Happy New Year! 🎉
We’re kicking off the year with events designed to help you scale faster, smarter, and legally bulletproof:
- Jan 6 – Webinar: Purpose, Care & Cash Flow With Dr. Ilitch Diaz-Gutierrez
- Jan 22 – Webinar: STATE OF THE UNION – 5 legal things that changed this year for RAL
- Jan 29 – Feb 1 – First 2026 3-Day Fast Track
January sets the tone for your entire year.
So don’t miss these exciting events and resources to kick off 2026 with a bang!
More details below 👇
JAN 6 @ 11am PT / 12pm MT / 1pm CT / 2pm ET
The Surgeon Who Built His RAL Home
While Working Full-Time (Without Quitting His Job)
Do you need to quit your job, clear your calendar, and wait for “the right time” to start a RAL business?
Ilitch Diaz-Gutierrez says… NO!
An Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota, Ilitch and his wife Ria built Spirit Care Homes—an 8-bed memory care home in Minnesota (one of the most regulated states)—while both working full-time in the medical field.
Here’s a teaser of what he accomplished:
âś… Navigated Minnesota’s rigorous state regulations
âś… Met higher construction and memory care standards
âś… Built and opened while maintaining surgical practice
âś… Now coaches RAL Academy students through the same process
And now, on January 6th, Ilitch reveals:
- How he balanced a surgical career with building his first home
- The decisions that made the biggest difference (and what he’d do differently)
- Why “I’m too busy” is the excuse keeping you stuck
- What it really takes when you don’t have unlimited time
If you’ve been waiting for your schedule to “clear up” before starting your RAL journey, this webinar will completely shift your perspective.
Because Ilitch’s story proves you don’t need more time.
You just need a plan—and someone who’s already done it to show you how.
JAN 22 @ 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET
STATE OF THE UNION:5 Legal Things That Changed This Year for RAL
Most operators think they’re compliant.
They passed their last survey. They’re doing things “the way they’ve always done them.” They assume no news is good news.
Then the surveyor shows up.
And suddenly, they’re facing violations they didn’t even know existed – because the rules changed without a memo, without a warning, without fanfare.
What you need to know is…
The 2026 compliance landscape isn’t just “a few tweaks.”
It’s a complete shift in what regulators expect—and the operators who don’t catch it early are the ones scrambling to avoid citations, fines, or worse.
That’s why on January 22nd, we’re revealing the 5 biggest changes that could blindside you:
❌ The new staffing mandate that’s catching even experienced operators off guard
❌ The memory care rule update that changes how you document everything
❌ The inspection standard shift that makes your old checklist obsolete
❌ The emergency protocol change that most homes aren’t implementing yet
❌ The #1 violation from 2024-2025 that’s STILL happening in 80% of homes
And the good news is…
Every single one of these is completely avoidable – IF you know what to look for before the surveyor walks through your door.
See, most operators will learn about these changes the hard way.
You’re not going to be one of them.
The $1.2M Home He Bought for $650K:
One Secret Question That Cuts Prices in Half
Most people think buying an existing RAL is the “easy path.”
No construction. No licensing nightmares. Just walk in and start collecting rent, right?
Snawing Alvarado learned the hard way it’s not that simple.
A nurse and real estate investor who came to RAL Academy with zero senior care experience, Snawing now owns two thriving homes in Wisconsin.
But his first purchase? He cut the asking price from $1.2M to $650K.
How? One question that revealed the seller’s real motivation.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
âś… The broker trick that gets you access to off-market deals (the good ones never hit Google)
✅ Why publicly listed homes are often bad deals—and what to look for instead
âś… The one question that helps you negotiate 6-figure discounts
âś… Why he turned down six-bed homes (and won’t touch anything under 10 beds)
✅ What nobody tells you about buying existing—including the brutal truth about staffing turnover (he replaced 20 out of 21 caregivers in his first home)
The best part?
Snawing went from his first 3DFT in January 2023 to closing on his first home by September 2023.
And now he’s buying “another one.”
If you’ve been searching for an existing RAL to buy—or wondering if it’s even worth it—this episode breaks down exactly what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid getting stuck with a bad deal.
The “Turnkey” Trap: Why Some RAL Programs
Could Leave You Holding the Bag
A growing number of RAL operators are getting pitched programs that sound too good to be true:
“We’ll train you, fund you, build with you, and connect you with investors.”
But what they’re not telling you?
The moment training, funding, and equity get bundled together, you might not just be buying education…
You could be involved in an unregistered securities offering.
And when things go sideways?
You’re the one left liable.
The consequences aren’t theoretical:
❌ State enforcement actions
❌ Investors demanding full refunds
❌ Personal liability that follows you for years
❌ Deals collapsing before you ever open your doors
So how do you know if a “done-for-you” program is actually a legal landmine?
There are specific red flags – and ways to structure deals properly that protect you instead of exposing you.
This article breaks down:
âś… What legally qualifies as a security (it’s broader than you think)
âś… Where turnkey programs cross the line
âś… How to work with partners who WON’T create liability
âś… The questions to ask BEFORE you sign anything
