Lifestyle Design Blog – Episode 20 – Renovating Properties

April 23, 2010

in Episodes, Lifestyle Design, Passive Income, Real Estate, Replace Assumptions

In this episode we visit properties at all stages in the renovation process.

Runtime: 21:52
A quick rundown of the episode:

  • Intro – Don’t forget, most referrals = Free Southwest Airlines Flight
  • The Ren Men visit properties at all stages in the renovation process
  • BOOB Update – Fishing Tournament
  • New BOOB Challenge – Water Balloon Fight with a Stranger
  • Chalk Talk – Elevator Speech
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{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Dr. Fashilz April 23, 2010 at 2:43 pm

Gentlemen,

Good to see the behind the scenes of the houses in various stages.

As a recent home owner (thanks again btw, video to soon follow) I was curious what you guys suggest to increase house value. I know the folks on TV recommend certain things, but I was wondering what actually works in real-life.

I know that the McDonaldization of the houses does not lead to many drastic changes, but was just looking for some insight if you guys have tried anything out of the box and what the results/recommendations are.

I really do not know how effective I will be in a water balloon fight with a hand that is asleep, but I’ll give it my best shot…

Always Watchin’,

The NC correspondent

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2 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:36 pm

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3 Nick April 23, 2010 at 3:02 pm

The Ren Men Show, is a weekly video series that follows 2 dudes on their quest towards lifestyle design. Great for anyone who enjoyed the 4 Hour Work Week or is interested in real estate investments.

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4 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:36 pm

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5 Christina April 23, 2010 at 4:28 pm

Hey Guys, Love the show!

Sunny sent me here :)

Keep the shows coming!

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6 Sunny April 23, 2010 at 6:34 pm

Makin’ it happen….well sometimes it’s about makin’ it work!

Show looks great!….It’s a weird feeling when you know whats coming. lol

I’m turning some people onto the show…so keep the episodes coming!

Cheers

-Sunny

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7 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:37 pm

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8 Steve N April 23, 2010 at 9:16 pm

Great episode guys! How about an episode on how you screen tenants? You mentioned housing subsidies as well. Is that a big part of your rental strategy? Do tell.

Steve

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9 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:38 pm

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10 Sven April 25, 2010 at 6:52 am

My pitch for you guys:
The Ren Men are nuts, but in a good way. They create passive income to fuel their lifestyle design and enjoy life to the fullest: travel, challenges & games while making money. Here are two guys who got of the bench and take action: farewell 9to5, you can do it, too.

To your wedding answer:
From my point of view, people want a video and photos. Photos will go a long way, just as text does. In your wallet, on your walls, and it does not get boring so fast. A video is for special occasions, showing off, watching every once in a while, but not as present as a photo. Being good a creating passive income rather than running after the dollar is a great skill though. Good luck with your other video ventures, hope it’ll turn a nice profit.

To your referral game:
I guess it’s hard for people to grasp the concept, as you made not clear how you are going to measure those referrals, and, at least for my part being from Europe,… a trip within the US does not fit to me :) You went pretty national on this prize.

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11 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:39 pm

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12 Mitch April 25, 2010 at 11:21 am

The Ren Men Show is a weekly video BLOG documenting the efforts of two friends in Lifestyle Design, which is “Making Life Work – NOT Working for Life”. The key component for them is Passive Income; money that comes in day after day with little or no recurring work done by them. They use a “Ready, Fire, Aim” approach with Rental Real Estate, Vending Machines, Commercial Real Estate, and many other “Income Streams” to fuel their ideal lifestyle. In their show they urge you to “Get Off The Bench!” by showing you what AND how they do what they do (or not to do as the case may be). If you’ve read “The Four Hour Work Week”, any of the Rich Dad/Poor Dad books, or anything by Donald Trump then The Ren Men Show is definitely something you need to check out.

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13 Mitch April 25, 2010 at 1:35 pm

Sweet! It looks like I might win a free round trip ticket just by making one simple Facebook status update! Sometimes getting off the bench isn’t hard at all! Heck… here is a video too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z6p7JVYMp8

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14 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:40 pm

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15 Kelly April 25, 2010 at 11:49 am

Mitch sent me here! Love this philosophy and have been kicking some serious butt implementing it. Life is too short to have to work the whole time!

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16 Linda April 25, 2010 at 12:12 pm

interesting stuff.
Mitch sent me.

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17 LRAY April 25, 2010 at 12:36 pm

Mitch Sent me…

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18 Jeanna April 25, 2010 at 1:12 pm

Hi, Mitch sent me here, love Mitch, if it wasn’t for him I probably would have never discovered your show.

