Deal Flow

On this episode of Deal Flow, host Michael Poulio welcomes Tiffany Mittal, founder of Utility Ranger, to discuss how her groundbreaking PropTech company is transforming multifamily real estate operations. Drawing from over 13 years as a multifamily owner-operator, Tiffany shares her journey of identifying inefficiencies in utility billing and creating an accessible, scalable solution for small to mid-size property owners.Key Highlights:The financial impact of utility billing on NOI and property valuation.Overcoming challenges in California's landlord climate and transitioning assets to Florida.Insights on leveraging technology to empower smaller multifamily owners with tools traditionally reserved for institutional players.The power of vertical integration and AI in property management and tenant satisfaction.Tiffany also reflects on the entrepreneurial challenges of building a PropTech company from scratch, the importance of innovation in a fragmented market, and her vision for Utility Ranger’s future.Resources:Utility Ranger Website (Affiliate Linked)LinkedInInstagramFacebookWhether you’re an owner-operator, investor, or PropTech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into solving operational pain points and driving portfolio growth. Thank you for tuning into this episode of Deal Flow!Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or any other major listening platform to stay updated on all our latest episodes. If you found value in today’s conversation, share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit from these insights. Have guest suggestions or topics you’d like us to explore? Drop us a comment or get in touch at [email protected]’s keep the conversation going—connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for more real estate and private equity content.See you next time on Deal Flow!

In this episode of Deal Flow, host Michael Poulio is joined by Sean O'Dowd, Managing Partner of Scholastic Capital, to discuss his unique investment strategy centered around single-family homes in top-tier school districts. Since co-founding Scholastic Capital in 2020, Sean has used his private equity background to create a high-yield, high-quality portfolio that balances robust returns with downside protection.Sean shares how his experiences growing up shaped his approach to real estate and why school district performance is a critical demand driver for families. From his use of proprietary data analysis to operationalizing a scatter-site portfolio, Sean offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at building a scalable and sustainable residential real estate fund.Key Highlights:The demand-supply dynamics of investing in desirable school districts.Strategies for long-term leases with high-quality tenants.Insights into operational efficiencies, data-driven decision-making, and market positioning for institutional exits.Thank you for tuning into this episode of Deal Flow!Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or any other major listening platform to stay updated on all our latest episodes. If you found value in today’s conversation, share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit from these insights. Have guest suggestions or topics you’d like us to explore? Drop us a comment or get in touch at [email protected]’s keep the conversation going—connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for more real estate and private equity content.See you next time on Deal Flow!

In this episode of Deal Flow, Michael Pouliot sits down with Clara Arroyave, founder of Co-Living Cashflow, to explore the transformative potential of co-living in real estate investment. Clara shares her journey from startup ventures in Massachusetts to building one of the largest co-living operations in Boston and scaling nationwide. Discover the unique opportunities co-living presents for investors, landlords, and urban dwellers alike, including insights on maximizing returns, leveraging technology, and navigating market trends. Whether you're a seasoned investor or new to the space, Clara’s expertise and innovative strategies will reshape how you think about shared housing as an asset class.Tune in to learn:Why co-living is becoming a go-to investment strategy.The three pillars of co-living: Community, Affordability, and Convenience.How Clara is leading the charge to educate and empower investors in this emerging market.Thank you for tuning into this episode of Deal Flow!Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or any other major listening platform to stay updated on all our latest episodes. If you found value in today’s conversation, share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit from these insights. Have guest suggestions or topics you’d like us to explore? Drop us a comment or get in touch at [email protected]’s keep the conversation going—connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for more real estate and private equity content.See you next time on Deal Flow!

