*John Ward of Turnstone Capital joins Taylor Avakian on the No Vacancy podcast for a deep conversation on decades in multifamily real estate, from early loan officer days to building and managing apartment portfolios across California, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado.*

John shares how he got started in the late 1970s, moved from FHA lending into flipping and converting small multifamily properties, navigated market cycles including the Global Financial Crisis, and scaled through high-net-worth investors, hard money, and institutional partners. The discussion covers finding inefficiencies in the market, relationship-driven dealmaking, current opportunities around ADUs in California (including a patent-pending elevated parking solution called Skybox), views on the Southern California multifamily landscape, working with international capital, and practical uses of AI tools for sourcing, analysis, and operations.

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00:00 – Opening and company overview

02:03 – Welcome and introduction

02:37 – Turnstone Capital portfolio today

03:24 – Starting out as a loan officer in 1979

06:32 – Moving into flips and South Central deals

09:16 – Forming the first Turnstone and converting 5–9 unit buildings

13:33 – First larger apartment and shift to holding

15:50 – Early capital structures and hard money

17:08 – Pre-GFC activity and land deals

19:13 – Navigating the Global Financial Crisis

21:16 – Post-crisis single-family aggregation with Tricon and Colony

24:29 – Returning to small multifamily acquisitions

25:17 – Scaling with high-net-worth and structured capital

28:16 – 2018 growth and investor expansion

28:31 – When passive income covered the lifestyle

30:06 – Mindset around work, deals, “retirement”

34:23 – Building relationships and people skills

37:08 – Moving from friends-and-family to institutional capital

41:12 – Current opportunities and the ADU angle

45:14 – Skybox elevated ADU concept for parking

50:26 – Views on California multifamily headwinds

52:38 – Advice for younger investors considering California

57:00 – Working with international (Japanese) capital

01:02:22 – How the team uses AI today

01:08:07 – Finding inefficiencies and what’s next

01:10:35 – The FHA down-payment program story

01:14:05 – Closing

Keywords:

John Ward, Turnstone Capital, Taylor Avakian, No Vacancy podcast, multifamily real estate, apartment investing, California multifamily, ADU California, real estate investing, value add multifamily, SoCal apartments, real estate syndication, hard money lending, institutional capital, Japanese real estate investors, AI in real estate, property management, real estate career, flipping apartments, passive income real estate

Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.

🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian

📈 Connect with me:

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Email: [email protected]

X: https://x.com/TAYVAY_

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#LosAngelesRealEstate #MultifamilyBroker #LandlordTips #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyManagement #TenantScreening #RentalMarket #LosAngelesApartments #RealEstateStrategy #TaylorAvakian #ApartmentOwner

*26-year-old Shant Samuelian is building $300M+ in large-family affordable housing projects across Los Angeles through Samuelian Group.*In this episode of No Vacancy, Taylor Avakian sits down with the founder and CEO of Samuelian Group to unpack how a USC real estate development graduate moved from market-rate multifamily into LIHTC-driven affordable housing, why he focuses on 2- and 3-bedroom family units with parking instead of studios, and what it actually takes to win tax credits, raise equity, permit, and deliver projects in one of the country’s most complex markets.They cover the realities of 4% and 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, project scoring and readiness deadlines, JV structures with nonprofits, the capital stack, how developers get paid through fees and long-term economics, CRA-driven tax credit investors, recent federal and California policy shifts, and the day-to-day problem-solving required on the ground. Samuelian also shares lessons on data-driven decision making, building a lean team that leverages AI for operational efficiency, and the long-term mission of adding quality supply in high-resource areas.

