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Michael Blank, Garrett Lynch
The Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing podcast is about helping you achieve financial independence and control your time through apartment building investing. Michael Blank and Garrett Lynch interview experts in real estate, business, and investing. From learning how to invest in multifamily real estate to navigating entrepreneurship, you will learn the keys to success in your journey towards financial freedom. Previous guests include Grant Cardone, Robert Kiyosaki, Ken McElroy, Robert Helms, Brandon Turner, and Hal Elrod. Whether you're new to real estate investing or a seasoned investor, you'll enjoy stories from our expert guests as well as hear from people who quit their jobs and are living life on their own terms because of investing in multifamily real estate. Thanks for listening and leave a review for a chance to get a shout-out on the show.
MB346: How to Own 1,000 Doors by Age 27 – With Adrian Salazar
How do you become a full-time investor who owns more than 1,000 doors by the age of 27?According to Adrian Salazar, the secret is having the guts to go out and be different.Adrian started wholesaling SFHs as a freshman in college and closed on his first apartment building as a sophomore. Today, he is Managing Member at Two Ten Management, and he controls $8.8M in multifamily assets.On this episode of the podcast, Adrian joins Garrett and me to explain how the sales skills he developed early on help him succeed as a young real estate entrepreneur.Adrian shares the wholesaling strategies he uses to find off-market deals and describes his approach to building rapport with owners.Listen in for Adrian’s advice on putting yourself in the right rooms and learn to take action on YOUR real estate investing goals—no matter how young or old you are!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session345/
39:0428/11/2022
MB345: Growing Your Business & Family—with Vivian & Michael Blank
Running a business is never just about the business. Being a successful entrepreneur means finding balance between your personal and professional life. But if you want your relationship to work, you need a partner who energizes you. Someone who helps you become the best version of yourself. So, how does a real estate investor build a fulfilling family life? How do you successfully navigate marriage, parenthood and business?On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett sits down with me and my wife Vivian to find out what makes our 25-year marriage work.Vivian and I explain why we struggled with working on the business together and how we set boundaries around work and family time.Listen in to understand why we decided to homeschool our kids and learn how we set goals as a family to live intentionally, in alignment with our values!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session345/
44:3321/11/2022
MB344: Making the Most of IRC Section 1031 – With Dave Foster
One of the beautiful things about investing in real estate is its tax benefits. And the 1031 exchange is a common strategy we use to avoid paying capital gains.But most of us haven’t studied IRC Section 1031 enough to know ALL the ways we can use the tax code to reinvest our real estate profits—rather than handing them over to Uncle Sam.Dave Foster is the 1031 exchange expert, qualified intermediary and tax strategist behind The 1031 Investor, a platform that helps investors build and preserve real estate wealth.Dave has supported thousands of investors in achieving financial freedom by maximizing their reinvestment opportunities.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Dave joins Garrett to discuss the rules for doing a 1031 exchange in a syndication and describe what to look for in a qualified intermediary or QI.Dave shares his top strategies for buying time in a like-kind exchange and walks us through the tax benefits of converting an investment property into your primary residence.Listen in to understand the common mistakes investors make in a 1031 exchange and learn how to make the most of the tax code and accelerate your path to financial freedom with real estate!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session344/
37:2014/11/2022
MB343: Owning Property in Chicago’s Most Dangerous Neighborhoods
Owning class D properties in neighborhoods plagued by gang violence, prostitution and drug abuse is not easy. But it does give an owner-operator the street smarts to keep themselves, their employees and properties safe. And it makes for some pretty crazy stories!On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett follows up on his previous solo episode with more stories from his experience as an investor in Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods.Garrett discusses what he did to prevent theft at vacant multifamily properties and describes how firing a maintenance worker nearly caused a gang war at one of his buildings.Listen in for the story of how Garrett’s maintenance team caught a killer and find out what it’s like to collect rent at night not too far from Chicago’s infamous O Block.For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session343/
27:0307/11/2022
MB342: What Investors Need to Know About Taxes – With Thomas Castelli
All CPAs are not created equal. And if you’re working with an accountant who doesn’t understand real estate tax strategy, you may be leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table.Thomas Castelli, CPA, CFP, is Partner at Hall CPA, an entrepreneurial accounting firm that helps real estate investors minimize tax and maximize profit.Out of college, Thomas landed a ‘dream job’ at a traditional accounting firm but soon realized he wasn’t on the path to the lifestyle he wanted. To achieve financial freedom, he built a portfolio of passive investments in apartment buildings before participating in his first deal as an active partner.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Thomas joins Garrett and me to discuss why he chose to put his money in multifamily over other investments.Thomas offers a high-level overview of how the taxation of real estate works, explaining who benefits from bonus depreciation and why we can report a loss despite earning substantial cashflow.Listen in for Thomas’ top strategies for deferring capital gains and find out why tax planning is so important for real estate investors!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session343/
38:5731/10/2022
MB341: How the Supply Chain Impacts Real Estate – With Jeff Davis
In the spring of 2020, store shelves were empty. And supply chain issues have disrupted businesses of all kinds ever since—including real estate.But what, exactly, is causing these problems in the supply chain? And when will things get back to normal?Jeff Davis is both a supply chain expert and real estate investor, serving as a senior sales executive for a Fortune 100 global logistics firm and Managing Partner at Bridgestone Holdings, where he has built a portfolio of 952 units.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jeff joins Garrett and me to explain what is causing our ongoing supply chain issues and why things haven’t normalized since the pandemic.Jeff discusses how rising interest rates impact the supply chain and shares his take on when construction costs might return to pre-COVID levels.Listen in for Jeff’s insight on underwriting deals in the current economic environment and learn how to navigate supply chain concerns as a multifamily investor.For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session342/
32:4224/10/2022
MB340: Upgrade Investor Relations Through Syndication Software – With Perry Zheng
When you’re a new real estate syndicator with a smaller network, you can keep track of investors with a spreadsheet and work through the process of raising money manually.But as you grow your investor database, it becomes more and more tedious to do things this way.The good news is, you can leverage investor management software to automate the process of drafting legal documents and wiring money, saving yourself and your investors a lot of time and trouble.So, how do you choose an investor portal that’s the right fit for you and your syndication business?Perry Zheng is Founder and CEO of Cash Flow Portal, a real estate syndication platform that helps syndicators streamline the process of raising equity, automate operations and attract more investors.Perry began his career as a software engineer, taking on roles at Twitter, Amazon and Lyft. He has also acted as lead sponsor on three apartment syndications, raising $20M to build a portfolio of 850 units.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Perry joins Garrett and me to explain how his frustrations with the process of raising capital inspired the creation of Cash Flow Portal.Perry discusses how GPs and LPs alike benefit from using an investor management platform and describes what differentiates Cash Flow Portal from other syndication software on the market.Listen in for Perry’s insight on vetting investor management software and find out if Cash Flow Portal is the right long-term partner for you!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session340/
35:5617/10/2022
MB339: Tokenizing Real Estate Deals – With Michael Flight
Michael Flight used to be a crypto-skeptic. But as he learned more about the blockchain and its potential to make real estate more accessible to a wider audience, he became a crypto-innovator.Today, Michael is CEO of Liberty Real Estate Fund LLC, the world’s first net lease security token fund. With 34 years of investing experience, he is leveraging the blockchain to tokenize ownership of high-quality commercial real estate.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Michael joins me to explain how his beliefs around freedom drew him to blockchain technology.Michael describes the connections between real estate and the blockchain, discussing how it makes syndications more accessible and solves the liquidity problem in multifamily investing.Listen in to understand how the SEC governs tokenized real estate deals and learn how to take the first steps in offering a multifamily syndication on the blockchain.For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session341/
42:0910/10/2022
MB338: Invest in Real Estate Via Creative Financing – With Christian Osgood
No matter what asset class you want to invest in, creativity is key—especially if you don’t have a rich uncle to help you get started!You just have to stop asking yourself, ‘Can I do this?’ And start asking yourself, ‘How can I do this?’Christian Osgood left his sales job with CoStar Group to become a full-time investor at age 29. And in the last 18 months, he leveraged creative financing to build a portfolio of 95 units.Today, he is Cofounder of Multifamily Strategy, a platform that helps others achieve financial freedom with real estate and take back control of their lives.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Christian joins Garrett and me to discuss his top creative strategies for buying property, challenging us to think beyond price when we negotiate a deal.Christian walks us through the fundamentals of seller financing, explaining how he introduces himself to property owners and why he focuses on understanding their goals to build a strong relationship.Listen in for Christian’s insight on using Google Maps to ‘drive for dollars’ and learn his formula for finding creative ways to close a real estate deal.For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session338/