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19 Alex Garcia April 25, 2010 at 1:18 pm

Mitch sent me

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20 Kim Lee April 25, 2010 at 3:00 pm

Hey it sounds like a great show! Mitch was talking about it and so I will wach love these type of shows..

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21 Thomas Lee April 25, 2010 at 3:03 pm

This sounds great so glad Mitch we heard of it from Mitch will be antiouis to see it.

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22 Jamie April 25, 2010 at 5:07 pm

Mitch sent me… Go Mitch!

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23 Scott April 25, 2010 at 6:10 pm

This sounds like a great website! Mitch sent me to check it out! Go Mitch!!

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24 Anna April 25, 2010 at 6:11 pm

Mitch sent me here. I hope that he wins so he can come visit us!!

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25 Brian McKinely April 26, 2010 at 5:04 am

Mitch Sent me!

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26 Dan April 26, 2010 at 7:16 am

Guys, love the on location stuff! It was cool to see first hand your market expertise, even with stuff like finish in a home, I think its good to show that having this kind of knowledge is important to make hay. Great one! Keep em commin’ please :)

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27 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:40 pm

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28 Adam Burns April 26, 2010 at 1:04 pm

Woah Sunny we need to get you a role of Gossip Girl with those acting skills

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29 Jarrod April 26, 2010 at 1:08 pm

Love the show boys, make sure to keep em commin’ ! Thanks to Sunny for recommending this to me!!

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30 Matt Eidemiller April 26, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Mitch sent me ;)

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31 Bryan Morrison April 26, 2010 at 2:57 pm

Sunny sent me :D

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32 tom nelson April 26, 2010 at 4:23 pm

tom nelson sent by nick durante

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33 Matt Millar April 26, 2010 at 5:01 pm

My main man Sunny sent me.

Good stuff on the show, I’m gonna keep watching!

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34 Rita April 26, 2010 at 5:49 pm

Sunny sent me here :)

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35 Britney Fleisch April 26, 2010 at 6:04 pm

Sunny sent me!

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36 Michelle April 26, 2010 at 6:09 pm

sent by sunny!

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37 Shen April 26, 2010 at 6:15 pm

Hey Guys!!

Sunny sent me here! The shows are great!! Cant wait for more!!

Shen :)

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38 Maria Pedler April 26, 2010 at 7:00 pm

I will definitly pass on info of show to others….
Sunny sent me here, and im glad!
Maria

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39 Josh April 26, 2010 at 8:01 pm

Sunny sent me here and the show is great!

Definitely going to let my friends know about this.

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40 Dennis April 26, 2010 at 8:21 pm

sunny nick durante sent me here..

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41 Jeff House April 26, 2010 at 11:34 pm

Ren Men Elevator Pitch:

(With Excitement!) Dude! I need you to go check something out right now! I’m serious get to a computer right now! Okay now type in http://www.renmenshow.com! Start from Episode 1 and check these guys out!!! These two Business partners from Ohio are making things happen. They totally get it! There is more to life than working a nine to five job and living a life of mediocrity…Living in North America we have such a huge opportunity…watch the show…and trust me… YOU WILL BE INSPIRED!!!

There is my pitch…
I think energy, excitement, and emotion are essential to any pitch. If you truly believe in what you are “pitching”…people will follow. Excitement is contagious…and people can see through phonyness…if you have people that trust you, believe in you, and care about what you have to say. They will be willing to follow.

Excitement Excitement Excitement!!!!!!

Cheers,
Jeff

PS Sunny is the man. And no doubt excited!

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42 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:41 pm

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43 Eric April 27, 2010 at 10:31 am

Heya guys,

Great show again. I’ve watched every one. I have a few questions if you don’t mind.

What are you getting for rents on these properties?
Are they Section 8?
What do you normally look for as monthly net profit per door on a house?

I was under the impression that you were making most of your cash flow from your photography business and you rolled those profits into real estate. It was interesting to hear that photography is not your bread and butter as I am sure that building and your office staff is pretty expensive.

Thanks again for the inspiration!

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44 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:42 pm

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45 Colin April 27, 2010 at 11:43 am

Hey guys, really like the show, keep it up.

Sunny sent me here, he’s a legend.

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46 Jordan April 27, 2010 at 11:55 am

Sunny sent me!

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47 Rooney April 27, 2010 at 1:54 pm

Sunny sent me here!
I just watched the show and thought it was great!
Definitely going to keep watching

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48 Steve April 28, 2010 at 9:34 am

Sunny sent me

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49 Odo April 28, 2010 at 11:40 am

Hey Sunny sent me here!