Sponsor - Real Property CaptiveThis episode is sponsored by Real Property Captive, insurance for owners, by owners. RPC members own equity in their insurance company, buy reinsurance at bulk rates, keep unused premium, and cut property insurance rates by up to 35%. Captives insure roughly 90% of the Fortune 500 & the largest institutional real estate owners. Learn more at https://www.rpcaptive.com/?utm_source=novacancy&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=novacancy-2026-07.Sponsor - Loan TitanAchieve your real estate goals through tailored financing solutions withhttps://loantitan.com/
*Chapters*0:00 – Intro and Shant’s background 1:56 – Path into affordable housing and leaving a large developer 5:54 – Preparing to launch Samuelian Group 7:01 – Thesis: large-family housing vs. studios 9:49 – Early capital, risk, and partners 13:06 – What makes a smart developer 16:05 – How LIHTC (4% and 9% tax credits) works 22:55 – Scoring applications and site selection 27:21 – The readiness deadline and permit scramble 37:05 – Silver Lake project and deal economics 47:07 – Long-term vision and impact 50:01 – How affordable housing developers make money 54:59 – Tax credit investors and CRA needs 57:45 – Policy changes at federal, state, and city levels 1:00:25 – Stress of the first tax credit award 1:02:22 – Advice for aspiring developers 1:04:30 – Using AI on a small team 1:09:41 – What’s next for Samuelian Group Keywords: Shant Samuelian, Samuelian Group, affordable housing, LIHTC, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, 4% tax credits, 9% tax credits, Los Angeles real estate, multifamily development, large family housing, tax credit equity, CRA banking, Silver Lake Flats, Taylor Avakian, No Vacancy podcast, real estate development, California housing, USC real estate, young developer, housing policySubscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: [email protected]: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/#LosAngeles #podcast #commercialrealestate

Sean Burton, co-founder and CEO of Cityview, joins Taylor Avakian on the No Vacancy podcast for a deep conversation on scaling a vertically integrated multifamily firm, navigating cycles from the Great Financial Crisis through COVID, and the realities of investing and developing housing across the Western U.S. and beyond.

They cover Cityview’s origins in 2003 with a focus on infill housing, the decision to vertically integrate development, construction, and property management, how the firm balances value-add acquisitions and ground-up development based on market conditions, and the data-driven approach to selecting supply-constrained markets with strong job and population growth. The discussion also addresses Los Angeles’s current investment climate, the impact of local policies on new housing supply, what creates compelling opportunities in today’s interest-rate environment, and practical insights on capital structures, partnerships, relationships, and long-term thinking in real estate.

This episode offers a clear look at how one of the more active multifamily operators approaches strategy, risk, and opportunity in a complex market.

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00:00 – Early capital growth and firm scale

01:47 – Formal introduction and Cityview overview

02:51 – Path from law, politics, and Warner Bros into real estate

04:13 – Founding thesis and focus on infill multifamily

06:20 – Early capital structure and becoming an operator

07:29 – Taking the leap and early risk

11:01 – Fee structures, promote, and alignment with investors

14:11 – Expanding beyond California and cycling between value-add and development

17:32 – Roles within the founding partnership

19:35 – What makes a strong capital raise pitch

23:47 – Sourcing deals, broker relationships, and avoiding marketed auctions

26:20 – Downtown LA recovery and public safety

28:41 – LA’s investment narrative and political risk

33:32 – Why current pricing creates a strong vintage

36:35 – Yield-on-cost targets and development premiums

38:54 – Measure ULA and its effect on new housing

46:01 – Markets with strong demand and supply constraints

50:22 – Staying focused exclusively on multifamily

51:25 – Building genuine long-term relationships

53:33 – Advice for someone starting out today

55:45 – Handling losses and portfolio diversification

57:08 – Choosing the right partners

58:28 – Mentorship that shaped a career of consistent execution

Keywords: Sean Burton, Cityview, multifamily real estate, commercial real estate, LA multifamily, housing crisis, Measure ULA, value-add multifamily, ground up development, real estate private equity, Taylor Avakian, No Vacancy podcast, apartment investing, supply constrained markets, West Coast real estate, real estate entrepreneurship, capital raising, real estate partnerships

Subscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.

🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian

📈 Connect with me:

Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/

Email: [email protected]

X: https://x.com/TAYVAY_

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*Keith Wasserman of Gelt Venture Partners shares how he scaled from a single fourplex in Bakersfield to thousands of multifamily units and billions in real estate assets through syndication, disciplined operations, and long-term investor focus.*Sponsor - Loan TitanUpscale your experience withhttps://loantitan.com/Sponsor - AI for CRE CollectiveAI for CRE Community: https://www.skool.com/ai-for-cre-collective/about?ref=3b3ff2c0ccce44ba8039fafd54bf291aIn this episode of No Vacancy with Taylor Avakian, Keith discusses building a multifamily and self-storage platform starting in the 2008 downturn, the shift from small deals and family capital to larger syndications, why deal-by-deal structures have worked for their investor base, capital raising realities in tougher markets, operator edge through reputation and relationships, market diversification across the West, value-add approaches, views on current cycles and LA fundamentals, the role of tax benefits and preferred returns, Domuso’s digital rent payment platform, AI use in operations, personal portfolio balance, social media’s double-edged impact, and lessons from mentors like Sam Freshman.00:00 – Introduction and portfolio overview 01:07 – Starting with a fourplex in Bakersfield and scaling 02:28 – Early entrepreneurial path and eBay business 04:24 – Getting into real estate and family background 05:32 – Early partnership roles and team building 07:34 – Key inflection points and first syndications 09:45 – Deal-by-deal vs fund model 12:01 – Investor base and institutional opportunities 13:53 – Transparency and track record in raising capital 15:43 – Avoiding losses and buying in downturns 17:04 – Market diversification and asset classes 17:52 – Value-add focus and development views 18:44 – Family in real estate and development challenges 22:14 – Early capital from international sources 23:22 – International capital and relationship building 24:19 – Current capital environment and investor psychology 26:10 – Hold vs sell thesis and 1031 exchanges 30:13 – Lessons from mentor Sam Freshman 31:37 – What separates good operators from great ones 33:48 – Why this cycle feels tougher 36:20 – Views on buying in Los Angeles 37:22 – Long-term outlook for LA 38:13 – Contrarian opportunities and newer product 41:47 – Tax benefits and real estate professional status 44:08 – Preferred returns vs no-pref structures 45:05 – Interest rates and debt strategy 47:03 – Domuso rent payment platform 48:42 – AI adoption in the business 50:19 – Longer-term AI effects on multifamily 52:00 – Personal portfolio allocation and liquidity 53:16 – Social media for business and its downsides 54:34 – Experience with the Palisades fires 01:02:15 – Looking ahead and advice for starting now Subscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: [email protected]: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/#realestate #cre #podcast

Martin Muoto, founder of SoLa Impact and Model/Z, joins Taylor Avakian on No Vacancy for a wide-ranging conversation on affordable and workforce housing in California. They cover the realities of building in Los Angeles, the shift from acquisition-rehab to ground-up development, and how modular construction is being used to change cost and timeline math in one of the toughest markets in the country. The discussion also explores investing in historically underserved neighborhoods, working with Section 8, the role of Opportunity Zones, and how technology (including AI) is being applied to design, permitting, and operations. Martin shares his personal path from West Africa and Wharton into real estate, the lessons from scaling a vertically integrated platform, and why he believes driving down the true cost of housing is central to solving California’s supply crisis.Sponsor - Loan TitanUpscale your experience withhttps://loantitan.com/Sponsor - AI for CRE CollectiveAI for CRE Community: https://www.skool.com/ai-for-cre-collective/about?ref=3b3ff2c0ccce44ba8039fafd54bf291a*Chapters:*00:00 - Introduction & Martin Muoto’s background 01:55 - SoLa Impact origins and the pivot to ground-up development 09:34 - From private equity to personal investing in South LA 14:49 - The decision to go all-in on real estate 17:21 - Raising capital and operating with integrity 20:25 - Investment thesis in underserved LA communities 22:15 - Section 8 realities and tenant support infrastructure 25:00 - What’s working and broken with current housing programs 28:36 - Upward mobility, vocational programs, and community impact 32:23 - Launching Model/Z and the modular housing approach 37:51 - Factory model, standardization, and cost reductions achieved 42:18 - Using AI and software to cut soft costs and timelines 43:22 - Vertical applications of AI in real estate development 47:19 - Where the industry could be in 10 years 49:29 - Biggest threats facing multifamily in Los Angeles 50:37 - Handling criticism and staying focused on solutions 52:12 - Personal resilience and what keeps him up at night 53:41 - Advice for young people entering the space today 55:36 - Proprietary data, AI, and competitive advantage 01:02:28 - Future vision for SoLa Impact and Model/Z 01:04:39 - Challenges in LA and reasons for optimism 01:07:58 - Where capital should be deployed right now 01:10:07 - Closing thoughts🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: [email protected]: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/#commercialrealestate #cre #losangeles

