Breaking Records and Building Freedom: A Conversation with Justin French, CEO of SDIRA Wealth

When you meet Justin French, CEO of SDIRA Wealth, you quickly realize you’re not just talking to another real estate executive. You’re talking to a leader who blends strategy, purpose, and faith into an approach that has already transformed thousands of financial futures. In 2024 alone, his firm saved clients more than $30 million in taxes—a milestone that caught a lot of attention with high income earners. Now, with the return of 100% bonus depreciation through cost segregation, French says they’re on pace to break that record this year.

 

But taxes are only part of the story. In 2025, French released a book two decades in the making: The Freedom Five Formula. The book outlines the very strategies his clients have used to build over $2 billion in real estate portfolios—and it’s quickly become a best-seller among investors searching for clarity in a noisy marketplace.

 

We sat down with French to unpack his formula, the future of real estate investing, and why every property his firm touches is also connected to something larger: impact through the Tim Tebow Foundation.

 

 

 

 

Interviewer: Justin, let’s start with the $30 million savings in taxes for your client last year. That’s staggering. How did your team deliver that kind of savings for clients?

 

French: It really comes down to advanced tax strategies, especially cost segregation. Most investors don’t realize that the IRS allows you to accelerate depreciation deductions. Instead of spreading them out over 27.5 years, you can pull forward huge chunks of depreciation into the first year. For high-income earners, that can mean six or seven figures in tax savings immediately.

 

Interviewer’s note: With the reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation in 2025, French says the opportunity is even greater. “This isn’t just about saving money on taxes,” he explains. “It’s about using those savings to reinvest, to compound, to accelerate wealth creation.”

 

 

 

 

Interviewer: You also launched a book this year that’s been gaining traction—The Freedom Five Formula. Why write it now?

 

French: Because the timing is urgent. Traditional retirement vehicles like 401(k)s and pensions are failing millions of Americans. The average retiree has less than $250,000 saved—it’s not enough . I’ve watched clients transform their futures with a simple, sustainable strategy over the last 20 years. It was time to put it in writing so more people could access it.

 

Interviewer’s note: The book doesn’t read like a dry finance manual. Instead, it’s written as a blueprint for everyday investors. French’s premise is bold: You don’t need 50 properties or a Wall Street pedigree. You need five.

 

Interviewer: Five properties—why that number?

 

French: Because five is enough to change your life. Acquiring five new-construction properties and holding them for 10–15 years can generate six figures in passive income, build over a million in equity, and free you from dependence on the stock market . Most people don’t need more than that. It’s powerful and achievable.

 

 

 

 

Interviewer: Walk me through the actual formula.

 

French: Absolutely. The Freedom Five Formula unfolds in three clear phases:

1. Acquire – Within 1–5 years, purchase your five properties.

2. Leverage Time – Hold them for 10–15 years while tenants pay down the mortgages, values appreciate, and tax advantages compound.

3. Cash Flow Freedom – Once the mortgages are gone, you’re living on pure profit. That’s when freedom truly kicks in.

 

Interviewer: Yet some critics argue buy-and-hold real estate no longer works—that cash flow isn’t strong enough to make a difference. How do you respond?

 

French: I hear that all the time, and the reality is, those critics aren’t playing by the same rules our clients are. At SDIRA Wealth, we don’t chase yesterday’s properties. We build new-construction homes specifically for today’s rental markets—homes that command higher rents, attract stronger tenants, and come with far lower maintenance costs. Layer in our bulk pricing and exclusive incentives, and our clients start with advantages ordinary investors can’t match.

 

When it comes to cash flow, the short-term view misses the point. Real estate isn’t just about what you pocket in year one—it’s about wealth creation over time. Yes, you need active income while you’re building your portfolio, but once you own the right number of properties, something powerful happens: time and leverage start doing the heavy lifting. Tenants pay down your mortgages, equity builds, property values climb—and suddenly you’re no longer trading hours for dollars.

 

That’s when freedom begins. Cash flow isn’t just about paying bills; it’s about creating choices. The choice to step away from active work, to retire early, or to reclaim your time. That’s why, when done the right way, buy-and-hold isn’t outdated—it’s transformational.

 

Interviewer’s note: What stands out in French’s perspective is how he reframes the entire conversation around buy-and-hold. It’s not about chasing instant cash flow or trying to strike gold overnight. It’s about building a portfolio designed for the long haul—where time, leverage, and smart planning do the heavy lifting. For many of his clients, that shift in mindset is what unlocks real freedom: the ability to step away from active income and finally have choices about how they spend their time. The Freedom Five Formula book dives deeper into exactly what this journey can look like, giving readers a clear roadmap to follow.