39:5403/10/2022
MB337: Collaborating with Your Property Management Team – With Nathan Ridgeway
When I got started in multifamily, I was much too hands-off with property managers. Yes, I reviewed the numbers, but otherwise, I stayed away and simply let them manage everything.Then I realized that experienced syndicators are much more actively involved with their property management companies, and we started to build more collaborative relationships.So, where is the sweet spot between too hands-off and too involved? What does a healthy relationship between property managers and ownership groups look like?Nathan Ridgeway is Regional Vice President at First Communities, one of the nation’s most successful property management companies.Founded in 1978, FCM has managed over 200K units in 100K communities, growing their market reach to include Washington DC, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Nathan joins Garrett and me to discuss the relationship between property management companies and ownership groups.Nathan explains what differentiates FCM from other property management companies, describing his team’s approach to building a deep bench in a given market and managing expectations with ownership groups.Listen in for Nathan's advice on vetting a property manager and learn how to strike the right balance between trusting your management team and verifying their performance.For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session337/
45:1126/09/2022
MB336: How to Launch Your Own Real Estate Fund – With Bridger Pennington
Think you need an Ivy League education or 20 years of experience on Wall Street to set up a fund? Think again! Once you've done a handful of syndications, you can easily launch a fund of your own and simplify the process of raising money for multiple real estate deals. Bridger Pennington is Cofounder and CEO of Fund Launch, an education platform that helps aspiring fund managers launch, build and scale a fund. Fund Launch has served more than 20K students with its hundreds of videos and dozens of downloadable assets. Bridger also serves as Founder of Black Bridge Holdings, where he established multiple funds and facilitated more than 326 transactions across a variety of industries. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Bridger joins Garrett and me to discuss what differentiates a real estate syndication from a fund, describing when it's appropriate to start raising capital through a fund and how the process changes. Bridger walks us through the pros and cons of raising money with a fund, explaining how it allows you to scale your business faster and close on a good deal more quickly. Listen in for Bridger's insight on generating excitement around investing in a fund and find out how to launch a fund of your own and raise a huge pool of capital from investors for real estate deals! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session336/
35:4319/09/2022
MB335: Serve Investors by Solving Their Problems – With Travis Watts
Investor relations is not about selling a deal. It’s about getting to know individual investors and solving their problems. But what does that look like in practice? How do you connect with potential LPs and educate them around the benefits of investing in multifamily syndications? Travis Watts is Director of Investor Education at Ashcroft Capital. He got his start in real estate in 2009, investing in single family and short-term rentals. Travis became a passive investor with Ashcroft several years ago and was so impressed with their performance that he offered to join the Investor Relations Team in 2019. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Travis joins Garrett and me to explain why he transitioned from active investing in single family to passive investing in syndications. Travis describes how he attracts new investors at Ashcroft and walks us through the pros and cons of raising capital through a fund. Listen in for Travis’ best practices for taking care of investors and learn how to serve your LPs and solve their problems to grow your syndication business. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session335/
36:5912/09/2022
MB334: From Homeless to Multi-Millionaire in 2 Years – With Sterling Griffin
Proximity is power. But how do you get in front of successful people when you're struggling yourself? Sterling Griffin was homeless when he made the decision to surround himself with the people he wanted to become. Then he found creative ways to add value so they'd want to be friends. And in just two years, Sterling went from living in his Honda Accord to making $1.68M. Today, Sterling serves as Founder of Life Changer Academy and Sterling Capital, a real estate firm that provides high-net-worth individuals with access to tax-advantaged investments. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Sterling joins cohost Garrett Lynch to share his journey to becoming a millionaire, explaining how he borrowed money and sold his car to invest in a mentor and why he's committed to inspiring others to see more for themselves too. Sterling describes his transition from fitness trainer to business coach to real estate investor, discussing his decision to focus on triple net lease investing and the tax advantages of accelerated depreciation. Listen in for Sterling's insight on finding the right people to learn from and learn creative ways to add value to high-profile people who will help you grow to the next level of success! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session334/
41:5105/09/2022
MB333: Innovating Around Affordable Housing – With Alvin ‘Hope’ Johnson
The lack of affordable housing is a big problem in the US. And most developers shy away from these projects because it’s hard to make money. But Alvin ‘Hope’ Johnson is not most developers. He’s found a way to innovate in the affordable housing space and ‘do good while doing good.’ Alvin is President of the Hope Housing Foundation, a nonprofit positioned to be one of the country’s most effective affordable workforce housing organizations. He also serves as CEO of Multifamily Monopoly, an education platform for real estate developers interested in the process of multifamily development and ownership. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Alvin joins Garrett and me to discuss his journey from painting houses to $225M multifamily entrepreneur and describe the tenacity it took to find a mentor in the space. Alvin shares his successes in affordable housing so far, explaining how he’s turning neighborhoods around, building sustainable workforce housing developments, and making a profit in the process. Listen in for Alvin’s insight on pursuing a mission-driven business and learn how to leverage innovation to make money building naturally occurring affordable housing. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session333/
38:5629/08/2022
MB332: Avoid Lawsuits & Protect Your Real Estate Assets – With Garrett Sutton
As real estate investors, we spend years building up generational wealth. But a single lawsuit can tear it all down. So, how do we put the right asset protection measures in place? Garrett Sutton is the corporate attorney and asset protection expert behind Corporate Direct, a firm that helps entrepreneurs and investors protect their assets, maintain their privacy and achieve their financial goals. Garrett is also one of Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Advisors and the bestselling author of several books, including his new release, Veil Not Fail: Protecting Your Personal Assets from Business Attacks. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explain why asset protection is crucial for real estate investors at all levels. Garrett discusses why an LLC is the best way for syndicators and apartment owners to structure a business and walks us through the most common mistakes people make when it comes to asset protection. Listen in for Garrett’s advice on what insurance you need as a real estate investor and learn what steps you can take to protect both your personal assets and property from lawsuits. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session332/
36:1122/08/2022
MB331: 10 Years in Single Family vs. 10 Months as Multifamily Investors – With Lance Doty & Adam Mitchell
For 20 years, Adam Mitchell has been dreaming of a multifamily portfolio. But without the confidence or the know-how to invest in apartments, he started with single family. A decade ago, Adam joined forces with his friend Lance Doty, and they became the Home Buying Guys, scaling a successful single family investing business that runs on autopilot. But in 2021, Adam took action on his vision of moving into the multifamily space and invited Lance to join him in the transition. They became the Apartment Buying Guys, and within 35 days, they had 225 units under contract. In just 10 months, Adam and Lance have raised over $2M and acquired 731 units. Both have achieved financial freedom, and they are well on their way to the goal of 1,000 doors in five years. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Adam and Lance join Garrett and me to explain why it took them so long to make the move to multifamily and how they overcame their lack of experience to break into the space. Adam and Lance discuss the value of hiring a mentor, describing how they might have accelerated their journey by getting support sooner and why they’re focusing on scale from Day One. Listen in for insight on what makes Lance and Adam’s partnership work and learn how to make the leap from single family to apartment building investing—and achieve financial freedom in three years or less! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session331/
42:3715/08/2022
MB330: The Competitive Advantage of In-House Construction – With Jorge Abreu
When we started investing in multifamily, we relied on property managers to handle construction. As the business grew, we hired GCs to run construction projects with little oversight on our part. And got very mixed results. That’s when we realized that if we wanted to scale our multifamily portfolio, we needed an in-house team. But how do you build a construction arm for your real estate business? Jorge Abreu is Cofounder and CEO of Elevate Commercial Investment Group, a multifamily firm based in Dallas, Texas, and Founder of JNT Construction, the in-house construction arm of Elevate CIG. With 15 years of experience in real estate, Jorge has acquired a portfolio of nearly 7,000 units worth more than $500M. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jorge explains why he started his own construction company and how JNT gives Elevate a competitive advantage. Jorge walks us through the process he used to build an in-house construction business, describing what he looks for in a project manager and how he leverages software to hold the team accountable. Listen in for Jorge’s insight on the importance of construction contracts and learn how an in-house construction team can help YOU scale your syndication business! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session330/
44:3508/08/2022
MB329: Applying a Sales Mindset to Multifamily Investing – With Eric Chadderdon
Not everyone who wants to be a real estate investor sticks with it long enough to be successful. But if you apply a sales mindset to multifamily investing, you will be able to take the initial rejection and keep pushing. Because as Eric Chadderdon says, ‘The only time you lose in this business is if you quit.’ Eric is Managing Partner at Gibby’s Capital Investments, a boutique firm that helps investors diversify their portfolios with commercial real estate. He got into multifamily in December of 2020 and has amassed a portfolio of 724 units in just 18 months! Prior to founding Gibby’s, Eric spent 12 years in the sales industry, and he leverages the skills he learned there to build relationships in the multifamily space. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Eric joins Garrett and me to explain why he quit his W-2 job after his first multifamily deal and explore how the skills he learned in sales translate to real estate. Eric discusses what he did to build relational capital in the real estate space, challenging us to put ourselves in the right rooms and add value any way we can—without asking for compensation. Listen in for Eric’s insight on underwriting in an uncertain market environment and learn how a sales mindset can help YOU scale a multifamily portfolio and quit your 9-to-5 with real estate! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session329/
43:2101/08/2022
MB328: Live from DML: The Multifamily Market Outlook – With Robert Helms
According to the mainstream media, the sky is falling in the real estate market. But is that entirely true? While no one can predict exactly what will happen in the global economy or how it might impact real estate, Robert Helms is a student of the markets. And he can tell us how to prepare for the change that’s coming our way. Robert is Founder and Host of the top-rated Real Estate Guys Radio Show. He has 18 years of experience working in a real estate brokerage with his dad, Bob ‘the Godfather of Real Estate’ Helms, and has been involved in development projects worth more than $300M. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, we're sharing the replay of Robert’s talk at Deal Maker Live, where he explains why the mainstream media doesn’t get the real estate markets right and why investors like us need to pay attention anyway. Robert walks us through a SWOT analysis of the real estate market, describing the current opportunities and threats to multifamily investors. Listen in for Robert’s insight around the purchasing power of the US dollar and learn how apartment building investors like YOU can prepare for a fundamental change to the economy and thrive regardless of the circumstances! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session328/
49:3725/07/2022
MB327: Work-Life Balance for Women in Real Estate – With Liz Faircloth, Savannah Arroyo, Julie Holly & Veena Jetti
There aren't a lot of women in the real estate investing business, in part because there are so few female role models. But if you can see it, you can be it. So, we brought together a panel of powerhouse women entrepreneurs this past June at Deal Maker Live to share their experiences and encourage other aspiring investors, men and women alike. Our panelists included Savannah Arroyo, Founder and CEO of Networth Nurse, Julie Holly, Founder of Three Keys Investments and Host of The Conscious Investor Podcast, Veena Jetti, Founding Partner at Vive Funds, and Liz Faircloth, Cofounder of the DeRosa Group and Cocreator of The Real Estate InvestHER Community. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, we're sharing the replay of the Women in Real Estate panel discussion from Deal Maker Live, exploring some of the biggest obstacles Savannah, Julie, Holly and Liz faced as entrepreneurs and what they did to overcome those challenges and become successful multifamily investors. Our panelists discuss how to create work-life balance as a woman in real estate, offering advice around creating a support system and getting on the same page with your partner. Listen in for insight into the surprising skills you need to be an effective entrepreneur and get Savannah, Julie, Holly and Liz’s advice on the mindset you need to build a thriving real estate investing business! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session327/
37:5218/07/2022
MB326: Democratizing Access to Quality Real Estate Deals – With Jilliene Helman
Real estate investing is a critical part of a diversified portfolio. And while most Americans have easy access to stocks and bonds, most don't know where to go to find private real estate deals. That’s what inspired Founder and CEO Jilliene Helman to create Realty Mogul, a crowdfunding platform committed to democratizing real estate. Jilliene’s background in banking exposed her to brokers, real estate lenders and trust officers, giving her a 360-degree view of wealth management—and a comprehensive understanding of the real estate market. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jilliene joins Garrett and me to discuss the challenges she faced early on in building Realty Mogul and describe what inspired her to persevere through 103 coffee meetings before she found a backer! Jilliene explains how the Realty Mogul marketplace differs from traditional syndication and explores the pros and cons of investing in individual deals versus real estate investment trusts (REITs) on the site. Listen in for Jilliene’s thoughtful outlook on the current real estate market and get her advice for investing in the right opportunities during an economic downturn. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session326/
39:3811/07/2022
MB325: The Future of Real Estate Is Digital – With Ryan Pineda
What does the future of real estate look like? If you ask Ryan Pineda, the future of real estate is digital. And he sees the potential to build multiple billion-dollar businesses that solve many of the problems we face—on the blockchain. Ryan began his real estate career in 2010, and since then, he’s flipped hundreds of single-family homes, purchased hundreds of rentals and founded six multimillion-dollar businesses in the space. In 2020, he went all-in on social media and amassed 1.5M followers teaching people how to build wealth and achieve financial freedom. Ryan is also working on a new NFT project called Tykes, a community for the pioneers of digital real estate. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Ryan joins Garrett Lynch to discuss his SOP for starting a new business and describe what makes his real estate companies so resilient. Ryan shares the worst-case scenario thinking that helps him identify single points of failure and explains how removing yourself from day-to-day operations and cross-training your people mitigates risk. Listen in for insight into the issues the blockchain can solve for real estate investors and learn how to be part of Ryan’s new NFT project and digital real estate mastermind! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session325/
46:3104/07/2022
MB324: How to Grow & Lead a Real Estate Investing Team – With Cameron Herold
Growing a successful real estate business means growing a solid team. But many entrepreneur-investors struggle with hiring and don’t spend enough time developing key leadership skills. So, what makes for a successful leader in the multifamily business? How do you decide what to delegate, communicate the vision for your business and help the people on your team excel? Known as the CEO Whisperer, Cameron Herold is Founder of the COO Alliance and Second in Command Podcast, a coaching practice and training platform that helps C-suite leaders double their revenue in three years or less. Cameron is well-known for engineering 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s growth from $2M to $106M in revenue in just six years as COO. He is also the bestselling author of Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool for Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Cameron joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explain what makes a successful leader, describing how a vivid vision helps leaders focus on the right opportunities and communicate with their team. Cameron shares the activity inventory he uses to help leaders learn to delegate, challenging us to offload anything that’s outside our genius and free up our time for revenue-generating activities. Listen in for Cameron’s insight on creating personal development plans for the individuals on your investing team and learn his FOCUS x FAITH x EFFORT formula for success! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session324/
45:5927/06/2022
MB323: The Shortcut to Success in Real Estate – With Sam Kwak
Are you struggling to do your first real estate deal? Is there an aspect of the multifamily business that’s taking a long time to master on your own? What if you stopped asking HOW and started asking WHO? Who is already good at this? And can they teach me? Sam Kwak is one half of the real estate duo and YouTube sensation known as The Kwak Brothers. Based in Chicago, Sam and his brother Daniel hold a portfolio worth just over $4.5M. Beyond investing in multifamily, Sam leverages his background in marketing and technology to help property managers automate their business. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Sam joins host Garrett Lynch to explain how volunteering to work for free with a local investor served as a shortcut to his success. Sam describes how he leverages an online platform to raise money for real estate deals, discussing why the focus of his content has changed and how hiring a high-level consultant grew his YouTube channel from 108K to 260K subscribers in just four months. Listen in for Sam’s insight on navigating challenges in a business partnership and learn how to accelerate your real estate career by investing in a mentor or coach—and then applying that knowledge to get further, faster! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session323/
42:3120/06/2022
MB322: Developing a Next-Level Due Diligence Checklist – With Jake Harris
