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!
Cash-on-Cash Return Calculator: What Is Cash-on-Cash Return in Real Estate?
The Big Picture On Cash-On-Cash Return: Cash-on-cash return measures the annual yield on your cash investment, accounting for down payment, closing costs, and out-of-pocket repairs. The formula for cash-on-cash return is net annual cash flow divided by initial...
How to Invest in Real Estate: 15 Strategies for Real Estate Investing
The Big Picture on Real Estate Investing Strategies: Real estate investment strategies vary widely, from residential rental properties to commercial real estate and raw land, each with unique benefits and challenges. Proper due diligence, including understanding local...
What’s the 4% Rule in Retirement? Safe Withdrawal Rate in Retirement Calculator
The Big Picture On Safe Withdrawal Rates In Retirement (With Calculator): A safe withdrawal rate is the annual percentage of retirement savings you can withdraw without exhausting your funds, typically considered to be around 4%. Various methods to calculate a safe...
How to Start an Airbnb: 14 Tips for Fast Success
The Big Picture on How To Start A Successful Airbnb: Understanding local laws is crucial before listing your property on Airbnb, as many cities have strict regulations and taxes on short-term rentals. Price your Airbnb competitively against local hotels, not other...
How to Get a Mortgage for an LLC-Owned Rental Property
The Big Picture On Getting A Mortgage For An LLC-Owned Rental Property: Before applying for a mortgage, it’s essential to have your business entity properly set up. This involves registering your LLC with the appropriate state department, obtaining an Employer...
Subject-To Loans: How to Buy Real Estate Subject to a Mortgage
The Big Picture On A Subject-to Mortgage: Subject-to loans allow buyers to take over existing mortgages without needing to secure new financing, saving on closing costs and potentially securing lower interest rates. Subject-to transactions can close more quickly since...
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:
Concreit | Groundfloor | Fundrise | Ark7 | Lofty | Arrived | Connect Invest | Streitwise | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Min. Investment | $1 | $10 | $10 | $20 | $50 | $100 | $500 | $1,000 |
Investment Format | Pooled Fund of Loans, Fractional Ownership in Rentals | Secured Loans | Pooled Funds & REITs | Fractional Ownership in Rentals | Fractional Ownership in Rentals | Fractional Ownership in Rentals | Short-Term Notes | REIT |
Real Estate Type | Hard Money Loans & Apartment Buildings | Residential (Short-Term Loans), Notes, Cash Flow Advances | Residential & Commercial | Single-Family Rentals (Long-Term & Airbnb), Multifamily | Single-Family Rentals, Mixed-Use, Commercial | Single-Family Rentals (Long-Term & Airbnb), Multifamily | Secured Residential & Commercial Loans | Commercial Office Buildings |
Dividend Freq. | Weekly | N/A | Quarterly | Monthly | Daily | Quarterly | Monthly | Quarterly |
Dividend Yield Last Year | 6.24% (more with referrals) | N/A | 7.70% | Avg. 4.6% | Varies by property | 1.9 - 8.3% (long-term rentals), 1.4 - 5.6% (short-term rentals) | 7.5-9% | 5.1% |
Total Return Last Year | 6.24% (more with referrals) | Avg. 9.78% | 7.70% (income account); 0.68% (growth account) | Avg. ~8% | Varies by property | Varies by property | 7.5-9% | 5.1% |
Hold Time w/o Penalty | 1 Year (but no principal penalty) | 2-18 Months | 5 Years | 3 Months | None | 5 Years | 6-24 Months | 5 Years |
Built-In IRA | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Year Launched | 2018 | 2013 | 2012 | 2019 | 2018 | 2021 | 2015 | 2017 |
Brian Invests Personally | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not Yet | Yes | Not Yet | Yes |
Learn More | Concreit | Groundfloor | Fundrise | Ark7 | Lofty | Arrived | Connect Invest | Streitwise |
Is 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!