*Niv V. Davidovich, LA's go-to eviction attorney with 10,000+ cases, reveals why being a landlord in Los Angeles has become one of the toughest real estate plays in America.*From 6-month eviction timelines and emotional distress lawsuits to aggressive tenant screening and the realities of funded legal aid, this is the raw, unfiltered truth about the current rental market and what property owners are actually facing in 2026.In this episode of No Vacancy, Taylor Avakian sits down with Niv V. Davidovich of Davidovich Stone Law Group. They break down the most common eviction drivers, how habitability claims and jury dynamics have shifted the landscape, why the process moves so slowly compared to neighboring counties, and practical steps owners can take to protect their assets without breaking the rules.Whether you own apartments in LA, invest in multifamily, manage properties, or want to understand California landlord-tenant law from the front lines, this conversation delivers the clarity most people only get after expensive mistakes.

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AI for CRE Community: https://www.skool.com/ai-for-cre-collective/about?ref=3b3ff2c0ccce44ba8039fafd54bf291a*Chapters:*00:00 - Shocking Jury Verdicts and Emotional Distress Damages 02:19 - Niv Davidovich's Career: Thousands of LA Evictions 03:37 - The Real Reasons Tenants Stop Paying Rent 06:02 - ULA Funding, Legal Aid Groups, and Tenant Advocacy 08:52 - Habitability Attorneys and Class Action Tactics 11:12 - Why Small Economic Damages Turn Into Massive Verdicts 13:07 - Trial vs. Settlement Rates in Current LA Evictions 14:07 - Inside One of the Longest and Most Complex Eviction Trials 17:20 - Pro Se Litigants, AI Tools, and Extreme Post-Judgment Demands 19:19 - Current Eviction Timeline in Los Angeles County 21:04 - Sheriff Shortages and Lockout Delays Explained 24:48 - How Evictions Compare in Orange County and Other Areas 26:29 - Tenant Screening: Saying No to Problem Tenants Early 29:30 - Tort Reform, Shifting Attorney Focus, and Insurance Realities 32:08 - Rent Control, Old Buildings, and Barriers to New Housing 35:27 - The "This Is My Home" Mindset vs. Legal Rental Reality 38:14 - Policy Challenges and Misaligned Incentives in Housing 40:42 - Common Myths LA Landlords Believe About the Process 43:14 - When Laws Change Mid-Case: Impacts on Owners 50:25 - Practical Protections and Strategies for Property Owners 58:57 - One Key Piece of Advice for LA Apartment Owners in 2026+Niv V. Davidovich, Davidovich Stone Law Group, No Vacancy with Taylor Avakian.Niv Davidovich, Davidovich Stone Law Group, LA eviction attorney, Los Angeles landlord attorney, eviction process Los Angeles, LA rental market 2026, California tenant landlord law, habitability claims, emotional distress damages, vexatious litigants, tort reform real estate, multifamily investing Los Angeles, tenant screening best practices, No Vacancy podcast, Taylor Avakian, California eviction timeline, rent control LA, sheriff lockouts, LA apartment owners, real estate law Southern CaliforniaSubscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: [email protected]: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/#LosAngelesRealEstate #MultifamilyBroker #LandlordTips #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyManagement #TenantScreening #RentalMarket #LosAngelesApartments #RealEstateStrategy #TaylorAvakian #ApartmentOwner

