podcast for You?

If you don’t want to work forever, it’s for you.

At SparkRental, we’re all about helping you replace your day job income with passive income from investments. Build enough investment income, and your day job becomes optional. You can quit to spend more time with your family, choose a career you’re more passionate about, travel, volunteer full-time.

Or you can keep working your current job if you love it, and build even more wealth.

While we tend to focus on building passive income through rental properties, we know that financial independence and/or retiring early FIRE — works best with diverse income streams. So yes, we talk about finding motivated sellers, tools like free rental income calculators, finding rental property loans, and property management tips & tricks. But we also explore wider FIRE issues like savings rate, safe withdrawal rates, and how the FIRE lifestyle can save you money in surprising ways.

Most of all, we want to help you think differently about your money, and about lifestyle design: creating your own personal ideal life. Real estate is merely a means to that end!

Cheat Sheet Inbound!

 

Not only do you get the free Security Deposit Cheat Sheet, but we'll also send you our free passive income mini-course. How's that sound?

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Rental Application Inbound!

 

Not only do you get our free rental application, but we'll also send you our free passive income mini-course. How's that sound?

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Ready to Build Passive Income?

Ready to Build Passive Income?

 

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Ditch Your Day Job: Free 8-Video Course

 

Our brand new course on how to reach financial independence and retire early (FIRE) with rental properties is open for one week from Oct. 23-30!

You're in! Check your email for the link, or click here for the 1st video!

Free Access to the Co-Investing Club

 

Check out monthly Club deals, no credit card required 😊

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Rental Application Inbound!

 

Not only do you get our free rental application, but we'll also send you our free passive income mini-course. How's that sound?

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Awesome! Check your email to confirm to download :-)