In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal Mortier sits down with PJ Riley, a real estate investor who has quietly built a successful business buying and selling vacant land across the U.S.
PJ shares his unconventional path into real estate, starting with almost no money, no formal background in land development, and a willingness to learn by doing. From buying $550 quarter-acre parcels to structuring owner-financed land deals, PJ breaks down how land investing actually works behind the scenes, without the hype often pushed by coaches and online gurus.
The conversation dives deep into land wholesaling, seller financing, response rates, capital constraints, entitlement challenges, and why land remains one of the most misunderstood entry points into real estate. Royal and PJ also discuss the rising cost of development fees, why builders make their money on land (not houses), and how to vet real expertise in an industry crowded with “experts.”
This episode is an honest look at land investing, entrepreneurship, and the discipline required to build something real over time.
Land investing isn’t fast, flashy, or passive, but for those willing to do the work, it remains one of the most accessible and flexible paths into real estate. Real success comes from experience, patience, and understanding the fundamentals, not chasing shortcuts.
PJ Reilly - Real Estate Investor
Website: https://pliris.co
Podcast: Build Better Homes
In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal is joined once again by building envelope expert Nate McIntyre for one of the most comprehensive building-science deep dives of the season.
Nate shares 25+ years of experience diagnosing failures, reviewing assemblies, and consulting for architects, engineers, contractors, and developers. Together, he and Royal unpack the real reasons buildings succeed — or fail — across spray foam installations, WRBs, compatibility issues, exothermic reactions, continuous insulation systems, product failures, and the unintended consequences of airtight construction.
They also explore the rise of digital twins, 360 capture, Matterport models, drone documentation, and how these tools are transforming inspections, forensics, and QA/QC across the industry.
Key Topics Covered
Modern construction requires more than “following the plan.”
It requires understanding how materials interact, testing assemblies, calling manufacturers, documenting work, and using the right experts at the right time. The best builders aren’t guessing — they’re verifying.
Plans • Engineering • Envelope Support
In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal sits down with Jeff Chisum, one of the nation’s top STR financing experts, to break down the real strategies behind acquiring, scaling, and protecting short-term rental investments.
Jeff shares his personal journey, from getting into the mortgage industry during the 2008 crash to becoming a top 1% loan originator and STR financing specialist. He walks through the 10% second-home loan, DSCR loans, self-directed IRA investing, and the powerful All-In-One mortgage, explaining how each tool works and when investors should consider using them.
Packed with real stories, actionable advice, and insights most investors never hear, this episode is essential for anyone looking to grow a rental portfolio or understand the financing side of real estate deeper.
You don’t scale a real estate portfolio by guessing, but by using the right financing tools at the right time. Whether you're buying your first STR or planning a long-term portfolio, this episode gives you the roadmap.
Jeff Chisum – STR Home Financing
Website: https://strhomefinancing.com
Website: pliris.co
Podcast: Build Better Homes
In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal Mortier and John O’Shea introduce PLIRIS Forensics, a new division focused on investigating building failures, supporting litigation, and helping the industry prevent costly mistakes before they happen.
Drawing from real cases and decades of combined experience, they break down what construction forensics actually is and what it isn’t. From soil issues and structural failures to HVAC mistakes and misunderstood “leaks,” this episode shows how proper investigation can uncover the truth behind building performance problems.
They also explain how PLIRIS Forensics uses tools like drones, Matterport scanning, thermal imaging, and detailed modeling to deliver unbiased, accurate conclusions for builders, attorneys, and insurance carriers.
Forensics isn’t about blame — it’s about clarity.
Understanding how and why failures happen helps the entire industry build smarter, prevent defects, and resolve disputes with real answers, not assumptions.
👉 Learn more about PLIRIS: pliris.co
👉 Explore PLIRIS Forensics: plirisforensics.com
Follow the Build Better Homes Podcast for weekly insight into smarter building.
In this episode of Build Better Homes, Royal and John sit down with ICF expert Robert Klob, a designer with over 40 years of experience in residential and commercial construction. Robert specializes exclusively in insulated concrete form (ICF) home design and has reviewed, designed, or consulted on hundreds of projects across the country.
We dive into everything homeowners, builders, and designers need to understand about ICF construction from design nuances and common mistakes to engineering pitfalls and the massive impact of proper planning. Robert also shares how the ICF industry has evolved, real stories from the field, and why this construction method is transforming resilience, safety, and energy efficiency in modern homebuilding.
If you've ever wondered whether ICF is worth it, how it differs from wood framing, or what pitfalls to avoid during design, this episode is essential.
ICF is one of the most misunderstood methods in residential construction. Done right, it’s incredibly strong, quiet, energy-efficient, and durable. Done wrong, it can be expensive, frustrating, and structurally problematic.
This episode gives you the clarity that most homeowners, builders, and designers never get.
Robert Klob Design
Website: rkdZNs.com
Website: https://pliris.co
Engineering • Plans • ICF Design Support
In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea sit down with Nate McIntyre, Building Envelope Specialist and founder of CS Forensics, to break down how air, water, and material compatibility affect the long-term performance of homes and buildings.
Nate shares two decades of experience in construction forensics, uncovering how small oversights like improper flashing, insulation placement, or poor ventilation can lead to costly failures down the line.
