On this week’s episode, You’ll learn how to get connected to others in real estate and build a track record in this conversation with Shawn DiMartile. Shawn is a real estate investor based in San Diego with more than 300 rental units, a boutique hotel, and several Airbnbs, with a cumulative value of more than $50 million. He is also host of the podcast The Real Estate Takeoff and co-founder of Takeoff Capital. Shawn is a U.S. Navy veteran and worked as an air traffic controller prior to investing in real estate.

During his time as an air traffic controller, Shawn found he lacked time freedom, often working six days a week and putting in long hours. After looking into real estate, he liquidated his 401(k) to partner with his now business associate on a 32-unit apartment property located in Indiana. The investment presented several challenges, though within two years, they were able to triple the value of the asset and sell for a substantial profit. The experience left an impression on Shawn and motivated him to further pursue real estate investing.

Recognizing the need for guidance to scale his efforts, Shawn found a mentor who had been an accomplished apartment investor for more than two decades and had a portfolio with 8,000 units. Shawn went on to syndicate his first 150-unit multifamily property in 2021. Just two months later, he syndicated a 145-unit multifamily property.

With an eye for San Diego, Shawn recognized the historic limitations for investors based on low cap rates and landlord tenant laws. However, when San Diego implemented its ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Bonus program to resolve its housing crisis, Shawn found an opportunity to create a niche and build additional rental units on properties. He outlines his investment strategy in his ebook “California Gold.”

During the episode, Shawn encourages listeners to overcome the fear of making mistakes when starting out, and to look for ways to contribute when connecting with others. “Become friends and surround yourself with real estate in every way you can,” he shares. “Then start as early as you can to provide value to other people.”

You can connect with Shawn through Instagram and his website Investor Shawn.

I’m always happy to connect with listeners—you can find me online at:

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My Real Estate Weekly articles: REW-online.com/author/jamesnelson

My Forbes.com articles: Forbes.com/sites/jamesnelson