Rethinking Real Estate with Russell Coltess
In this episode, Russell Coltess shares how BuildShare is disrupting passive investing by giving everyday investors real ownership in real estate development.
Real Estate Investing
✍️ By Debbie Balfour | WBN News | February 5, 2025 | Click HERE for your FREE Subscription to WBN News and/or to be a Contributor.
We’ve all heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder,” but few people embody that philosophy quite like Russell Coltess. A former tech entrepreneur turned real estate developer, Russell isn’t just building properties; he’s building opportunity, education, and community into the foundation of real estate development.
In our latest episode of Let’s Talk Real Estate Investing, I had the privilege of sitting down with Russell to talk about why he believes passive investing is broken and how his platform, BuildShare, is opening the doors for everyday investors to get involved in real development with real ownership.
Listen to the full conversation here:
So what makes Russell’s approach different?
He’s not just teaching people how to invest, he’s showing them how to build. Through BuildShare, Russell is bringing investors into the development process from start to finish:
👉 Site selection
👉 Design
👉 Financing
👉 Leasing
👉 Long-term planning
It’s a hands-on, human-first model that turns investing into collaboration, and passive into participatory. And it’s working.
As someone who coaches real estate investors to build personalized strategies that align with their goals, I found Russell’s story incredibly aligned. We talked about:
- How burnout from the tech world led him to infill development
- Why do so many investors feel disconnected from their capital
- The importance of “skin in the game” education
- How to get started with smaller capital and still build BIG impact
- Why building a business around your investments changes everything
5 Key Tips from Russell Coltess on Participatory Real Estate Investing
Passive Investing Alone Won’t Get You There Anymore
In today’s volatile market, simply handing over your money and hoping for a return isn’t enough. Russell emphasizes the need for hands-on education, ownership, and involvement in the process to build true wealth and knowledge.
Tip: Look for investing opportunities that allow you to learn and earn — not just sit on the sidelines.
Think Like a Builder, Not Just an Investor
BuildShare invites investors to become part of the development process — from acquisition to leasing. This gives you visibility into how real wealth is built in real estate.
Tip: Consider infill development or joint ventures where you can be part of the business, not just the funding.
Recycle Your Capital for Faster Growth
Russell didn’t want to tie up his capital in 20-year holds. Instead, he looked for strategies that allowed faster turnaround and reinvestment.
Tip: Prioritize deals that allow for capital recycling, like BRRRRs, flips, or infill development, to accelerate growth and diversify sooner.
Collaboration is the New Currency
BuildShare brings small groups of investors together to co-own and co-create projects. This lowers the barrier to entry and increases access.
Tip: Don’t wait until you have $500K in the bank. Partner smart. Share risk and reward by collaborating with others who have complementary skills or capital.
Real Estate Is a Business, Not a Hobby
Russell and I both stress this mindset shift. Real estate requires systems, strategy, and self-awareness. Know your strengths. Know your “why.”
Tip: Treat your investing like a business. Build repeatable processes, automate where possible, and focus on what you do best.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of which strategy is right for you, this episode is a must-listen.
Whether you're brand new to real estate or ready to scale with purpose, this conversation will challenge your thinking and leave you inspired to take action.
Debbie Balfour | Real Estate Investing Success Coach + Podcast Host
📍 Website: www.DebbieBalfour.com
📧 Email: Debbie@DebbieBalfour.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Debbie Balfour
▶️ YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@DebbieBalfour
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