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Max Vollmer is not your average 24-year-old. Based in Florida, Max has developed a multifaceted real estate empire by tapping into the power of systems, discipline, and vision. In today’s shifting economic climate, generating motivated seller leads and building a sustainable real estate business takes more than hustle — it requires foresight, planning, and a relentless mindset. Max is living proof of what’s possible when those qualities align.
This post takes you deep inside Max’s journey: from virtual wholesaling to turnkey rentals, leveraging European investors, and developing an elite mindset grounded in his world-class track and field background. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale, Max’s story is packed with valuable insights and replicable strategies.
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From World-Class Athlete to Real Estate Leader
Max’s journey didn’t begin with real estate; it began with decathlon — a grueling 10-event track and field competition. He ranked among the world’s top athletes, competing internationally while also attending school and juggling a growing business. This athletic background instilled in him a high-performance mindset rooted in discipline, sacrifice, and structure.
"In sports, you follow a daily training plan. So I built my business the same way: structured, goal-oriented, and consistent."
That same commitment to excellence now underpins his approach to business.
The Power of Vision and Emotional Commitment
Max is a firm believer in the power of visualization. Every major achievement in his life, from overcoming childhood asthma to becoming a top athlete, started with a vision and a plan. He applies the same mindset in real estate.
"A thought becomes real when you add emotion and commitment to it. That’s how you make things happen."
His ability to emotionally connect to a long-term vision helps him stay consistent, even when results take time to materialize.
Building a Virtual Wholesaling Business
Max began in real estate through virtual wholesaling across eight different states. With a remote team of VAs handling cold calls and transactions, he scaled quickly. But as the market began to shift, Max realized virtual wholesaling wasn’t sustainable long-term.
By listening to seasoned investors and studying market cycles, Max pivoted before it was too late. He narrowed his focus, shifted to in-house teams, and concentrated on sustainable deal models.
The Pivot to Fix-and-Flips and Turnkey Rentals
When multiple wholesale deals fell through due to market shifts, Max and his team decided to take control. They began fixing and flipping the properties themselves, which led to the development of a turnkey model.
"Turnkey became the evolution of our business: find the deal, renovate it in-house, and sell it to a ready investor."
These turnkey deals are primarily sold to overseas investors, particularly in Europe. Max’s team handles acquisition, renovation, property management, and even retains equity in many deals through creative financing structures.
Partnering with European Investors
One of Max’s unique advantages is his ability to attract foreign capital. Through strategic relationships, he’s built a steady pipeline of European investors seeking U.S. cash-flowing properties.
These investors fund turnkey rentals while Max’s company manages the entire lifecycle — from acquisition and rehab to property management. Often, Max retains equity via refis or seller-financing structures.
"It’s a triple-dip: we earn from the acquisition, management fees, and retained equity."
Systems, Time Management, and High Performance
When asked how he juggles so many moving parts, Max points to one thing: structure.
He plans his entire day the night before, blocking time like a training schedule. Whether it’s gym, calls, construction timelines, or marketing, every hour is accounted for. He prefers physical checklists over digital tools, using a black Sharpie to strike through completed tasks.
"Without a plan, time slips away. My day is structured like a decathlon training schedule."
This high-performance routine helped him stay on track while attending school full-time, training for world championships, and building a business.
Why Max Shifted Away from Wholesaling
As market dynamics changed, Max realized wholesaling’s fragility. Deals began falling apart, buyers backed out, and he faced losing earnest money. Instead of chasing unstable margins, he shifted toward flips, rentals, and turnkeys — models that allowed for more control and equity retention.
This pivot also allowed him to build an in-house team of acquisition managers, contractors, and transaction coordinators to boost deal quality and efficiency.
"VA-based wholesaling was scalable, but not sustainable. We needed control, quality, and consistency."
Joint Ventures and the Power of Teamwork
Max welcomes joint ventures, especially with investors who have great deals but lack resources or experience. Coming from a team sports background, Max sees collaboration as a competitive advantage.
He helps partners across Florida — from Tampa and Orlando to Jacksonville and Miami — with acquisitions, construction, and dispositions. His European fund relationships also allow for JV syndications on multifamily deals.
Advice for New Investors
Max’s top advice?
- Invest in yourself: Education, coaching, and mentorship pay off.
- Find a mentor: Learn from people who’ve been through market cycles.
- Build relationships: Real estate is a people business.
- Keep it simple: Focus on consistency and execution.
"Success isn’t about doing everything alone. It’s about learning from others and taking action."
Life, Business, and Content Creation
Max and his wife, who is also his business partner, recently launched a content platform to share their journey. From business strategies to fitness and lifestyle tips, they’re using Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to give back.
They share insights on:
- Growing a real estate business as a couple
- Managing long-term health and fitness
- Day-in-the-life breakdowns of active projects
Max’s Daily Diet and Training Mindset
Max practices intermittent fasting, often training in the mornings without breakfast. His diet is rooted in fresh cooking, minimal processed foods, and balance over extremes. From keto to high-carb trials, Max found that simplicity and consistency work best.
