The LSCRE Podcast

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Marcin Drozdz of M1 Capital, who shares his 20-year journey from buying his first property at 19 to raising $300M for Ken McElroy during the 2008 crisis. Marcin reveals how he bought medical amd dental plazas for 20-30 cents on the dollar during the GFC, targeting insurance-backed tenants that remained recession-proof.

He breaks down the "3 P's" of fund raising: People, Process, then Property – inverting the typical syndication approach. Recently closing a Houston deal at $77K/door with discretionary capital, Marcin explains why having "money in the bank" creates massive negotiating leverage.

Looking ahead, he warns of potential credit tightening that could force a pure equity environment, fundamentally changing how deals get done. His contrarian take: we may be heading into stagflation where assets collapse in real value while appearing to rise on paper.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com 

In this episode, Craig McGrouther and I dive deep into the nuances of "above the line" and "below the line" expenses in multifamily underwriting. We explain how the "line" is Net Operating Income (NOI), with operating expenses like payroll and insurance sitting above, while CapEx and debt service fall below. I reveal the art behind these classifications and how a unit renovation could be coded as either R&M (above) or CapEx (below) depending on interpretation, affecting the property's apparent NOI and cap rate.

Using their current deal as an example, they show why contract services dropped from $127K to $57K and how they're handling bulk WiFi implementation.

The key insight: every sponsor underwrites differently, and sophisticated buyers/lenders understand these financials are normalized to each party's standards. This is essential knowledge for anyone evaluating multifamily investments.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com 

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Bernard Pierson, co-founder of EHP Capital, who's been LP investing since 2012 and now focuses on value-add multifamily in Kansas City. Bernard reveals a counterintuitive insight from his 50+ LP investments: deals projecting 15-17% IRRs often outperformed those advertising 30%+ returns.

He shares how Kansas City has consistently ranked in the top 5 U.S. markets for rent growth over the past 3 years while avoiding the supply issues plaguing gateway markets. Bernard breaks down their operational value-add approach, including discovering 200 unchecked voicemails on a property's leasing line that no one was monitoring. With family office investors from Latin America, EHP targets 17-18% IRRs, 5-7% cash-on-cash, and 2x equity multiples using conservative 60% LTV agency debt. His key lesson: the boring, down-the-fairway deals often deliver the best risk-adjusted returns.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com 

In this episode, Craig McGrouther and I tackle two of the most frequently asked questions from investors: bonus depreciation and 1031 exchanges. With 100% bonus depreciation returning, they explain why this doesn't automatically mean 1:1 depreciation for investors, breaking down how leverage, CapEx, and land allocation affect your actual depreciation ratio. Using our current deal as an example, we can show why conservative 65% leverage yields ~45% depreciation rather than the 90% you'd get at 80% leverage, but creates a much safer investment.

We also demystify 1031 exchanges, clarifying the crucial difference between exchanging INTO a deal (minimum $1M via tenancy-in-common) versus exchanging OUT at the partnership level after exit. I emphasizes the "magic" of syndications: allowing everyday investors to compound wealth tax-free through partnership-level 1031 exchanges without needing millions upfront.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com 

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Bryan Morris, co-founder of Seven Peak Capital, who shares his journey from earning $50K at Pepsi to building a successful fund management firm serving tech sales professionals. Bryan reveals how Rich Dad Poor Dad at age 22 changed his trajectory, leading him to buy his first rental property for $88K with just $17K saved. After relocating to NYC and completing Wharton's real estate certificate, he discovered the power of syndications for high-earning tech professionals stuck in expensive markets. 

He breaks down Seven Peak Capital's dual strategy: multifamily equity plays and private credit opportunities, focusing on 2000+ vintage properties with 5%+ year-one cash flow. 

His key insight: tech professionals need diversification beyond company stock and market exposure.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Joey Mure from Wealth Without Wall Street, who shares his transformation from earning $300K+ in the mortgage business to building $50K/month in passive income. Joey reveals why traditional financial advice kept him trapped in the "never enough syndrome" despite high earnings, and how a beach vacation where he missed family time for work calls became his wake-up call.

He challenges conventional wisdom by explaining why 401(k)s and home equity are "money traps" that don't create financial freedom today. His formula for freedom: passive income must exceed monthly expenses TODAY, not in 40 years. This is a masterclass in rethinking wealth building from someone who learned the hard way that high income doesn't equal freedom.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com 

In this episode, Craig McGrouther and I discuss the upcoming Lone Star Capital Summit and why this curated event stands apart from typical real estate conferences.

We then shift to market analysis, discussing why Class C properties and 1970s vintage assets are facing extreme pessimism, creating potential contrarian opportunities where capital isn't flowing.We also touch on the dramatic market reaction to weak jobs data on August 1st, which flipped the probability of a September Fed rate cut from 50% to 80% in a single day.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com 

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Derek Dombeck, host of Generations of Wealth podcast and veteran real estate entrepreneur with 23 years of experience. Derek shares his story of losing everything in the 2007-2009 crash. Instead of playing victim, he learned to negotiate his own short sales and transformed his approach to real estate, swearing off institutional financing in favor of creative deal structuring.

Derek breaks down recent deals including a subject-to purchase at 3.15% interest with seller financing at 0%, and explains how he structures participating notes with IRA investors to create win-win scenarios. His philosophy: "You don't find creative deals, you build them through conversations." This is a masterclass in resilience and creative financing from someone who turned disaster into opportunity.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com 

In this episode, Craig McGrouther, Sam Morris and I break down Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" and its massive implications for real estate investors. The return of 100% bonus depreciation is a game-changer, allowing investors to front-load tax benefits in year one of ownership. We discuss how wage growth has outpaced rent growth for 31 consecutive months (per Jay Parsons), creating a healthier rent-to-income ratio and setting up potential for future rent increases as new supply dwindles.

We also address recent Houston foreclosure headlines, explaining how their focus on workforce housing in desirable locations differs fundamentally from distressed investment strategies. Key tax updates include no tax on tips (first $25K), overtime tax deductions, increased standard deductions, and permanent QBI benefits. For investors, these changes make cash-flowing real estate even more compelling versus taxable debt investments.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com 

In this episode of Fund Friday, Craig McGrouther sits down with David Thompson, founder of Thompson Investing, who shares his journey from corporate executive to full-time real estate investor and capital raiser. David reveals how he pivoted into real estate syndication, what he learned from investing across economic cycles, and why diversification is critical in today’s environment.

He discusses timing the market, the role of alternative investments like dental funds, and the importance of building strong relationships with operators. You’ll also learn why patience, education, and long-term thinking are key to navigating real estate and private investments especially in uncertain times.

Learn more about LSCRE:
www.lscre.com