Mary sits down with Rebecca McLean to unpack how the JOBS Act and Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) opened a new lane for everyday investors and community focused entrepreneurs to fund real estate; legally, transparently, and at scale. Rebecca traces National REIA's 40-year mission to promote, protect, and educate the industry, including advocacy that helped unlock today's crowdfunding rules. They dig into attainable housing, revitalizing blocks "one address at a time," and why local collaboration + policy + partnerships matter just as much as capital.  From accredited vs. non-accredited realities to Reg D vs. Reg CF, from rehabs and rentals to syndications and the role of REIA groups in education and support, this episode is a practical roadmap for raising community-first capital and doing deals that actually move neighborhoods forward. Key Takeaways:  • Why Reg CF matters: It took the JOBS Act (2012) and SEC rulemaking (2016) to enable compliant crowdfunding, discoverability, and open solicitation,finally making smaller, local deals visible.  • Community is the edge: Local knowledge + national networks = smarter underwriting, better comps, and safer deals especially in neighborhoods banks won't touch.  • Attainable > "affordable": Small investors can deliver workforce/attainable housing via rehab and value-add where large builders can't pencil starter homes.  • Education & protection: National REIA's 120+ local groups provide training, legislative updates, due-diligence checklists, cost-saving benefits, and partnerships with community entities.  • Build wealth on purpose: Flips create income; holds and syndications build durable wealth. "Do a couple rehabs, hold one" beats buying yourself another job.  • Cycles are coming: Many new investors have only seen "up." Community experience and disciplined capital stacks help you survive the next blip.  • Action > anxiety: "Just do it but not blindly." Use community, education, and compliant platforms to navigate the regulated process.  Chapters:  • 00:00 – Intro: Meet Rebecca McLean & National REIA at 40  • 01:32 – The JOBS Act, Reg CF & opening the door for small investors  • 02:41 – Advocacy journey: from Reg D limitations to true democratization  • 08:21 – Why community-first crowdfunding works in real estate  • 09:14 – "Building Better Communities": block-by-block revitalization  • 12:27 – Purpose-driven deals: teachers, veterans, sober living & stability  • 15:38 – Education that sticks: local REIAs, data, and due diligence  • 18:13 – Attainable housing vs. new-build economics; cost controls & benefits  • 22:34 – From first flip to syndications: real success paths  • 26:10 – Closing the wealth gap: why Planet Wealth leans into real estate  • 27:35 – Policy + partnerships + local wisdom: the other half of capital  • 29:49 – The power of diverse roles on a deal team (and on-the-ground intel)  • 30:46 – Market cycles: why community experience keeps you steady  • 33:19 – Final advice: "Just do it, get educated and plug into community"  Resources Mentioned:  • National REIA: 120+ local investor associations; training, benefits, legislative updates, market data, and best practices  • Topics: JOBS Act (2012), SEC rulemaking (2016), Reg CF vs. Reg D, accredited vs. non-accredited investors, community revitalization, attainable housing, syndications, due diligence, cost-saving vendor programs  Connect with Rebecca / National REIA:  • Search "National REIA Rebecca McLean" to find the national site and your nearest local group.  Explore Planet Wealth:  Learn how compliant Reg CF raises help community-first real estate projects get funded: planetwealth.com Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube