Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• WiscoREIA Appleton: Real Estate Nightmares & Horror Stories

  • When
    14 Oct 2026
  •  
    5:30 PM
  • Location
    Wilder's Cutting Edge Bistro | 2639 S Oneida St Appleton, WI 54915

  Register

  Real Estate Nightmares & Horror Stories

  Click here to pre-register!

  
  

  Every real estate investor has a story…

  
  

  The contractor who disappeared halfway through the job.

  The “can’t miss” deal that turned into a money pit.

  The tenant nightmare you never saw coming.

  The flip that flipped on you.

  
  

  We’re opening the floor for audience participation as investors share their real-world horror stories, costly mistakes, unexpected disasters, and hard-earned lessons from deals gone wrong. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just getting started, you’ll walk away with valuable insights, a few laughs, and probably a reminder that you’re not alone in this business.

  
  

  This October, join WiscoREIA Appleton for one of our most entertaining and interactive meetings of the year — a night dedicated to the scary side of real estate investing.

  
  

  Come network with local investors, swap stories, and experience a Halloween-themed meeting unlike any other.

  
  

  Because sometimes the best education comes from the deals that haunt us the most.

  
  

  WiscoREIA’s Appleton Meeting Always Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm!

  Speakers and Hosts: Geoff Possley & Kent Zaretzke

  

  Geoff is a part time buy and hold investor with investments in the Fox Valley and Sheboygan area. He is a full-time aircraft certification engineer for Gulfstream Aerospace in Appleton where he lives with his wife Laura and four children Carter, Madeline, Rowen and Brielle.

  
  

  Geoff got started in real estate in 2005, with very little REI knowledge, when he purchased a single-family home with the plan to do a live-in flip over the next few years. After the bubble burst in 2008 his focus shifted from turning a profit to simply breaking even. This led Geoff to step away from real estate for a number of years until he discovered WiscoREIA in 2018 where he finally was able to acquire the knowledge and network that was necessary to be successful in real estate investing.  His goal is to use REI as a means to retire early from engineering.

  
  

  Geoff currently invests in single-family and small multi-family properties that he operates as traditional rentals as well as short term furnished rentals. In his free time Geoff enjoys camping with his family, playing golf, snowboarding, hunting, and good beer.

  
  

  

  With over 15 years of experience as a business owner, Kent Zaretzke has built a strong reputation for leadership, craftsmanship, and growth in the Fox Valley area. He has been a dedicated sponsor of Wisco REIA for the past 10 years, actively supporting and contributing to the local real estate investing community.

  
  

  As a seasoned real estate investor, Kent owns multiple investment properties and is deeply involved in the renovation process, bringing a hands-on approach to improving and adding value to each project. His passion lies in building businesses, creating opportunities, and helping others achieve financial freedom through real estate.

  
  

  Make sure to bring tons of business cards as you will be meeting with people that you want to get to know!

  
  

  Meeting Location:

  Wilder's Cutting Edge Bistro

  2639 S Oneida St

  Appleton, WI 54915

  Please enjoy food, drinks, and TIP YOUR SERVERS!

  
  

  **Time Schedule**

  5:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Doors open early for Networking

  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Speaker Presentation

  
  

  The meeting ends at 8:00 PM, but we’ll continue with an informal after-meeting for anyone who’d like to stay.

  
  

  You can stay after the meeting as well to network! Remember to bring your deals!

  
  

  Our doors are open to EVERYONE!

  
  

  ***Make sure to pre-register***

  Click here to pre-register!

  Show details
• WiscoREIA Property Tours: Green Bay & Appleton

  • When
    24 Oct 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    **TBD**

  Register

  

  WiscoREIA Property Tour 

  Green Bay | Appleton

  Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 9:00 AM

  Click here to pre-register!

  
  

  Ready to see real estate investing in action? Join WiscoREIA for our Green Bay / Appleton Property Tour and get an up-close look at investment properties in the area!

  
  

  Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started, property tours are a great opportunity to see potential deals firsthand, explore different investment possibilities, and learn more about what to look for when evaluating a property.

  
  

  Property locations and directions will be emailed to registered attendees closer to the tour date.

  
  

  Don't miss this opportunity to get out in the field, explore local investment properties, and connect with fellow real estate investors!

  
  

  Register today and join us on October 24!

  
  

  

  Meet your Hosts!

  
  

  

  Ken Collins 
  

  Ken's journey began in the field of social work and psychotherapy, where he dedicated a decade to helping others navigate their personal challenges. Seeking new horizons, he transitioned into the tech industry, joining Hewlett-Packard. Over the next 24 years, he evolved from a Computer Engineer to a Global Project Manager, culminating in his leadership of the Global Sales Lead program, which under his stewardship generated nearly $1 billion in sales each year.

