CREI Partners

In this episode, the managing principal of CREI Partners, Wayne Courreges III, explains how passive investors should vet real estate Investing deals. Wayne leads the investment lifecycle and investor relations for CREI Partners as the lead sponsor and general partner. For more than 15 years Wayne has worked with a Fortune 150 commercial real estate firm leading property management services of 4.5M+ square feet for both institutional and non-instructional clients over his career. Wayne has worked closely with dozens of real estate professionals executing building strategic plans of over $60M and assisted owners through their investment lifecycle. His background in commercial real estate, passion for leading teams, and desire to increase his investor’s and team’s wealth pushed him to start CREI Partners. Today, Wayne delves deep into the following topics to help passive investors analyze real estate investment opportunities including: What Is Passive Investing? Determine Your Risk Tolerance and Investment Goals Assessing the Sponsorship Team Assessing the Financial Returns

In this episode, Wayne talks to Susan Geist, PMP, who grew up in a lower-class family in rural Appalachia and began investing in real estate in 2008. Eventually, she achieved a portfolio that now generates over 5-figures in passive income each month. Using strategic investment deductions, she reduced her annual federal tax bill from $137k to $6k while increasing her W-2 and investment income. Her current multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio consists of both long- and short-term rentals, in addition to limited partnerships in apartments, car washes, self-storage, hotels, and mobile home parks nationwide. Through her company Rising Femme Wealth, LLC, Susan provides financial education workshops and investment coaching to empower other women with the strategies and confidence to grow their wealth, reduce their tax bills, and achieve financial independence.  Topics on Today’s Episode: Susan introduces herself and provides a disclaimer. Susan is not a lawyer, CPA, or certified financial advisor, and does not offer legal or tax advice. The information she shares is only for educational purposes, and everyone should do their own due diligence. How Susan went from a humble beginning in rural Appalachia to building a current portfolio that generates over 5 figures monthly passive income. She found inspiration to grow wealth and promote financial independence, through her mother’s experience. Susan also provides some details about her personal portfolio. What is tax optimization and why you should do it? The 2 biggest wealth killers are taxes and inflation. Tax laws were fundamentally put in place to shape the economy; tax shelters were put in place to promote housing and job creation. The government rewards investment into these sectors and not utilizing the tax deductions legally available to you is stealing from yourself and your family. Most CPAs are not trained in real estate investment so they can only offer limited advice, it is up to each individual investor to become educated in real estate specific tax shelters. Knowledge is power over your personal tax situation.

Ethan Gao is an attorney, key principal, and general partner. He has made over 300 private loans secured by real estate, invested in over 100 single-family “fix and flips” and is a general partner on multiple commercial and multi-family projects totaling over 900 units. His primary role on deals is loan guarantor, key principal, or gap funder. Ethan, both personally and through his private equity fund Good Bull Investments LP and Good Bull Lending, LLC, has invested in commercial properties totaling over $25 million. Ethan graduated from Cornell University with a BA in Economics, in 2003 at the age of 19. Ethan was admitted to Columbia Law at 19 and graduated at 22. He worked on Wall Street in financial institutions focusing on billion-dollar mergers and acquisitions for several years before transitioning to being a professional investor and entrepreneur in 2016. He lives in Houston, TX with his wife, whom he met on the first day of class at Cornell in 2000, and their five children. Topics on Today’s Episode: How and why Ethan went from successful Wall Street lawyer to Houston real estate investor. How different life stages change priorities and perspectives. The top reasons why staying on the passive side of real estate investment works for attorneys. Ethan took the approach of finding operators to lend money to or financially back, to limit his time commitments while working demanding corporate jobs. Perspectives on single-family distress sales and “fix and flip” and why he prefers working as a loan guarantor. Leveraging networking to meet personal goals. He went to meetings and took cards, emailed them back, and was able to form valuable connections. One person that is less relevant often can refer you to someone who is a perfect fit for what you’re trying to do. The current market environment has caused deal flow to slow down dramatically for single-family “fix and flip” transactions. Negotiating all the services and aspects relating to purchasing a property is valuable-mortgage fees, inspection fees, etc. can improve the terms of the transaction. How the financial system works in multi-family deals and the role of the key principal/loan guarantor. Liquid funds and net worth requirements for multi-family lending.

In this episode, Wayne talks to Ruben Greth. This is his second time on the show! Ruben has a popular podcast about raising money for multi-family syndications called the Capital Raiser Show, where he learns from the best multi-family syndicators in the country. Ruben started in real estate by raising $625,000 of joint venture money from social media to buy small multi-family deals in Phoenix, Arizona. He is an expert in marketing, brand awareness, and capital raising. In 2019, Ruben partnered with one of the top syndicators in the acquisitions of 190 units and has since become a fund manager who is building over $48 Million worth of subdivisions in Louisiana and Alabama and partnering with multiple select syndicators bringing equity, advisory and investor management. Ruben is a managing partner of Legacy Acquisition, which is quickly becoming the premier build-to-rent and community builder in Arizona. Topics on Today’s Episode: (0:45) Introducing and welcoming Ruben Greth. (1:45) Relationships and partnerships matter: Wayne and Ruben are partnering on a build-to-rent community, and Ruben has a new partnership with Richard Wilson. Networking benefits all parties. (3:30) Ruben Update. He is now in the process of co-authoring a book and is working on capital raising for 3 deals. There are 100-unit, 150-unit, and 220-unit 506(c) deals in the progress. He is involved in the leadership of Legacy Acquisition and working on a mentorship coaching program. (5:40) Ruben mentions the concept of teaching other capital raisers how to extract themselves out of the capital raising model to have others run the operations for them while they kick back and enjoy life. (6:03) Compare yourself, in a positive way, to who you were 1 year ago instead of comparing yourself to other people. Avoid unhealthy comparisons through social media.

In this episode, Wayne talks to ‘’Raj’’ Venkatramani MD. Rajkumar Venkatramani (“Raj”) is a pediatric cancer researcher, oncologist, real estate investor, entrepreneur, founder, and manager at REIDOC Capital LLC. Raj went to medical school in India and trained in London, Illinois, and California. Raj has a master’s degree from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts. Raj owns and manages several rental properties in Houston and has invested in multi-family syndications for more than 5 years. He has invested both as a limited partner and a general partner in more than 1200 apartment units. Raj is passionate about helping doctors invest in apartment syndications. Today, Raj answers questions about why doctors use commercial multi-family investing as a gateway to financial independence, and what motivates medical professionals to feel passionate about real estate investing. Topics on Today’s Episode: (2:00) How Raj began investing in real estate. Education is key, and Raj is passionate about educating professionals in his field on how to properly vet real estate syndicators and make the right decisions. (5:30) How to build relationships with syndicators to help doctors find the correct Real Estate Syndicator. (7:20) What should doctors look for when vetting a sponsor? (9:25) Why might physicians hesitate to invest? 1. No time for a learning curve 2. Fear of recession 3. Too good to be true 4. Stocks are easier