*Grant Cardone sits down with Taylor Avakian on No Vacancy for a raw conversation on building massive multifamily wealth, raising capital on his own terms, and why he's betting big on Bitcoin alongside real estate.*In this full episode, Grant breaks down his journey from car salesman to running one of the largest private multifamily portfolios in the U.S., the lessons that shaped his approach to deals and capital, how he thinks about scale versus location, and his forward-looking views on markets, technology, and the next phase of his business.*Chapters:*00:00:00 — Grant Cardone's Opening Rant on Real Estate Capital Raising 00:01:20 — How Grant Learned Real Estate Growing Up 00:02:31 — His Father's Influence and Early Exposure to Property 00:04:28 — First Deals at 28 and the 3-Year Study Period 00:05:39 — Houston Market Collapse and Move to California 00:07:13 — Buying Nearly 200 Units in 90 Days in San Diego 00:08:38 — Raising Early Capital and the Mom Loan Story 00:09:54 — Building a High-Income Sales Consulting Business 00:12:56 — Car Sales Lessons: Becoming Top 1% and Finding the Glitch 00:16:17 — Developing Ambition and the Drive to Be Recognized 00:18:03 — Hitting the First Million and What It Felt Like 00:19:41 — Why Owners Beat Brokers: The Rudy and Dale Partnership 00:23:44 — How Grant Evaluates Deals: Always Know Your Exit 00:24:53 — Value-Add Realities and Selling to Sophisticated Buyers 00:27:42 — What He Would Do Differently If Starting Over 00:28:21 — Evolution of Deal Structures and Dropping the Pref 00:30:04 — Raising $2 Billion from 20,000 Investors on His Terms 00:31:40 — Long-Term Holds and Why Many Recent LA Deals Struggled 00:34:xx — Market Predictions: LA, Orange County, Dallas, Miami, and More 00:38:37 — Asset-First Approach, Building Audience, and Exiting to Whales 00:44:xx — Advice for Ambitious Young People: Grind in Your 20s 00:48:xx — Sales Mastery: Studying Buffett, Elon, and Trump 00:55:xx — Focus on the Best Assets First, Not Investor Terms 01:00:xx — The Sacrifices Required for One Life-Changing Deal 01:06:xx — Tax Strategy: Live Lean and Invest Aggressively in Multifamily 01:07:33 — Favorite Markets and the Monopoly-Style Concentration Play 01:09:57 — LP/GP Structures and Using Assets to Attract Capital 01:13:xx — AI's Early Impact on Real Estate and Future Opportunities 01:27:xx — Property Management as a Major Competitive Moat 01:29:xx — Grant's Vision for the Next 5–10 Years 01:35:22 — Closing Thoughts and Bold Future PlansSubscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: [email protected]: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/
#realestate #podcast #losangeles

*Taylor Avakian sits down with legendary West Side Los Angeles real estate syndicator Larry Taylor.* With more than 50 years focused exclusively on LA’s most desirable submarkets, Larry shares perspective on current pricing and opportunities, the unique advantages of the West Side, and principles refined across every interest rate and economic cycle.From the lasting appeal of prime locations like Century City and Santa Monica to the evolution of syndication and portfolio strategies, this conversation covers hard-won lessons on navigating volatility, evaluating deals, and building lasting value in one of the world’s most competitive real estate markets.Sponsor - Loan TitanUpscale your experience withhttps://loantitan.com/Sponsor - AI for CRE CollectiveAI for CRE Community: https://www.skool.com/ai-for-cre-collective/about?ref=3b3ff2c0ccce44ba8039fafd54bf291aChapters00:00 Introduction & Current LA Real Estate Opportunities 06:13 Larry Taylor: OG of Los Angeles Real Estate Syndication 07:37 Early Influences: Jerry Buss, Tax Strategies & Syndication Beginnings 08:55 Sam Freshman Book and Core Syndication Principles 11:40 Launching a Career: First Deals and 1970s Economic Upheaval 13:14 Interest Rate Cycles, Volcker Era & Historic Buying Windows 15:12 West Side LA vs Downtown: Performance Through Cycles 16:50 Why the West Side Endures: Climate, Location & Quality of Life 19:34 Raising Capital Today & Investor Sentiment on LA 23:27 Creating Value: The Montana Avenue Development Story 28:57 Location-First Approach Across All Asset Types 30:10 Evaluating Deals: Vision, Multiple Exits & Disciplined Analysis 34:34 Multifamily on the West Side: Pricing, Regulations & Opportunities 42:33 Modern Portfolio Syndication, Funds & Rigorous Due Diligence 53:18 Knowing When to Sell & Lessons from Standout Transactions 1:00:32 A Landmark Century City Transformation & Outcome 1:15:45 If Starting Today: Portfolio Strategies for New InvestorsReal estate syndication Los Angeles, West Side LA investing, multifamily real estate Los Angeles, commercial real estate cycles, Century City development, Santa Monica retail, interest rate impact on real estate, buying opportunities downturns, apartment investing West LA, Larry Taylor Christina, Taylor Avakian No Vacancy, historical real estate lessons, Los Angeles commercial real estateSubscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: [email protected]: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/#LosAngelesRealEstate #MultifamilyBroker #LandlordTips #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyManagement #TenantScreening #RentalMarket #LosAngelesApartments #RealEstateStrategy #TaylorAvakian #ApartmentOwner

*Adam Miller for LA Mayor: Tech Billionaire on Fixing LA's Housing Crisis, Homelessness & Government Inefficiency | No Vacancy Podcast*Taylor Avakian sits down with Adam Miller — founder and former CEO of Cornerstone OnDemand (sold for $5.2 billion) — who is running for Mayor of Los Angeles. In this wide-ranging conversation, Miller breaks down his bold plan to transform the city through operational excellence, accountability, and private sector innovation.From scaling a global education technology company to tackling LA’s most pressing challenges, Miller shares insights on leadership, incentives, efficiency, and what “good” governance actually looks like.*Key Topics:*- LA’s interconnected crises: homelessness, public safety, housing affordability, and economic decline- Why government needs a complete mindset shift on targets and expectations- His 7x7 Plan for immediate, measurable change as Mayor- Fixing permitting, recruitment, transparency, and infrastructure- Building affordable housing at a fraction of current costs- Leadership lessons from scaling a company from an apartment to 3,000 employees across 25 countries*Timestamps:*- 00:00 - Introduction & Government Mindset Problems- 00:21 - Adam Miller Background & Cornerstone OnDemand Story- 02:55 - Education, Overachievement & Early Life- 05:00 - Was Building Wealth Worth It?- 06:19 - Founding Cornerstone: Online Education Vision- 11:52 - AI, Tech Bubbles & Cloud Computing Lessons- 15:24 - Early Days, Pivots & Building the Business- 18:04 - What Really Happens in Boardrooms- 21:03 - LA’s Overlapping Crises & The 7x7 Plan- 24:50 - First Week as Mayor: Immediate Actions- 30:03 - Setting the Bar Higher in Government- 32:28 - Changing Incentives, Accountability & Recognition- 39:53 - Entering the Housing Space & Better Angels- 43:46 - Building Housing at 1/3 the Cost- 46:59 - Pitching Investors on LA & Predictability- 53:28 - Waste, Fraud & Broken Incentives in Government- 55:55 - Adam Miller’s Superpowers & Philosophy- 59:12 - Purpose, Impact & Advice for Success- 1:06:44 - Who Adam Miller Really IsAdam Miller is a tech entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and candidate for Mayor of Los Angeles. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of LA, urban policy, housing solutions, and effective leadership.*No Vacancy Podcast with Taylor Avakian* — Real conversations with leaders in commercial real estate, tech, and city innovation.Sponsor - Loan TitanUpscale your experience withhttps://loantitan.com/Sponsor - AI for CRE CollectiveAI for CRE Community: https://www.skool.com/ai-for-cre-collective/about?ref=3b3ff2c0ccce44ba8039fafd54bf291aSubscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: [email protected]: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/#realestate #losangeles #business #podcast #entrepreneur #realestateinvesting #commercialrealestate #cre