When was the last time you reviewed your due diligence process? Too many real estate investors are so eager to do a deal that they cut corners on due diligence and hope for the best. But a robust due diligence checklist is essential to your success. Jake Harris uses his superpower of methodically sorting through data to make real-world decisions on real estate, and his private equity firm has acquired more than $200M in assets in the last five years alone. Jake is extremely detail-oriented in conducting due diligence, and he shares that expertise in his new book, Catching Knives: A Guide to Investing in Distressed Commercial Real Estate. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jake joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to discuss how he hit rock bottom during the recession and describe his transition from single family flips to commercial real estate. Jake explores how to use deep knowledge of a given real estate market to your advantage and explains how due diligence can uncover significant downside risk in a commercial deal. Listen in for Jake’s no-stone-unturned approach to due diligence and learn how to decide when a deal is worth the risk—and when to walk away. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session322/
43:2813/06/2022
MB321: Marketing to Scale Your Syndication Business – With Brian Wagers
Most new multifamily investors focus on deal flow. We know that capital flow is important, but we figure we can rely on friends and family to fund our first few deals. But eventually, the money runs out. So, if you want to scale a real estate business, you’ve got to grow your sphere of potential investors. And the easiest way to do that is through an online thought leadership platform. Brian Wagers raised capital for his first 361 units simply by talking to people one-on-one. And then he realized that to achieve scale, he needed to pay more attention to marketing. Brian is Founder of Wagers Capital, a real estate investing firm with $4.1M in multifamily assets. To date, Brian has built a portfolio of 447 units in his home state of Arkansas and another 125 in Texas. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Brian joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share the steps he took to get into multifamily and explain how live events helped him see the possibilities of growing a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Brian walks us through the steps he took to build an online thought leadership platform, describing how his social media presence and podcast appearances attract new investors to Wagers Capital. Listen in to understand how Brian leveraged my Platform Builders Workshop to build out his marketing systems and learn how to scale YOUR syndication business by focusing on deal flow and capital flow at the same time! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session321/
38:3706/06/2022
MB320: How to Use Social Media to Crush It in Real Estate – With Lili Thompson
Why would a real estate investor want to share content on social media? Yes, we can build relationships with other investors and raise capital without Instagram or YouTube. But social platforms help us maintain those real-life connections and make tens of thousands of others! So, how can we use social media to crush it in real estate? Lili Thompson was playing with the Harlem Globetrotters when COVID hit. Stuck at home with nothing to do, Lili learned about wholesaling and decided to try it—and document the process on social media. Today, Lili is one of the rising stars in the real estate space, and she has 148K subscribers on YouTube. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Lili joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to discuss how she benefits from sharing her real estate journey on YouTube, describing the connections she’s made with other beginners and experienced investors alike. Lili offers insight into how she built an audience on social media and explains why it’s important to produce content consistently. Listen in to understand why Lili is shifting into the multifamily space (using my Syndicated Deal Analyzer) and take the first steps to creating a thought leadership platform of your own, no matter where you are in your real estate journey! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session320/
38:2630/05/2022
MB319: An Introvert’s Guide to Raising Capital – With Jonathan Wei
What’s stopping you from doing your first multifamily deal? Whatever your perceived weakness may be, you can overcome it and achieve the same kind of success in commercial real estate that you’ve had in other areas of your life. English is Jonathan Wei’s second language and he’s a quiet, introverted guy. And yet, he’s raised millions of dollars for real estate syndication deals. What’s his secret? Jonathan serves as Cofounder and CEO of Greystone Capital Group, a commercial real estate firm that focuses on multifamily and self-storage assets. He left a successful career as a CPA to become a full-time investor, quitting his job in February 2022. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jonathan joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share his fears around raising capital, explaining how he got comfortable talking to brokers and investors with the help of a mentor. Jonathan discusses how the connections he made at Deal Maker Live led to JV partnerships that helped him build a portfolio of 500 multifamily units and another 500 in self-storage. Listen in for Jonathan’s insight on overcoming limiting beliefs by leveraging prior personal and professional successes—and applying the same work ethic to real estate! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session319/
35:1023/05/2022
MB318: High-Stakes Problem-Solving as a Class D Multifamily Operator
Before you invest with a multifamily operator, it’s important to understand their track record. To know that they’ve got experience overcoming obstacles and making a deal work. Prior to joining our team at Nighthawk Equity, podcast cohost Garrett Lynch owned and operated a class D real estate portfolio on the south side of Chicago. And learned how to solve problems on a life-or-death level in the process. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett is flying solo, discussing how he acquired 300 properties in six months and describing some of the challenges he faced managing assets in crime-ridden neighborhoods. Garrett shares his experience owning and operating a 381-unit, class D apartment building in Memphis, walking us through the steps he took to end gang violence onsite and increase occupancy to 90%. Listen in for Garrett’s insight around the pros and cons of investing in class D properties and find out what he learned about problem-solving in a high-stakes situation that he brings to the team at Nighthawk! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session318/
37:4116/05/2022
MB317: Building Wealth in Minority Communities – With Duamel Vellon
A 2017 Forbes headline reads, ‘Median Wealth of Black and Latino Families Could Hit Zero by the Middle of the Century.’ That hit home for Puerto Rican-born Duamel Vellon. And he’s made it his mission to raise awareness in his community, making multifamily investors out of his friends and peers. Duamel Vellon is Cofounder of Ten15 Capital, a multifamily investment firm with assets in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. A former engineer in the theme park industry, Duamel quit his job in December of 2021 to be a full-time investor, and he currently manages a 203-unit portfolio. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Duamel joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share the ‘chess versus checkers’ mindset that helped him transition from flipping to multifamily. Duamel describes his grassroots approach to raising capital, discussing how he grows his network and educates potential investors before he has a live deal. Listen in for insight on Duamel’s mission to serve the Black and Latino communities and learn his uncommon strategy for ensuring regular deal flow. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session317/
42:4109/05/2022
MB316: Financing Multifamily Through a Credit Union – With Mark Ritter
If you finance a multifamily syndication through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you’re securing non-recourse debt with a fixed interest rate. But if you want to exit anytime sooner than the loan expiration date, you're going to pay a BIG penalty on the back end. So, how might we leverage credit unions to avoid these big-ticket prepayment penalties? Are there other benefits to financing real estate deals through a credit union? What’s the downside? Mark Ritter is CEO of Member Business Financial Services or MBFS, a business lending credit service organization owned by credit unions for credit unions and their members. An expert in credit unions and business lending, Mark is dedicated to helping commercial real estate investors secure the financing they need. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Mark joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explore the pros and cons of financing multifamily through a credit union versus traditional loans. Mark describes the credit union philosophy of people helping people, discussing how real estate investors benefit from having a personal relationship with our lender. Listen in for Mark’s advice on how to approach a credit union for a loan and learn about the flexible terms and low cost of capital available if you finance your next deal through an organization like MBFS! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session316/
40:2002/05/2022
MB315: The Transition from Pro Athlete to Multifamily Investor – With Dan Brisse
A career as a professional athlete is exciting, and if you’re among the best, you can make a lot of money in a short amount of time. But what do you do when your career is over? Dan Brisse was a professional snowboarder for over a decade, participating in the X Games four times and winning gold twice. But he noticed that older pros were suffering as their careers wound down, struggling financially and in their personal lives. And that inspired Dan to make his money work for him with multifamily real estate. Today, Dan is the cofounder of Granite Towers Equity Group, cohost of the Keeping It Real Estate Podcast and coauthor of 4 Steps to Successful Passive Investing. He and his partner, Mike, are GPs in 1,414 units worth $74M across five states, and he owns another 589 units as a passive investor. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Dan joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to discuss his transition from snowboarding to real estate and describe the steps he took to become a multifamily investor. Dan explains how his investing strategy has evolved over time, encouraging us to seek out a high-level mentor early on and avoid shiny object syndrome. Listen in for insight around the values alignment that makes Dan and Mike’s partnership work and learn how to make the leap from YOUR current career to full-time real estate investing. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session315/
39:5425/04/2022
MB314: Live Your Purpose Through Real Estate Investing – With Lee Prosenjak
