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!