How to Build a Hospitality Business #realestate #hospitalitybusiness #entrepreneurshipHi everyone, and welcome to Deal Flow Channel!In this episode, Ian Joseph, founder of Branch Berkeley Springs, talks about his transition from banking to real estate development. Learn how Ian overcame fear in entrepreneurship, built community-focused hospitality projects, and created a vision for sustainable real estate success.We also discuss the importance of financial discipline, building trust, and implementing systems to grow a business. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or just curious about hospitality real estate, this episode is full of practical advice! Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more expert real estate and business insights!Episode ResourcesIan Joseph on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/capitaloneian Branch Berkeley Springs Website: https://staywithbranch.com/?utm_campa…🔗 Apply to Be A Guest Here: http://www.michaelpouliot.com/ 📰 Newsletter Sign-up: http://www.investwithcarbon.com/ ✨ Submit A Deal: https://www.skool.com/deal-maker-fast-track-6104 Chapters:00:00 - Intro01:38 - Overcoming Fear in Entrepreneurship12:55 - The Transition from Banker to Entrepreneur28:50 - Building Relationships and Trust in Real Estate33:57 - The Importance of Systems in Business01:02:59 - Financial Discipline for Future Success01:08:45- Vision for Community-Integrated Hospitality🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬.https://www.youtube.com/@dealflowpodcast-l5q/?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐⭐⭐Audio Podcast is currently on your favorite platforms:Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3nT0oraZg9ERd493MZjQTQ ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deal-flow/id1766455871 🔗 Stay Connected With Us.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pouliot-cfa-caia-24496616/ Website: https://michael-pouliot.webflow.io/ 📩 For business inquiries: [email protected] =================================🔎 Related Phrases:How To Start A Hospitality Business, Ian Joseph Real Estate Tips, Hospitality Real Estate For Beginners, Building Community-Driven Projects, Career Change To Real Estate, How To Transition From Banking To Real Estate, Hospitality Investment Ideas, Starting A Hospitality Project, Financial Tips For Hospitality Entrepreneurs, Real Estate Development For Small Towns#realestate #hospitalitybusiness #entrepreneurship #investmenttips #communitybuilding #hospitalitydevelopment #dealflow #ianjoseph #realestateadvice #careerchange #hospitalityrealestate #berkeleysprings

Is your property management model holding your portfolio back?

In this episode of the Deal Flow Podcast, we sit down with Cody Littlewood, Principal at Carbon Real Estate Investments, to discuss his transition from a software entrepreneur to a leader in Class B Multifamily investing.

In a market where generic "value-add" strategies are being squeezed, Cody reveals why Vertical Integration—owning the operations, the management, and the strategy—is the ultimate defensive and offensive move for 2026.

We break down the "Carbon Way":

how to identify "tired" assets in high-growth neighborhoods and transform them into high-performing workforce housing. Cody shares his insights on why the "people on the ground" are your most important investment and how tech-driven workflows can streamline leasing, improve collections, and drive institutional-quality returns for everyday investors.

Key Takeaways:

• The Tech Pivot: Why software principles like "Kaizen" (continuous improvement) are the key to real estate efficiency.

• Vertical Integration: The challenges, costs, and massive ROI of bringing property management in-house.

• Class B Strategy: Why workforce housing is the most resilient asset class in the current economic landscape.

• Talent & Incentives: How to build an operational team that takes "ownership" of your properties.

🕒 Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: The Journey from Tech to Real Estate01:01 - Cody’s Segue: Why software founders make great property owners04:27 - The Transition to Entrepreneurship and scaling Carbon CREI06:44 - The Reality of Vertical Integration: Is it right for your portfolio?

14:07 - Key Performance Drivers: What actually moves the needle in 202617:43 - The Role of Talent: Why your "boots on the ground" are your biggest asset27:00 - Navigating the 2026 Market: High rates, supply shifts, and opportunity

Stay ahead of the market. Join 10,000+ investors receiving our weekly analysis on multifamily deals and macro trends.

👉 Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://www.investwithcarbon.com/

Connect with Cody Littlewood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/codylittlewood/

#MultifamilyInvesting #RealEstateOperations #VerticalIntegration #ClassBProperties #WorkforceHousing #CodyLittlewood #DealFlowPodcast #RealEstateTech #CREI

Are your vacation rental margins shrinking? It’s time to professionalize.

In this episode of the Deal Flow Podcast, we sit down with Lynell Gordon, a leading real estate consultant, to break down the 2026 playbook for Short-Term Rental (STR) success.

As the market shifts toward "experience-driven" travel, generic listings are failing. Lynell explains how to use Dynamic Pricing, AI-driven guest communication, and strategic amenity upgrades to stay ahead of the competition.