 

 

 

 

Interviewer: Why does the strategy focus so heavily on new construction?

 

French: Because it takes the risk and stress off the table. New construction homes come with fewer maintenance issues, which means investors aren’t spending their time or money on constant repairs. They also attract higher-quality tenants, command stronger rents, and—most importantly—are typically built in the nation’s top growth markets. That combination creates stability and upside.

 

On top of that, location is everything. Buying in the right markets, in the right neighborhoods, with a long-term view—that’s the foundation of a successful property. Our team spends years doing the research before we ever break ground. That diligence saves our clients time, saves them money, and keeps them from making costly mistakes.

 

Interviewer’s note: It’s a striking distinction. While much of the industry glorifies flipping or rehabbing, French has doubled down on build-to-rent—an approach that emphasizes stability over speculation. That focus has allowed SDIRA Wealth to scale into one of the largest players in the space at a time when many real estate companies have either closed their doors or struggled just to keep up.

 

 

 

 

Interviewer: What about financing—how do people actually get started?

 

French: Financing is one of the biggest fears for new investors, and we tackle it head-on. Whether it’s tapping equity in a home, using a HELOC, rolling over an old 401(k), or leveraging a self-directed IRA, there’s always a way forward. On top of that, we partner with hundreds of lenders nationwide. Because of the volume we do, our clients gain access to some of the best rates and loan structures available—from conventional mortgages to DSCR loans. It means they’re positioned with the best possible deal from day one. And in The Freedom Five Formula, I lay out financing options for people at every stage, whether they’re just starting or ready to scale.

 

Interviewer: Beyond financing, SDIRA Wealth isn’t just helping clients buy properties—you’re actually building them. How does that change the game?

 

French: That’s a huge advantage for our clients. Because we’re developers, we build at scale—over 2,000 properties a year across the country. That scale gives our clients access to bulk pricing and benefits they simply can’t get anywhere else. The results speak for themselves: 70% of our buyers are repeat clients and 80% come through referrals. That tells me we’re doing something right.

 

While other groups may tack on fees or mark up properties, we don’t need to. We pass the value directly to our clients, putting them in the best possible position from day one. For us, it’s about alignment. When our clients win, we win.

 

Interviewer: And when they succeed, what does that success look like?

 

French: Success looks like options. For some, it’s early retirement. For others, it’s the ability to travel, spend more time with family, or create a legacy for their kids. Ultimately, the formula is about freedom—not just money.

 

 

 

 

Interviewer: SDIRA Wealth is also known for its philanthropic partnerships. How does that fit in?

 

French: Every property our clients invest in contributes to something greater. Through our partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation, we’ve been able to support incredible initiatives—helping vulnerable children, providing medical care, spreading hope. For me, it’s about stewardship. Wealth without impact is hollow.

 

Interviewer’s note: It’s here that French’s passion shines most. He speaks as much about legacy and service as he does about equity and cash flow. “Our clients tell us all the time,” he adds, “that they feel good knowing their investments also create a ripple effect of impact.”

 

 

 

Interviewer: What sets SDIRA Wealth apart in an increasingly crowded space?

 

French: We start with the client, not the product. We customize everything. Some clients want immediate tax relief, others want long-term legacy. We tailor the plan to their needs. And we educate every step of the way. Confidence comes from clarity.

 

Interviewer: If you had one message for someone reading this today?

 

French: Don’t wait—opportunity never comes perfectly packaged. With 100% cost segregation back in play, the timing has never been better. Whether you start with one property or five, the key is simply to start, because time in the market—not timing the market—is what creates freedom.

 

Many people are genuinely surprised when they sit down with our team and discover just how many options they already have to begin shifting away from traditional investing. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, even 401(k)s—they’ve left most Americans disappointed. What clients want is something more—something that can provide stability, growth, and a real path to independence. We’re proud to be the ones sparking that journey and walking with them every step of the way.

 

 

 

 

Justin French is a leader who blends results with purpose—delivering the kind of numbers that turn heads on Wall Street, while sparking hope and confidence on Main Street. At a time when traditional retirement paths are crumbling, his Freedom Five Formula shines as a roadmap that is both practical and life-changing. With billions built in client portfolios, millions saved in taxes, and a legacy of giving that reaches far beyond real estate, French shows that financial freedom is no longer a dream—it’s a movement already in motion.

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SDIRA Wealth | justin@sdirawealth.com

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