CREI Partners

CREI Partners

By CREI PartnersBusinessEntrepreneurshipEducationSelf-ImprovementInvesting
Download on the App Store

CREI Partners episodes

  • Outwork the Competition in Real Estate with James Ray
    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   
    Links:
    https://www.creanalyst.com/ – CRE Analyst
    46 min
  • Ep #30: How to Mitigate Risk for both Passive and Active Investors with The Kitti Sisters

    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

      •  

      44 min
    • Ep #29: Building Teams and Protecting Sensitive Investor Data with Christopher Nelson

      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 Nelson
          Passive Real Estate Investments for Tech Employees / Wealthward Capital
          Thrive Community Fund
          Splunk
          Jeremy Roll of Roll Investment Group
          Steve Settlage
          RaiseMasters
          You Are The Brand by Mike Kim
          Intelligent Investors Real Estate Conference (IIREC)
          Wayne Courreges
          Free Passive Investor eBook by Wayne Courreges
          The Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast

          43 min
        • Ep #28: Consistency, Processes, and Technology in Real Estate with Chris Freeman

          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 Freedom
            Chris Freeman on LinkedIn
            High Tech Freedom Podcast
            Asana
            Loom
            Upwork
            The VA Hub
            Grant Cardone
            Traction
            BiggerPockets
            Wayne Courreges
            Free Passive Investor eBook by Wayne Courreges
            The Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast

            36 min
          • Ep #27: Navigating Inflation, Interest Rates, and Cap Rates with Stewart Heath

            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 

              •  

              39 min
            • Ep #26: Building Veterans Wealth in Real Estate with Marine Shelon Hutchinson

              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?  

                •  

                44 min
              • Ep #25: Leave Behind the Rat Race Leveraging Real Estate with Maurice Philogene

                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? 

                  •  

                  42 min
                • Ep #24: Creating Christ Centered Workforce Housing Communities with Bethany Finch

                  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 LinkedIn
                      American Made Home Solutions, LLC
                      Free Passive Income Checklist
                      Purpose Driven Investments; Multifamily Real Estate
                      United Financial Freedom - Innovative Debt Elimination and  Financial Tools
                      Del Webb: Retirement Communities
                      Dave Ramsey
                      Wayne Courreges
                      Free Passive Investor eBook by Wayne Courreges
                      The Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast

                      45 min
                    • Ep #23: Scaling Real Estate through Private Equity with John Azar

                      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 Capital
                        Jalal John Azar on LinkedIn
                        John Azar’s Email
                        Wayne Courreges
                        Free Passive Investor eBook by Wayne Courreges
                        The Untold Stories of Real Estate Investing Podcast

                        34 min
                      • Ep #22: Scaling Real Estate in Texas with Amy Tiemann

                        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       

                          •  

                          48 min

                        About CREI Partners

                        From the publisher's feed

                        Real Estate Investments