*No Vacancy Podcast: Richard Mehta (Xenon Investments) on Building a 3,300 Unit Empire in Los Angeles*Taylor Avakian sits down with Richard Mehta, co-founder of Xenon Investments. Richard has built one of the most impressive multifamily portfolios in LA with roughly 3,300 apartment units, mostly on the Westside, Mid-Wilshire, Koreatown, and parts of the San Fernando Valley.In this episode, he opens up about his journey from losing money in the early 90s crash to becoming one of LA's most active buyers. He shares how he thinks about deals, why he trusts gut instinct over complicated models, his love for strong locations, and how he's navigated rent control, the mansion tax, and today's tough market.*Timestamps:*- 00:00 - Welcome and Introduction- 01:07 - Xenon Investments Portfolio Overview (3,300 units)- 02:26 - Richard Mehta Origin Story and Early Days- 04:05 - Family Background and Lessons from the 90s Crash- 05:35 - Cash Flow Philosophy and Investment Criteria- 07:19 - Gross Rent Multiplier vs Cap Rates- 08:13 - Why Location Matters Most in LA- 09:07 - Scaling From 1,000 to 3,300 Units- 11:00 - Current Market Challenges in Southern California- 12:33 - Westside Habitats and Building the Brand- 12:58 - Richard's Superpower: Being Decisive- 13:52 - First Big Home Run Deal - 747 Gayley Avenue- 18:07 - Buying with Intuition Over Spreadsheets- 19:22 - Working with Family and Running the Company- 21:43 - Leverage, Refinancing, and Portfolio Strategy- 23:00 - Early Deals and Non-Contingent Offers- 26:47 - How Richard Approaches Negotiation- 30:39 - Raising Money Experiences- 33:41 - The 3-Year Cash Out Refi Strategy- 38:13 - How the Name Xenon Came From a Nightclub- 42:03 - Worst Deals and Lessons from 2021-2022- 45:55 - Selling Strategy and the Mansion Tax- 49:54 - Who Richard Goes to for Advice- 53:17 - Future Plans for Xenon and LA Multifamily- 55:08 - Reputation, Integrity, and Legacy- 58:08 - Most Interesting Deal: The Bel Air House RTC Story- 01:02:56 - Advice for Young Investors*Guest:* Richard Mehta - Co-Founder, Xenon Investments *Host:* Taylor AvakianSponsor - Loan TitanUpscale your experience withhttps://loantitan.com/Sponsor - AI for CRE CollectiveAI for CRE Community: https://www.skool.com/ai-for-cre-collective/about?ref=3b3ff2c0ccce44ba8039fafd54bf291aReal estate investing, multifamily apartments, Los Angeles real estate, Westside LA, apartment investing, rent control, commercial real estate, value add multifamilySubscribe and Stay Ahead! Stay informed and empowered in the multifamily real estate market. Subscribe to the channel for exclusive insights, rental updates, and expert analyses on the Los Angeles market.🔔 Don’t miss out on the latest trends and tips to maximize your property's potential: https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorAvakian📈 Connect with me:Website: https://www.thegroupcre.com/Email: [email protected]: https://x.com/TAYVAY_LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayloravakian/#realestate #podcast #commercialrealestate