How Did They Do It? Real Estate

Whether you’re an active military member, veteran, or high-earning busy professional looking to achieve financial stability through real estate, you must hear this episode with Shelon “Hutch” Hutchinson!

Hutch shares his journey of exploring several ways to invest in real estate, his transition to multifamily passive investing and syndication, and his continuous mission to guide people in the military service to improve their financial situation!

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• Hutch’s life working as an active marine while trying different investment strategies in real estate
• Why Hutch decided to transition from single-family investing and flipping to multifamily syndication
• The significance of developing trust with potential investors
• Advantages of real estate investing for active military members’ retirement
• Options for active military members to plan for their retirement
• Building relationships, networks, and deal flow for more investment opportunities
• Why people should have an abundance mindset when investing in real estate

Resources & Links

• Signup to download Hutch’s free eBook “Operations Manual”
• Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Shelon “Hutch” Hutchinson

Shelon "Hutch" Hutchinson is an active-duty Marine with over 25 years of service and a bachelor's in Aeronautics. He has served in various leadership and managerial roles, overseeing the maintenance and flightworthiness of aircraft and hydraulic systems. 

As a co-founder of H Squared Capital, LLC, Hutch helps veterans and high-net-worth investors achieve financial freedom and own more of America by investing in apartment buildings. With over four years of experience in multifamily syndication, he has acquired, repositioned, and rebranded several properties with a team of top performers. 

Additionally, Hutch co-hosts "The Multifamily Real Estate Experiment" podcast which is focused on multifamily apartment syndication, sharing his insights and expertise with other aspiring and experienced investors. 

Get in Touch with Hutch

• Website: https://www.hsquaredcapital.com/ 
• LinkedIn: Hutch (Shelon Hutchinson) The Marine Investor

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

Do you find it too risky to invest in syndications on your own? In this week's episode, let’s hear Brian Davis’ unusual yet income-producing passive investing strategy!

Brian shares how he started to build an investment club for syndication deals and vet opportunities as a group, sharing common goals with other investors, the concept of fractional real estate investing, and providing opportunities to non-accredited investors! Tune in to this show to learn something different today!

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• Brian’s losses in real estate investing and the most important lesson he learned along the way
• Why Brian decided to invest passively in real estate syndications
• A unique business model and strategy Brian utilizes to invest passively
• The role of networking in the success of fractional deals
• How a fractional investing or group investment works for non-accredited investors
• The main challenge with vetting investors, partners, and sponsors abroad
• Brian’s personal experiences of encountering bad sponsors
• Is it difficult to invest in real estate internationally?

Resources & Links
Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Brian Davis

G. Brian Davis is a real estate investor, personal finance writer, and co-founder of SparkRental.com with over two decades in the real estate and finance industries. He owns an interest in over 2,000 units, adding more each month in a form of dollar cost averaging. In addition to hosting the Live Off Rents podcast, Brian regularly contributes as a real estate and personal finance expert for BiggerPockets, Inman, Best Ever Real Estate, R.E.tipster and more.  

Brian started his career working for a hard money lender, and saw firsthand how investing can build wealth and passive income. He started buying rental properties (albeit without knowing what he was doing), and gradually learned how to do it better.  

Today Brian invests passively, going in with other investors on fractional property deals through a real estate investment club. He leaves direct ownership to people who want a real estate side hustle. Along with his wife and daughter, Brian spends most of the year overseas living by his own rules. He loves hiking, cooking, travel, scuba diving, and occasionally surfing (badly). Most of all, he loves showing others how they too can create their ideal lives through investing and lifestyle design. 

Get in Touch with Brian

• Website: https://sparkrental.com/ 
• Email: [email protected] 
• Facebook: Spark Rental
• Instagram: @sparkrental
• X (Twitter): @SparkRental
• LinkedIn: SparkRental

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

We’re excited to feature the “Coolest Guy on the Internet” Merrick Lee Jr. for this week’s episode and his continuous success in the syndication space!

