SHS065: How To Buy A House In 2026 Even With Bad Credit With Amiya & Ehimen From Loanology Lending Group
Intro
Buying a house can be challenging, especially if you're self-employed, freelance, or earning money through multiple side hustles. Unlike traditional employees, entrepreneurs often have more complicated income situations that can make qualifying for a mortgage difficult.
But does being self-employed mean homeownership is out of reach?
In this episode of The Side Hustler's Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with mortgage professionals Amiya Collins and Ehimen Ordia, co-founders of Loanology Lending Group, to discuss how aspiring homeowners can navigate the mortgage process.
From alternative mortgage programs and down payment assistance to improving your credit score, this conversation explores practical strategies for making homeownership more accessible—even if your income doesn't come from a traditional nine-to-five job.
Intro to Amiya Collins and Ehimen Ordia
Amiya Collins is an entrepreneur and mortgage loan officer with Loanology Lending Group. Many people in the Dallas–Fort Worth area also know her as the former founder and owner of It's So Vegan, a plant-based restaurant. She now helps homebuyers, homeowners, and real estate investors navigate mortgage financing.
Ehimen Ordia is a mortgage broker, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and U.S. Air Force veteran. As a co-founder of Loanology Lending Group, he helps clients explore traditional and alternative financing strategies to achieve their real estate goals.
Together, Amiya and Ehimen focus on educating clients, identifying suitable loan programs, and helping people navigate the path to homeownership.
Visit the Loanology website here.
Episode Overview
Elijah opens the conversation by explaining why self-employed individuals often need a different approach to buying a home. When your income comes from freelancing, business ownership, or several different sources, qualifying for a mortgage isn't always as straightforward as it is for someone earning a traditional salary.
Amiya and Ehimen explain that there isn't just one way to qualify for a mortgage. Different loan programs accommodate different financial situations, and understanding which options are available can make a significant difference.
They also discuss credit optimization, down payment assistance, bank statement loans, and common mistakes that can make buying a home more stressful than necessary.
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you're there, hit subscribe so you don't miss our latest episodes!
The Side Hustler's Society Resources
Buying a home is a major financial decision, and understanding your relationship with money can help you make more informed choices.
The Financial Anatomy Personality Report helps you better understand your financial tendencies, strengths, and opportunities for improvement.
Discover your financial personality by getting your report here.
Quick Takeaways
Being self-employed doesn't automatically disqualify you from getting a mortgage.
Different loan programs accommodate different income situations, including certain forms of self-employment income.
Bank statement loans may provide an alternative to traditional income verification for eligible borrowers.
Credit optimization can help you focus on the changes that matter most when preparing for a mortgage.
Down payment assistance programs may help eligible buyers reduce their upfront costs.
Understanding property taxes and communicating with your lender can help prevent unpleasant surprises after closing.
How to Get a Mortgage When You're Self-Employed
One of the biggest challenges self-employed individuals face when buying a home is proving their income.
Traditional mortgage applications often rely on documented income, but business owners and freelancers may have multiple income streams and business deductions that complicate the process.
Amiya and Ehimen explain that alternative lending options may be available, depending on the borrower's circumstances.
These can include bank statement loans, which may use deposits over a specified period to help assess income, as well as programs that consider profit-and-loss statements or other financial documentation.
The right option depends on factors such as your credit profile, income history, documentation, and the lender's requirements.
The important lesson is to explore your options before assuming you cannot qualify. Speaking with a mortgage professional early can help you understand what documentation you'll need and which programs may fit your situation.
Improve Your Credit Before Applying for a Mortgage
Your credit score can influence your mortgage eligibility and the financing options available to you. However, improving your credit isn't always as simple as paying off every outstanding debt.
During the conversation, Amiya and Ehimen explain why personalized credit guidance can be valuable.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to reduce credit utilization, establish a stronger payment history, or address specific issues on your credit report.
Making payments toward the wrong accounts without understanding how they affect your mortgage eligibility could mean missing opportunities to improve your credit more efficiently.