Why do you do what you do? Articulating the WHY behind your work gives it meaning. And makes for a richer, more fulfilling life. But how do you uncover your purpose and then apply it each day? Lee Prosenjak is a serial entrepreneur and executive coach at LynchPyn. He's worked with thousands of entrepreneurs in 30-plus countries, cultivating cohesive work groups and facilitating conversations that truly matter. An artist at heart, Lee is also the Cofounder of Cherry Creek Dance, former Igniter at Simon Sinek Consulting and current real estate investor on a mission to help others discover their own inspiration, love and greatness. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Lee joins host Garrett Lynch to discuss his WHY and describe how clarity of purpose leads to better decision-making. Lee explores the relationship between purpose and identity, sharing the experience that inspired him to play BIGGER and expand his influence beyond Cherry Creek Dance. Listen in for Lee’s insight around being open to new opportunities and find out how he is living his purpose as the owner of a boutique hotel in the Bahamas! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session314/
38:5918/04/2022
MB313: Earn BIG Returns with a Portfolio of Commercial Assets – With Steffany Boldrini
Imagine earning cash-on-cash returns as high as 50%! Inspired by sophisticated real estate investors in her network, Steffany Boldrini moved her money out of tech startups and into commercial properties three years ago. And while she’s faced a lot of challenges along the way, Steffany reached financial freedom in less than two years. So, what is Steffany’s approach to investing in real estate? And what does she do to earn such big-time returns? Steffany moved from Brazil to Silicon Valley 20 years ago and enjoyed a successful career in tech sales before shifting her focus to commercial real estate. As Principal at Monte Carlo Real Estate Investments, she has built a portfolio across three asset classes, achieving 36% cash-on-cash returns. Steffany is also the host of Commercial Real Estate Investing from A-Z, a podcast about investing in retail, office, industrial and self-storage properties. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Steffany joins host Garrett Lynch to discuss her transition from angel investing to real estate, describing why she likes the risk profile of commercial properties over tech startups. Steffany shares her approach to building a commercial real estate portfolio, explaining the pros and cons of investing in car washes, self-storage and short-term rentals. Listen in to understand how Steffany leverages technology in her real estate business and get ideas for adding value to force appreciation—in any commercial asset class. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session313/
35:4911/04/2022
MB312: Become ‘Successfully Unemployed’ with Real Estate – With Dustin Heiner
When you work a traditional job, your ability to feed your family can be taken away from you at any moment. And your worth is determined by your employer. But what if YOU can determine your own worth? What if you can earn enough passive income from real estate to walk away from your J-O-B and be your own boss? Dustin Heiner is the creator of Master Passive Income, a platform and podcast where he shares insights on investing in real estate rental properties. Getting laid off from his 9-to-5 inspired Dustin to pursue investing, and by 2016, Dustin had built a portfolio of 30 properties and quit his job in IT, becoming what he calls 'successfully unemployed.' On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Dustin joins Garrett Lynch and me to discuss what he loves about passive income and share some of the mistakes he made with his first few investments. Dustin explains why it's important to build your business first, challenging you to look for markets with good inventory and put a team in place BEFORE you buy properties. Listen in for Dustin's insight on leveraging real estate to leave a legacy and find out how a mentor can support YOU in becoming successfully unemployed—like Dustin! For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session312/
39:0204/04/2022
MB311: Wealth Creation with Crypto & Real Estate – With Matthew Diemer
Are you confused by cryptocurrency, the blockchain or NFTs? As real estate investors, we’re all about wealth creation and owning physical assets as a hedge against inflation. But what about digital assets? Is it worth investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin? What is blockchain technology all about? And how can it change the world for the better? Matthew Diemer is a small business entrepreneur and host of the Decrypt Daily Podcast. Prior to Decrypt Daily, he founded Crypto 101 and held the titles of COO and GM in the global hospitality industry. Matthew is also a Democrat running for Congress in Northeast Ohio dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship, promoting tech innovation and reviving manufacturing in the US. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Matthew joins host Garrett Lynch and me to discuss the benefits of blockchain technology, describing what makes crypto a good investment vehicle and why Bitcoin is a strong hedge against inflation. Matthew explains how crypto allows us to control our own wealth and what we can do to keep our digital currency outside government control. Listen in for Matthew’s insight into buying digital real estate and learn how the blockchain can be used to create wealth by tokenizing properties. For full episode show notes visit: http://www.themichaelblank.com/session311/
37:2528/03/2022
MB310: Understanding the Entrepreneur’s Paradox — With Curtis Morley
Most entrepreneurs believe that we are the secret sauce in our business. We think that no one else can bake the cupcakes or design the websites or analyze the real estate deals quite the way we do. But if you’re busy building the product, who’s building the business? This is what Curtis Morley calls the entrepreneur’s paradox: In order to scale, you've got to shift your passion from working IN the business to working ON the business. Curtis is the five-time entrepreneur, mentor and thought leader behind The Entrepreneur’s Paradox, a platform dedicated to helping startup companies achieve next-level growth. Curtis has been named Entrepreneur of the Year and made the Inc. 5000 list six times. He is also the bestselling author of The Entrepreneur’s Paradox: How to Overcome the 16 Pitfalls Along the Startup Journey. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Curtis joins host Garrett Lynch to explain the entrepreneur’s paradox, challenging us to shift from the role of product manager to business leader and achieve the next level of growth. Curtis shares his concept of counterfeit emotions, describing how to turn fear into power with a simple shift from WHAT IF to WHAT IS thinking. Listen in for Curtis’ four-step success formula for entrepreneurs and learn how to make the mindset shift you need to scale YOUR real estate syndication business. Key Takeaways How Curtis defines the entrepreneur’s paradox What got you into business prevents you from succeeding ‘If you’re building the product, who’s building the business?’ The first steps to becoming a business leader Make decision to replace yourself as product manager Identify and document your processes, teach to others Curtis’ 3 summits you can climb as an entrepreneur Lifestyle business Buy or be bought IPO Curtis’ 4-step success formula for entrepreneurs How much By when For what And why Curtis’ advice for deciding what’s next after an exit Stay committed to your WHY Must have purpose, make contribution Curtis’ concept of counterfeit emotions Every authentic emotion has counterfeit (e.g.: faith vs. fear) Authentic emotions connect, while counterfeit disconnect How to transform your FEAR into POWER Change WHAT IF into WHAT IS Brings you back to present and creates energy How Curtis uncovered the idea of counterfeit emotions Pain = gift to help us grow, suffering steeped in blame/shame Surrender to pain and turn it into something positive Connect with Curtis Morley <a...
42:1321/03/2022
MB309: How to LAUNCH a Syndication Business – With Jonathan & Paula Nichols
In aerospace engineering, ‘escape velocity’ is the amount of power a rocket needs to break free of the Earth’s gravitational field. And if you ask Jonathan and Paula Nichols, launching a real estate syndication business is no different. It takes a tremendous amount of effort up front to do your first deal. You have to commit to the outcome and do whatever it takes to persevere through setbacks and disappointment. But once you’ve picked up momentum and closed on your first apartment building, the next deals follow in quick, almost automatic succession. Jonathan and Paula are the cofounders of Apogee Capital, a multifamily firm dedicated to helping investors reach their financial potential. The Nichols closed on three deals in the last year, raising $2.7M as they built a portfolio of 200 units, and Jonathan quit his job as an aerospace engineer six weeks ago to pursue real estate full time. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jonathan and Paula join cohost Garrett Lynch and me to discuss the sacrifices they made to make time for real estate while they both worked full-time corporate jobs. Jonathan and Paula walk us through the steps they took to get started in multifamily syndication, describing how they got on the same page as a couple and started networking with potential partners. Listen in for insight on reframing a lost deal as a learning opportunity and learn how to stay the course in tough times and keep taking action—until YOUR investing business takes off! Key Takeaways How Jonathan and Paula got into real estate Rich Dad... inspired to lease first home, buy fourplex Realized multifamily was only way to scale How real estate evolved into a business for the Nichols Started as way to diversify investments Saw unlimited possibilities once they gained traction How Jonathan and Paula got on the same page Both wanted to build legacy Saw real estate as potential family business The steps Jonathan and Paula took to get started investing Dreaming about financial freedom Getting educated (mentorship program) Networking to shift mindset Taking consistent action to build confidence How Jonathan and Paula made time for real estate Say no to fun activities on nights and weekends Make sacrifices to reach ‘escape velocity’ Jonathan and Paula’s first multifamily deal Co-GPs on 100-unit deal in Tulsa, Oklahoma Brought in as boots on ground in market How Jonathan and Paula met their partners Develop relationship through networking events Brought them deal that didn’t work out Jonathan and Paula’s big setback 5 months ago Actual financial records didn’t match originals Discouraging but consider it learning opportunity How Jonathan and Paula raised $700K for their first deal <li style="font-weight: 400;"...
