NEVER Let Equity Sit Idle - Here's What Smart Real Estate Investors Do Instead - with Alan Franks

Feeling “equity rich” but still cash strapped? You’re not alone—and there’s a smarter way to break free. In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Certified Financial Planner Alan Franks to explore how real estate investors can unlock hidden capital, boost returns, and build lasting wealth. Alan shares powerful strategies for using tools like home equity lines of credit and securities-based lending to access cash without selling off valuable assets. He also sheds light on how the post-COVID real estate market has shifted—and how savvy investors are adapting.

With clarity, humor, and real-world examples, Alan unpacks complex financial concepts and shows how to take advantage of tax-saving opportunities, diversify your portfolio, and rethink the way you use leverage. Whether you're managing multiple short-term rentals or just starting out, this episode will help you think bigger, plan smarter, and make your money work harder. It’s the conversation every real estate investor needs—but probably never had.

Ready to reimagine your investment strategy? Hit play and discover what’s possible.

Things we discussed in this episode:

• Use HELOCs to access cash for investment opportunities.
• Diversify across real estate and traditional assets.
• Borrow against securities to unlock investment capital.
• Leverage tax benefits like bonus depreciation and RE pro status.
• Adapt to STR shifts post-COVID in supply and demand.
• Prioritize appreciation, even with low initial cash flow.
• Use credit lines to scale real estate portfolios.
• Plan for high rates and increased competition.
• Factor opportunity cost into investment decisions.
• Balance investments across real estate, retirement, and taxable accounts.

Get in touch with Alan:

• LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠  
• Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠  
• Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.empowered-money.com/⁠

➢ Subscribe:    / @smartstayshow  

• 0:00:00 Cash Poor, Equity Rich: The Real Estate Investor's Dilemma
• 0:01:54 Building Financial Independence Through Short-Term Rentals
• 0:04:00 The Cash Flow Conundrum: When Too Much Money is a Problem
• 0:07:09 Diversification: More Than Just Real Estate
• 0:17:41 Leveraging Securities: The Investor's Secret Weapon
• 0:20:33 The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Debt
• 0:30:23 Beyond Cash Flow: The New Real Estate Investment Landscape
• 0:34:42 Tax Strategies: The Hidden Advantage of Real Estate Investing
• 0:39:00 Winning Big: Taxes and Real Estate Investment Strategies
• 0:42:11 Financial Planning 101: Creating and Solving Money Problems