Their advice: Get guidance before spending money on credit repair or paying down debts. A mortgage professional may be able to help you identify the steps most relevant to your homebuying goals.
Down Payment Assistance Can Make Homeownership More Accessible
Saving for a down payment is a major obstacle for many aspiring homeowners. However, eligible buyers may be able to use down payment assistance programs to reduce the amount they need to bring to closing.
Amiya and Ehimen discuss programs that may provide assistance through grants or subordinate loans, depending on the program's rules.
Eligibility can depend on factors such as credit score, income limits, property requirements, and whether you meet other program criteria. Some assistance programs also have repayment or forgiveness conditions.
The key takeaway is that you shouldn't automatically assume you need to save the entire down payment on your own.
Ask a qualified mortgage professional which programs are currently available and whether you meet their requirements. Be sure to understand any additional costs, interest rates, repayment obligations, and conditions before proceeding.
Avoid Surprises After Closing
Getting approved for a mortgage is only one part of becoming a homeowner. You also need to understand the ongoing costs of owning the property.
During the episode, Amiya shares a personal experience involving property taxes. After purchasing a newly built home, changes in the property's tax assessment caused her monthly payment to increase substantially.
Her experience highlights why buyers should look beyond the initial mortgage estimate.
Before closing, make sure you understand how property taxes, homeowners insurance, mortgage insurance, and other applicable expenses could affect your monthly housing costs.
It's also important to communicate with your lender and ask questions whenever something isn't clear.
Planning for these expenses can help you avoid financial stress after moving into your new home.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is especially useful for:
Freelancers and self-employed individuals who want to buy a home
Entrepreneurs with multiple income streams
First-time homebuyers
People exploring down payment assistance programs
Buyers who want to improve their credit before applying for a mortgage
Real estate investors interested in financing options
Anyone who wants to better understand the mortgage process
Key Topics Covered
Buying a home while self-employed
Alternative mortgage programs
Bank statement loans
Credit optimization before applying for a mortgage
Down payment assistance
Understanding property taxes and homeownership costs
Preparing for a smoother mortgage closing
Watch the Podcast on YouTube!
SHS015: How To Buy Real Estate For The Price Of A Car With Pam Hill From My Smart Cousin
Intro
Real estate is often seen as one of the best ways to build wealth—but for most people, it feels out of reach.
High prices, large down payments, and complicated strategies can make it seem like you need a lot of money just to get started.
But what if that wasn’t true?
In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with real estate investor Pam Hill to break down how she’s been able to acquire properties for the price of a car—and build a portfolio from there.
Intro to Pam Hill (My Smart Cousin)
Founder & CEO of My Smart Cousin
Real estate investor with 25+ properties and 30+ units
Specializes in acquiring low-cost properties and scaling over time
Started investing during the Great Recession as a side hustle
Former corporate executive at a major electric utility company
Real estate investment coach helping others buy their first (or 100th) property
👉 Website: https://mysmartcousin.com/
👉 Want to get started with Airbnb?
Click here to join the Side Hustler’s Society newsletter and get access to a FREE 5-part video series on how to become an Airbnb host.
Episode Overview
This episode challenges one of the biggest myths in real estate:
👉 You don’t need six figures to get started
Pam Hill explains that there are multiple entry points into real estate—from passive investing to fully hands-on ownership.
Some examples discussed include:
Real estate mutual funds and REITs (passive investing)
House hacking (renting out part of your home)
Buying multi-family properties
Fix-and-flip strategies
Long-term rental investing
But her core strategy stands out:
👉 Buy properties for the price of a car
That means finding deals anywhere from:
$2,500
$10,000
$30,000+
Then improving them and either:
Renting them out
Or selling for profit
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
Quick Takeaways
Elijah explains there are multiple ways to enter real estate at any budget level
Pam Hill built her portfolio by buying properties for the price of a car
You don’t need to invest in your local market to get started
Elijah Bilel emphasizes thinking like an investor—even when buying your first home
Low-cost properties can still generate strong cash flow
Patience and deal selection are critical
Real estate can start as a side hustle and grow into a full business
You can use strategies like 1031 exchanges to defer taxes
Many beginners limit themselves by only looking in their city
The key is buying right—not just buying fast
How Pam Hill Invests in Real Estate
1. Buy for the Price of a Car
Pam’s core philosophy is simple:
👉 Don’t overpay—start low
Instead of buying at the top of your budget, she recommends:
Looking at the lowest-priced properties first
Finding undervalued deals
Adding value through improvements
This creates:
Lower risk
Higher upside
Better cash flow potential
2. Think Like an Investor (Not a Consumer)
One of the biggest mindset shifts in this episode:
👉 Most people buy homes emotionally—investors buy strategically
Pam explains that instead of asking:
“What’s the nicest house I can afford?”
