Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference 2025: What to Expect and How to Prepare

The Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference is scheduled for April 24-25, 2025, at DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. This annual event, hosted by the Rental Property Owners Association (RPOA), aims to empower real estate investors by providing essential tools, knowledge, and networking opportunities to navigate the evolving real estate market in Michigan.

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Keynote Speakers and Sessions

The conference features a lineup of distinguished speakers, including:​

David Greene

A renowned real estate expert, bestselling author, and host of The David Greene Show. David has extensive experience across various real estate sectors and is known for delivering actionable strategies.

He is a former police officer turned real estate mogul, will headline the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference, sharing his expertise on building long-term wealth. Known for his practical advice and "no-nonsense" approach, Greene's journey from law enforcement to a leading voice in real estate is a testament to his dedication and strategic mindset.

Greene's keynote will focus on the essential mindset shifts, market insights, and real-world strategies crucial for success in any economic climate. He emphasizes that real estate success extends beyond finding deals; it involves consistent action, sound financial decisions, and adaptability. Attendees can expect to learn how to navigate challenges, scale portfolios, and gain clarity on their investment paths.

His insights, drawn from his experiences as a bestselling author and podcast host, aim to empower investors with the confidence to move forward. In a constantly evolving real estate landscape, Greene's guidance provides invaluable perspectives on staying ahead. The conference offers a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts and network with like-minded individuals, fostering growth and success. Greene's presentation on April 24th, 2025 at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, promises to be a highlight of the two-day event.

Dr. Paul Isely

Paul will be the closing keynote speaker for the event. ​Dr. Paul Isely is the Associate Dean and Professor of Economics at Grand Valley State University's Seidman College of Business. Since 1995, he has been a faculty member, focusing his research on the West Michigan economy, covering topics like economic growth forecasts, entrepreneurship, healthcare costs, and wind power benefits. His expertise has made him a sought-after source for media interviews on the regional economy and its ties to national and state trends.

He is a trusted economist who will present the Real Estate Economic Update and Forecast, offering insights into regional trends in West Michigan and their connection to the broader economy.

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Tony Youngs

Tony Youngs, a featured speaker at the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference, specializes in uncovering off-market real estate deals, a crucial skill in today's competitive market. He focuses on properties without "for sale" signs, bypassing the usual MLS and online listings. His strategy involves identifying distressed situations, such as probates, tired landlords, pre-foreclosures, and code violations, which often lead to motivated sellers.

Youngs' approach allows him to negotiate directly with these sellers, utilizing creative financing and securing deals before properties are publicly listed. This method effectively eliminates competition, granting him access to opportunities others miss. At the conference, he will share his decades of experience, detailing how to find these hidden opportunities and build seller relationships.

His presentation, "The Hidden Market: Homes with No For Sale Signs," will provide valuable insights into structuring deals in a challenging market. Attendees can expect to learn actionable strategies for expanding their real estate portfolios. Youngs will speak on April 25, 2025, at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as part of the two-day conference focused on expert insights and networking for real estate growth.

Jason Schemmel

The Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference will feature Jason Schemmel, an expert on the transformative impact of AI in real estate investing. Schemmel is set to discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are revolutionizing deal analysis, market research, and overall business operations for investors.

His presentation will focus on leveraging AI to process vast amounts of data quickly, enabling investors to identify market trends and make informed decisions efficiently. Instead of manual spreadsheet analysis, AI facilitates rapid insights into pricing strategies, competitor research, marketing optimization, and deal structuring.

Schemmel's session will provide practical AI applications, guidance on asking effective questions, and strategies for integrating AI tools into daily real estate operations. Whether attendees are new to AI or experienced users, his insights aim to maximize AI's potential, saving time and enhancing investment decisions.

Scheduled for Friday, April 25, 2025, at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Schemmel's presentation is a key part of the conference's focus on actionable strategies and expert insights. The conference, which spans two days, offers networking opportunities and aims to equip attendees with the knowledge needed to stay ahead in the evolving real estate market.

Additional featured speakers include Seth Williams, Tyler Cauble, Jay Conner, Lee Yoder, Joe Varnadore, Donna Bauer, and Scott Ellsworth, covering topics such as tax strategies, financing, deal-making, and market trends.

