Meet James Dainard
Real Estate Investor | Broker | Developer | Educator
Based in Washington State, he has built a career spanning more than two decades and leads a group of companies specializing in brokerage, lending, development, and education.
With thousands of successful projects to his name, James has established himself as one of the most respected voices in real estate investing and development across the Pacific Northwest.
As seen on & heard on:
From a Red Robin Paycheck to 4,000 Real Estate Deals
Over the past two decades, James Dainard has completed more than 4,000 real estate transactions totaling over $1 billion in sales and built multiple successful companies across investing, lending, brokerage, development, and education.
James begain his real estate career while he was a student at the University of Washington. He waited tables and spent his nights knocking on foreclosure doors, searching for opportunities. What changed everything wasn’t luck—it was learning how to create a repeatable system for finding, renovating, and selling real estate.
Today, James is the host of A&E’s Million Dollar Zombie Flips, co-host of BiggerPockets’ On the Market, founder of ProjectRE, and author of The House Flipping Framework. Known for his practical, no-nonsense approach to investing, he teaches entrepreneurs how to build systems, scale businesses, and create long-term wealth through real estate.
When he’s not working, James is a devoted husband and father of two, an avid boater, and a lifelong Seahawks fan who enjoys spending time with his family in both Arizona and the Pacific Northwest.
By the Numbers
- Own and Operate 8 REI Companies
- Two Decades of Experience
- Host of BiggerPockets on the Market Podcast
Eight Companies that Cover Every Part of the Deal
James doesn’t just invest. He runs the whole machine: finding the deals, funding them, building them, selling them, and scaling.
Seattle's Roughest Houses, Transformed on A&E
Now on A&E
The latest spinoff of the hit A&E Zombie Flip series, Million Dollar Zombie Flips follows James and his team as they take on the worst of Seattle area “zombie houses” – homes so neglected and in such disrepair other investors won’t touch them. Alongside his team and investment partners, James transforms these “zombie houses” into beautiful, high-value homes while navigating the real-world challenges of financing, construction, design, and execution.
More than a renovation show, Million Dollar Zombie Flips offers an inside look at the strategies, systems, and discipline required to succeed in real estate investing. It’s proof that with the right plan, the right team, and the right guidance, even the most daunting projects can become incredible opportunities.
The House Flipping Framework
“With the Flipping Framework, you get my two decades of experience packed into easy, actionable guidance.
I believe that real estate investing can give anyone, at any income level, financial freedom if they follow the right steps. I wrote this book to make the fundamental steps you need to get started in investing accessible to anyone.”
Every Week, James Breaks Down What the Market is Doing
BiggerPockets · On the Market
As co-host of BiggerPockets’ On the Market, James covers housing data, interest rates, and where the deals are. It’s the same read on the market he uses to place his own capital. No doom-scrolling, no guesswork.
Our Projects
Your Blueprint for Real Estate Business
Real Estate, the Way James Does it
“With the Flipping Framework, you get my two decades of experience packed into easy, actionable guidance.
I believe that real estate investing can give anyone, at any income level, financial freedom if they follow the right steps. I wrote this book to make the fundamental steps you need to get started in investing accessible to anyone.”
Trusted by the Best in the Business
Ashley Kehr
Real Estate Rookie co-host and author
“Calls it practical for new and experienced investors alike, from finding deals to managing rehabs.”
Henry Washington
On the Market co-host and author
“Packed with actionable advice from one of the best in the business.”
Tony Robinson
Real Estate Rookie co-host
“A must-read for anyone who wants to shortcut their way to wealth through flipping.”
Stop Scrolling the Flips. Come Stand Inside One.
James and his team host hands-on investor events around Seattle. You’ll walk an active flip, see the numbers up close, and ask questions on the spot, right alongside the investor who has done this thousands of times. Space is limited, so the waitlist is how you hear about the next one first.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Who is James Dainard?
James Dainard is a Pacific Northwest real estate investor, broker, and developer. He hosts A&E’s Million Dollar Zombie Flips, co-hosts BiggerPockets’ On the Market, and has been a full-time investor since 2005.
What does James Dainard do?
He owns and operates eight real estate companies spanning brokerage, hard-money lending, development, multifamily syndication, and off-market acquisition. He also teaches investing through Project RE, his book, and live events.
Where is James Dainard based?
He works out of the Seattle and Bellevue, Washington area, and splits his time between Bellevue and Scottsdale, Arizona.
What is Million Dollar Zombie Flips?
It’s an A&E series where James partners with flippers to turn severely distressed Seattle “zombie houses” into high-value homes, splitting the profit when they succeed.
Did James Dainard write a book?
Yes. It’s called The House Flipping Framework, published by BiggerPockets Publishing in 2024.