From leaky attics and wet walls to how technology like 3D modeling and infrared scanning is changing inspections, this episode brings building science to life through real stories, practical advice, and a few hilarious moments (yes, even cat pee makes an appearance).
It’s not just about building tighter, it’s about building smarter. Understanding how materials, moisture, and air movement interact is key to preventing the hidden problems that cost builders time, money, and reputation.
👉 Learn more at pliris.co
🎧 Follow the Build Better Homes Podcast for more industry insights and expert discussions.
Connect with our guest:
🔗 Nate McIntyre — CS Forensics
Every home starts with an idea, a concept, a sketch, or even a vision that lives in your head. But turning that into a set of buildable, permit-ready plans requires the right process and the right team.
In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea walk through the complete journey of designing and planning a home, from initial concept to final permit approval.
They cover what really happens between the idea and the blueprint including zoning considerations, architectural collaboration, structural engineering, and how to avoid costly mistakes during design.
Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or designer, this episode gives you an inside look at what it takes to bring a dream home to life the right way.
Building your dream home starts long before construction begins. Understanding the design and permitting process ensures your project moves smoothly from the first sketch to the final inspection.
👉 Learn more at pliris.co
🎧 Follow the Build Better Homes Podcast for more industry insights and practical building advice.
#BuildBetterHomes #HomeDesign #Engineering #Architecture #Planning #Permits #Construction #BuildingProcess #PLIRISConstruction
In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea explore the world of wood construction, from its long-standing reliability to the modern innovations shaping how we design and build homes today. Royal shares insights from the engineering side while John offers a builder’s perspective, creating a balanced discussion around value engineering, how to optimize performance, control costs, and avoid common pitfalls without compromising quality. They cover everything from lumber types, engineered wood products, and framing systems, to real-world stories about foundations, load paths, and lateral resistance. If you’ve ever wondered how the right engineering decisions can save thousands on a project while improving long-term durability, this episode is packed with takeaways.
Value engineering isn’t about cutting corners, it’s about building smarter. By understanding material behavior, code changes, and structural systems, builders and engineers can create stronger, more cost-effective, and longer-lasting homes.
👉 Learn more at pliris.co
🎧 Follow the Build Better Homes Podcast for weekly insights on smarter homebuilding.
In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, hosts Royal Mortier and John O’Shea explore the growing adoption of Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction and what it means for the future of homebuilding. They break down how ICF systems stack up against traditional wood framing, where the technology shines, and the lessons learned from years of hands-on experience in the field.
From energy efficiency and storm resistance to long-term performance, Royal and John share why ICF could be the next big step forward in residential and commercial construction.
Whether you’re a builder, designer, or homeowner curious about smarter ways to build, this episode gives you real-world insight into why ICF construction is worth paying attention to.
ICF is a practical evolution of how we build. By combining strength, sustainability, and energy efficiency, it’s paving the way for smarter homes and better construction practices.
👉 Learn more about PLIRIS and our work at pliris.co
In this episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, Royal Mortier and John O’Shea explore the world’s most enduring building material — wood — and how it continues to evolve with technology, energy codes, and modern construction methods.
From conventional stick framing to advanced engineered systems, they unpack the science, sustainability, and design principles behind how homes are actually built. Learn why over 90% of residential structures in North America still rely on wood, what’s changing in manufacturing and energy standards, and which innovations are redefining the future of construction.
Expect to learn:
This episode blends deep technical insight with real-world building experience, ideal for contractors, designers, and anyone passionate about smarter, more sustainable homebuilding.
🎧 Hosted by:
Royal Mortier – Founder of PLIRIS
John O’Shea – Construction Expert, COO of PLIRIS & Co-Host
How Robots Are Revolutionizing Homebuilding | Brent Wadas of BotBuilt
AI isn’t replacing builders, it’s changing how we build smarter, safer, and faster.
In this episode of Build Better Homes, Royal Mortier sits down with Brent Wadas, founder of BotBuilt, to talk about how robotics, automation, and AI are transforming the way homes are framed and constructed.
Brent shares how his team reuses industrial robots, builds panels 24/7, and solves one of construction’s biggest problems: the growing shortage of skilled labor. From his time in the military to his mission to make construction safer, Brent’s story shows how innovation can make housing more affordable and accessible for everyone.
In this episode:
Visit us at pliris.co for more information!
#homebuilding #constructiontechnology #buildbetterhomes #robotics #engineering #innovation #automation
In the first episode of the Build Better Homes Podcast, host Royal Mortier (Founder of PLIRIS) and co-host John O’Shea(Chief Operating Officer of PLIRIS) share their personal journeys through the construction industry, from sweeping floors and working concrete crews as teenagers, to leading teams that manage complex residential and commercial builds.
Royal discusses how his early work in concrete, mentorship under seasoned builders, and passion for structural engineering led him to found PLIRIS, a solutions company providing permit-ready plans, engineering services, and construction technology for builders. John reflects on his path from small contracting jobs to running crews on 10,000-square-foot custom homes and later managing production pipelines for regional and national builders.
Together, they explain why practical, hands-on experience combined with academic training produces stronger builders and better homes. They highlight the importance of relationships with contractors, inspectors, and developers, and share lessons on scalability, systems, and simplifying engineering to support both custom and production homebuilding.
This debut episode sets the stage for the Build Better Homes Podcast, a series dedicated to helping builders, designers, and developers create smarter, faster, and more efficient homes.