In this episode, Wayne talks to Adam Carswell. Adam is a real estate investor and podcaster. He’s also a Linkedin power networker and a new media marketing maverick. Co-founder of RaiseMasters. He earned the title The Voice of Liberty as the MC at Libertyland national events. Additionally, he’s a cryptocurrency pioneer and a former semi-pro basketball player. In today’s wide-ranging conversation, Adam begins by describing his real estate journey up to this point. Wayne and Adam discuss media marketing, the social media platforms that most contribute to success in commercial real estate, what people do right and wrong when nurturing investors, and what’s going on with cryptocurrency and NFTs. Listen in to hear more about Adam’s career and what he has to say. Topics on Today’s Episode: What Adam’s real estate journey has been up to this point. Media marketing and how it ties in at the commercial real estate level Adam’s LinkedIn strategy Hacks for LinkedIn Social media platforms where there is the most success The importance of YouTube as a platform Adam’s thoughts on outsourcing and how to make it easier from a time commitment standpoint. What people do right or wrong when it comes to nurturing investors What’s going on with NFTs and blockchain, and how it fits into real estate Adam’s proudest moment Links and Resources: Adam Carswell RaiseMasters Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki Onlinejobs.ph Fiverr Upwork Libertyfund.io Wayne Courreges Free Passive Investor eBook by Wayne Courreges The Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast

In this episode, Wayne talks to Nonna Pikiner, a real estate investor, about how to scale real estate in California. Through partnerships with reputable and experienced operators, Nonna has a real estate portfolio valued at almost $1 billion. Nonna identifies promising financial opportunities for investors with various experience levels. She helps them accumulate wealth through asset diversification, tax-efficient passive income, and capital preservation. Topics on Today’s Episode: Willingness to Learn: How Nonna got started in real estate investing 8-Unit Property: Challenge of not knowing who is going to take out the trash Refinance and Reinvest: Scale quicker in real estate with syndication Nonna’s Strategy: Passive to active investing and listening via partnerships Why Oakland, CA? Make multifamily properties perform in rent-controlled space Section 8: Government help with housing, but landlords uncomfortable w/ government Property Calculations: Review and evaluate cash flow, principal amortization, and value Eviction Moratorium: People unable to pay rent and landlords not able to do anything Smart Oak: Nonna’s next-generation multifamily real estate investment company Mission: Buy, operate, stabilize, and exit multifamily rental properties with shares Links and Resources: Nonna Pikiner on LinkedInSF Investor Social ClubHousing Choice Voucher Program - Section 8Wayne CourregesFree Passive Investor eBook by Wayne CourregesThe Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing PodcastCREI Partners on Facebook

In this episode, Wayne talks to Keishia Kennedy, Founder, and Owner of Kennedy Remedy Investments, about how she balances a military career, family, and scaling real estate. Keishia is an Army veteran with six years of service in the Army National Guard. During her enlistment, she was a human resource specialist and deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Keishia began investing in real estate 11 years ago following her enlistment. In April 2021, she decided to take the next step on her entrepreneurial journey to focus on investing in commercial multi-family properties by founding Kennedy Remedy Investments. Topics on Today’s Episode: Self-Taught: How Keishia got started in investing tax-free money into real estate assets Family Effort: Blessing to have someone you know and trust to help take care of the property Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan: Resource to purchase the home you reside in Refinancing and Tax Benefits: Build equity and take capital/money to redeploy into deals Lessons Learned: Be strategic with who you rent your property to and get better results Contractor Issues: Be mindful when hiring and realize the cheapest is not always better Team Sport: Rely on referrals, contracts, insurance, deadlines, materials, and family Kennedy Remedy Investments: Why Keishia decided to focus on multifamily real estate Partnership: Do due diligence and leverage to invest someone else’s money into deals Roadblocks: Takes time to build a great relationship with someone for multifamily deals Coach/Mentor/Mastermind: Invest in yourself to ensure others’ experience and referrals Multifamily Mistakes: Don’t be too eager to invest in a deal, take time to do due diligence Links and Resources: Kennedy Remedy InvestmentsKeishia Kennedy on LinkedInThe Beginner's Guide to Investing As a Limited PartnerKennedy Remedy Investments on FacebookKennedy Remedy Investments on Instagram

In this episode, Wayne talks to Kevin Gardner, President of Multifamily Utility Solutions (MUS), about creating miscellaneous income through cable, internet, and other contracts. Kevin spent nearly 20 years with Comcast and was responsible for managing the team that negotiated telecommunications access agreements with multifamily property owners. For multifamily property owners and their management companies across the country, Kevin’s experience has resulted in favorable contract terms and improved net operating income (NOI). In 2021, MUS’s clients increased their NOI by more than $4 million, resulting in an increase in asset value of more than $100 million. Topics on Today’s Episode: Comcast: How Kevin got started in multifamily investments and settled into cable niche Profit-Sharing: How Kevin’s contracts work for multifamily tenants and property owners Buy in Bulk? You buy and pay for 100% of your unit whether amenity is used or not Bulk Agreement: It’s a fixed expense, so find out if there’s a contract via financials Right of Entry: Compensation given for permission/authorization to be on the property 100: When to add revenue to NOI with new or renewal agreement/contract opportunity Future of Cable: Streaming is inevitable but broadband pipe is critical to have for access FCC Ruling: Protect consumers and not eliminate or limit their choices for financial gain

In this episode, Wayne talks to The Kitti Sisters—Palmy and Nancy—about how to mitigate risk for both passive and active investors. The Kitti Sisters discuss their journey of owning over 11 apartment projects with more than 2,600 doors. Palmy and Nancy are first-generation immigrants who were reliant on one income stream despite owning successful fashion manufacturers. The income they worked so hard for dried up. They had to find a different way to financial freedom. The Kitti Sisters became entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and apartment syndication experts. They are dedicated to teaching others how to live their lifestyle dreams without having to manage apartment complexes or find tenants. Topics on Today’s Episode: Backstory: Why Palmy and Nancy transitioned from world of fashion to real estate Why real estate syndication? To escape daily grind for stability, reliability, and scalability Why start small?! Takes too much time, money to buy houses, make comfortable living Why apartment syndication? From flipping business to passive investors for cash flow Hurdles: Culture, not immigration status was challenge to buy large, multifamily assets Inflation: How Kitti Sisters underwrite with federal loan rate changes, supply challenges Multifamily Markets: Consider cap rates, affordability, supply, demand, other variables Risk Mitigation: Any investment comes with risks, try your best to mitigate known factors Additional Asset Classes: Diversify in multifamily but concentrate to build wealth