47:1714/03/2022
MB308: To Scale Fast in Multifamily, Partner Up – With Patrick Grimes
Multifamily real estate is a big game. And if you want to scale quickly, you can’t do it alone. That’s how Patrick Grimes went from 0 to 1,200-plus units in under two years. He partnered with a senior operator to go further faster, leveraging his partner’s expertise to build a $250M portfolio in a very short time. But how did he get an experienced investor to invite him into a deal? Patrick is the Founder and CEO of Invest on Main Street and contributor to the #1 Amazon bestseller Persistence, Pivots and Game Changers: Turning Challenges Into Opportunities. Patrick also runs Protomation Systems, a consulting business that contracts with machine design firms to conceptualize, design and build custom manufacturing automation and robotic systems. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Patrick joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explain how he brought value to an experienced operator to get into his first multifamily deal. Patrick shares his experience with the Law of the First Deal, describing how his role on the team shifted as his portfolio grew. Listen in for Patrick’s insight on mitigating the risks of multifamily investing and find out why partnering up is the best way to scale your business and get on the fast track to financial freedom! Key Takeaways How Patrick got into real estate investing First employer suggested keeping money in real estate Looking for investment vehicle other than stock market How Patrick’s investing strategy changed after 2008 Focus shifted to legacy and improving quality of life Scale with multifamily, partner to accelerate growth How Patrick got his wife involved in real estate investing Invited to do Michael’s Ultimate Guide... course Now she creates passive investor educational content The steps Patrick took to get his first multifamily deal Underwrite and bring live deals to senior operator Network and build relationships with brokers How Patrick justifies the risk associated with multifamily Right team in place and experienced partners Low-leveraged debt in less volatile markets Patrick’s pivot away from deal finder into other roles Drawn into existing deal by senior operator Add value through due diligence, operations, etc. Patrick’s experience with the Law of the First Deal Started raising capital through engineering network 2nd and 3rd deals in quick succession (KP on $200M) Why Patrick chose the 506(c) option Used to accredited investors, $100K minimums Allows him to market deals online The biggest challenge Patrick is facing as he scales Get name out there as real estate investor Demo thought leadership
37:2507/03/2022
MB307: Save Tens of Thousands on Your Taxes – With Heidi Henderson
Real estate has always had tax advantages, but in recent years, the deal got even sweeter for multifamily investors. So, how do we write off depreciation? What is a cost segregation study and how can it save us even more? Heidi Henderson serves as Executive Vice President at Engineered Tax Services, the nation’s leading tax credit and incentives firm. As an experienced tax consultant and real estate investor herself, Heidi specializes in the application of tax efficiencies to multifamily investments. On this episode of the podcast, Heidi joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share the unique tax advantages of real estate and explain why the US government incentivizes multifamily investors. Heidi describes how to take advantage of BONUS depreciation (provided for by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) by conducting a detailed cost segregation analysis. Listen in for Heidi’s insight on determining the ROI of a cost seg study and find out how YOU can save tens of thousands of dollars with the magic of accelerated depreciation! Key Takeaways The unique tax advantages of real estate Depreciate value of real estate over 27½ years Bonus depreciation through ‘cost seg’ analysis Why the government incentivizes real estate investors Consumerism drives economy Encourages improvements to infrastructure What depreciation is and how it works Deducting cost of asset over its ‘useful life’ Reduces taxable income for investor Why you should claim bonus depreciation right away Must be done year property is purchased Inventory breakdown helps plan renovations How to take advantage of accelerated depreciation Conduct cost segregation study Itemize deductions (e.g.: carpet, windows, etc.) What to look for in a company that does cost seg Can vary from 2 to 150 pages Ask for copy of redacted study to compare How to determine your ROI on a cost seg analysis Based on taxable income, percentage of tax paid Subtract cost of analysis The limitations on taxable income for passive investors Depreciation offsets real estate income only Does not offset income from W-2 job Why we should cash in on bonus depreciation now TCJA passed 100% bonus depreciation Drops to 80% in 2023, 60% in 2024 Connect with Heidi Henderson Engineered Tax Services Heidi on LinkedIn Email <a href= "mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel=...
37:5228/02/2022
MB306: To Scale Your Business, Put Investors First – With Veena Jetti
When you’re doing your first multifamily deal, scaling the business is the last thing on your mind. But if you don’t think about scale early on and come up with a plan, you’ll be fighting fires as you grow. So, how do you create a vision for what your syndication business will look like in the future and then proactively put systems in place that allow you to scale up with ease? Veena Jetti is the Founding Partner of Vive Funds, a unique multifamily firm that specializes in curating conservative opportunities for real estate investors. Veena has built a portfolio of 3,000-plus units worth $600M, and she shares her expertise as a frequent speaker, panelist and guest on various media outlets. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Veena joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explain how raising capital at a high level allows her to scale and describe how every decision is made with the investor in mind. Veena shares her success with investor retention and referrals, discussing why she offers investors the option to put their money in a fund or invest in direct offerings. Listen in for insight on how Veena uses her time as partner at a big-time investment firm and get her advice on creating workflows that make it easy to scale your multifamily syndication business! Key Takeaways What inspired Veena’s interest in scaling a real estate business Mom was successful investor, taught solid work ethic Enjoys bigger safety net than immigrant parents How Veena and her sister/business partner use their time Strategy re: acquisitions, capital and legal structure Continue to take investor-facing calls Why Veena’s had success raising capital at a high level All decisions made with investor in mind High investor retention rate and referrals Why Veena offers investors a fund OR direct offering option Fund satisfies demand for diversification, set + forget Surprised to find that some investors want to do both How Veena raises $30M in 42 days Raise money when don’t have deal on table $100K minimum for individual deals Veena’s experience with institutional investors Build relationships with family funds Have Plan B in case drop out last minute What Veena is doing to enhance the way she raises capital Rebrand with investor in mind Add technology to make process smoother Veena’s biggest challenges right now Letting go of taking investor calls Implementing new tech at pace she wants Veena’s advice to her younger self Invest in systems and processes out of gate Consider scale from first deal How Veena thinks about deal flow Wants to do more but very competitive right now Prefers 1 or 2 great deals over 6 okay deals...
36:5921/02/2022
MB305: The Life and Times of an 18-Year-Old Syndicator – With Alex Mandaro
At the age of 18, Alex Mandaro is the youngest mentoring student we’ve ever had at the Michael Blank organization. So, we’re doing a grand experiment and asking Alex to document his journey! In a reality-style series broadcast through our social media channels, Alex will share a behind-the-scenes look at the life and times of a new syndicator. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Alex joins me to explain what inspired his interest in multifamily and why he believes he’ll be successful. He discusses why he used his college money to invest in mentoring, describing how he is getting the most out of our program and learning from the mistakes of others. Listen in for insight on following Alex’s journey with us to find out if you really can be a successful syndicator without experience or cash of your own! Key Takeaways What inspired Alex’s interest in real estate Always wanted to have business, likes people Read Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing What makes Alex believe he can be successful Less baggage at age 18 Raised to believe he can do anything he wants Why Alex chose real estate over college Not sure what major he wanted to pursue Can still meet new people and live on his own How Alex’s friends and family reacted to his decision Other friends not going to college Parents very supportive The first steps Alex is taking to pursue multifamily Devote time to learning and networking Look for partner to ‘get bigger deal done faster’ Why Alex invested in our mentoring program Wants someone to push him Make fewer mistakes Alex’s personal WHY statement Lead others to freedom Positively impact others How Alex is getting the most out of mentorship Plan next steps each week Go into conversations with investors prepared How Alex thinks about getting through bad days Purpose keeps pushing forward Consistency is what matters Why Alex agreed to document his journey with us Help teach and inspire others Holds him accountable Alex’s concerns with sharing his journey on social Pressure to do deal in certain time frame Doesn’t want to let people down Connect with Alex Mandaro Follow Alex’s Journey on Instagram Follow Alex’s Journey on TikTok Follow Alex’s Journey on YouTube Resources <a href=...
