Shownotes Transcript
Welcome to the Real Estate Investing School Podcast! In this episode, Vitaliy Volpov shares his inspiring journey from immigrating to the U.S. from Belarus at the age of 12 to becoming a successful real estate investor, attorney, and entrepreneur based in upstate New York.
Despite starting with no real estate background or family support in the field, he began his investing journey in 2011 with a house hack and gradually expanded his portfolio. He details how he used owner-occupied financing to acquire his first duplex and later scaled his portfolio with conventional investor loans. Vitaliy emphasizes learning by doing—figuring out renovations through YouTube, enduring steep learning curves, and dealing with intense property issues, including foundation problems and infestations, which taught him resilience and resourcefulness. His early experiences illustrate how creative problem-solving and a willingness to push through fear are essential to success in real estate.
The conversation also explores the evolution of Vitaliy’s investing strategies and partnerships. He explains how he grew from solo deals to more complex acquisitions, like a 21-unit apartment conversion, by surrounding himself with the right people—especially a strategic partner with deep construction expertise. Together, they scaled their business to acquire 20-30 units per year, thanks to systems, reliable maintenance teams, and clear operating agreements. Vitaliy provides valuable insights into structuring LLC partnerships, overcoming legal and construction setbacks, and why due diligence, trust, and aligned strengths are critical in any collaboration. He concludes by encouraging new investors to believe in their ability to figure things out, even when things get tough, and to focus on long-term financial freedom. Check out the Real Estate Investing School Youtube) Real Estate Investing School Instagram) Brody’s Instagram) Joe’s Instagram)