In this episode, Wayne talks to Christopher Nelson, Co-founder, and Principal of Wealthward Capital, about building successful teams and passionately protecting sensitive investor data. Wealthward Capital is a private equity investment firm that invests in cash-flowing, institutional-grade assets and has acquired more than 3,000 multifamily units. Christopher focuses on meeting with operators and finding the next investment. When not seeking opportunities, he educates investors on building thriving passive income portfolios. Also, Christopher is a technology executive, real estate investor, educator, and author. He has built professional services practices, run small businesses, and took Splunk (SPLK) through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to grow it to a billion-dollar company. Christopher is known for building strong partnerships, win-win negotiations, and finding opportunities where others are not looking. Topics on Today’s Episode: How Christopher shifted from a tech background to getting started in real estate What Christopher would have done differently to scale faster and smaller Onboarding Process: Press and push as much as possible with operators Project Communication: Builds trust with operators and passive investors Mentors and Masterminds: Where you tell personal brand stories and solve problems Cyber Security: New frontier of crime where email, devices w/out passwords aren’t safe Investing in 2022: Equity vs. Cash Flow: What is more important right now? Do you want investments and partnerships where capital is cycled in 2-3 years? What kind of hold period are you wanting with asset classes? Links and Resources: Christopher NelsonPassive Real Estate Investments for Tech Employees / Wealthward CapitalThrive Community FundSplunkJeremy Roll of Roll Investment GroupSteve SettlageRaiseMastersYou Are The Brand by Mike Kim

In this episode, Wayne talks to Chris Freeman, Principal Partner at High Tech Freedom, about consistency, processes, and technology in real estate. Chris is an experienced real estate investor with $30 million in assets under management. His 20 years of real estate investment has focused exclusively on multifamily apartment buildings that generate immediate cash flow. For more than 25 years, Chris has been fortunate to experience financial success through high-tech sales and sales leadership. He learned how to achieve a high level of performance in sales while re-deploying a portion of his commissions into cash flow generating real estate. Through a consistent process over time, Chris created enough passive income to replace his high-tech sales income. This success inspired Chris to create High Tech Freedom Capital and help peers achieve their own personal success. Topics on Today’s Episode: Duplex Days: How Chris got started in real estate was not intentional part of grand plan Mentor/Partner/Father-in-Law: Chris connected with retiree making serious cash flow Commissions: Put money down on multifamily properties to increase cash flowing assets Caution - Shiny Objects: Leverage basic tech platforms and tools to scale business Workflow: Follow steps in processes, make it consistent, and checklist everything Avatar: Why Chris focuses on raising capital, growing with high-tech sales entrepreneurs Property Challenge: Buying is more competitive but more info is available/accessible Metrics: Are we growing? How are the expenses? Are meetings and investor calls up? Motivation: Big goals and big dreams to own 300 units all paid off to generate cash flow To Do: Plan and map out daily, weekly, yearly goals - include revenue-generating activity Moving the Business Forward: Is what you are doing matter or just keeping you busy? Primary Partnerships: How Chris builds relationships and sources deals to grow portfolio Lessons Learned: Feel sorry for yourself for a few minutes, then start working again Overlooked Aspects: Numbers game - don’t let emotions/assumptions get in the way Links and Resources: High Tech FreedomChris Freeman on LinkedIn

In this episode, Wayne talks to Stewart Heath, Chairman and CEO of Harvard Grace Capital (HGC), which provides fractional C-level executive services to clients as well as general business consulting. Stewart sits on several boards, including HGC, Winsome Truth, The Shepherd’s Call, and Second Chance Sober Living. Also, he holds several fractional CFO positions. Previously, Stewart held positions as COO and CFO for companies in retail, real estate, manufacturing, corporate services, entertainment, and digital media. He earned his CPA license in 1987 and has since held several senior financial and operating positions. Stewart also holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Auburn University. Topics on Today’s Episode: Inheritance: How and when Stewart became interested in real estate, long-term assets Carleton Sheets: Who inspired Stewart to transition from taxes to real estate investing Lessons Learned: Financial crisis, pandemic changed view on value of equity/reserves 840/565 Corridor: Stewart chooses market based on competition, growth, and familiarity Inflation and Interest Rates: What to expect and how they will impact real estate Real Estate Cycle: Consumer demand, labor shortages dictate where businesses locate Real Estate Metrics: Stewart recommends various resources to research interest rates Financial/Tax Strategies: Use retirement accounts, credit unions for better terms/deals

In this episode, Wayne talks to U.S. Marine Shelon “Hutch” Hutchinson, Owner and Co-founder of H Squared Capital, about building veterans wealth in real estate. Hutch immigrated from Jamaica in 1998 and has been serving the nation for more than 23 years. He is a Master Gunnery Sergeant E9 and has created and led teams of various sizes that performed effectively in training and combat operations. Semper Fi! Hutch has successfully executed more than $2.4 million in single-family real estate transactions. His most recent real estate transaction was a syndication in Augusta, Georgia, with more than 167 units. Topics on Today’s Episode: How Hutch got into real estate - followed in his father’s footsteps Off-market MLS Listings: Hutch’s strategy to expand and scale his business Start Conversation: Talk to people to see potential and sell property for cash Market Trend Tools: Ways to find economic data, job growth, population, demographics Why multifamily? More predictable, stable, and safer — it’s all about risk Fix and Flips: Hutch’s experience cost to sell property or make a profit Marine Corp Traits: Use same stick-to-itiveness, assess potential in real estate investing Partnerships: Understand who you are and aspire to be to build better relationships Multifamily Investing: Hutch is committed to transitioning to a passive investor Economy of Scale: Who doesn’t want to double their money and save on taxes? Cost Segregation and Bonus Depreciation: What needs to happen to get ROI, retire?

In this episode, Wayne talks to Maurice Philogene, founding managing partner of Quattro Capital, retired lieutenant colonel, federal agent, IT services executive, and real estate investor. With more than 300 acquisitions and dispositions completed, Maurice has built a portfolio of 35 single-family homes as well as owns apartments and mobile homes in eight states. Maurice uses real estate and professional careers to generate passive income and build legacy wealth while empowering communities and helping others through lifestyle design. Maurice is passionate about living life by leveraging freedom principles. He believes that people are meant to live their best life, not simply exist. Topics on Today’s Episode: Passive Income: How and why Maurice got started investing in real estate Schedule: Create and manage time for what’s important by building lifestyle Real Estate Ups and Downs: Don’t quit or give up, and focus on goals and purpose Bank Loans and Paychecks: Stable employment let Maurice buy homes in his name Less Aggressive Lending: Defining difference between recourse and non-recourse loans Lifestyle Design Hacks: Leave the rat race and leverage real estate for financial freedom Freedom Principles: Financial freedom, time freedom, geographic freedom, freedom of purpose, and freedom to build meaningful relationships Definition of Success: Peers always want more money, Maurice went after time creep Tools: Maurice uses SyndicationPro, Earth Class Mail, Loom, Slack, and Zoom Pros, Cons, Pitfalls: Market and interest rate protection related to real estate investing Bridge Loan vs. Agency Debt: What’s the difference and which is cheaper, riskier?

