The Real Estate Deal That Changed Everything (Roots Pod Story)

Hey There,

Hope you had a great Fourth! I have no deals for you this week—but I do have a must-listen conversation I wanted to send over. Tyler and I sat down with someone who’s quietly building one of the most inspiring real estate portfolios in Indianapolis.

In the latest episode of The Roots Podcast we interview Addison Newell, founder of Pfunanane Homes, CEO of Refinery46, and more. Addison’s approach is unlike anything we’ve seen: he finds the tenant first, then buys the property. The result? Lower vacancy, stronger returns, and something even more rare—homes that last.

Here’s the story that started it all:

I’ve met a lot of smart investors. But Addison Newell? He’s building something different.

Addison doesn’t start with a cash flow calculator or a 1% rule. He starts with a person. A name. A story. A tenant.

Years ago, he and his wife were missionaries in South Africa. They fostered kids. They started a handmade goods business to create jobs. They even turned a former foster mom into an entrepreneur—who now fosters kids herself.

He thought that mission would stay in South Africa. Then he came home to Indy.

One day he was touring homes and met a tenant. Clean, organized, wanted to stay—but about to be displaced. Addison wasn’t planning to buy that house. “We don’t buy houses because of tenants,” he said.

But that night, he felt it clearly: “If you’re not doing this for my people, why in the world are you doing this?”

He bought the house the next morning.

That tenant is still there.

That moment launched a portfolio of tenant-first properties that cash-flow better, turn over less, and prove a simple truth: people invest back in the places that invest in them.

Want to hear more? ⬇️

We also just dropped a mini-pod episode:

Tyler and I discussed where we are seeing the most (and least) opportunity for investing in Indy. It’s also worth a listen once you get through Addison’s Episode.

YOUTUBE: