Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Episode #1298
Baselane: Automate your rental cash flow for a chance to win $10K plus BiggerPockets Pro members get a free upgrade to Baselane Smart. Sign up now :
baselane.com/bp
We’re all here for *passive income,* and when you say “passive income,” many people immediately think of *rental properties.* But, *is real estate investing really the best path* to get the income streams you’re dreaming of, and is there a certain threshold where it’s not worth the effort? You’re listening to this show because you’re either interested in or investing in real estate, but *we’ve been invited to debate someone with a different perspective.*
*Ryan Sterling, CEO* of *NerdWallet Wealth Partners,* has owned real estate investments but has since sold them and opted for something simpler, easier, and, in his opinion, more worth the money. *Ryan likes real estate investing* and sees it as the quickest way for the everyday American to build wealth. *But…he thinks many investors are operating under a dangerous premise,* one that could delay their financial freedom.
In this episode, we’re going well beyond the average “stocks vs. real estate” debate you’ve heard a dozen times. We’re *debating whether “passive income” is a lie, when real estate is worth it, who should invest* in rental properties, why a 20-year-old and 40-year-old must invest differently, and the boring, *simple way to invest* that has made many Americans millionaires.
_NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. NerdWallet Wealth Partners does not guarantee investment results and does not provide tax or legal advice._
Episode Show Notes:
lnk.to/biggerpocketsYT
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🎉Join us at the BiggerPockets Conference October 2-4 in Orlando. Buy tickets: biggerpockets.com/bpcon2026
Let Us Know What You Thought of the Show!
BiggerPockets.com/Podcastfeedback
Grab the Book, _Start with Strategy_ :
store.biggerpockets.com/products/start-with-strategy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Sign Up for the BiggerPockets Real Estate Newsletter:
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Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area:
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Real Estate vs. Stocks: What 145 Years Of Returns Tells Us:
biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-vs-stocks-performance?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Connect with Dave:
biggerpockets.com/users/davem27?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Baselane is a financial technology company and is not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
NO PURCH. NEC. Open to legal residents of 50 US/DC, 18+ & are landlords/real estate investors. Void where prohibited. Ends 9/30/26. Subject to Rules/free entry method: baselane.com/10K-terms
0:00 Intro
3:02 Calculating Your Freedom Number
7:31 The “Passive Income” Lie
12:04 When Real Estate Is Worth It
14:21 Sponsor: Baselane!
15:25 Don’t Own JUST Real Estate?
20:02 Who SHOULD Go All-In
24:11 30s or 40s? Think About This
26:18 Real Stock Market Risk
31:10 The Boring, Simple Way to Invest
33:22 How to Find a Financial Advisor
36:24 Hear Ryan’s New Podcast!
Episode #1298
Baselane: Automate your rental cash flow for a chance to win $10K plus BiggerPockets Pro members get a free upgrade to Baselane Smart. Sign up now :
baselane.com/bp
We’re all here for *passive income,* and when you say “passive income,” many people immediately think of *rental properties.* But, *is real estate investing really the best path* to get the income streams you’re dreaming of, and is there a certain threshold where it’s not worth the effort? You’re listening to this show because you’re either interested in or investing in real estate, but *we’ve been invited to debate someone with a different perspective.*
*Ryan Sterling, CEO* of *NerdWallet Wealth Partners,* has owned real estate investments but has since sold them and opted for something simpler, easier, and, in his opinion, more worth the money. *Ryan likes real estate investing* and sees it as the quickest way for the everyday American to build wealth. *But…he thinks many investors are operating under a dangerous premise,* one that could delay their financial freedom.
In this episode, we’re going well beyond the average “stocks vs. real estate” debate you’ve heard a dozen times. We’re *debating whether “passive income” is a lie, when real estate is worth it, who should invest* in rental properties, why a 20-year-old and 40-year-old must invest differently, and the boring, *simple way to invest* that has made many Americans millionaires.
_NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training and nothing contained herein should be construed as investment advice. NerdWallet Wealth Partners does not guarantee investment results and does not provide tax or legal advice._
Episode Show Notes:
lnk.to/biggerpocketsYT
Join BiggerPockets for FREE 👇
biggerpockets.com/signup?utm_source=owned_media
🎉Join us at the BiggerPockets Conference October 2-4 in Orlando. Buy tickets: biggerpockets.com/bpcon2026
Let Us Know What You Thought of the Show!
BiggerPockets.com/Podcastfeedback
Grab the Book, _Start with Strategy_ :
store.biggerpockets.com/products/start-with-strategy?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Sign Up for the BiggerPockets Real Estate Newsletter:
biggerpockets.com/email-subscribe?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area:
biggerpockets.com/agentmatch
Real Estate vs. Stocks: What 145 Years Of Returns Tells Us:
biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-vs-stocks-performance?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Connect with Dave:
biggerpockets.com/users/davem27?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none
Baselane is a financial technology company and is not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
NO PURCH. NEC. Open to legal residents of 50 US/DC, 18+ & are landlords/real estate investors. Void where prohibited. Ends 9/30/26. Subject to Rules/free entry method: baselane.com/10K-terms
0:00 Intro
3:02 Calculating Your Freedom Number
7:31 The “Passive Income” Lie
12:04 When Real Estate Is Worth It
14:21 Sponsor: Baselane!
15:25 Don’t Own JUST Real Estate?
20:02 Who SHOULD Go All-In
24:11 30s or 40s? Think About This
26:18 Real Stock Market Risk
31:10 The Boring, Simple Way to Invest
33:22 How to Find a Financial Advisor
36:24 Hear Ryan’s New Podcast!