In this episode, Wayne talks to Bethany Finch, Community Enhancer at American Made Home Solutions, about creating Christ-centered workforce housing communities. Previously, Bethany was a teacher and coach who transitioned to real estate. Her passion is to create change that is beautiful and sustainable. Since the inception of American Made Home Solutions, Bethany and her team have rejuvenated neighborhoods and increased the standards of housing for residents. Topics on Today’s Episode: Company Vision and Mission: Create sustainable growth Property Attributes: Numbers have to make sense for conditions and remote investing Cash Buyers: New real estate investors need to find creative ways to compete Consumer vs. Business Mindset: People get in trouble if they don’t know their numbers Passive Income: Potential to create momentum and leverage home loans/equity Single to Multifamily: Bethany and her husband’s vast experience and business sense Negative Growth: Markets where more people are leaving than coming to that market Additional Asset Classes: Build-to-rent and manufactured/modular homes w/ RV parking Step Back, Slow Down, Reprocess: How residents find, feel, love the spirit of Christ? Passive Investing Tips: Assume there will be no return that first year Ask about correspondence frequency to set expectations Ask how often will you get paid (different deals differentiate) Ask if you have voting rights or say (different scenarios, sometimes negotiable) Be willing to lose it all (it hurts to lose money, but not always detrimental) Links and Resources: Bethany Finch on LinkedInAmerican Made Home Solutions, LLCFree Passive Income Checklist Purpose Driven Investments; Multifamily Real Estate

In this episode, Wayne talks to John Azar about scaling real estate through private equity. John is the Founder and Managing Partner at Peak 15 Capital, a capital advisory and syndication firm servicing commercial real estate operators and sponsors in identifying, sourcing, and securing their capital stack. In his leadership of Peak 15 Capital, John directs strategic development, client growth, and new acquisitions and syndications. Also, John is the Head of the Peak 15 Coaching Program for new syndicators and sponsors. In addition, John is a managing member of MACC Venture Partners, a southeast focused owner/operator of multifamily assets. Topics on Today’s Episode: Career Path: First venture into real estate investing specialized in structured finance Then and. Now: Aggressive underwriting and similar unwarranted euphoria Debt vs. Equity: Peak 15 specializes in equity placements with active deal sponsors Nationwide Market Locations: Look anywhere, everywhere there’s money to be made Syndicators: What to consider asking a potential equity partner to invest in a deal Underwriting: Share and show or stop because there’s no deal to move forward with Asset Classes: From built to rent and multifamily to single-family rentals and self-storage Capital Stack/Equity Placement: Takes previous experience, check size, business plan Establish Relationships: Investors want capacity to do multiple deals with same player Financial Crisis: The good, bad, and ugly of real estate investing in today’s market Links and Resources: Peak 15 CapitalJalal John Azar on LinkedInJohn Azar’s EmailWayne CourregesFree Passive Investor eBook by Wayne CourregesThe Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast

In this episode, Wayne talks to Amy Tiemann, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at TM1 Properties, a commercial real estate private equity firm. Amy’s first multifamily investment was in 2010. By 2015, she decided to focus primarily on real estate investing, and in 2017, she opened her own investing and property management business. Topics on Today’s Episode: Amy’s Career: Started as general contractor in construction, then real estate investing Post-COVID Opportunities: Office and retail space is coming back everywhere in Texas Value-Add Component: Amy buys ugly properties and makes them better/pretty Property Attributes: Age, physical condition, foundation - nothing scares Amy Now: Good time to buy commercial real estate - anything and everything Acquisition: In new markets, Amy considers existing inventory and sets unit targets Scaling: Amy’s doing more asset management and less property management Smart Building Technology: What owners/residents want based on property price points Internships: Located in a college town? Go to the Office of Career Planning Amy’s Goal: So many deals, can’t underwrite them all - raising capital to buy properties Asking for Money: Are you bankable? Do you have equity? Can you raise capital? Lessons Learned: Setting up a fund is pretty straightforward, similar to syndications Investor Qualification: Know/understand deals and what you’re doing, including the risks

In this episode, Wayne talks to Ruben Greth, who has a popular podcast about raising money for multifamily syndications based on what he learns from the best multifamily syndicators in the country. Recently, Ruben raised $1 million through cosponsors for multifamily projects in Arizona. He started out doing social media videos for a local apartment investor in Phoenix and successfully raised $625,000 for deals during the post-crash buying frenzy. Topics on Today’s Episode: Ruben’s Real Estate Journey: From mortgages to the power of multifamily investments Capital Raising: Facilitate process for raisers, sponsors, syndicators by starting own fund Services in Demand: Master the finding and acquiring of capital to add value Ways to Raise Capital: Partner with right people with good track record and experience Multifamily Investment Benefits: Passive income, generational wealth, and tax benefits Brand Yourself: Be go-to multifamily person, automate communication to build trust Consistency with Touchpoints: Email marketing approach that adds value is successful Original Base: Once friends and family max out, before investing more, convert others Best Marketing System: Use several tools, not just one for people to know, like, trust you Selling vs. Offering: There’s other ways to provide opportunities and diversify portfolio Brand Awareness: Not what brand says to audience, but what people say about brand Assumption: Other people want the same things they want - people have different needs People, Success, Money: Use strengths to share information by doing certain things Lessons Learned: Focus on one thing - raising capital - to get real estate investor label

Do you want to or know how to outwork the competition in real estate? Get back to basics with a boot camp style, open enrollment training program called, CRE Analyst FastTrack. It strives to give professionals the best industry training at a fraction of the cost of traditional education methods. In this episode, Wayne talks to James Ray, who co-teaches the FastTrack program and oversees regional commercial real estate acquisitions, developments, and joint ventures for an institutional investment manager. James spends much of his free time teaching the fundamentals and tools used by experienced real estate investors to succeed. Topics on Today’s Episode: James’ Job: Find value and understand entire commercial real estate market Money Threshold: Big institutions don’t like cutting checks less than $15-20 million Teach What You Know: Help people learn real estate business in/for less time, money Curriculum: Focuses on the eight critical fundamentals of commercial real estate Four Transaction Frameworks: Buying/selling, borrowing/lending, partnerships, leases Students: Differences between undergraduate, MBA, and professional classes/programs Right vs. Wrong Way: Invest in yourself to learn legitimate real estate skills or strikeout Strengthen Weaknesses: Most common struggles and setbacks students experience FastTrack Results: More than half of students have found a job or were promoted Valuation Skills: Most overlooked aspect of real estate investing Property Values and Taxes: If you miss the mark on taxes, returns are gone James’ Advice: Be own arbiter of fact/opinion, pick a spot/niche, find/be a good partner

In this episode, Wayne talks to Ryan Narus. Ryan Narus is a double graduate of Wake Forest University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and an MBA with concentrations in Operations and Marketing. He started his real estate career with no money or experience but has grown his real estate portfolio to 17 mobile park homes. His strategy focused on investing with active investors and planning for the long term. Show Notes The difficulties of a deal lead to opportunities for outside thinkers. Mobile homes have unexpected problems when trying to get financing. Banks care most about your reputation and your debt to coverage ratio. You have to partner with someone to act as a recourse holder to start. When you think everything is overpriced, your strategy is wrong. You can always pay more than the next guy. It would help if you only were using other people’s money to scale business. When you are active investors, you can pay more to capitalize on the long-term gains. Creativity is severely overlooked in real estate.