Merrick shares how he started educating himself about the different facets of real estate investing, got involved in mentorship and multifamily syndication, and built a strong team that will help him give value to the community and investors!

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• Merrick’s background in marketing and his discovery of real estate investing and syndication
• The importance of mentorship and building a foundation before investing in real estate
• Reasons why you should let yourself be surrounded by successful investors
• The power of doing your due diligence as an investor
• Being cautious and evaluating a deal in today’s market
• Why you should have the right team and people in real estate syndication
• The meaningful effect of real estate investing on Merrick’s life

Resources & Links
Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Merrick Lee Jr.

Merrick embarked on his professional journey as a Digital Marketing expert, amassing over 12 years of experience in pioneering technological innovations. With a keen interest in the dynamic realm of Real Estate, Merrick ventured into partnering with top operators, property management companies and brokerage firms where he’s able to create valuable returns for his investors through multifamily purchases. 

Merrick’s proactive approach and forward-thinking mindset has enabled him to stay ahead of market trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities. His ability to forge strong relationships has proven instrumental in sourcing high-quality deals and securing favorable terms for his investors. His commitment to excellence, coupled with his innovative spirit and unwavering determination, continues to drive his pursuit of excellence in multifamily real estate investment.   

In addition to his professional endeavors, Merrick is deeply committed to giving back to the community and supporting charitable causes that align with his values. He believes in using his success to make a positive impact on the lives of others and strives to create meaningful change through philanthropy and social responsibility. 

Get in Touch with Merrick

• Website: https://lovecapitalpartners.com/ 
• LinkedIn: Merrick Lee Jr.
• Podcast: Merrick Lee: The Coolest Guy on the Internet
• Instagram: @merrickleejr
• TikTok: @merrickleejr

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

Let’s dive in for another meaningful conversation about giving value to people and solving affordable housing problems through mobile homes and manufactured housing communities!

Today, Sam Hales will help us realize the power of investing in mobile home communities for investors and residents, the hardest lesson he learned from investing in a fund model, and the current state of the mobile home space that future investors should know!

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• How Sam discovered a fund model and transitioned into investing in mobile home communities and affordable housing
• The importance of having a decision-making ability in an investment or business strategy
• Reasons why Sam decided to pursue the mobile home park space over single-family
• Sam’s insights on the future of the mobile home park space 
• The two most important things new investors should consider before entering mobile home park investing
• The current supply and demand for mobile home communities and affordable housing
• Sam’s long-term goals and focus in the mobile home park space

Resources & Links

• Robert Kiyosaki’s books
• Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Sam Hales

As a Private Equity Real Estate fund manager with $360 million in assets under management, Sam could bring value to your show by sharing the insights he has garnered in his 15 years of real estate and management experience in distressed asset workouts, land developments, redevelopment,  lease options, single family and mobile home communities. He has also touched nearly every CRE asset class including: industrial, office, hospitality, single, and multifamily. 

Sam founded the Saratoga Group in 2011, which focuses exclusively on the purchase, revitalization, and operation of Mobile Home Communities—a niche that sets Sam apart in the real estate landscape. Sam’s passion lies in the Mobile Home asset class, which he views as a crucial solution to today’s housing affordability crisis. 

Get in Touch with Sam

• Website: https://www.saratogagroup.com/ 
• LinkedIn: Saratoga Group 

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

For this week’s episode, we’ve invited Schuyler Williamson to join the show for his successful leadership and entrepreneurial journey!

Schuyler’s story will inspire us to chase opportunities from rental property investments, things he learned about scaling a real estate business, being surrounded by the right people for continuous growth, and more valuable topics for you to thrive as an investor!

