280: How Real Estate Investing Can Change Communities with Joe Killinger

Real estate isn’t just about properties and profits. It’s also about the communities shaped by every investment. In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes seasoned investor, broker, and entrepreneur Joe Killinger. With more than 30 years of experience spanning auctions, multifamily, single-tenant net leases, and commercial brokerage, Joe shares how his career progressed from cold calling foreclosure properties to developing programs that revitalized neighborhoods. Joe reflects on his early lessons from the auction world, the value of boots-on-the-ground research, and how thorough due diligence separates winning deals from costly mistakes. He also highlights an innovative program that placed teachers in apartment buildings, providing kids with tutoring while improving retention and reducing property damage. Today, he continues to shape communities through Commercial Brokers International and Icon Capital Advisors while raising a fund dedicated to single-tenant net lease investments. For investors at every level, Joe’s journey shows how financial success and community impact can grow together. In this episode, you will hear: Starting small and learning from each investment, even the tough ones Building local knowledge and getting boots on the ground for long-term success Using mentorship and consistent education to scale a business Creating community-focused programs that strengthen tenant relationships Lessons from multifamily operations that led to a passion for triple-net leases Combining digital marketing with relationship-building in commercial real estate Choosing the right brokerage through training, mentoring, and due diligence Follow and Review: We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Joe Killinger’s website - www.joekillinger.co Joe’s YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/@JoeKillinger Find Joe on Facebook - www.facebook.com/JoeKillinger1 Joe’s Instagram - www.instagram.com/joekillinger Connect with Joe on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/joe-killingerrealestate Joe Killinger on X - x.com/JoeKillinger Joe on TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@joekillinger Website - www.streamlined.properties YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties Email - info@streamlined.properties Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.