PropStream Pros: David Olds on the Power of Transaction Coordination

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. PropStream does not provide investment advice or guarantee profits. Wholesaling laws differ by state and city, and some areas may require a real estate license or specific disclosures. Always research local regulations and consult a qualified professional before proceeding.

What if you could go from being laid off in the middle of the 2008 housing crash, with only $5,000 to your name, to building a business that has closed over 1,600 wholesale deals?

That’s exactly what David Olds, founder of EZREIClosings.com, did. In this episode of PropStream Pros, David joins host Burton for a conversation that covers not only the highs and lows of his real estate journey but also the overlooked system that transformed his business: transaction coordination.

Whether you’re just starting in wholesaling, looking to scale across multiple markets, or feeling buried in title issues, David’s story shows how persistence, systems, and the right tools can completely change your trajectory. 

From Retail to Real Estate: A Humble Beginning

The road that led David to real estate wasn’t a direct one. Before becoming a full-time investor, he worked as a retail manager and later for lumber and hardware companies, with his work sending him all over Florida. Although he was successful, he always felt destined for something bigger.

In 2002, he and his wife bought their first home, which was unknowingly a foreclosure. They fixed it up, sold it for a profit, and moved to another property. That sparked a passion. A few projects later, David discovered the power of real estate tax benefits and, more importantly, he caught the “investor’s bug.”

By the mid-2000s, David was buying, fixing, and selling homes in Florida while still working full-time. He joined his local REI club, learned about creative strategies like subject-to deals, and began building momentum.

Surviving the 2008 Crash and Starting Over in Tennessee

Like many investors, David’s journey hit a wall in 2008 when the housing market collapsed. A property he expected to sell for $214,000 struggled to get offers above $140,000. Overnight, what looked like a win turned into a crushing setback.

Looking back, David admits he and his wife were spending money as fast as it came in. So when the recession struck, the sudden slowdown in deals and looming job cuts put them under intense financial pressure and made it clear a new direction was necessary.

Before making a move, David began researching markets outside of Florida. Chattanooga, Tennessee, stood out because, unlike many other parts of the U.S. devastated by the crash, it remained relatively stable with fewer foreclosures and more consistent demand. Seeing this difference convinced him it was the right place to restart.

The decision proved pivotal. Once settled in Tennessee, David relied on persistence and resourcefulness. He hit the streets with bandit signs, spent long days driving for dollars, and steadily built traction. Momentum quickly followed, and over time, his business grew into an empire, completing more than 1,600 wholesale deals and building a sizable rental portfolio.

What Is Transaction Coordination and Why Does It Matter?

When most investors think about closing a deal, they assume the title company “handles everything.” While companies like Stewart Title or First American conduct title searches and prepare the final paperwork, the reality is that much of the heavy lifting still falls on the investor.

Title companies will call you for probate documents, divorce decrees, payoff statements, or even to track down missing heirs. Without someone dedicated to chasing these details, investors often spend hours per deal or worse, watch contracts collapse when problems aren’t resolved in time.

That’s where a Transaction Coordinator (TC) comes in. A TC manages a deal from the moment a contract is signed until it closes, keeping communication flowing between sellers, buyers, attorneys, lenders, and title companies. They proactively solve problems, gather documents, and ensure deadlines are met.

For wholesalers especially, the benefits are immediate:

• Higher Close Rates - More contracts cross the finish line instead of dying in escrow.
• Faster Paydays - While you’re chasing your next deal, your TC is clearing title issues in the background.
• Time Back to Grow - Every hour not spent on title back-and-forth can be spent generating leads.
• Less Stress - With a professional handling details, you avoid costly mistakes and missed steps.
• Professionalism - Sellers and buyers see a streamlined, trustworthy business, not a one-person hustle.

As David explains, this is the point where many investors hit a wall: “You can do one or two deals a month by yourself. But going to four is like going to the moon. Every contract is at a different stage, and if you don’t have a coordinator, you become the bottleneck.”

That changed when he hired his first TC, Heather Anderson. With Heather managing contracts, David could focus on acquisitions and dispositions. Deals closed faster, profits grew, and his stress plummeted.

Founding EZREIClosings: Helping Other Investors Scale

Seeing how vital transaction coordination was to his success, David launched EZREIClosings.com to help other investors.

The service assigns certified U.S.-based transaction coordinators who step in the moment a contract is signed. From probate paperwork to title clean-up, they manage every detail until closing.

“Think of it as a relay race,” David explains. “You run your part to get the contract. Hand us the baton, and we’ll get it to the finish line.”

The results speak for themselves:

• Over 8,000 files processed.
• More than $500M in transactions closed.
• Clients are closing 78–80% of deals (well above the national average of ~50%).

By compressing timelines and removing bottlenecks, EZREIClosings allows investors to scale without burning out.

Using PropStream to Spot Opportunities and Scale Your Business

"PropStream is where I started, and it’s still the first tool I recommend to every new wholesaler I train.” —David Olds

From his first lists in Florida to his nationwide investing business today, David has relied on PropStream as his go-to platform. What started as a way to pull leads and run comps has grown into a system he uses to identify new markets, confirm demand, and scale with confidence.

One powerful example is how he leverages the platform to analyze rental rate growth. By using Chattanooga, his home base, as a benchmark, David compares rental data across other counties, as steady increases in rents often signal that people are moving in and demand is rising.

He pairs that insight with cash buyer activity, using PropStream to see where investors are actively purchasing properties. If another market shows both stronger rental growth and more cash transactions than Chattanooga, it signals a real opportunity.

Beyond market research, PropStream has been central to David’s day-to-day operations for:

• Pulling targeted lists of motivated sellers (like pre-foreclosures and absentee owners)
• Running comps and valuations with confidence
• Launching marketing campaigns remotely
• Expanding into new markets with reliable data

As David explains, “Rental rates don’t rise unless people are moving in. And with PropStream, I can confirm in seconds whether there are enough cash buyers in that market to make deals happen. PropStream is where I started, and it’s still the first tool I recommend to every new wholesaler I train.”

Final Thoughts

David Olds’ journey proves that real estate success isn’t just about finding deals; it’s about persistence, systems, and focusing on what matters most. From struggling through the 2008 crash to building a thriving business and founding EZREIClosings, David’s story shows what’s possible when you stay resilient and invest in the right tools and people.

“Every investor dreams of financial freedom,” David says. “But you can’t get there if you try to do everything yourself. Build your team, use the right tools, and don’t quit because real estate works.”

Follow David's Journey:

• Website: EZREIClosings.com
• Instagram: @DavidOldsREI