What Smart Investors Are Doing Right Now with Ana Kelly
We are not in a normal market.
If you’re investing based on what headlines say or what worked five years ago, you’re probably missing the mark and setting yourself up for disappointment.
In my latest Money Ripples Podcast episode, I sat down with Ana Kelly, a powerhouse real estate investor, private banker, and founder of REI Mom, to talk about the real risks and real opportunities facing investors today.
Whether you’re new to real estate or managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio, Ana’s insights cut through the noise and offer something we all need: clarity and strategy.
Are You Investing Based on Reality—or Hope?
Ana opened with something that struck me hard:
“The market is disconnected from reality.”
Too many people are relying on outdated models. They’re still chasing appreciation or betting on five-year exit plans with no cash flow in sight. That’s gambling not investing.
And it’s especially risky in a market where:
- Treasury yields are rising
- Inflation remains sticky
- Cap rates haven’t fully corrected
- Many real estate deals are still priced at peak levels
Ana breaks down how institutional investors evaluate risk and why you should apply the same thinking to your own portfolio even if you’re investing passively.
Cap Rates vs. Treasuries: What You Must Know
If Treasuries are paying 5%, why would anyone buy a brand-new multifamily property yielding 6%?
Answer: they shouldn’t.
Ana walks through the math behind risk-adjusted returns, showing how the spread between Treasuries and cap rates needs to make sense. Historically, that spread should be around 230 basis points. If it’s not? Walk away.
This framework is critical for anyone looking at real estate syndications right now.
Income, Growth, or Preservation: Know Where You Are
Ana introduced a concept that I use a lot in my own strategy coaching understanding your investor identity at every stage:
- Income: You need cash flow to cover your lifestyle
- Growth: You have surplus and want to multiply it
- Preservation: You’ve built wealth, now you need to protect it
Right now, Ana argues, preservation should be the top priority for most investors.
That doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means being patient, being wise, and putting your capital only into deals that cash flow today, not just hope to pay off five years from now.
Where Are the Opportunities?
Ana didn’t just talk about risk she also shared where she’s seeing opportunity:
- Short-term rental markets that are saturated and falling fast
- Distressed assets in places like Florida, where sellers are motivated
- High-quality, pro-growth markets with resilient job bases
- Luxury vacation rentals converted into long-term cash-flowing assets
The theme? Look where others are running scared. Find value in places that require creativity and patience, not just leverage and hype.
The Big Picture: Invest for Resilience
One of the most powerful takeaways from Ana’s perspective was this:
“There’s no such thing as recession-proof or inflation-proof. You want to invest for resilience.”
That means choosing markets and assets where:
- People are moving in, not out
- Jobs are diverse, not dependent on one employer
- The local economy supports rent growth and occupancy
- You can survive bumps even if they last 3–5 years
Ana’s not just teaching financial strategy. She’s teaching stewardship—how to manage wealth wisely in every season.
Final Thoughts: Stewardship Over Speculation
Ana’s ripple effect goes beyond real estate. She’s passionate about helping people especially women become financially independent, build resilience, and steward their wealth with purpose.
Her motto says it best:
Love God. Love people. Use money. Never give up.
If you’re wondering what to do with your money right now, here’s my advice:
✅ Focus on cash flow and preservation
✅ Vet deals using institutional logic
✅ Be patient, not passive
✅ Build a strategy that lasts through the full market cycle