Welcome to the Freedom Point Podcast! In this episode, Matt Iverson, founder of Veritas Equity, shares his journey from running a successful real estate brokerage in Vail, Colorado to becoming a multifamily investor and syndicator. When the pandemic hit, Matt's booming sales business led to massive tax bills—until his accountant introduced him to the power of commercial real estate investing. He breaks down how qualifying as a real estate professional transformed his financial outlook, the importance of partnering with experienced operators, and why multifamily is one of the most resilient and scalable asset classes in real estate. Matt also dives into his philosophy on buy-and-hold investing, the long-term housing shortage, and how to stack passive income to achieve financial freedom.

Tip #1: Turn Tax Burdens into Investment Opportunities "I was writing painful tax checks until my accountant explained how to invest in commercial real estate—and everything changed." Matt shares how learning about depreciation and tax incentives opened his eyes to wealth creation beyond brokerage income.

Tip #2: Qualify as a Real Estate Professional "If you qualify as a real estate professional, you can use passive losses to offset active income—it's a total game changer." By meeting IRS qualifications, Matt can apply real estate losses against commission income, reducing taxes and freeing up more cash for reinvestment.

Tip #3: Partner with Experienced Operators "The only way I could scale quickly and safely was by partnering with operators who had dozens of successful deals." Matt emphasizes that aligning with proven operators is key for new investors who want to reduce risk and build credibility with their own investors.

Tip #4: Multifamily Is a Fundamental Need "We're between four and six million housing units short in this country—demand isn't going away." Matt chose multifamily because it provides essential housing that's always in demand and mirrors the fundamentals of his brokerage business.

Tip #5: Buy and Hold Long Term "The wealthiest people I know just buy and hold. Everything's for sale eventually, but the long game always wins." Matt's strategy centers on owning quality suburban multifamily assets near strong schools and communities for consistent appreciation and cash flow.

Tip #6: Do the Research to Eliminate Fear "Risk isn't risk if you've done the research." He explains that fear fades with preparation—knowing your market, partnering with experts, and learning from past cycles helps mitigate risk and increase confidence.

Tip #7: Stack Wins and Build Momentum "Your first deal doesn't make you financially free—but it starts the process." Matt encourages investors to celebrate small wins, like when passive income begins covering everyday expenses, and to keep stacking investments over time.

Tip #8: Vet Operators Through Transparency "Ask operators about a deal that went bad—how they handled it says everything." He stresses that transparency and open communication are vital traits in any partnership.

Tip #9: Cash Flow Over Equity Events "Equity happens. Cash flow is planned." Matt's focus has shifted from flipping homes for quick equity to investing in long-term, cash-flowing assets that create sustainable income.