Networking and Deal-Making Opportunities

Attendees can engage in structured networking events, interactive sessions, and a dedicated Deal Room designed to foster connections and facilitate partnerships. The Opening Night Social offers a relaxed environment to connect with fellow investors, speakers, and industry professionals.

Venue and Accommodations

DeVos Place Convention Center, located at 303 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, serves as the conference venue. Discounted hotel rates are available for attendees at nearby hotels, including the Amway Grand Plaza and the JW Marriott Grand Rapids, both within a five-minute walk to the venue.

Registration and Tickets

General admission tickets are priced at $299, which includes access to conference programming, speaker Q&A sessions, the Opening Night Social, networking opportunities, and the exhibitor expo hall. A VIP event with David Greene is available for an additional $200, offering an intimate setting for in-depth discussions and networking. Group rates are also available for teams of 10 or more.

For more information and to register, visit theofficial conference website.

Opening Night Social: Kick Off the Conference in Style

• When: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Where: Amway Grand
• Details: The conference kicks off with a relaxed Opening Night Social where attendees can mingle with fellow investors, speakers, and industry professionals. This is the perfect chance to establish connections before the main event begins. Check-in starts at 4:30 PM.

Agenda Highlights

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Morning Sessions

• 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM | Spotlight Session – Hindsight is 20/20: A panel of seasoned investors will reflect on their toughest deals and the lessons they learned.
  
• 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Opening Keynote: David Greene – Police Officer to Power Investor – David Greene, bestselling author and former BiggerPockets host, shares insights on scaling real estate businesses.
  
• 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Exhibitor Showcase & Networking.
  
• 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Lee Yoder – Scaling Success with Apartment Syndications – Learn how to move from small rentals to large multifamily deals.

Afternoon Sessions

• 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Deal Room – A dedicated space for investors to structure real estate deals and partnerships.
  
• 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Scott Ellsworth – Smart Tax Strategies for Real Estate Success.
  
• 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Seth Williams – Land Investing Opportunities
• 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Exhibitor Showcase & Networking
• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Joe Varnadore – Note Investing for the Foreclosure Market
• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Tyler Cauble – Profiting from the Self-Storage Boom
• 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | VIP Event with David Greene – An exclusive networking opportunity with industry experts. (Separate ticket required.)

Friday, April 25, 2025

Morning Sessions

• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Panel Discussions:
• Strength in Numbers: A Guide to Real Estate Syndications
• Deal or No Deal: When to Buy and When to Walk Away
• Funding Made Simple: Financing Solutions for Investors (sponsored by Boathouse Commercial Funding Group)
• 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Exhibitor Showcase & Networking
• 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Donna Bauer – Profiting from Real Estate Notes Without Tenants
• 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Tony Youngs – Finding Off-Market Deals
• 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Exhibitor Showcase & Networking
• 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | RPOA Annual Meeting
• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Deal Room & Networking Lunch

Afternoon Sessions

• 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Jay Conner – How to Raise Private Money for Real Estate
• 1:15 PM - 2:45 PM | Exit Strategies for Reinvention & Retirement (Panel Discussion)
• 2:45 PM - 3:00 PM | Exhibitor Showcase & Networking
• 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Closing Keynote: Paul Isely – 2025 Real Estate Economic Update and Forecast

Why Attend?

Learn from the Best

Gain valuable insights from top real estate professionals, experienced investors, economists, and tax strategists. These experts will share market trends, investment strategies, and economic forecasts to help you make informed decisions. Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned investor, you’ll walk away with powerful knowledge that can accelerate your success.

Expand Your Network

Networking is a crucial part of real estate investing, and this event brings together a diverse group of professionals, including investors, lenders, developers, realtors, and financial experts from across the country. Connect with like-minded individuals, build partnerships, and create new business opportunities that can help you grow your portfolio.

Get Exclusive Insights

Stay ahead of the competition by discovering new investment opportunities in high-yield sectors such as apartment syndications, land development, note investing, self-storage, and more. Our expert-led sessions will provide deep dives into these lucrative markets, helping you identify the best ways to diversify your investments and maximize returns.

Actionable Strategies

Leave with practical, actionable strategies that you can implement immediately. Learn about deal structuring, creative financing techniques, tax advantages, risk management, and scaling your investments effectively. Whether you’re looking to close your first deal or take your real estate business to the next level, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to make it happen.