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!
Should Landlords Rent to College Students? Student Housing 101
The Big Picture On Should You Rent To College Students: Renting properties to college students near universities is an attractive real estate investment. Advantages of renting to college students include higher potential income, higher occupancy rates, co-signer...
Self Directed IRA Rental Property: A Real Estate Case Study
The Big Picture On How To Invest In Real Estate With Self-Directed IRA: You can invest in almost any type of real estate by opening a self-directed IRA with a custodian. It's much easier to invest in passive real estate investments (such as real estate syndications or...
How to Become a Landlord: Blueprint to Buy Your First Rental Property
The Big Picture On How To Become A Landlord: Rental properties can generate cash flow, appreciation, and tax benefits, but being a landlord requires some labor and expertise. If you just want to diversify into real estate and earn passive income, consider passive real...
How to Build Credit Fast: The Real Estate Investor’s Guide to Credit
The Big Picture On How To Build Credit Fast: Regularly check credit reports for errors to ensure accuracy and taking steps to correct any discrepancies found. Effectively utilize your credit cards by maintaining low balances relative to credit limits and paying bills...
Fair Housing Pitfalls: 6 Ways to Avoid Being the Next Lawsuit
The Big Picture On How To Avoid A Fair Housing Lawsuit: The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that provides protection against discrimination from several groups. Some states also have laws that are similar to the FHA and extend the protection to other classes or...
Do You Have to Put a Down Payment on a House? Down Payment Hacks
The Big Picture On Down Payment For House Purchases: Down payments are historically used to mitigate risk for both the buyer and lender. A big enough down payment helps minimize interest rates, monthly payments, and the total mortgage. Not everyone has money to burn...
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!