Secrets to Growing a Massive Real Estate Portfolio with Jon & Amy Nolen

February 13, 2025•4 min read

Secrets to Growing a Massive Real Estate Portfolio with Jon & Amy Nolen

In this inspiring episode of the REI Hacker Podcast, host Benson Juarez interviews Jon and Amy Nolen, a dynamic husband-and-wife real estate investment team from Oklahoma City. With over 500 transactions and a portfolio of 125 rental properties, the Nolens have built a thriving business, Integrity Homebuyers, all while balancing family, overcoming challenges, and embracing innovation.

How the Nolens Got Started in Real Estate

For Jon, the real estate spark was lit early. “My parents had a few rentals... They paid the mortgage off already. Whoa, wait a minute. So this is just like free money for forever now,” he recalled. Growing up around rental properties shaped his understanding of the industry and planted the seeds for what would become their business.

Amy, on the other hand, was initially hesitant about real estate. Coming from a family with a conservative financial mindset, the idea of investing felt risky. However, she later became an essential driver of their success. As she put it, “We grew up knowing that entrepreneurship was just part of family life.”

From Personal Challenges to Full-Time Investors

The Nolens didn’t plan on becoming full-time real estate investors—it became a necessity. Their children faced significant medical challenges that required frequent travel to New York for specialized care. Real estate offered the flexibility and financial freedom they needed to prioritize their family while still building a thriving business.

“We were forced to build the business to fit the lifestyle,” Amy explained, “versus a lot of people [who] build the business and [hope] the lifestyle comes.”

This decision also deepened their connection as a couple. Amy reflected, “We had to look at each other and say, what comes first, us or the business? And when we said our marriage comes first and then the business comes second, then it was easy.”

Scaling Up: 500 Transactions and Counting

Through their company, Integrity Homebuyers, Jon and Amy have completed over 500 real estate transactions in the last decade. Their portfolio includes 125 rental properties, a reflection of their focus on long-term wealth-building.

The Nolens credit much of their success to creating systems and leveraging mastermind groups. “The masterminds have been pivotal for catapulting some of our success,” Amy shared. By learning from other entrepreneurs and constantly refining their processes, they’ve been able to streamline operations. “We’re running way more efficient and streamlined than we ever have,” Amy said. “We’re doing more than we were doing when we started this. But it feels like we’re doing less.”

Pete: From Internal Tool to Industry Solution

Innovation has also played a significant role in their growth. The Nolens co-founded Pete, a real estate CRM software, to address inefficiencies in their own business. Amy led the charge to make it available to other investors, transforming it into a scalable solution for the industry. “It has to be a fit both ways,” Amy said of their partnerships. “I want to keep customers, I want to help people.”

Navigating Challenges: A Lesson from the Skies

The Nolens shared a gripping story about flying their private plane from Iceland. Difficult weather and fuel concerns tested their ability to remain calm under pressure. “Things are going to happen that aren’t expected,” Jon noted. “Unplanned things are going to happen, and you have to be able to pivot.”

Their teamwork and preparation during that flight mirrored their approach to real estate. “If you’re just winging everything all the time, at some point, it’s going to catch up to you,” Jon said.

For Amy, it’s also about mindset. “I’m a big believer of manifestation,” she shared. “What you give the universe you get from the universe.”

Key Takeaways

Start with What You Know: Jon’s early exposure to real estate gave him a foundation that eventually grew into a business.
Adapt to Life’s Challenges: The Nolens used real estate to create flexibility during their children’s medical journeys.
Innovate for Efficiency: Developing Pete allowed them to solve inefficiencies in their own operations while helping others scale.
Prioritize Your Partnership: Their marriage-first approach strengthened their teamwork and helped them weather challenges.
Leverage Mastermind Groups: Learning from other entrepreneurs helped them refine their processes and accelerate their success.

Final Thoughts

“We don’t think we’ll ever not have a project,” Jon said. “We just like doing things.”

Jon and Amy Nolen exemplify perseverance, adaptability, and innovation. Their journey demonstrates that even in the face of personal challenges, it’s possible to build a thriving business and leave a lasting impact on the industry.

To dive deeper into their story and insights, check out the full episode of the REI Hacker Podcast.