Basic Financial Literacy eCourse > Extras
Course extra · By Lane Kawaoka, PE · Updated November 2026 · Course home
This course is made for non-accredited investors, often the kids of our clients. Who this course is for
These coaching calls are arranged from lower net worth (top of page) to higher net worth (bottom of page). We are always looking for volunteers who are willing to put themselves out there, so reach out if you are interested in doing one.

Here is my best attempt at explaining this… An accredited investor is a defined by the United States Securities & Exchange Commission as someone who makes a minimum of $200,000 ($300,000 if filing jointly) or has a net worth of 1 million dollars excluding personal residence. The significance of being an accredited investor is that you can invest in things that those with less money, cannot. You can also be something called “a sophisticated investor” which has a much more nebulous definition but essentially says you know what you are doing even if you don’t have that much money. These laws were put in place long ago to “protect” the average person from predatory activity. The irony is that there is no similar gate on the stock market, where anyone can put retirement money into mutual funds. It’s an archaic system which makes little sense. Certainly, there has been some recognition of this fact. The 2012 JOBS act made it easier for Main Street America to participate in “alternative” investments via crowdfunding and made it easier for sponsors to advertise previously unknown opportunities. However, we have a long way to go. I would advise you that you need to know the lead syndicator personally. None of this “we met at a local real state club and he pitched me his deal”. If a guy does not have a list of solid investors they must lack the track record. Also I did a podcast with Amy Wan a syndication attorney talking a lot about this topic.

‘John’ is an engineer and has a little bit higher net worth. His story shows that the road to financial independence is at a slow pace from 0 to $2million. He lives in California, married with kids. He’s one of those guys who wanted to be a millionaire at the time he was 30. Since he wanted to hit it big, he did it in stocks, NOT in real estate, and then lost it all.
Ross is a Software Engineer at San Francisco Bay, he finished Software degree. He started with a big Corporation with roommates. He tries to educate himself by doing research to fully understand what other people do thru podcasts. After 5 yrs he started to maximize his 401k. He invests 5mm, 1k, and Roth IRA and maximize it. He moved his investment outside of the stock market. Lane builds a good relationship with the investor and advised him to put it into deals the 401K and for simplicity’s sake.
Jennifer is a management consultant living in New York. She’s been in the Hui mastermind group for a couple of years and has been struggling to purchase her 1st rental property. We go over some of the mistakes she has made such as making over-complicated spreadsheets, buying a property close to home (when you live in a primary market), and much more! If you’re also struggling to buy your 1st rental, check out TheWealthElevator.com/turnkey to get started. https://crowdfundaloha.com/incubator/
Jason started in the industry in 2008 as a commercial real estate, basically, a broker focused on retail and industrial leasing primarily. During 2008- 2012 he got interested in stock in the market. In the year 2012 he lost three big transactions, he realized he needs to be closer to his goal. He switched to a real estate investor, started reading podcasts that confused him to figure out the power of now and the ego to understand his big WHY. After having some experience as an investor of small residential units he’s now transitioning to syndications and Lane explain the big advantage of syndication like a seedy ladder.
This investor lives in Northern Virginia. His properties located in Norfolk, Virginia not a multi-family but a two built single families. A big concern of his that he talked with the property inspector is a major components such as plumbing, electrical, a few leaks on the roof and no fall off either. Lane gives him a practical step by step process on how to avoid a long way negotiation with the inspector and seller as well. Also, Lane shows what is an important factor to consider when you invest in a rental house. He discussed a good rental Property must be in a good location, a good property condition, especially in the maintenance of the property and the safeness, property value, price in the market, and of course the property management.
Jason was born and bred from Chattanooga, Tennessee. He currently work at the nuclear plant and have a decent and great salary that’s been able to give him some extra income to be able to put into passive income. But then he has a swing shift schedule operating the plant and it’s a big drawback about the job. He tried to find other jobs within the plant but it was kind of short-staffed and awe and not let people out of operations. He owns a few rentals and properties now all started back in 2016. Lane gave him a great and practical advice when it comes to his finances including the life insurance, syndication deal matters that he appreciated all.
The investor identify what is the relation between the High Cap rates and the Lower Cap rates. The chart shows that the investor chooses the higher rate of Cap rate, the better it is for the investor. But the higher cap rates the bigger risk because it is not more establish like Dallas and San Francisco. There are no clear ranges for a good or a bad cap rate, and they largely depend on the context of the property and the market. Cap rate is calculated by dividing a property’s net operating income by the current market value. This ratio, expressed as a percentage, is an estimation of an investor’s potential return on real estate investment.
Brian is a CPA who grew up in Hawaii and got his accounting degree in Oregon. He moved back to Hawaii after college and started working for a firm doing audit work. He owns 5 properties and he currently does accounting work for a real estate developer. Brian has around 1.2 million dollars in networth and his “dead” equity is 1.1 million dollars which is not good. Lane advises Brian on how to start deploying the “dead” equity.
Mike is a construction manager in Seattle with a Civil Engineering background. He started investing in turnkeys in 2017 and has moved on to syndications. Lane and Mike discuss renting vs buying a home and investing with spouses.
The investor thinks that people’s perceptions of investing so much make so much fear, what could happen, and their much afraid of losing something than what you are gaining. Lane tried to realize to people that to make money you have the platform and you have the control to start growing it.
John was a lawyer by trade. After law school he did 5yrs at a big law firm with a very intense 80 hour a week job and so he doesn’t see much his friends & family. Trading his time and all, it gets up & brings him down. Then he started listening to podcast might be 3 yrs ago & then came upon to Lane probably 2 yrs ago. He once made this switch job wise & freed of all his time and started to settle down more likely in a sustainable environment and wanted to pursue investing more seriously about a year ago. He’s been talking with Lane about getting his first turnkey property. Lane helped him to understand to put this on the firm or not the firm but just the lease as possible which is a lot. John get a rate and try to refinance last year, so it’s a personal loan now. He also learned from Lane “spread it out as long as you can”. Also the network is the most critical thing “your network is your net worth”.
Talk it through with us
Want to hear more conversations like these? Join The Wealth Elevator investor community and book your onboarding call with us.
Join the club and book your onboarding callJoining is free.

A podcast for getting started
Your First Rental Property
Lane’s show for newer investors on buying a first rental and building passive income without becoming a landlord.
Listen on Apple PodcastsWatch on YouTubeThis is educational content, not investment, tax or legal advice. We are not attorneys, CPAs or financial planners. Tax law changes and results depend on your situation; consult your own CPA and attorney. Please let us know if you need a referral to a 💼 CPA, ⚖️ lawyer or other vendor here.