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• An introduction to Schuyler’s life in the military, entrepreneurial journey, and his humble beginning to real estate investing
• Things that Schuyler learned about leveraging in real estate
• The importance of learning from other investors and looking at them as mentors to grow in real estate
• Why do you need deal flow when scaling your investments?
• Some pitfalls to avoid in buying property investments
• Is it ideal to invest in Austin, TX in today’s market? 
• The tremendous impact of investing in real estate
• Setting your expectations and values as a person, having patience, and evaluating potential partners in real estate

Resources & Links

• Free resources on real estate, business, and leadership: https://www.schuylerwilliamson.com/free-resources 
• Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Schuyler Williamson

Schuyler graduated in the Top 10% from West Point and served as a US Army Recruiter while playing for the Detroit Tigers. After leaving the military in 2011, he earned an MBA from the University of Texas, ranking third in his class. He then transitioned into real estate, earning multiple awards as an agent in Austin, TX and co-founded Laundry Luv, a premier multi-location laundromat enterprise, and Mission Home Builders, an Austin-based urban-infill construction company known for quality homes. Schuyler also owns over 50 rental properties across Texas. 

Get in Touch with Schuyler

• Website: https://www.schuylerwilliamson.com/ 
• LinkedIn: Schuyler Williamson
• YouTube: Money Mission

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

We’re excited to feature this week’s guest, Rebekah Taylor, and her expertise in passive investing as a limited and general partner!

Rebekah talks about how she started her journey from tech to real estate investing, built her skills in multifamily syndications, and now helps other investors grab the same opportunities from the multifamily space! 

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• Rebekah’s journey from the tech industry to real estate investing and syndications
• How Rebekah started to realize the power of transitioning to real estate investing
• The importance of making smart financial decisions, assessing your priorities, and making strategic action plans
• Rebekah’s current focus and goals in real estate
• Insights on the current situation of the multifamily market and opportunities from assisted living
• Why track record is important when looking for a partner in real estate and vetting potential partners
• Rebekah’s advice for aspiring passive investors

Resources & Links
Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Rebekah Taylor

Rebekah is a 3rd generation real estate professional. She and her husband bought their first rental in 2012 while she was working in the tech industry where she spent 10 years as a sales/marketing professional. They built a portfolio, and she eventually left a 6-figure income to pursue her passion for real estate full-time. She became a realtor in Lynchburg, VA where they live with their three kids.  

Rebekah has worked for two different firms as their Director of Investor Relations, and has invested in both singular assets and fund of funds. Her portfolio consists of 437 units as a LP, 220 units as a GP, a strategic partner in a 125-bed assisted living facility, and 225 properties in a fund-of-fund. Rebekah and her husband also have a portfolio of their own properties in Lynchburg. They provide funding for small businesses/flippers and they’re always looking for ways to make their money work for them. 

They created Taylored Investments to help individuals reach their financial goals, and have more time freedom to enjoy life with the people they love. Taylored Investments identifies, analyzes, and acquires income generating real estate assets so our investors make money while they sleep. 

She holds a B.S. in Public Relations and a MBA from Liberty University.  In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, exercising, reading, and traveling the world with her family (she’s been to 30+ countries). They are active in their church and enjoy serving. 

Get in Touch with Rebekah

• Website: https://tayloredinvestments.co/ 
• LinkedIn: Rebekah Taylor, MBA

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

This week’s episode with Matt Durrette delves deeper into the essential aspects of a flourishing vacation and short-term rental business!

Matt talks about how they serve investors and anyone who wants to get involved in the Airbnb space, its operational and financial side, and more you should know about this investment strategy. Tune in because your support will help us bring more industry experts to this show!

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• How Matt learned about real estate investing and short-term rentals
• An efficient tool for Airbnb and short-term rental business
• What people need to know when hosting or investing in short-term rentals
• How critical location is in a short-term rental business
• Educating investors about how Airbnb works and its financial and operational aspects
• Services and investment opportunities Cozi Vacation Rentals offers to clients and investors
• Protecting a short-term rental business against the risks of state regulations
• Matt’s advice on how to invest differently in the short-term rental space

Resources & Links
Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Matt Durrette

Matt Durrette is the Founder and CEO of Cozi Vacation Rentals, a premier, locally owned and operated vacation property management company headquartered in Fredericksburg, Texas. Cozi serves the entire Texas Hill Country and surrounding areas, connecting guests and property owners to the best luxury vacation rentals and experiences this beautiful part of Texas offers. Cozi provides 24/7 property management and marketing services for owners and unforgettable experiences for guests. 