Whether you are managing a single Airbnb or a massive portfolio of luxury vacation rentals, this episode covers the essential shift from "hosting" to "revenue management."

We explore the importance of location-based data, must-have amenities that justify premium rates, and how to leverage the "Experience Economy" to drive 5-star reviews and repeat bookings.

Key Takeaways:

• Revenue Management:

  Why manual pricing is dead and how to use dynamic algorithms.

• The AI Advantage:

  Implementing AI to handle guest inquiries and operational bottlenecks.

• Amenity ROI:

  Which upgrades actually increase your nightly rate (and which don't).

• 2026 Market Trends:

  Why the "booking window" is shrinking and how to capture last-minute demand.

  
  

🕒 Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: The State of Vacation Rentals in 202607:07 - Professionalization vs. Amateur Hosting: The Unique Challenges11:10 - Advanced Revenue Management: Beyond the "Set it and Forget it" Model

25:17 - PropTech & AI: Leveraging Technology for Operational Success29:33 - High-ROI Amenities: What Guests are Paying a Premium for Now34:39 - Future Outlook: AI Personalization and the Global STR Market

Don't miss the next big shift in CREI. Join 10,000+ investors getting our weekly deal analysis and market insights.

👉 Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://www.investwithcarbon.com/

Stop losing margin to inefficient operations.

In this episode of the Deal Flow Podcast, we dive deep into the world of PropTech with Peter Gudmundsson, CEO of BeHome247.

As real estate investors and property managers face rising labor costs and shifting markets, technology has moved from a "luxury" to a "necessity" for maintaining profitability in Single-Family Rentals (SFR) and Multifamily portfolios.

Peter shares how BeHome247 is revolutionizing the Sun Belt real estate market by integrating smart home tech with traditional Property Management Systems (PMS).

We discuss the friction of tech adoption, how to streamline your "boots on the ground" workflows, and why labor efficiency is the new key to Alpha in CREI investments.

Key Takeaways:

• How to bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern smart home technology.

• Strategies for scaling property management across the Sun Belt.

• The real impact of automation on Net Operating Income (NOI) and labor costs.

• Overcoming the "fear factor" of tech adoption in traditional real estate firms.

  
  

  🕒 Timestamps:

  00:00 - Introduction to Deal Flow01:20 - Peter Gudmundsson’s journey to BeHome24702:21 - The evolution of property management software07:40 - Why tech is the competitive edge in today's market09:19 - Identifying the ideal customer: From SFR to Multifamily11:50 - Why real estate is slow to adopt tech (and how to fix it)22:01 - Why the Sun Belt remains the premier region for growth23:55 - How to integrate smart tech with your existing PMS28:18 - Solving the labor crisis: Improving efficiency & cost management36:33 - The future vision for BeHome24737:57 - Pricing models that actually drive value for investors

  
  

  🔗 Episode Resources:

  • Connect with Peter Gudmundsson: LinkedIn

  • Explore BeHome247: Official Website

  • Apply to Be A Guest: http://www.michaelpouliot.com/

  • Submit Your Deal: Deal Maker Fast Track

  #RealEstateInvesting #PropTech #PropertyManagement #DealFlow #MultifamilyInvesting #SFR #RealEstateTech #CREI

How do you use tax efficiency as a lever to build a $750M real estate portfolio?

In this episode of Deal Flow, we sit down with Omar Khan, Founder of Boardwalk Wealth, to deconstruct the tax strategies that separate average investors from institutional players.

Omar details his journey from a science background to managing massive multifamily assets.

We dive deep into the mechanics of Opportunity Zones (OZs), specifically how to legally eliminate capital gains taxes, and why he is doubling down on suburban markets despite the noise.

We also explore the "Soft Takeover" strategy for maximizing returns and how AI is finally catching up to the real estate industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:• The specific tax frameworks used to scale to $750M AUM.• Opportunity Zones: How to achieve completely tax-free gains.• The "Soft Takeover" strategy: Maximizing value in existing assets.• Why suburban markets are outperforming urban cores.• Implementing AI to streamline asset management operations.

CHAPTERS:(00:00) - Introduction

(01:11) - The Blueprint: Turning Tax Efficiency into $750M

(05:34) - Transitioning from Science to Real Estate

(12:07) - Mastery of Opportunity Zones (OZs)

(16:05) - How to Achieve 100% Tax-Free Gains

(20:04) - Strategic Hacks for Capital Preservation

(23:32) - Market Timing: Is Now the Time to Buy?

(29:49) - Building a High-Performance Real Estate Team

(34:14) - The Case for Suburban Market Investment

(35:33) - The "Soft Takeover" Strategy Explained

(37:31) - Generating 8% Returns in a 5% World

(41:44) - Fundraising Realities for Syndicators

(45:06) - Modernizing Real Estate with AI

GUEST RESOURCES:Omar Khan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omark1/Boardwalk Wealth: https://www.boardwalkwealth.com/

CONNECT WITH US:📰 Join the Carbon CREI Newsletter: http://www.investwithcarbon.com/

HOST:Michael Pouliot, CFA, CAIALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pouliot-cfa-caia-24496616/Email: [email protected]

With over $8 billion in transactional volume, Hannah Ott (Vice Chairman at CBRE) is one of the leading voices in Midwest multifamily real estate.

In this episode of Deal Flow, we drill down into the Indianapolis market to understand why it remains a stronghold for investors.

Hannah breaks down the current cap rate environment, how tenant mentality has shifted post-2024, and the specific strategies her team uses to dominate market share.

If you are looking for institutional-grade insights on commercial real estate and team structuring, this episode provides the data and strategy you need to compete.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Analyzing the resilience of the Indianapolis multifamily market.• Understanding current Cap Rate trends and future outlooks.• How to structure a high-performing real estate team.• The impact of technology on transaction velocity.

CHAPTERS:(00:00) - Introduction

(02:07) - Managing $8B in Volume: Hannah’s Career

(05:30) - Why Indianapolis? Market Dynamics Explained

(10:43) - Structuring a Top-Tier Real Estate Team

(21:02) - Navigating Market Challenges & Volatility

(30:02) - Investment Trends & Future Outlook

(33:52) - The Shift in Tenant Mentality

(39:24) - Current Cap Rates & Opportunities

(44:26) - Tech Stack for Modern Real Estate

(48:26) - Advice for New CRE Professionals

GUEST RESOURCES:Hannah Ott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-ott-ccim-78590223/CBRE Website: https://www.cbre.com/

CONNECT WITH US:📰 Join the Carbon CREI Newsletter: http://www.investwithcarbon.com/

HOST:Michael Pouliot, CFA, CAIALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pouliot-cfa-caia-24496616/Email: [email protected]

How do you transition from renovating single row homes to brokering over 28,000 units?

In this episode of Deal Flow, we sit down with Kenneth Wellar, Founding Partner of GREA, to dissect the current state of Multifamily Real Estate.

Kenneth shares high-level insights on navigating today's toughest CREI challenges, including rising insurance costs and capital constraints.

We also analyze the shifting opportunities in active markets like Texas and the Carolinas, and why local knowledge is the ultimate leverage in a volatile economy.

This is a masterclass on market cycles and scaling in commercial real estate.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:• Strategies for overcoming capital availability issues in 2026.• How to handle the impact of rising insurance costs on your NOI.• Identifying emerging opportunities in the multifamily sector.• The importance of relationship building in commercial brokerage.

CHAPTERS:(00:00) - Introduction: Who is Kenneth Wellar?

(01:53) - The Pivot: From Row Homes to Commercial Real Estate

(11:32) - Post-COVID Market Challenges & Adjustments

(16:59) - Scaling Up: The Transition to Institutional Assets

(21:04) - Capital Availability vs. Legacy Properties

(24:24) - The Insurance Crisis: Impact on Multifamily

(25:29) - Evolving Opportunities: Where to Invest Now?

(34:50) - Lessons Learned from Past Market Cycles

(37:41) - The Power of Relationships in Real Estate

GUEST RESOURCES:Kenneth Wellar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-wellar-9a37ba3/

GREA Website: https://grea.com/

CONNECT WITH US:📰 Join the Carbon CREI Newsletter: http://www.investwithcarbon.com/

HOST:Michael Pouliot, CFA, CAIALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-pouliot-cfa-caia-24496616/Email: [email protected]