In this episode, Wayne talks to Spencer Hilligoss. Spencer is an active syndicator, real estate investor, and co-founder of Madison Investing. He started his career building high-performance teams across the technology sector and, in 2021, was a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council. Madison Investing has over 6000 units and over $800M in total acquisitions in multifamily and storage units. Today's topics include: You have to take stock of your reality to find the deals you are looking for. You have to honestly know and vet your potential partners before you do a deal with them. Storage units are a recession resistance asset class. Traffic count and visibility to the road are significant components of a good self storage unit. Radius+ website is a great way to compare occupancy of storage units. Value can be added to storage units by cleaning up operational inefficiences and renovating the facility. Local resources are the best way to get an idea of what other self-storage units are going for in an area. Looking at real deals are one of the best ways to educate investors. Real Estate forms like Bigger Pockets have great hidden resources. When you invest in real estate, you have to take care of your tenants to create long term relationships with them.

Wayne talks to Jerome Myers in this episode, a once corporate America drop out to now running Myers Development Group, LLC. Jerome Myers started his real estate career by fixing and flipping homes until he began investing in multi-family. Jerome spent years defining what he wanted out of life and himself. He now uses his experience to help others find their way to happiness and achieve their dreams. Topics on today's episode include: To succeed, you need to be willing to take the red pill in life and business. The Red Pill has six levels: Self Image, Relationship, Work, Health, Prosperity, Significance. Active and passive investors need to have the mindset of commitment and belief that it will happen. Start your day with something that is going to motivate and help you. Create your vision mirror to remind yourself of what you want out of life. Myers Method of Real Estate: Find, Fund, Fix, Flip Four things every investor is trying to overcome: Knowledge, Deal Flow, Experience, Capital What steps need to be taken to see more diversity in real estate? Steps required to find quality hard money lenders. The necessary qualifications and steps to find and close on hard money loans. Your investments need to make an impact not only in your life but the entire community as well.

In this episode, Wayne talks to Ellie Perlman, Founder and CEO of Blue Lake Capital, an investing firm specializing in multi-family acquisitions and management. Ellie started her career as a commercial real estate lawyer for Israel's largest real estate company. She would eventually transition to a property manager role where she oversaw properties worth over $100MM. Blue Lake Capital has successfully acquired over 2,000 units since its formation in 2017. Topics on Today’s Episode: What characteristics should you consider when looking at location How to protect yourself and mitigate risk during COVID-19 Benefits of Multi-family as an asset class Results of Government Involvement on Asset Valuations in 2021 Taking your wealth to the next level Investing with Family Offices Most important performance indicator Lesson learned to reduce stress

In this episode, Wayne talks to Zach Feldman, Vice President of Development at Aptitude Development—one of the nation’s top student housing firms. Zach spearheads the company’s new development efforts around the country, focusing on sourcing and underwriting new opportunities, as well as pre-development, entitlement, capital markets, and investor relations. Topics on Today’s Episode: Getting started in real estate from the ground up, specifically student/multifamily housing Real Estate Success: Principles of having your money work for you Family, Friends, Partners: Buy student housing buildings based on highest yield on cost ENJOI 77 HOLDINGS: Introduction into student housing world at institutional level Aptitude Advantage: Student housing development w/expertise, entitlement, construction Off-Market Strategy: Provide best returns to investors and best residences for students Secret Sauce: How to find and source student housing land deals to create value Development Lifecycle: Start with macros in market and find location that makes sense Pain Points: Zoning, variances, and entitlement risk where town isn’t developer-friendly Main Macros: Enrollment, rents, concessions, occupancy, endowment, and tuition costs COVID Impact: Student housing continues to hold its own, remains recession resilient Differences, Decisions: On- or off-campus living depends on lease, location, and design Financing Options: Land loans, raising equity, entitlement process, construction phase Cost Segregation Analysis: Push depreciation into first few years for large tax benefits Limited Partnership: Real estate passion is a lot of work, not a get-rich-quick position Due Diligence: Do your homework to know the market and avoid investment mistakes Links and Resources: Aptitude DevelopmentZach Feldman on LinkedInZach Feldman’s Phone: 781-789-4354Zach Feldman’s Email

Wanted: Partners passionate about investing and creating new relationships with top-notch professionals in the real estate world. Are you committed to forging a path that will generate incredible wealth and opportunity for all involved? In this episode, Wayne talks to Lee Yoder, a practicing physical therapist turned full-time real estate investor focused on faith, family, and building a business. He quickly built a portfolio of several small apartment buildings. Lee is the founder of Threefold Real Estate Investing and host of the Threefold Real Estate Investing Podcast. Topics on Today’s Episode: Career: From climbing corporate ladder to being unchallenged and unfulfilled Entrepreneurial Spirit: Created to feel challenged, competitive, and fulfilled—not bored Residential Real Estate: Why apartments vs. commercial, industrial, or retail properties? Good, Bad, and Ugly: How to find and buy single-family and duplex properties? Auctions Goal: Go bigger, but stay smaller by owning 1,000 units in 10 not 100 buildings COVID-19: Tenants continue to pay rent or can be evicted despite unemployment Lessons Learned: Walk all units due to deferred maintenance leading to lots of money Vacancy Rates: Buy property, do what’s needed to improve value, and fill units Property Management: If you want nothing to do with managing people, hire someone Future: Syndicate by believing in economies of scale and on-site property management Risk Management: DIY or ask property management to get contractor/insurance quotes Masterminds and Mentors: Learn as you go and ask for help from those with experience Routine Habits: Stay focused and motivated by compounding wealth, commit to process Advice: Vett sponsor and select one with integrity and experience to be put at ease Links and Resources: Threefold Real Estate InvestingThreefold Real Estate Investing Podcastinfo@threefoldrei.comPhone: 937-400-3044Lee Yoder on LinkedIn

How do real estate investors with active and passive income save significant tax dollars, legally? Learn about general depreciation, bonus depreciation, and cost segregation. In this episode, Wayne talks to Yonah Weiss, business director for Madison SPECS. Yonah has helped hundreds of real estate investors save tons of income tax money through cost segregation services. Topics on Today’s Episode: Teacher Skillset: Trial-and-error role of non-stop networking to make cost seg less boring Real Estate vs. Tax World: Depreciation makes real estate a tax-advantaged investment What is cost segregation? Engineering method of study that involves taxation What is depreciation? Non-paper loss or deduction that reduces income tax liability Who can utilize depreciation? Any type of investment property—no matter size or shape Depreciation: Starts the day that you purchase the property, not intrinsic to wear and tear 100% Bonus Depreciation: Reallocate other property aspects, not structural pieces Icing on the Cake: Complicated cost segregation required for bonus depreciation Catchup with Depreciation Recapture: When investors sell property, avoid or defer tax Active and Passive Real Estate Investment/Cost Segregation Benefits: Maximize annual depreciation Reduce upfront income tax costs Lower capital costs Good, Bad, Ugly Aspects: Diversify investments, but don’t jump in without experience