31:2414/02/2022
MB304: Install Renewable Energy, Increase Your Profits – With John Matheson
Using renewable energy to power a multifamily property is not just for environmentalists anymore. As the political environment shifts, going green doesn’t just make the world a better place. It’s also highly profitable. John Matheson is Managing Member and Sustainable Building Consultant at J. Healy Development, where he has developed an expertise in helping multifamily operators increase profits through renewable energy and ecofriendly building methods. He also serves as Cofounder and CEO of Leverage Finance Software, a platform that supports property investors in making smarter and more informed lender financing decisions. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, John joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explain how he adds value to a property with rooftop or on-the-ground solar power. He describes the benefits of partnering with a solar developer and discusses the financial incentives associated with installing renewable energy across a multifamily portfolio. Listen in for insight on planning for panel maintenance and learn how to add a revenue stream to your multifamily business in 6 to 18 months with solar energy! Key Takeaways How John creates inventory as a permitting specialist Build relationships in individual municipalities Build to rent or flip permits to big developers How John adds value to a property with solar power Lease rooftop or land to solar developer Supply power to building, sell residual to grid How renewable energy credits or RECs work Tenants pay less per kilowatt hour for energy State pays multifamily operator as incentive The benefits of partnering with a solar developer Federal tax credit of 26% to 30% for installation Take advantage of renewable energy lenders What factors to consider as you plan to install solar Build in cost of panel maintenance Must remove panels to renovate roof The timeline for installing rooftop or ground solar Smaller system, faster it goes 6 to 18 months to cashflow How renewable energy attracts tenants Mention sustainability in marketing Certain kind of tenant will pay more Connect with John Matheson Healy Development Leverage Finance Software Resources Access Michael’s Free Resources in the Freedom Vault Be a Part of Michael’s Deal Maker’s Mastermind Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program...
45:1607/02/2022
MB303: How to Balance Multifamily with a Demanding W-2 – With Andrew Schutsky
Can you be successful in real estate investing and successful at a demanding job at the same time? Andrew Schutsky serves as the CIO of a $700M medical technology company. He also happens to be the founder of multifamily syndication firm Redline Equity and host of The Crushing Cashflow Podcast. Andrew has 14 years of real estate rental experience but didn’t enter the multifamily space until last year. Since then, he has built a portfolio of 1100 units! On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Andrew joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explain how he built a real estate business while working an executive level W-2 job. He describes how he networked into his first deal and offers advice on finding a partner who complements your strengths. Listen in for insight on the strategy of time budgeting and find out how Andrew is making time for his family, his full-time job and financial freedom. Key Takeaways What inspired Andrew’s interest in real estate Want to make best use of money Realized could replace income later Andrew’s shift to multifamily Came across blog of local syndicator Networked into first deal Andrew’s advice on finding a partner Share criteria, e.g.: 50- to 125-unit deals Align objectives and values How Andrew balances real estate with his W-2 Devote 15 to 20 hours/week Work in 5 to 7AM window Andrew’s strategy of time budgeting Decide how to spend time, audit often Break down to align with goals How Andrew makes time for his family Sacred window from 7 to 9PM Wife holds accountable if off track Andrew’s morning routine Read 20 pages or listen to podcast Meditation or 15-minute workout How Andrew stays on track to reach his goals Join/create accountability groups Post goals and track progress How Andrew thinks about his W-2 job Can't control what will happen Option to exit in 2 years What financial freedom means to Andrew Cover expenses with passive income Spend 40 on family and passions Andrew’s advice to aspiring investors Find fun in chaos Be ruthless in how invest time Focus on your strengths Connect with Andrew Schutsky Redline Equity Redline...
43:0531/01/2022
MB302: To Scale Fast, Think BIG from the Beginning – With Chris Roberts
It’s a common misconception in multifamily investing that you have to start small. But Chris Roberts looked beyond his first deal to envision a multimillion-dollar real estate business. He accelerated his success by thinking BIG from the beginning, acquiring nearly 1,000 units worth $69M in just three years. So, what’s the secret to scaling fast the way Chris did? Chris is the Founder and CEO of Sterling Rhino Capital, where he specializes in commercial debt, managing financials and investor relations. A full-time entrepreneur and investor since 2007, Chris started his real estate career by renovating, flipping and renting dozens of single-family properties. But after attending one of our events, Chris shifted his focus to helping people create cashflow by investing in larger apartment buildings of 100 units or more. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Chris joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share the process he used to scale quickly and achieve financial freedom. He explains why finding the right partner was key in growing Sterling Rhino and describes his team's make-it-personal approach to finding deals and raising money. Listen in for Chris’ insight on investing in mentorship and find out what it takes to build a BIG real estate investing business—in very little time. Key Takeaways What inspired Chris to invest in multifamily real estate Motivated by money at first Passive cashflow = freedom The mindset shift that propelled Chris into action Realized one person’s decision could change future Would much rather control own destiny The process Chris used to scale quickly Take massive action Invest in tools, mentors for support Chris’ transition from sales and marketing to multifamily Already people person, love business planning Had to overcome fears and bring on team How Chris and his business partner divide roles Paul excels at numbers, analytics and systems Chris focuses on investor relations Chris’ approach to deal flow and raising money Set yourself apart by ‘making it personal’ Create frictionless process of doing business What Chris is doing to handle scaling quickly Software to manage assets and team Grow team Chris’ advice on how to scale fast in multifamily Don’t be afraid to partner Join programs for tools, guidance and networking Connect with Chris Roberts Sterling Rhino Capital Sterling Rhino on YouTube Sterling Rhino on Facebook Sterling Rhino on LinkedIn <a href=...
48:5524/01/2022
MB301: A Blueprint for Developing New Skills – With Jerome Maldonado
In a culture with an aversion to failure, learning something new is scary. So, what is the best way to build new skills? How much information do you need before you start doing? And how do you keep moving forward when it gets hard? Real Estate Investor and Developer Jerome Maldonado got his start in direct sales and built a six-figure network marketing business in his mid-20’s. He leveraged those skills in team building and sales mastery to pivot into real estate and construction. Today, Jerome runs an eight-figure empire, and he is currently focused on land development and multifamily investing. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Jerome joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share his blueprint for getting into a new business and offer advice on how to stick with something when it gets hard. He explains how he developed such a strong work ethic, describing how he built a successful construction business and what inspired his pivot to buying land. Listen in for insight on minimizing risk as a land developer and learn Jerome’s secret to developing new skills as an entrepreneur and real estate investor! Key Takeaways How Jerome developed a strong work ethic Parents set example growing up Learned from competitive sports What skills most contribute to Jerome’s success Consistency Stay focused through difficult times Jerome’s advice on sticking with something Have faith in what you’re doing Press yourself in multiple ways How Jerome built a successful construction business Helped brother-in-law take over crew Leveraged sales experience to win big bids What inspired Jerome’s pivot to buying land Met developer at construction site Not afraid to ask questions about business Jerome’s blueprint for getting into a new business Take time to get educate yourself Be a DOER (but be methodical) Jerome’s reduce-the-risk approach to land development Work through entitlements during due diligence Ready to start immediately once land acquired How to learn more about land development Surround yourself with right people Inundate yourself with material Give up equity to veteran partner on first deal Connect with Jerome Maldonado Jerome’s Website Jerome on Twitter Jerome on Instagram Jerome on Facebook Jerome on YouTube Resources Get Tickets for Deal Maker...