Originally founding the business out of Baltimore, MD, in 2013, Matt grew his managed portfolio in this market and throughout the East Coast to 150 homes from 2014 to 2019. During the same time, he worked full-time as a Global Business Development Manager for Northrop Grumman and attended grad school at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he obtained his MBA in Marketing and Data Analytics in 2018. 
Matt was fortunate to meet his beautiful wife, Jenna, originally from Austin, Texas. In the summer of 2019, Jenna easily convinced Matt to move back to Texas to  be near her family. Upon moving, Matt left his full-time job at Northrop and pursued Cozi Vacation Rentals full-time. In March 2020, COVID ultimately shut down Cozi’s East Coast Market. From this point, Matt chose to solely focus Cozi's growth on the drive-to tourism markets of the Texas Hill Country just south of Austin. Since April 2020, Matt has organically grown the Cozi Vacation Rentals unit portfolio in Texas from 0 to 400+ units with a team of over 50 full-time employees. 

In their free time, Matt and his wife Jenna enjoy spending time with their precious daughter Grayson Virginia, traveling, and rehabbing and remodeling properties.  

Get in Touch with Matt

• Website: https://www.cozivr.com/ 
• Matt’s Real Estate Services: https://join.cozivr.com/ 
• LinkedIn: Matt Durrette

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

Want to learn how to kickstart your real estate investing journey and earn passive income from turnkey rentals? Don’t miss out on listening to this week’s guest, Zach Lemaster!

We’ve invited Zach to share his success in the investing space, particularly in turnkey rentals and out-of-state investing, his expertise in identifying deals and making them work in today's market, and more tips to thrive in this business!

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• The power of real estate and investing in rental properties
• What it’s like to invest in turnkey out-of-state and the steps to overcome some challenges
• Identifying promising markets in today’s real estate condition
• The value of learning pro forma, financial analysis of a property, and how to predict returns
• The importance of having a team of experts for the success of your investment journey
• Zach’s focus asset classes and goals in real estate
• Zach’s insights on the kind of investors they serve and new turnkey investors
• Understanding location and how real estate investing works

Resources & Links
Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Zach Lemaster

Zach Lemaster is the founder & CEO of Rent to Retirement, the nation’s leading turnkey investment company. Zach is a seasoned real estate investor and licensed broker who has accumulated a large portfolio of rental properties across multiple markets including single family, multifamily, commercial and new construction. Zach is a licensed Optometrist who practices on a volunteer basis.  

Zach started investing in real estate while working as an Optometrist & Captain for the US Air Force. This eventually allowed him to retire early from his career in medicine to be a professional investor by strategically investing in markets that maximize cash flow, appreciation & equity. Zach went on to build a successful wholesaling, flipping & management business working across multiple markets which led to the foundation for Rent to Retirement.  

He is considered an industry expert in real estate market analytics. Zach has been published across many exceptional national platforms including: Forbes, USA Today, Fox News, NBC, CBS, Veterans' Affairs, Think Reality, and Inc. 5000. He is passionate about educating others on the numerous benefits of real estate investing, and how to use real estate as means to create the lifestyle each person desires for their family! 

Get in Touch with Zach

• Website: https://www.renttoretirement.com/ 
• Podcast: https://renttoretirement.com/podcasts 
• YouTube: Rent To Retirement
• To connect with Zach’s team, text REI to 33777 and start talking about your real estate investing goals

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

Dive into another episode packed with knowledge this week about commercial real estate investing with Michael Roeder! 