It takes years of experience to become an expert at due diligence leading up to closing and then implementing a value-add strategy through construction, renovation, and repositioning. In this episode, Wayne talks to Jorge Abreu, CEO of Elevate Commercial Investment Group and owner of JNT Construction. Jorge is a full-time active and passive multifamily real estate investor with 1,720 doors on the general partner side and more than 1,400 doors on the limited partner side. Topics on Today’s Episode: Due Diligence Inspection Process: Gather information Schedule due diligence Hire professionals and manpower Inspect each unit Outsource leases to third-party property management company Inspection Tools: Software apps (HappyCo), phones, tablets, and power packs Most overlooked due diligence aspects and issues include: Drainage Plumbing and Sewage Storm damage Retrade or Renegotiate? Goal is to not retrade, unless issue is found, but not disclosed Cost Per Door: Ask a lot of questions to get accurate numbers to make appropriate offer Property Must-haves: Rebranding depends on budget and reputation for curb appeal Full Renovation Costs: From $5,000 for affordable housing to $10,000 for all inclusive Competent Contractors: Effective communication of change orders is critical for success Risk Management: Safety first—insurance coverage is necessary in case of claims Why actively invest? Transform properties to build up community, portfolio, and wealth Why passively invest? Returns and tax benefits are positively great Equity and Experience: If you need help, seek partnerships and teamwork Links and Resources: Jorge Abreu’s EmailJorge Abreu on LinkedInElevate Commercial Investment GroupJNT Construction

Are you passionate about personal and professional growth? If you are on a mission to help other people capitalize on the benefits of real estate investing, you’re not alone. In this episode, Wayne talks to Sandhya Seshadri, founder and CEO of MultiFamily4U. Sandhya knowledge of the multifamily space and local neighborhoods makes her an ideal “boots on the ground” asset manager for Dallas properties. Sandhya has invested as a limited partner, key principal, or general partner in more than 3,500 doors; totaling $200 million in assets. A leader in the equities markets for 20 years, Sandhya shifted to commercial real estate due to tax advantages and ability to force appreciate assets. Topics on Today’s Episode: Why shift from stock market to multifamily? Reduce tax burden, produce passive income How? Bonus depreciation, cost segregation, and real estate professional designation Syndication Concept: Immediate access to money and multifamily mastermind investors COVID and Cash: Real estate is less liquid than stocks and cash, not short-term safety Passive Investments: 75% suspended distributions will be made up; 7% average return Eviction Rule: What landlords can and cannot do if tenant does not pay rent Multifamily Metrics: Before investing in deals, do you know, like, and trust sponsors? Passive to Active: Understand underwriting, find mentors/partners, perform due diligence Property Portfolio: People don’t witness systems, processes, and pain of syndication Third-Party PM: Set expectations for renting units, retaining tenants, and collecting rents Links and Resources: Sandhya Seshadri on LinkedInSandhya Seshadri’s Email: multifamily4you@gmail.comBonus DepreciationCost SegregationReal Estate Professional DesignationEnhanced Qualified Retirement Plan (eQRP)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

How can you be active in your community and give back to the military? Help active, veteran, reserve, and others in the military reach their financial freedom goals by investing in real estate. In this episode, Wayne talks to Tim Kelly from Active Duty Passive Income (ADPI) and Kelly Housing Group. Tim is a real estate investor and educator, best-selling author, speaker, and Chief Petty Officer for the U.S. Navy. Tim is pursuing his dream of owning and operating multifamily real estate by investing in apartments, mobile homes, and storage facilities. Topics on Today’s Episode: House Hacking: Benefits of long-term buy-and-hold real estate align with financial goals Network Connections: Build relationships to analyze, own, control multifamily properties Thank You for Your Service: 1 percent of the 1 percent serve in the military Real Estate Pattern: Pass the time by continuing to learn and grow personal finance Education: Find all the ways you can create generational wealth in real estate VA Housing Assistance: Seek loans to purchase properties and investment opportunities Military House Hacking Book: Rehab, refinance, and create cash flow multifamily assets Self-Manage: Do all the hard work, then pass it onto PM professionals to get time back Efficiency Tools: Time management, documentation, screening tenants, due diligence Balance: Educate others, pursue acquisitions, and pick up skills by emulating success Deliver Value: More you grow, more you can give; more you give, more you receive ADPI’s Three Pillars: Learn, network, and take action Perfect Partnership: What you know, who you know, and who knows you to close deals Lessons Learned: Failure is stepping stone to success; choose how to respond Scalability: Straight shot to increase net worth, wealth, income, quality of life; no regrets General vs. Limited Partners: One is not better than the other to analyze deals Mailbox Money: Become owner to produce income, tax benefits, equity, time, freedom COVID Impact: Invest in workforce and affordable housing to thrive and survive Links and Resources: Active Duty Passive Income (ADPI)Kelly Housing Group

How can you target stabilized properties to buy a cash-flowing asset and drive value through improved operations? Implement your own systems and deploy your experienced staff to replicate the business model across new acquisitions. In this episode, Wayne talks to Bruce Petersen, a.k.a. The Apartment Guy. Bruce is a serial syndicator of large multifamily properties ranging from 120-292 units throughout Central Texas. Bruce won the Austin Apartment Association’s Independent Rental Owner of the Year for 2016 and the National Apartment Association’s Independent Rental Owner of the Year for 2017. Also, he’s the author of Syndicating is a B*tch: And Other Truths You Haven’t Been Told. Topics on Today’s Episode: Why write a step-by-step guide? Free means someone’s trying to sell you something Stress of Syndication: What to expect and what can make a difference Coach/Mentor: Teach me how to invest in apartment complexes as a syndication Syndication: Learn from someone with experience to scale faster and safely Know, Like, and Trust: Start a meetup, attend real estate events, and build relationships Think Like a Millionaire: Save money but still live an abundant life, not a frugal one Location and Loan Parameters: Where to find deals based on what you want Relationships: Don’t be a moron, but respectful, professional, and mindful of others’ time Non-Disclosure Industry: Don’t trust or believe everything you are told What you’ll need: 30% down payment, 2-10% closing costs, and rehab funding Property Goal: Double or triple soft commits for enough money Operations: Lenders may require third-party over in-house property management KPIs: Owner’s packet with income statement, rent roll, and P&L balance sheet Passive Investors: There is no guarantee when making the right decision/projection Aspiration for Autistic Adult Space: Buy/build property for affordable, safe place to live Links and Resources: Bruce PetersenSyndicating is a B*tch: And Other Truths You Haven’t Been Told by Bruce PetersenDave RamseyU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Interested in investing in multifamily, single-family, or vacation rentals, but not sure where and how to get started? Consult with someone who has behind-the-scenes experience in the asset class of your choice. In this episode, Wayne talks to Travis Watts, a full-time passive investor and director of investor relations with Ashcroft Capital. Travis educates others by sharing passive investment strategies to achieve and maintain wealth in real estate. Topics on Today’s Episode: Real Estate Investing Background: Dumb luck, prep, and guidance at garage sales Great Recession and Career Focused: Real estate on sale, so find off-market deals Gaining Momentum: Get a roommate and check to pay mortgage Active vs. Passive: Hands-on or hands-off real estate investing Lessons Learned: No spare time to read 52 books a year and find sponsors/operators Analysis Paralysis: Too much focus on ROI rather than value-add experience Target Markets and Trends: Right deal, right market, and right sponsor to lower risks Risk Tolerance: Opportunistic, core, and value-add asset classes Mistakes Made: Diversify portfolio by experimenting, doing what you know/understand Under Promise and Over Deliver: Invest in or take discounts by banking on cash flow Publicly Traded vs. Private Placement: Always have paperwork reviewed by attorney Education and Network: Align interests and philosophies with like-minded people Four Steps to Financial Freedom by Being Frugal: Make as much money as possible by doing your best Live on as little of that income as possible for a period of time Take margin from earnings and invest it all Avoid bad debt or pay off loans sooner than later Links and Resources: Consultation with Travis: https://calendly.com/traviswatts/consultation?month=2020-08Connect with Travis: Understanding Real Estate Private PlacementsAshcroft CapitalTravis Watts on LinkedIn