44:2517/01/2022
MB300: The Best of 2021 on Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing
We had some inspiring guests on the podcast in 2021, all with their own particular interest or expertise around achieving financial freedom. But the one thing they all have in common is the powerful combination of hard work and passion it takes to achieve next-level success. So, what were some of the highlights from our interviews this past year? What are my top takeaways from the entrepreneurs and real estate investors who appeared on the show? On this episode, I’m sharing the Best of 2021 on Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, beginning with Jordan Harbinger’s insight on building relationships BEFORE you need them and Brandon Turner’s simple approach to developing your personal brand. We revisit John Lee Dumas’ dynamic formula for becoming a person of value, Joe Fairless’ perspective on raising capital through a fund and Chad Williams’ thoughts on applying Navy SEAL principles to your multifamily business. Listen in as we look back at Liz Faircloth’s commitment to building the Real Estate InvestHER community, Jenny Gou’s experience of leaving her high-paying corporate job for real estate, and Ronan McMahon’s understanding of opportunities to invest internationally! Key Takeaways Jordan Harbinger’s proactive approach to networking ‘Dig the well before you’re thirsty’ Don’t wait until you need something to reach out Brandon Turner’s insight on building a personal brand Consider how people already think about you Lean into what you’re good at (simplicity is key) John Lee Dumas’ take on what it takes to be successful Hard work + passion wins every time We develop passion for things we’re good at Liz Faircloth's passion for the Real Estate InvestHER community Support women investors, provide role models Thrive better in marriage to have own business Joe Fairless’ insight on raising capital through a fund Con = miss out on ‘lightning in a bottle’ Pro = spread out capital raise over time Chad Williams’ take on applying SEAL principles to multifamily Control emotions regardless of circumstances Take on role of servant leader Jenny Gou’s experience of quitting her job for real estate Inspired by desire to prioritize time with family Left corporate job, grew to 800 units in 10 months Ronan McMahon’s insight on investing internationally Big buying moment always happening somewhere Identify places with significant upside potential Resources Register for Michael’s Deal Maker Bootcamp Access Michael’s Deal Maker Certification Join the Deal Maker Mastermind Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program Get Your Tickets for Deal Maker Live Download Free Resources from The Freedom Vault Review the Podcast on iTunes [Text ‘contest’ to 66866] <a href=...
21:5410/01/2022
MB299: 2021 Year in Review & Market Outlook for 2022
One of the best things you can do for yourself at the end of each year is take time to reflect on what you’ve learned and achieved. Celebrate your wins and apply the lessons learned as you plan for the year to come. On this solo episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I reflect on 2021 through the lens of our core values here at the Michael Blank brands, sharing what I’ve learned about making intentional decisions based on what’s really important to you. I discuss some of the milestones we’ve achieved in the last year, celebrating the launch of our Deal Maker Certification program and the three deals we closed through our investing arm, Nighthawk Equity. Listen in for insight into the market outlook for multifamily in 2022 and find out what we’ve got planned for the new year—and how YOU can be part of our mission to help 1,000 families achieve financial freedom in the next five years! Key Takeaways The benefit of examining your core values Focus on what’s important and make decisions accordingly Align with right partners, team members and community Our core values here at The Michael Blank brands Do what you say Do your best Make a difference Get stuff done The Michael Blank brands milestones for 2021 Onboard several new team members Host Deal Maker Live (first in-person event since COVID) 1,000 reviews of book on Amazon Launch Deal Maker Certification Mentoring students close 1 deal/ week Consolidate free resources at The Freedom Vault Our podcast milestones in 2021 Rebrand to better reflect mission Surpassed 3M downloads Notable guests (Jordan Harbinger, David Meltzer, etc.) Nighthawk Equity milestones for 2021 Closed 3 deals totaling 491 units, $90M Built social media presence on LinkedIn and Instagram Completed value-add renovations at 3 properties My top lessons learned in 2021 Know core values and be intentional Surround self with quality partners The Michael Blank brands plan for 2022 Help 1,000 families become financially free in next 5 years Build out Deal Maker Journey programs Expand team and introduce new faces/voices Why we believe multifamily will continue to do well in 2022 Millennials prefer to rent rather than own Opportunities to increase value of assets Why multifamily prices are likely go up in 2022 Growing inflation and higher incomes Ongoing low interest rates, demand for affordable housing My advice on creating an intentional plan for 2022 Reflect on what worked and what didn’t in last year Write vivid vision and plan goals accordingly Get clear on what financial freedom means to you Resources Get Your Tickets for Deal Maker Live Access Michael’s Deal Maker Certification Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program Download Free Resources from The Freedom Vault <a...
30:2103/01/2022
MB298: The 4 Levels of Financial Freedom – With Mandy McAllister
The more truth you put to any problem, the easier it is to solve. So, if you want to quit your W-2 job, start by doing the math. Because once you know how much you need to cover your living expenses, it’s just a matter of building your multifamily portfolio step by step until you achieve financial freedom. Mandy McAllister is Managing Member of Good Fortune Capital and Cofounder of the Aspiring Women Achieving More community. After years of chasing a commission, Mandy retired from her 9-to-5 in medical device sales to pursue multifamily investing full time. Today, she’s on a mission to help others define their own path to financial freedom. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Mandy joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share her take on the different levels of financial freedom, describing how she calculated her freedom number—and achieved it 12 months later. She explains why she started small, working her way up to large multifamily properties acquired in joint venture partnerships. Listen in for Mandy's insight on securing debt to match your business plan and learn how to leverage multifamily investing to break free of YOUR golden handcuffs and live a life by design! Key Takeaways When Mandy started thinking about quitting her job Bought fourplex when son was born as college fund Saw potential to retire on cashflow with more deals Mandy’s take on the different levels of financial freedom Cover minimum living expenses Cover current living expenses Replace income Replace income plus buffer How Mandy financed her multifamily deals Use equity in other properties for deals Took on partners in JV structures for > 50 units How to decide whether to start small or go big right away Depends on individual goals Advantages to going larger What Mandy looks for in a multifamily deal B class asset with quality long-term debt Size agnostic (less competition for 50-unit deals) What Mandy looks for in a joint venture partnership Someone on same page who you can trust Important to have different strengths Why Mandy sees long-term debt as the ultimate flexibility 15-year loan on recent 53-unit acquisition Terms allow for 3 potential exit strategies What Mandy is doing to ensure consistent deal flow Network with young, hungry investors at Meetup Potential JVs look for deals that fit her criteria Where Mandy is looking to invest right now Strong growth markets in Midwest Drive there and back before dinner How COVID influenced Mandy’s decision to quit her job Did 4 transaction in 3 months with extra time Brought in double W-2 income What Mandy is looking forward to moving forward Impact as many lives as possible Help others remove golden handcuffs Connect with Mandy McAllister Mandy’s Website Good Fortune Capital Aspiring Women Achieving More Mandy on Instagram <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MsInvestorAgent" target= "_blank"...
39:2727/12/2021
MB297: What’s the Key to Happiness—Success or Significance? – With David Meltzer
What will make you happy? Yes, money gives us the freedom to retire early and spend our days on a beach somewhere. But it doesn't take long to realize that a fulfilling life requires purpose and meaning. That the end goal is not success but significance. Bestselling author and Top 100 Business Coach David Meltzer is the cofounder of Sports 1 Marketing and former CEO of Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, the agency that inspired the film Jerry Maguire. David is also the executive producer of the television series 2 Minute Drill and Office Hours and host of The Playbook Podcast. His life’s mission is to empower one billion people to be happy. On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, David joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explain what he learned from his biggest failure, describing the abundance mindset he used to bounce back from losing $100M. He shares his daily habits for achieving success and fulfillment, challenging us to adopt an attitude of gratitude and prioritize what really matters. Listen in for David's insight on reframing failure and learn to engage in the consistent, persistent pursuit of YOUR greatest potential! Key Takeaways What David learned from losing $100M and going bankrupt When you appreciate what you have, it grows More than enough of everything for everyone David’s quest to empower over 1B people with happiness Teach gratitude, forgiveness and accountability Help people prioritize and apply their WHY David’s daily habits for achieving next-level success Take daily inventory of what you want Know your what, who and how Know your now (priorities, non-negotiables) Clear any interference between you & God Why David builds his calendar around 5-minute coaching Leads to productivity, accessibility and gratitude Prioritize discussion around what really matters How David’s definition of success has changed over time Used to be defined by bank account Now consistent, persistent pursuit of potential Connect with David Meltzer David’s Website Email [email protected] The Playbook Podcast Resources Review the Podcast on Apple [Text CONTEST to 66866] Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program Get Tickets for Deal Maker Bootcamp Join Michael’s Deal Maker Certification Program Uganda Counseling and Support Services...
37:0020/12/2021