You should ask:
“What’s the best deal I can find?”
This applies even if you’re buying a home to live in.
3. Start Where You Can—Not Where You Live
A major gem from this episode:
👉 You don’t have to invest in your city
Pam highlights that:
Some markets are too expensive
Others still have great deals
Examples mentioned include:
Parts of the Midwest
Upstate New York
Smaller cities in the South
The key is being:
👉 Flexible and strategic
4. Use Real Estate as a Side Hustle First
Pam didn’t start full-time.
She:
Worked a corporate job
Invested on the side
Built her portfolio gradually
This is exactly what Elijah Bilel teaches:
👉 Use side hustles to build assets
5. Understand Tax Strategy (At a High Level)
The episode also touches on an advanced concept:
👉 1031 exchanges
This allows investors to:
Sell a property
Reinvest into another
Defer capital gains taxes
While this requires deeper research (and often professional help), it shows how:
👉 Real estate rewards long-term strategy
How This Connects to Airbnb
If this episode sparked your interest in real estate, the next step could be:
👉 Short-term rentals
Elijah has already broken this down in another episode with Myka Artis, where they cover how to:
Get started with Airbnb
Find properties
Generate cash flow
Click here to check that episode out!
This is a natural progression:
Start with real estate basics
Then move into higher cash-flow strategies like Airbnb
Key Lessons from the Episode
1. You Don’t Need a Lot of Money—You Need Strategy
The biggest takeaway:
👉 Deals matter more than dollars
2. Patience Beats Speed
Many beginners:
Rush into bad deals
Overpay
Learn the hard way
Pam’s approach:
👉 Wait for the right opportunity
3. Real Estate Is One of the Most Scalable Side Hustles
You can start with:
One property
And grow into:
A full portfolio
Passive income
Long-term wealth
Who This Episode Is For
Beginners interested in real estate
Side hustlers looking to build long-term income
People who think they need a lot of money to invest
Anyone curious about low-cost real estate strategies
Key Topics Covered
How Elijah Bilel approaches real estate investing
Pam Hill’s “price of a car” strategy
Passive vs active real estate investing
Tax strategies like 1031 exchanges
Transitioning from side hustle to investor
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS006: How to Make Money As An Airbnb Host With Myka Artis
Intro
Airbnb has become one of the most popular ways to build income through real estate—but there’s a big difference between doing it casually and doing it strategically.
In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with experienced real estate investor Myka Artis to break down how to actually make money with Airbnb.
From rental arbitrage to owning properties, this episode gives a real look at what it takes to succeed in the short-term rental space.
Intro to Myka Artis
Real estate investor and short-term rental expert with years of experience
Founder of Sharebnb, a company managing 400+ Airbnb units
Co-host of the “Live Let Thrive” podcast (one of the longest-running short-term rental podcasts)
Built multiple income streams through both property ownership and rental arbitrage
Started investing in real estate after the 2008 recession using creative strategies like the “Kiddie Condo” program
Website: Sharebnb (www.sharebnb.com )
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into how Airbnb really works behind the scenes—and what separates beginners from experienced operators.
Elijah opens the conversation by sharing his own experience as an Airbnb host, generating between $600–$1,000 per month per unit, while also acknowledging that with less than a year of experience, there’s still more to learn.
That’s where Myka comes in.
