Multifamily Real Estate Investing

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What did we think multifamily real estate was before we actually worked in it? And what have we learned since?

In this episode of Multifamily Real Estate Investing by Mara Poling, The Laurens are keeping things casual and talking about the things that surprised us most about working in multifamily — from what happens behind the scenes to the unexpected problems, people, and situations that come with owning and operating apartment communities.

So sit down, grab a coffee and join us for a candid chit-chat about all the things we thought multifamily real estate investing was before we actually got into it — and what we know now.

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In Part 2 of our due diligence series, we’re getting out of the spreadsheets and actually walking the property. We’re talking about what we look for — and, more importantly, what experience has taught us to look for — when we’re kicking the tires on a multifamily acquisition.

Roofs, HVAC, plumbing, parking lots, units, deferred maintenance, work orders…we’re getting into all of it. But physical condition is only part of the story. We’re also digging into leases and operational history to figure out what’s really happening at the property versus what the marketing package says is happening.

Because a property can look great and still have a story to tell. And ultimately, that’s the question we’re trying to answer:

Does the deal we thought we were buying still exist?

Because due diligence isn’t about finding reasons to kill a deal. It’s about knowing what you’re actually buying — before you own it.

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In Part 1 of our Due Diligence Playbook series, The Laurens are going back to the beginning: how do you get a deal truly ready for due diligence in today’s economy?

Before you open the data room, start sending questions to the seller, or unleash your third-party vendors, there’s a lot you can—and should—do to prepare. We’re talking about the financial information you need upfront, preparing your liquidity, the red flags that lenders look for on a Statement of Real Estate Owned (SREO), and what last minute hiccups can kill the deal. 

This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about knowing what you’re looking for before you find it.

So grab your due diligence checklist and join the Laurens as we kick off the new Due Diligence Playbook with the first step: getting you AND your deal ready.

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In this solo episode, Lauren Torres pulls up the original 2022 pro forma and compares it to the property’s actual August 2026 financials — revenue, vacancy, expenses, NOI, and cash flow. Where did we nail it? Where did we completely miss? And perhaps most importantly, why?

The post-COVID multifamily market had other plans. A wave of new supply, changing renter behavior, shifting market conditions, and an industry-wide reset made some of the assumptions we made in 2022 look very different four years later.

So we're going beyond simply pointing out the variances. We're digging into the story behind the numbers and asking whether the misses were bad underwriting, unforeseeable market conditions, or a little bit of both.

Because underwriting is, in many ways, an attempt to predict the future.

So… how accurate was our crystal ball? Let's find out.

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What does a good multifamily deal look like in 2026? John Jones, Mara Poling’s Director of Operations, joins The Laurens to talk about what we’re seeing in today’s market, how we’re underwriting new acquisitions and why most deals aren't making the cut. 

From lower occupancies and no rent growth, to costly deferred maintenance and ongoing operational challenges, we’re taking a reality check on what it takes to make a deal work in the current 2026 market and how important it is to work with experienced asset managers and property managers alike. 

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Who actually makes a multi-family investment work? In this episode of Multi-Family Real Estate Investing by Mara Poling, The Laurens pull back the curtain on the people behind Mara Poling. 

From ownership, investment management, finance, investor relations, and asset management to attorneys, lenders, accountants, insurance professionals, property managers, on-site teams, and specialized consultants, there’s an entire network working behind the scenes.

We’ll break down who does what, how all the pieces work together, and why having the right team matters when it comes to protecting and growing an investment.

Because when you invest with Mara Poling, you’re not just investing in a property—you’re investing in a team.

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What exactly is Mara Poling, and what happens behind the scenes of the multifamily investments we manage? 

In this episode, Lauren Torres and Lauren Messina take a step back and introduce the company behind The Laurens. They talk about Mara Poling’s history, the properties and investors we serve, why we focus on multifamily real estate, and the investment philosophy that guides our decisions. They also explain how we approach acquisitions and asset management—and what we believe sets Mara Poling apart.

From finding the right property to managing it long after closing, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how Mara Poling approaches multifamily investing.

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We're back! And kicking off Season 11 with a quick catch-up, taking a look at what we have planned for the season. New episodes dropping every week on Wednesday! Tune in next week! 

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Welcome to our new 8-part series focused on building long-term wealth through smarter retirement investing strategies. 

Throughout this series, we’ll explore how investors can use retirement accounts to invest beyond traditional stocks and bonds and take advantage of opportunities in multifamily real estate investing.

The Laurens will be joined by Pat Poling from Mara Poling and we’ll break down the concepts, strategies, and potential benefits of retirement account investing in a practical, easy-to-understand way.

Over the course of this series, we’ll cover:

• Investing with Your Retirement Account
• Diversification
• How to Invest Using a Retirement Account
• Compounded Returns Investing in Multifamily Real Estate
• Investing in Multifamily Real Estate with Your ROTH
• Cutting Your Taxes 50% to 70% or More
• Those “Other” Taxes
• Long-term Multifamily Real Estate Investing

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to better understand how retirement accounts can be used to create passive income and long-term financial growth, this series is designed to help you think differently about investing for the future.

Be sure to subscribe and join us each week as we continue the conversation and dive deeper into each of these topics.

To learn more, visit Mara Poling or email Pat directly at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to our new 8-part series focused on building long-term wealth through smarter retirement investing strategies. 

Throughout this series, we’ll explore how investors can use retirement accounts to invest beyond traditional stocks and bonds and take advantage of opportunities in multifamily real estate investing.

The Laurens will be joined by Pat Poling from Mara Poling and we’ll break down the concepts, strategies, and potential benefits of retirement account investing in a practical, easy-to-understand way.

Over the course of this series, we’ll cover:

• Investing with Your Retirement Account
• Diversification
• How to Invest Using a Retirement Account
• Compounded Returns Investing in Multifamily Real Estate
• Investing in Multifamily Real Estate with Your ROTH
• Cutting Your Taxes 50% to 70% or More
• Those “Other” Taxes
• Long-term Multifamily Real Estate Investing

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to better understand how retirement accounts can be used to create passive income and long-term financial growth, this series is designed to help you think differently about investing for the future.

Be sure to subscribe and join us each week as we continue the conversation and dive deeper into each of these topics.

To learn more, visit Mara Poling or email Pat directly at [email protected].