Recorded live at the 2025 Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference, this panel dives deep into real estate syndications—what they are, how they work, and how to do them the right way. Whether you’re an active investor looking to scale or a passive investor evaluating opportunities, this episode is packed with real-world insights on raising capital, structuring deals, and staying SEC-compliant.

Your panelists:

• Brian Hamrick – Host of this podcast and seasoned syndicator with over $22M raised since 2013.

• Gary Hall – President of the Muskegon Area Rental Association and founder of Dean Arrow private equity fund.

• Keith Heckman – Investor turned GP with experience in both active deals and LP investments across the U.S.

Topics Covered:

• What is a real estate syndication and how does it work?

• 506(b) vs. 506(c): Legal structures and SEC compliance

• How to raise capital legally and ethically

• Preferred returns, GP/LP splits, and aligning incentives

• Single asset vs. fund models

• Tools and platforms to manage investors and deals (AppFolio, Wix, Cash Flow Portal, Syndication Pro)

• Lessons learned from the first raise: what they’d do differently

• Why good operating agreements matter more than you think

• Building trust with investors and managing ongoing communication

• Strategies for long-term holds vs. velocity of capital

Whether you're just learning how syndications work or you’re actively putting your first deal together, this panel lays out the playbook with real talk from people in the trenches.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Hands-Off Investor: An Insider’s Guide to Investing in Passive Real Estate Syndications by Brian Burke

• The Best Ever Apartment Syndication Book by Joe Fairless and Theo Hicks

• Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing: The Blueprint to Quitting Your Job with Real Estate – Even Without Experience or Cash by Michael Blank

• Structuring and Raising Debt & Equity for Real Estate by Rob Beardsley

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

In this episode, host Brian interviews Fuquan Bilal, CEO of NNG Capital Fund, who shares his 25+ year journey in real estate investing.

Fuquan discusses his evolution from flipping houses to mastering distressed note investing, scaling a $50 million portfolio, and transitioning into multifamily and luxury single-family homes.

He reveals how he navigated market shifts, built lasting investor relationships, and implemented systems for operational efficiency.

Fuquan also covers creative deal structures, capital raising, remote investing, and leveraging technology like AppFolio and AI tools.

You will gain actionable insights on sourcing deals, structuring partnerships, and the importance of communication and process in long-term wealth building.

Key Topics:

• Flipping houses and early lessons from the 2008 financial crisis
• Distressed note investing: strategies, returns, and exit plans
• Scaling up: launching funds and raising capital
• Transitioning to rentals and multifamily properties
• Building systems and teams for remote and local investing
• Creative deal structures and seller financing
• Investor relations and communication best practices
• Leveraging technology and AI in property management
• Advice for investors: focus, mastery, and adapting to market changes

Connect with Fuquan Bilal:

Https://nngcapitalfund.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fuquanbilal/

https://www.instagram.com/fuquanbilal/

https://www.facebook.com/fuquan.bilal.5

https://x.com/FuquanBilal

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

In this episode, host Brian interviews Dr. Sherry Peel Jackson—a former IRS agent, CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner, and real estate investor—who reveals how real estate investors can legally reduce taxes, grow income, and protect wealth.

Dr. Jackson shares her unique insider perspective on IRS audits, the importance of documentation, and common mistakes investors make.

Learn about powerful strategies like the Augusta Rule, maximizing deductions, structuring development expenses, and why working with a professional is crucial.

Plus, Dr. Jackson discusses her real estate projects in Costa Rica and offers actionable tips for starting and scaling home-based businesses.

Don’t miss these expert insights that could save you thousands on your next tax return!

Guest Contact: https://sherrypeeljackson.com

Email: [email protected]

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Cyberattacks are happening every 40 seconds in the U.S.—and real estate investors are becoming prime targets. From wire fraud to ransomware, these scams can drain six-figure sums without warning, often before victims even realize they’ve been hit.

Jeremiah Baker is an ethical hacker with 17 years of experience breaking into systems before the bad guys do. He’s been called in after major wire transfers vanish without a trace, sits on Stanford’s cybersecurity advisory board, and has inspired TV shows like Homeland and Burn Notice with his work.

In this episode, Jeremiah reveals how cybercriminals are targeting real estate investors today—and what you need to do right now to avoid becoming their next victim.

Find out more: https://confessionsofahacker.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiahbaker

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

As we mark our 500th episode, we’re diving into the incredible journey of reviving Engadine Inn & Cabins, a historic vacation rental in Asheville, North Carolina. Your host, Brian Hamrick, shares the behind-the-scenes story of overcoming property management setbacks, surviving Hurricane Helene, and transforming disaster into opportunity.