Myka breaks down the fundamentals of building a successful Airbnb business, starting with one of the most important concepts:
👉 Location matters—but strategy matters more
Rather than just picking any property, Myka explains how successful hosts:
Identify specific markets
Target the right type of traveler
Build listings around a clear “avatar”
Elijah Bilel also highlights how this aligns with a bigger principle: every side hustle becomes more profitable when it’s intentional.
💡 Ready to Get Started with Airbnb?
If you’re serious about starting your own Airbnb business, this is your next step:
👉 Click here to create your Airbnb account and get started
Whether you’re exploring rental arbitrage or planning to own properties, taking action is what separates people who learn from people who earn.
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Side Hustler’s Society Resources
Side Hustle to Full-Time Strategy Session
Quick Takeaways
Elijah emphasizes that Airbnb can generate strong cash flow—but experience matters
Myka Artis highlights that location is critical, especially when targeting business travelers
Rental arbitrage allows you to control properties without owning them
Elijah Bilel explains that beginners should focus on learning before teaching
Knowing your “target avatar” (ideal guest) can significantly increase profitability
Adding unique amenities (like Tesla chargers) can help your listing stand out
Mid-term and long-term stays can reduce operational costs and increase stability
Owning properties builds long-term wealth, while arbitrage allows faster scaling
Pricing strategy can help filter out unwanted guests (like party bookings)
Airbnb success comes from systems, not just listings
How Airbnb Actually Works (Key Concepts Explained)
Rental Arbitrage
Rental arbitrage is when you:
Rent a property from a landlord
List it on Airbnb
Keep the profit after expenses
Myka explains that this method allows you to scale quickly without needing to purchase property upfront.
Owning Property (Long-Term Strategy)
Owning real estate provides:
Equity
Long-term wealth
More control
Myka emphasizes that while arbitrage is faster, owning is the better long-term play.
Target Avatar Strategy
Your “target avatar” is your ideal guest.
Examples include:
Business travelers
Traveling nurses
Families
Construction workers
Myka explains that successful hosts design their properties around specific groups—not everyone.
Pricing Strategy to Control Guests
Elijah and Myka both discuss how pricing can:
Attract the right guests
Filter out high-risk bookings
Encourage longer stays
This is one of the most overlooked strategies for new hosts.
Want to Go Deeper? (Free Airbnb Training)
If you’re serious about getting started with Airbnb:
👉 Join The Side Hustler’s Society newsletter and get access to a free 5-part video series on becoming an Airbnb host
This series walks you through:
How to get your first property
Setting up your listing
Avoiding beginner mistakes
Building a profitable Airbnb system
Click here to get started!
Who This Episode Is For
Beginners interested in Airbnb
People exploring real estate as a side hustle
Anyone looking to generate passive income
Side hustlers who want to scale into larger opportunities
Key Topics Covered
How Elijah Bilel makes money with Airbnb
Rental arbitrage vs owning property
How Myka Artis built a short-term rental business
Targeting the right guests
Scaling an Airbnb operation
Watch The Podcast On Youtube!
SHS001: The Origin Story – How Elijah Bilel Built Multiple Side Hustles & Full Time Income Streams
Intro
Every entrepreneur has a starting point.
For Elijah Bilel, the journey into side hustles, freelancing, and multiple income streams didn’t start with a perfect plan…
👉 It started with curiosity, frustration, and a desire for more.
In this first episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah breaks down his full origin story—from working traditional jobs to building multiple income streams through the gig economy, content creation, freelancing, and investing.
This episode sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Elijah got started with entrepreneurship
The early businesses and jobs he worked
Why he left traditional employment
How the gig economy changed his trajectory
How YouTube, freelancing, and affiliate marketing became income streams
How Financial Anatomy and Airbnb entered the picture
The inspiration behind starting The Side Hustler’s Society
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
Quick Takeaways
Elijah Bilel built multiple income streams before going full-time
Early business attempts taught control, marketing, and sales
The gig economy became a launchpad—not the end goal
YouTube, freelancing, and affiliate marketing created scalable income
Strategic pivots led to Financial Anatomy and Airbnb
The Beginning: Jobs, Frustration & Early Entrepreneurship
Before becoming known for side hustles and online income, Elijah’s journey started with traditional jobs:
Janitorial work for his aunt’s company
Walmart
Whole Foods
Amazon
At one point, Elijah was working around 68 hours per week…
👉 Yet only making about $35,000 per year
That realization sparked a major shift.