  In 2016, Ken pivoted to real estate investing, initially employing the BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) method. Upon retiring from corporate life, he focused on creative deal structuring, mastering techniques like Subject-To (Sub2), Lease/Options, and Land Trusts. His portfolio includes over 50 Real Estate transactions in the last 8 years, ranging from mobile homes, single family and multifamily properties, showcasing his versatility and expertise in the real estate market.

  Ken credits much of his real estate knowledge and sharpened skills to his active participation in the many WiscoREIA Madison education programs. Through joining their Coaching Program, completing the Blueprint course, and engaging in numerous educational opportunities including hands-on property tours and weekend training events from a variety of speakers sponsored by the REIA, Ken has continuously expanded his expertise in real estate.

  Ken is renowned for his proficiency in lead generation and deal negotiation, leveraging a multitude of creative strategies to craft win-win scenarios in real estate. He now steps into his role as a coach for aspiring real estate investors, eager to share his knowledge and experience. He is always on the lookout for personal growth opportunities, being an active member of groups like Lifeonaire and the Generations of Wealth Mastermind group, which further fuel his passion for continuous learning and development.

  With a life that beautifully blends family, community, technology, and real estate, Ken Collins is not just a coach but a mentor who understands the art of building wealth through real estate while maintaining a life of balance and fulfillment.

  
  

  

  Jennie Buah
  

  I kicked off my real estate career as an investor in 2012 with a spontaneous decision to rent out my Madison condo.  I became a property manager within 24 hours of posting... with a lease from the internet and sheer luck.  

  I found REIAs later in my career and am thrilled to be one of the WiscoREIA hosts in my hometown, Green Bay.  I was also on the board of the Fox Valley Apartment Association in 2023/2024.  

  As an investor, I focus on flipping/renting single families in the Fox Valley. I am also an investor-friendly real estate agent and own Fox Valley Staging and Design - a property design business that specializes in remodels, listing preparation, short term furnishing, and interior design.  

  I'm a proud Green Bay native now living in Appleton with my two adventurous boys, Damian and Bryce. 

  
  

  

  Chris Hake – WiscoREIA Owner
  

  Real Estate Investor | Educator | Coach | Entrepreneur

  Chris Hake was the founder and driving force behind the rise of Madison REIA, which he launched in August 2012. In 2021, he merged Madison REIA with WiscoREIA, expanding its reach to ELEVEN monthly REIA meeting locations across Wisconsin and growing its community base of guests and members to over 1000 active investors and entrepreneurs.

  
  

  With more than 30 years of hands-on experience in real estate, Chris is passionate about giving back. He continues to lead monthly meetings in Madison and frequently shares the lessons he's learned from decades "in the trenches." Chris is most energized by helping new investors discover if real estate is the right path for them, and if so, guiding them to the best possible start for long-term success. He speaks regularly at events throughout Wisconsin and across the U.S., covering topics on real estate investing, business, and personal growth.

  
  

  A lifelong Madisonian, Chris began his investing journey with a house hack in 1994 and since been involved in hundreds of flips and rental properties. Over the years, he has raised more than $20 million to fund deals and has trained thousands of students through his local coaching programs. From 2006 to 2010, he also taught the Real Estate Investing course at Madison Area Technical College, where hundreds more learned the fundamentals from his real-world approach.

  
  

  Today, Chris focuses much of his energy on growing Just Simple Storage LLC, a storage investment company he founded that now owns 900 units across 9 facilities in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.

  
  

  Outside of real estate, Chris is a devoted husband to his wife, Suzanna, and a proud father to their three boys: Tyler, Tanner, and Trelan. He’s also a fan of classic muscle cars (especially Corvettes and Mustangs), and enjoys outdoor adventures like golf, fishing, and pickleball. At his core, Chris is committed to living out his Life and Business Vision each day, guided by strong values and a passion for helping others succeed.  

  
  

  Feel free to reach out to Chris at chrishake@gmail.com 

  
  

  Our doors are open to EVERYONE!

  ***Make sure to pre-register***

  Click here to pre-register!

  Show details
• WiscoREIA Appleton: Negotiation That Gets You More Deals & More Profits

  • When
    11 Nov 2026
  •  
    5:30 PM
  • Location
    Wilder's Cutting Edge Bistro | 2639 S Oneida St Appleton, WI 54915

  Register

  Negotiation That Gets You More Deals & More Profits

  Click here to pre-register!

  
  

  Most investors lose deals long before the seller ever says “no.”

  
  

  Why? Because they negotiate too timidly, too emotionally, or too quickly overpay just to get the deal done. In this powerful session, you’ll learn how successful investors negotiate with confidence, uncover real seller motivation, and structure conversations that lead to more signed contracts and bigger profits.