The "People Over Profit" Philosophy
Max believes long-term success in real estate means putting people before profits. Whether it’s helping motivated sellers through tough situations, serving investors with transparency, or mentoring newer entrepreneurs, Max stays focused on people-first impact.
"Everyone should win: sellers, buyers, partners, and your team. That’s how you stay in business for the long haul."
The "People Over Profit" Philosophy
Max believes long-term success in real estate means putting people before profits. Whether it’s helping motivated sellers through tough situations, serving investors with transparency, or mentoring newer entrepreneurs, Max stays focused on people-first impact.
"Everyone should win: sellers, buyers, partners, and your team. That’s how you stay in business for the long haul."
How Max and His Wife Built the Business Together
Behind Max’s success is a powerful partnership with his wife, who co-built the business from day one. While Max was studying or training, she took calls, handled logistics, and managed deals. Their shared vision and relentless teamwork form the foundation of their growing empire.
Social Media as a Platform to Give Back
Max and his wife launched Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube channels to give back by sharing daily insights. Their content blends real estate education, personal fitness, relationship tips, and behind-the-scenes business building. It helps them reflect, stay accountable, and deepen their own learning by teaching others.
Mentorship & JV Opportunities with Max
Max encourages aspiring investors to reach out via text for mentorship, advice, or JV opportunities. He helps partners in acquisition, rehab, syndication, and European investor funding. Whether you’re new or experienced, he’s committed to helping others succeed and grow together.
Lessons from a Failed Ketogenic Diet
Max once followed a strict ketogenic diet, believing it might boost performance. But while traveling for competitions, he couldn’t maintain it and saw his energy crash. The lesson? Don’t overcomplicate routines. Balance, adaptability, and long-term consistency always win.
Why VA Teams Weren’t Enough
Max realized virtual assistants, while helpful for simple tasks, didn’t offer critical thinking or proactive problem-solving. To grow and scale sustainably, he built an in-house team that could adapt, give feedback, and push the business forward with higher accountability.
Creative Equity Retention Through Refinancing
By refinancing turnkey rentals in his own name, Max retains equity even when investors fund 100% of the purchase. This approach gives him long-term upside without requiring full ownership or out-of-pocket investment — a smart way to build wealth while providing investor value.
Mentorship Comes Full Circle
Max emphasizes paying it forward. Mentors helped him launch his business, and now he feels responsible to mentor others. His goal is to create a ripple effect of impact — helping new investors avoid mistakes, grow faster, and build people-first businesses.
Why Max Prefers Sharpies Over Digital Tools
While Max has tried Google Calendar and Asana, he prefers writing his daily plans with a thick black Sharpie. Crossing off tasks gives him a tangible sense of progress and momentum. It may be analog, but it works — and he sticks to what gets results.
Key Takeaways
Discipline from Athletics Fuels Business Success
Max’s background as a world-class decathlete shaped his mindset, teaching him structure, commitment, and consistency — all of which he applies in real estate.
Visualization and Emotional Commitment Drive Results
Max turns thoughts into reality by attaching emotion and daily action to his goals. His belief: success starts in the mind.
Pivoting from Virtual Wholesaling to Turnkeys
After realizing the limitations of wholesaling, Max transitioned to fix-and-flips and turnkey rentals to gain more control and build lasting wealth.
Leveraging European Investors for Turnkey Deals
Max built a unique niche by sourcing capital from European investors and offering full-service turnkey rental solutions in Florida.
Creative Equity Through Refinancing
Even when investors fully fund deals, Max retains equity by refinancing properties in his own name, creating long-term ownership benefits.
Daily Planning and Time Blocking Create Momentum
Max treats his day like a training schedule — planned the night before, executed with intention, and tracked using a Sharpie checklist.
In-House Team Over VAs for Long-Term Sustainability
He replaced VAs with an in-house team to improve quality, foster feedback, and build a stronger company culture.
Joint Ventures and Mentorship Fuel Scalable Growth
Max actively seeks JV partners and believes in paying it forward by mentoring newer investors through real-world guidance.
Content Creation as a Form of Accountability and Impact
He and his wife post daily content to educate, reflect, and grow their brand — building trust while helping others succeed.
Consistency, Simplicity, and People Over Profit
From workouts to deals, Max thrives on consistency. His guiding principle? Focus on helping people — the profits will follow.
Start Building Your Real Estate Engine Today
If you’re ready to stop dabbling and start building a system-driven real estate business, now is the time. Like Max, you can:
- Attract motivated seller leads through consistent marketing
- Create structured days that drive momentum
- Build long-term wealth through turnkeys and rentals
- Leverage partnerships and mentorship
Start by investing in yourself and mapping out your next 90 days. Think long-term. Execute daily.
You can follow Max and his wife for daily insights on Instagram and TikTok: @katiemaxvollmer and @katievollmer_realestate, or text him directly at 904-638-0078 to explore JV opportunities or mentorship.
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