The First Business: Learning Control
After trying network marketing, Elijah realized something important:
👉 He wanted control
So Elijah Bilel launched his first independent business:
👉 Asili Tiba (Indigenous Remedies)
This gave him experience with:
Pricing
Marketing
Selling directly to customers
The Turning Point: Leaving the 9–5
Even after getting promoted at Amazon, Elijah knew:
👉 He wasn’t reaching his full potential
So he left and went all-in on finding alternative income paths.
The Gig Economy Era Begins
Elijah revisited Uber and started with:
Rideshare
Then Uber Eats
Why?
👉 More flexibility
👉 More control
👉 More independence
The Hidden Advantage: Getting Paid to Learn
While doing Uber Eats, Elijah used his time strategically:
Audiobooks
YouTube
Business content
👉 He was getting paid to learn skills that would later generate income
YouTube + Affiliate Marketing Breakthrough
Elijah started a YouTube channel called The Uber Lifestyle (Later changed To The Side Hustler's Society) focused on:
👉 Uber Eats content
He monetized it through:
Ad revenue (~$100/month early on)
Referral income
Referral earnings:
👉 $500 to $2,000/month
This was his first scalable income stream.
Freelancing with The Rideshare Guy (Major Income Boost)
After learning from Roberto Blake, Elijah reached out to Harry Campbell.
That turned into:
👉 Ongoing freelance video editing,content & channel management work
Income from this:
👉 $1,500 to $2,500 per month
This added:
Stability
Consistent cash flow
Professional experience
Financial Anatomy: Building a Brand
Elijah knew Uber wouldn’t last forever, so he started a new youtube channel:
At first, growth was slow…
But over time, it became a strong income stream.
Earnings from Financial Anatomy:
👉 $1,200 to $1,900 per month
This came from:
YouTube ad revenue
Financial content monetization
Audience growth
Stacking Income Streams (Full Picture)
At this point, Elijah had:
Uber Eats income
Referral/Affiliate income ($500–$2,000/month)
Freelancing ($1,500–$2,500/month)
Financial Anatomy ($1,200–$1,900/month)
Combined:
👉 Multiple income streams working together
This is what allowed Elijah Bilel to fully step away from traditional employment.
Entering Real Estate: Airbnb
From there, Elijah expanded into:
👉 Airbnb hosting
This introduced:
Asset-based income
Real estate strategy
Additional scalability
Now instead of just trading time…
👉 He was leveraging assets
Creating a Product: Becoming an Author
Elijah also created the bestselling book:
👉 The Anatomy of Financial Success
This added:
Authority
Brand positioning
Product-based income
The Bigger Pattern
Across every stage of Elijah’s journey:
👉 Learn → Apply → Monetize
He didn’t wait for perfect conditions.
He:
Took action
Tested opportunities
Built income streams
Why This Podcast Exists
The Side Hustler’s Society was created to:
👉 Help others follow a similar path
By sharing:
Real experiences
Real numbers
Real strategies
Key Lessons from the Episode
1. Start With What You Have
You don’t need perfect conditions
2. Learn While You Earn
Use your time to build future income
3. Stack Income Streams
Multiple sources = stability
4. Focus on Scalability
Time-based income has limits
5. Always Be Ready to Pivot
Every opportunity has a lifespan
Who This Episode Is For
Beginners starting their first side hustle
People stuck in a 9–5
Gig workers looking to level up
Entrepreneurs building multiple income streams
Key Topics Covered
Elijah Bilel’s origin story
Gig economy strategies
YouTube and affiliate marketing
Freelancing with The Rideshare Guy
Financial Anatomy and Airbnb