You’re never too young to follow your passion and entrepreneurial spirit by starting your own business and building a brand in real estate. In this episode, Wayne talks to Matt Teifke, broker of Teifke Real Estate (TRE) Homes and part-owner of Stone Oak Property Management. Matt has a Master’s Degree from Texas A&M and began his career at 18 years old because he’s passionate about value-add real estate opportunities. Topics on Today’s Episode: Value, Value, Value: Capture leads and make money on every aspect of real estate Family Business: Create balance and merge work/wife relationship as a lifestyle Education Foundation: Set yourself up for success and always strive to be better Challenges: Finding and figuring out creative ways to obtain real estate financing/lending Preparation: Constantly build relationships and investor base to raise capital Follow Up: How can you add significant value for investors, buyers, and sellers? Matt’s take on the Buy-Rehab-Rent-Refinance-Repeat (BRRRR) Strategy Wholesaling: What it is and why it’s important when finding value-add deals MLS Access: Know and learn the market to make money Contractors: Properly vet and perform due diligence; meet onsite and walk the property Partnerships: Set clear expectations and protect yourself by planning exit strategy

Passionate about helping people, but ready for a career change with financial growth? When what you think is normal can be taken away, consider real estate investing. Do great work to make great money. In this episode, Wayne talks to Dave Seymour of the hit home improvement show on the A&E network called, Flipping Boston. After 16 years as a firefighter and paramedic, Dave launched his career as a real estate investor and quickly became one of the nation’s leading experts in both residential and commercial transactions. Dave describes himself as a blue collar guy in a white collar world who wasn’t raised in financial intelligence. Topics on Today’s Episode: Lessons Learned: Trading time for money and following somebody else’s financial plan Keeping Up with the Joneses: Average American’s amount of debt is extraordinary Financial Illiteracy to Intelligence: Losing everything forces Dave to figure it out Past, Present, and Future Mantra: If you say you’re going to do something, do it Favorite Asset Classes: Single-family to multifamily isn’t sexy but creates cash flow Go Big or Go Home: Post-COVID opportunities to take down multiple assets in areas Partner Up: Be available, accessible, and transparent to bring in accredited investors Data-driven Statistics: Multifamily/commercial real estate outperforms stock market Secret Sauce: Finding deals takes time to build relationships with brokers and bankers Good, Bad, and Ugly: Educate, then execute; know what you know Learn and Grow: Always look for value adds in real estate and people Bottom Line: If real estate is not part of a retirement plan, the plan’s broken Passive vs. Active Investors: What to look for and expect to not be a real estate victim

If you’re interested in real estate investing, which space suits you best? Single-family, multifamily, senior living, or student housing? Real estate is a great way to diversify and expand your wealth. In this episode, Wayne talks to Jeff Greenberg, CEO and Managing Member of Synergetic Investment Group (SIG). Jeff has invested in multifamily and student housing assets in various markets for several years. It’s about knowing and trusting who you are dealing with. Topics on Today’s Episode: Banks, Prices, and Time: Reasons why Jeff shifted from single-family to student housing Student Housing: Stabilized or value add, which direction to go? Finding to Fundraising Deals: Jeff’s seeking high-quality deal sponsors for partnerships COVID Changes: Student housing is recession resilient, it may not be pandemic resilient Multifamily vs. Student Housing: Similarities/differences involve location, safety, turnover Social Media and Marketing: Depends on properties and available options Rental Rates: Student housing based on affordability, not square footage or amenities Value-Add Strategies: Increase rents via renovations, furnishings, WiFi, and security Joint Cooperation and Acceptance: Support from campuses to provide safe environment Financing: Some lenders hesitant about student housing, others willing to provide loans Real Estate Investing: Be sufficiently funded to cover unexpected events, (i.e., COVID) Due Diligence: Protect yourself by learning and researching passive and active investing Links and Resources: Jeff Greenberg’s EmailSynergetic Investment Group LLC (SIG)Fannie MaeFreddie MacPassive Investing in Commercial Real Estate by James KandasamyThe Hands-Off Investor by Brian BurkeWayne CourregesFree Passive Investor eBook by Wayne Courreges

Is it possible to raise capital in the COVID-19 environment? It takes sourcing new investors and maintaining relationships with current ones by being a trusted resource. In this episode, Wayne talks to Andrew Lucas, Director of Capital Markets at Trion Properties, which maximizes investor returns by increasing net operating income through heavy renovation and aggressive lease-up. Topics on Today’s Episode: Extensive Experience: Finance, investor relations, commercial/residential real estate Risky Decision: Team up with high-growth entrepreneurs or startup your own shop? Organic vs. Progressive Growth: Friends and family money to robust investor network Funds: Raise and allocate property investments to reduce risk and increase returns Resident Experience: Increase renovation value by repurposing property amenities COVID-19: Double-down on communication efforts with investors, residents, network Equilibrium: Navigating natural obstacles of raising capital and acquiring properties Debt vs. Equity Funds: Money and no loans, or loans and no money Real Estate Relationships: Be transparent, engaging, available, ethical, and dedicated Investment Markets: Be an inch wide and a mile deep vs. a mile wide and an inch deep Keys to Success: Different markets require different learning curves and due diligence Routine Habits/Best Practices: Create structure, culture, and pay attention to details Links and Resources: Andrew Lucas on LinkedInTrion PropertiesWayne CourregesFree Passive Investor eBook by Wayne CourregesThe Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast

With a strong work ethic and positive attitude, you can achieve your hopes and dreams of becoming a successful multifamily investor and syndicator. In this episode, Wayne talks to Vinney (Smile) Chopra with Moneil Investment Group. A mechanical engineer turned successful real estate investor and syndicator, motivational speaker and teacher from India, Vinney believes in everybody’s ability to shape the world through positive thought and selfless actions. Topics on Today’s Episode: The Good: Start small and stay the course to achieve financial benefits The Bad: Inability to scale up quickly and purchase more apartments with own money Syndication: Pulling and raising money legally for a common goal to make profit Drawbacks: No track record, no bank loans, no money to buy properties Due Diligence Problems: Don’t cut corners; costs more and causes trouble What’s in the best interest for investors, residents, team members, and vendors? Communication: Personalized presentation and full disclosure of property/asset Happy Family: Monica and Neil equal Moneil brand to leave behind legacy wealth Syndicators must keep five plates spinning in the air: Build superb teams Build investor lists and relationships Understand underwriting and analyze deals Loan qualification Property takeover and management Passive Investing: Limit principals, request track records, and review criteria to buy Syndicator Succession Plan and Systems: What happens if…? Silver Tsunami: Shift to assisted living space to meet demographic demand Links and Resources: Moneil Investment GroupVinney Chopra’s Mentorship ProgramlApartment Syndication Made Easy by Vinney (Smile) ChopraVinney (Smile) Chopra PodcastsRule 506 of Regulation

If you don’t have time or don’t want to make time to invest in real estate, can you still make money investing in multifamily properties while reducing/shielding your tax liability? It’s possible and legal. In this episode, Wayne Courreges talks to Dan Handford with PassiveInvesting.com and Multifamily Investor Nation. Over the past 12 months, Dan and his team have invested more than $136 million in multifamily properties with a capital raise of $50 million to purchase those assets. Also, Dan and his wife, Dennae, host the Tough Decisions for Entrepreneurs Podcast. Topics on Today’s Episode: Multifamily Side: Dan’s motivation to move from passive to active investing Real Estate Professional Classification: Offset all income to reduce taxable liability Multifamily Investing Mentor: Hire lifeline and pay for direct access to acquire assets ABCs of Asset Classes: Dan chooses A and B+ with value-add multifamily properties Investor Pools: Never passively invest without considering capital preservation at play Would of/Should of: Start ability to find investors earlier and raise money to secure deals Due Diligence: Building relationships with brokers, making investor lists takes time/effort Lessons Learned: Always have more reserves and extra funds than expected Overlooked Aspects: Underwriting can make returns look good, but unrealistic Post-COVID Pros and Cons: Cashflow, renovations, rent defaults, and occupancy rates Pandemics: Create marriages, divorces, and babies that drive demand for place to live Links and Resources: PassiveInvesting.comMultifamily Investor NationTough Decisions for Entrepreneurs PodcastCoStar Market AnalyticsApartments.comWayne CourregesFree Passive Investor eBook by Wayne CourregesThe Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast

Get ready to hear active and passive investors share their stories about the good, bad, and ugly aspects of real estate investing. The Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast is hosted by Wayne Courreges. In this episode, Wayne talks to James Kandasamy with the Achieve Investment Group. James has syndicated nine multifamily properties valued over $130 million. Also, he’s the author of Passive Investing in Commercial Real Estate: Insider Secrets to Achieving Financial Independence. If you’re interested in multifamily syndication, seek guidance from James through his Achieve Academy Mentorship Program. Topics on Today’s Episode: Achieve Academy Mentorship Program: Be an operator, raise money, manage assets James’s Journey: Started by acquiring single-family properties; shifted to multifamily Why single-family investing? Produces better returns, deals everywhere⁠—one at a time Why multifamily investing? Scale wealth faster, syndication opportunities, higher value Single-family Pitfalls: Flips are stressful but profitable; contract management Multifamily Pitfalls: Difficult to find deals and build relationships with brokers Most Overlooked Aspects: Roof condition, sewer lines, tenant demographics/occupancy Lessons Learned: Conduct thorough inspections and perform due diligence What should passive investors know? Construction, competition, cashflow, and capital COVID-19: Adapt and take operations approach by filling vacancy of existing properties Foundational Success: Real estate is fun, takes work, and adds value to people’s lives Links and Resources: James Kandasamy’s EmailText “achieve” to James Kandasamy at x38470Achieve Investment Group Achieve Academy Mentorship ProgramPassive Investing in Commercial Real Estate: Insider Secrets to Achieving Financial Independence by James KandasamyJames Kandasamy on LinkedInJames

Hello listeners- This is Wayne Courreges your host for the Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing. I am excited to launch our podcast to share the good, bad and ugly of real estate investing. This podcast is focused on hearing the raw truth from experienced investors and operators. We will get to know each of our guests in a way that helps us learn from their successes, but also take us to a more vulnerable place in learning from their struggles and failures. I truly believe that as we hear all aspects of real estate investing, we will benefit from avoiding mistakes and piggyback on what works to ease our investing path. In doing so, we make our businesses stronger to help our tenants, residents and employees, along with protecting and growing our investors wealth. The show is for both active and passive investors. Active investors get tactical advice and experiences to help their investment process, while passive investors can hear from deal sponsors and learn questions/advice that can help them evaluate opportunities to invest in. We will hear from operators and investors in all real estate asset classes ranging from institutional to non-institutional owners. A new podcast episode will launch every other week starting in June 2020. For the weeks we did not post a new podcast, check out our blog focused on multi-family investing at www.creipartners.com/blog. You will find our podcast page and information on my company, CREI Partners. For some background on me, I was born and raised out of Austin, TX. In 2003, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed with 1st Tank Battalion in 29 Palms, California and then transferred to the 1st Marine Air Wing in Okinawa, Japan. I was fortunate to earn my Undergraduate and majority of my master’s degree while in the Marine Corps. I didn’t have much of a life after work! My passion for real estate began in High School, and I was very eager to transition to a Commercial Real Estate company. I participated in a military recruiting event where private companies were hiring former military. I went to this particular recruiting event due to CBRE being an employer. I remember going into the interview and telling the Managing Director she can stop all other interviews as I was her guy. I received an offer to start with CBRE in June 2007. I have been part of the CBRE team for the past 13 years managing commercial real estate properties. I am currently an Associate Director in Austin overseeing approximately 2 million square feet of office and retail space. I am fortunate to enjoy what I do with CBRE and my clients taking care of their real estate assets, while pursuing my side passion of owning and growing investor wealth through multi-family investments. I control the investment life cycle and investor relations as the Lead Sponsor and General Partner. I have three kids ages 8, 7, and 5. I have been married to my amazing wife, Jennifer, for nearly 11 years. I am a Cubmaster for a Cub Scout Pack in Spicewood, TX and stay active in the Rotary Club of Austin. I started this podcast to help others but also to learn alongside each of you. Real Estate is my passion and we will have a lot of great discussions and aha moments. Look forward to having you join us on our next episode of the Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing. Hope everyone stays safe and well!