  
  

  This isn’t about “lowballing” sellers. It’s about understanding people, solving problems, and creating win-win opportunities that actually close.

  
  

  In this training, you’ll discover:

  ✅ Why most investors accidentally negotiate against themselves

  ✅ How to talk to motivated sellers without sounding desperate or pushy

  ✅ How to uncover the seller’s REAL problem — not just their asking price

  ✅ Why the way you present an offer can make or break the deal

  ✅ Simple negotiation techniques that create movement and momentum

  ✅ How to stay calm, professional, and in control when sellers push back

  ✅ Why negotiation is often the difference between a dead lead and a profitable deal

  
  

  Whether you’re brand new or already doing deals, this session will help you become more confident in seller conversations and better equipped to close profitable opportunities.

  
  

  If you want more deals without simply offering more money, you do not want to miss this one.
  

  
  

  Speaker: Tom Zeeb

  

  Tom Zeeb is a national real estate investing speaker and mentor who helps investors create more deals by mastering the two areas most people never systemize: consistent deal flow and seller conversations.

  
  

  Back in 2001, Tom was broke and stuck in a 9-to-5. A near-death experience while whitewater rafting forced a hard reset, and he committed to building a life with more control. Real estate investing became the vehicle, but it was not a smooth start. His first deal almost took him under too.

  
  

  Hundreds of deals later, Tom now teaches the same negotiation, marketing, and execution frameworks that set him free, in a way that is simple, structured, and immediately usable.

  
  

  Tom works with investors at every level:

  • Beginners who are stuck in confusion and never get their first deal.

  • Intermediate investors who have done a deal or two but cannot get consistent.

  • Advanced investors who built something that makes money but not freedom, and need to re-engineer the business.

  
  

  Tom's approach is direct and practical. He focuses on the core elements that drive results:

  • Finding motivated sellers with repeatable marketing.

  • Turning leads into deals through negotiation structure and clean seller conversations.

  • Installing weekly execution rhythms so the business stops being random.

  
  

  It is amazing what a few targeted tweaks to the core elements of a business can do.

  
  

  Tom teaches investors how to identify those elements and implement them, so their deals, profits, and time freedom finally match the reason they got into real estate in the first place.

  
  

  Speaker resources: tomzeeb.com/speaker-resources

  Contact: tom@tomzeeb.com

  
  

  WiscoREIA’s Appleton Meeting Always Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm!

  Speakers and Hosts: Geoff Possley & Kent Zaretzke

  

  Geoff is a part time buy and hold investor with investments in the Fox Valley and Sheboygan area. He is a full-time aircraft certification engineer for Gulfstream Aerospace in Appleton where he lives with his wife Laura and four children Carter, Madeline, Rowen and Brielle.

  
  

  Geoff got started in real estate in 2005, with very little REI knowledge, when he purchased a single-family home with the plan to do a live-in flip over the next few years. After the bubble burst in 2008 his focus shifted from turning a profit to simply breaking even. This led Geoff to step away from real estate for a number of years until he discovered WiscoREIA in 2018 where he finally was able to acquire the knowledge and network that was necessary to be successful in real estate investing.  His goal is to use REI as a means to retire early from engineering.

  
  

  Geoff currently invests in single-family and small multi-family properties that he operates as traditional rentals as well as short term furnished rentals. In his free time Geoff enjoys camping with his family, playing golf, snowboarding, hunting, and good beer.

  
  

  

  With over 15 years of experience as a business owner, Kent Zaretzke has built a strong reputation for leadership, craftsmanship, and growth in the Fox Valley area. He has been a dedicated sponsor of Wisco REIA for the past 10 years, actively supporting and contributing to the local real estate investing community.

  
  

  As a seasoned real estate investor, Kent owns multiple investment properties and is deeply involved in the renovation process, bringing a hands-on approach to improving and adding value to each project. His passion lies in building businesses, creating opportunities, and helping others achieve financial freedom through real estate.

  
  

  Make sure to bring tons of business cards as you will be meeting with people that you want to get to know!

  
  

  Meeting Location:

  Wilder's Cutting Edge Bistro

  2639 S Oneida St

  Appleton, WI 54915

  Please enjoy food, drinks, and TIP YOUR SERVERS!

  
  

  **Time Schedule**

  5:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Doors open early for Networking

  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Speaker Presentation

  
  

  The meeting ends at 8:00 PM, but we’ll continue with an informal after-meeting for anyone who’d like to stay.

  
  

  You can stay after the meeting as well to network! Remember to bring your deals!

  
  

  Our doors are open to EVERYONE!

  
  

  ***Make sure to pre-register***

  Click here to pre-register!

  Show details