Discover how creative strategies—like launching fly fishing experiences, hosting weddings and wellness retreats, and leveraging local partnerships—are helping to turn a struggling property into a thriving destination. Learn valuable lessons about resilience, marketing, and the power of community in the face of adversity.

Plus, get an inside look at the launch of a new podcast, “Asheville Reboot,” dedicated to supporting local businesses and showcasing the comeback of Western North Carolina after the storm.

Whether you’re a real estate investor, vacation rental owner, or just love a good comeback story, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights!

Topics covered:

• The challenges and rewards of managing a historic property
• Lessons learned from property management failures
• Surviving and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene
• Innovative ways to boost bookings and revenue
• The importance of local partnerships and creative marketing
• Launching “Asheville Reboot” to support the Asheville community

Tune in and join us on this milestone episode!

For more information: Engadine Inn and Cabins Website Engadine Inn and Cabins on Instagram Asheville Reboot on YouTube Channel Asheville Reboot is also available on all podcast platforms.

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Scaling a real estate portfolio is challenging enough—but doing it across multiple states while serving in the military takes a whole different level of strategy. 

Jefferson Calloway started investing in 2019 while stationed as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, buying a townhome near Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Since then, he’s mastered creative financing and grown his portfolio to 27 doors across seven states with over $1 million in equity.

Jefferson is here to share how new investors can find and finance deals creatively, scale in high-interest markets, and why investing near military bases might be one of the best-kept secrets in real estate.

Find out more: [email protected] Website - www.americanhomeconcepts.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jeffersoncalloway/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefferson-calloway-2bb17381/

Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

Justin Workman and I sit down with Detroit investor and entrepreneur Ramond Harris at the Midwest Real Estate Investor Conference for our fifth annual update. Ramond shares his journey from running FedEx delivery routes to acquiring and scaling a commercial painting business, VR Quality Painting, specializing in apartment renovations and interior construction.

Key topics include:

• How networking at the conference led to pivotal business connections, including meeting his current lawyer and business partners.
• Lessons learned from exiting the FedEx delivery business, including managing truck assets and navigating contract negotiations.
• The transition to commercial painting and construction, with a focus on apartment complexes and building relationships with general contractors and property managers.
• The importance of sales, estimating, and team structure in growing a service business.
• Strategies for leveraging minority business certifications (DBE/MBE) to win government and university contracts.
• Real-world advice on bidding, pricing, and the challenges of scaling a trades-based company.

If you’re interested in commercial painting, apartment renovations, or learning how to pivot and grow in the real estate and construction industries, this episode is packed with actionable insights and candid stories.

Contact Ramond Harris:

• VR Quality Painting (soon to be VR Construction & Painting)
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (734) 891-7954

Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

There’s a lot of noise in the commercial real estate space—but today’s guest brings the kind of clarity that only comes from experience and execution. 

Rob Beardsley is the Founder of Lone Star Capital, and in just a few years, he’s built a portfolio of over $750 million in multifamily real estate.

He’s the author of two best-selling books on commercial real estate, a national speaker, and the host of The Lone Star Capital Podcast.

Rob is known for breaking down complex topics like underwriting, equity and debt structuring, and institutional operations, making them accessible to investors at every level.

He’s here to share the strategies that have helped him scale, raise capital, and operate at a high level in today’s shifting real estate landscape.

Find out more:

www.lscre.com

Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

The short-term rental market has created incredible opportunities for investors—but success isn’t just about listing a property on Airbnb. It takes strategy, optimization, and resilience to build a thriving business. 

Quentin West knows this firsthand.

After facing financial hardship, he turned to Airbnb and built a short-term rental empire generating over $100,000 per month. Now, as a leading Airbnb coach and investor, he’s helped over 1,000 students across 15 countries achieve financial independence through Airbnb arbitrage, scaling strategies, and cracking the Airbnb algorithm.

Quentin is here to share how investors can build, optimize, and scale a profitable STR portfolio—even in tough markets.

Find out more: shortcuttosuperhost.com Instagram: @qdealshomes

Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com

They started with almost nothing—and turned it into everything.

Dedric and Krystal Polite are the stars of A&E’s 50/50 Flip (now on Hulu), a real estate power couple who built a $50K/month wholesaling business and used it to create a multimillion-dollar rental portfolio.

In this episode, they share how they went from scraping by to financial independence, what it’s really like to build a business as a couple, and how they turned their real estate journey into a hit TV show.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to go from broke to building generational wealth—this episode lays it out.

Find out more: politewealthportal.com politewealthportal.com/accountabilitychartdownload politewealthportal.com/live

Today’s episode is brought to you by Green Property Management, managing everything from single family homes to apartment complexes in the West Michigan area.

https://www.livegreenlocal.com

And RCB & Associates, helping Michigan-based real estate investors and small business owners navigate the complex world of health insurance and Medicare benefits.

https://www.rcbassociatesllc.com