Good stuff, I’m impressed

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50 Danielle April 28, 2010 at 8:29 pm

Sunny sent me!

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51 Mitch April 28, 2010 at 8:32 pm

Heck… at this point I might as well join the band wagon and say Sunny sent me! haha!

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52 Sunny April 28, 2010 at 8:46 pm

Much appreciated Mich! lol

It’s all for a good cause…Who here wouldn’t like to see this show get even bigger?!

Plus, I drove down from Canada to meet the guys….you had to know I’d come out swingin’!

Cheers dude

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53 Matt Eidemiller April 28, 2010 at 9:54 pm

FGP sent me here – That’s one for you buddy!

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54 Steve Bradeen April 30, 2010 at 6:46 am

Hey guys, awesome stuff!!!

oh and SUNNY SENT ME TOO!!!!!!

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55 Chris May 1, 2010 at 12:20 pm

Another fun episode guys. Here’s my take on the Ren Men Show:

A dynamic lifestyle design duo. The Ren Men host a entertaining video journal on their path to creating sources of passive income. Fun to watch. Lessons to learn. Challenges to push yourselves. Their call to action – “get off the bench”

Looking forward to your next show.

Cheers, Chris.

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56 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:43 pm

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57 John T May 2, 2010 at 2:08 pm

Hey guys, the show is amazing! Sunny just showed it to me.
Today has been a RenMenShow marathon!

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58 Adam May 3, 2010 at 5:27 am

Nice little find, these videos’ll keep me away from studying for a while…

Sunny sent me

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59 Mike C May 3, 2010 at 11:35 am

I think this might be your best video yet! Great to see you two at work; seeing how much fun you guys were having made me very inspired to look into real estate myself.

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60 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:44 pm

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61 Chris F May 3, 2010 at 12:15 pm

Hey guys,
I’ve been watching your shows for a while, but this is my first time contributing to the site. I just wanted to say thanks for staying positive and helping me to get off the bench!

Here is the elevator pitch that I’ve been working on for you:

The Ren Men are two best friends from Ohio who love life and want to share their enthusiasm and passion for living with others. They star in their own weekly video blog where they not only advocate the benefits of passive income, but actively demonstrate the techniques they have used to earn millions ranging all the way from real estate to vending machines. The Ren Men are unique from other success bloggers in that their positive attitudes radiate through everything that they do and they openly admit to their own shortcomings. Perhaps best of all, the Ren Men encourage the community to actively join them in their quest for better lifestyle design.

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62 The Ren Men May 17, 2010 at 3:45 pm

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63 Matt Eidemiller May 6, 2010 at 10:03 pm

Grant and Alan,

I figured out why my buddies didn’t come forth to support my US-based travel efforts. I had exceeded the character limit in the Facebook status window – I’ve corrected the call to arms and anticipate a strong showing henceforth. Look out Sunny, here comes the storm front! :)

Thanks for taking us on a tour of the up-and-coming rentals. It was nice to see the good, the bad, and the NASTY! Quick question, how do you end up buying a home advertised as 3 bedrooms when it only contains two – I can dig the agent misrepresenting it, but did your representative not notice the deficiency?

Saw your episode 22 as well, but it’s only on VIMEO and not yet posted to the RenMen’s site – I thought I’d let you know that I do indeed love NYC – I spent about 4 months working in Midtown Manhattan on a contract gig. Remember that hotel rooms in NYC will be 1/2 the size you are used to and twice the cost. If your expectations are realistic, you won’t be disappointed. I don’t know many of the kid-friendly locations in the city (Scores is nice but sadly, there is no champaign in the champaign room) – Jenn and i love to simply walk around the city and see where the streets lead us. It’s just an amazing place and I recommend that you find what appeals to you (and it never hurts to check out Yelp and/or TripAdvisor websites for what the masses highly recommend). We’re heading back to NYC again this Fall…I have enough Hilton Points for a long weekend at the Waldorf Astoria – I wouldn’t recommend that hotel unless you got the points to cover the cost of admission though – Plus there are lots of cheaper boutique hotels more in the mix of things.

Nice fishin’ boyz. I was surprised to see the Chilean sea bass from the backyard pond, good eats. I didn’t want to mention this, but Grant paid his way through college as a pro-bass fishing champion. He was Wilmington’s answer to Babe-freakin’ Winkelman!

Elevator speech – Gotta limit it to a sentence or so. “The RenMen Show is revolutionizing the modern entrepreneurial landscape – Check out our webshow at the link on our flashy business card and you’ll see why” (and naturally, the card includes a picture of Crazy Willy and reads “Business Savvy, Crazy Willy Approved!)”

Peace Ohio-based fishermens,
Matt

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