Mike discusses the reason for shifting from single-family to multifamily investing, his current focus markets and what makes them ideal for investment, valuable advice for acquiring and financing deals, and how to be an effective passive investor in multifamily syndication!

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• Mike’s journey from house-hacking to single-family rentals to multifamily investing and syndication
• The complexity of investing in single-family rental properties
• Why Dallas Fortworth and Nashville, TN are good investment markets
• Is it difficult to find deals that pencil out in today’s market? 
• Mike’s recommendations for financing, lending, and property renovation
• Does it still make sense for investors to invest in multifamily and real estate in general?
• The importance of knowing the general partner in a syndication deal and doing market research
• Making partnerships work in syndications and joint ventures
• The importance of teaching young people how real estate investing and networking works

Resources & Links

• Free ebook: 4 Steps to Successful Passive Investing
• BiggerPockets
• Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Michael Roeder

Michael was a top-performing high net worth insurance producer for a Fortune 500 company for over a decade. 

Michael transitioned from single-family investments to multifamily in 2015. Today, he is a general partner in over 2,800 units and over $350,000,000 of assets, raised $100,000,000 of capital to date, and completed 7 full cycle deals. 

He is the co-founder of Granite Towers Equity Group, a real estate private equity firm. Michael and his business partner Dan focus on acquiring and managing multi-family projects across the nation. He is also the co-host of The Keeping It Real Estate Show and co author of the book 4 Steps to Successful Passive Investing.

Get in Touch with Mike

• Website: https://www.granitetowersequitygroup.com/ 
• Email: [email protected]

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

Have you ever thought of house flipping as your next investment strategy in real estate? If so, you must listen to this episode with a flipping expert, Roger Blankenship!

Roger joins us this week to delve into his recommendations for finding, acquiring, and financing deals, flipping properties more profitable and efficiently, his insights on today’s real estate and housing market, and his expertise as an educator in the business! 

Key Points & Relevant Topics

• How Roger acquires and finances rental properties
• Roger’s journey to the educational side of the business 
• Roger’s secrets to buying properties and flipping houses more efficient
• Finding profitable properties for flipping 
• The difference of finding deals in today’s real estate market
• Roger’s advice and recommendations for acquiring and funding deals
• Insights on recession, housing market, and the future of real estate 

Resources & Links

• Go to https://flippingamerica.net/deal-funding/ if you want help with funding your deals
• Course: Real Estate Investing Quick Start
• Free Strategy Call with Roger: https://calendly.com/rogerblankenship/strategy 
• Be part of Roger’s community of like-minded investors by visiting https://flippingamerica.net/flipping-america-network/ 
• Visit https://www.vistaprint.com/ for your business card
• Apartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive Investor

About Roger Blankenship

Roger Blankenship is the “Flipping America Guy.” He’s host of the nationally syndicated real estate show, “Flipping America,” heard coast to coast every week with over a million listeners per month. He's a best-selling author, educator, motivational and inspirational speaker, and business leader. His latest book, “Flipping Houses in Ten Days” was certified an international number one bestseller just four days after launch.  

In 2007 Roger founded Whitestone Investments, Inc., a real estate investment company in Atlanta, Georgia. Whitestone specializes in the purchase and resale of single-family residences. Since 2002 Roger and his team have purchased and sold more than 2000 properties across the United States with a value of more than $300 million. 

Roger is in demand as a speaker and small business consultant. He has led seminars with groups as large as 5000, has guest-lectured at the University of Oslo, briefly served as a College Professor, spoken to thousands of US soldiers across the United States and in five trips to Korea, taught basic Bible stories to public school teachers in Siberia, helped build an orphanage in South Africa and homes for the homeless in Guatemala.  

From 2020 to 2023 Roger built a national real estate investment club with more than 18,000 members in 40 chapters nationwide. In 2023 he and his team combined the investors club, online training, and trading platform and rebranded as the Flipping America Network.

Get in Touch with Roger
Website: https://flippingamerica.net/ 

To Connect With Us

Please visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!