In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with seasoned investor Mark Zawaideh and strategic partner Curt Shewell to unpack what every real estate agent must understand about wealth, leverage, and building a portfolio that will lead you to true financial freedom. Mark shares how he scaled from broke agent to owning over 40 properties—and how one key mindset shift turned $600K in equity into $30M in assets. Together, they break down the dangerous myths agents believe about wealth, why owning a team is not a retirement plan, and how to start thinking like an investor starting today.

The Scarcity Trap vs. Investor Mindset

• How Mark’s early money beliefs kept him stuck (and how he broke free).

• The critical difference between “saving” and “scaling” through leverage.

• Why paying off properties early can actually kill your momentum.
  
  

Using Real Estate As a Wealth Vehicle

• Why selling more homes won’t build lasting wealth—and what will.

• How Mark scaled from 1 house to 43 rentals in under 10 years.

• Turning equity into cash flow: the power of 1031 exchanges and strategic refinancing.
  
  

How to Make the Shift from Agent to Owner to Owning $100M Portfolio

• The real risk: owning just 1-2 rental properties and no game plan.

• Why scaling to 30, 50, or 100+ doors creates less risk, not more.

• How to use your real estate business to find deals, not just earn commissions.
  
  

Building Wealth Through Depreciation & Tax Strategy

• Why depreciation alone could be worth six figures in tax savings.

• How Mark paid zero in taxes—and got a refund—while earning 7 figures.

• The difference between earning more… and keeping more.
  
  

Scaling Beyond Single-Family into Commercial & Multifamily

• How Mark turned four homes into a 48-unit apartment complex.

• The mindset shift from “buy and hold” to “scale and grow.”

• Multifamily vs. single-family: pros, cons, and what most agents miss.
  
  

Why Real Estate Teams Are Not an Exit Strategy

• The hard truth about brokerage valuations and “team” exits.

• Why most teams become burdens, not assets, without investment income.

• Using your team to unlock opportunity—not just production.
  
  

The Investor Mastermind & What’s Coming Next

• How Mark and Curt are creating a community for agents ready to build wealth.

• Why most agents don’t lack opportunity—they lack strategy and proximity.

• What to expect from their upcoming course, community, and coaching framework.

• Connect with John Kitchens

• Mark Zawaideh on Instagram: @soldbymarkz

• Book: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

• Upcoming Investor Mastermind (details coming soon)

• 1031 Exchange Strategy + Tax Depreciation Insights

“You don’t need to sell more homes. You need to buy more real estate.” – Mark Zawaideh

• Instagram: @johnkitchenscoach
• LinkedIn: @johnkitchenscoach
• Facebook: @johnkitchenscoach

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