Axel sits down with Jake Heller, co-founder of the AI for CRE Collective, for one of the most tactical and implementation-focused conversations ever released on the Multifamily Wealth Podcast.

This is a killer episode in how multifamily investors can begin adopting AI today to streamline underwriting, automate repetitive tasks, speed up market research, build better investor materials, and dramatically increase operational output without hiring additional staff.

Jake breaks down the exact tools he uses, the automations he’s built, and why AI isn’t replacing real estate professionals, but multiplying their capabilities. If you’re using AI at a bare-bones level (or barely using it at all), this episode walks you step-by-step through where to start and how to integrate AI into your business in a real and meaningful way.

Join us as we dive into:

• Why “AI replacing people” is a misconception—and how it actually amplifies investor productivity
• Specific tools multifamily investors should adopt (Gamma, Claude, Grok, Relay, Index/Shortcut, NotebookLM, etc.)
• How to use AI to automatically: Underwrite deals, pull rent comps and sales comps, create investor decks; summarize calls, emails, and market data and more!
• How to use AI note-takers, workflow automators, and email-based agents
• How to consolidate your historical data so AI tools can actually learn your voice and process
• What “digital twins” are—and how Jake uses them to simulate the decision-making frameworks of leaders like Stuart Miller
• Why the investors who adopt AI today will dramatically outpace those who wait

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Connect with Jake:

Follow him on Instagram
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Learn more about AI for CRE Collective

In this tactical episode, Axel shares specific, actionable strategies multifamily buyers can use to structure more creative and compelling offers, especially in today’s buyer-leaning market.

He breaks down how to think beyond “price and timelines” and instead use deal structure, seller collaboration, lender creativity, and strategic concessions to win more deals, reduce cash requirements, and speed up your business plan.

Whether you’re pursuing value-add properties, working with mom-and-pop sellers, or navigating tight constraints with lenders, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can immediately apply to your own acquisitions.

Join us as we dive into:

• Why now is the best time to get more creative with your offers
• How to negotiate with lenders using interest escrows and earn-outs
• How to collaborate with sellers to accelerate your business plan
• Ways to incentivize sellers to deliver vacant units, handle repairs, or secure renewals
• How staggered closing dates can benefit both the buyer and seller
• How to structure seller financing, tiered interest, and seller credits to reduce cash needed at closing

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
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Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In Episode, Axel welcomes back the very first guest ever featured on the Multifamily Wealth Podcast — Chris Grenzig, founder of JAG Capital and JAG Property Management.

Chris shares his story of bootstrapping a property management company from scratch, why he intentionally started small, and how he built out systems, and a service model that actually works for investors.

He also discusses how his background in institutional asset management shaped the way he approaches underwriting, operations, team structure, and investor communication. This episode dives into the realities of building a PM company the hard way — from taking on the first dozen units, hiring slowly and deliberately, and not taking short cuts.

Whether you're a small operator thinking about bringing PM in-house, or a growing GP looking to improve your operations, Chris’s insights on structure, staffing, and cost discipline are highly tactical and immediately useful.

Join us as we dive into:

• Why Chris decided to build a property management company from scratch
• How he scaled from a handful of units to a real operational team
• The biggest lessons learned from institutional real estate
• How to think about headcount, roles, and responsibilities in PM
• Why small operators often underestimate the true cost of PM
• The systems JAG built to improve communication, transitions, and service quality
• The most common mistakes GPs make when evaluating PM companies

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
Connect with him on Linkedin
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Connect with Chris:

Follow him on Instagram
Connect with him on Linkedin
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about JAG Capital Partners

Axel shares five practical leasing strategies that every multifamily operator can implement to reduce vacancy, maximize rent roll, and ultimately increase NOI.

These are simple, high-impact tactics that work whether you self-manage, run an in-house property management team, or work with a third-party manager. Axel also breaks down how to use staggered lease terms to avoid bad leasing cycles, how and why to incentivize referrals, how to drive more online reviews, and how to structure concessions for both new leases and renewals in a way that increases retention without damaging your long-term rent roll.

Take note of the tips in this episode and apply the ones that fit your multifamily operations.

Join us as we dive into:

• How to use staggered lease terms to avoid costly seasonal vacancy
• A simple resident referral incentive that increases leasing traffic and retention
• The most effective moments to ask for (and reward) reviews
• How to offer concessions strategically to drive faster lease conversions
• How to boost renewal rates using longer-term renewals paired with one-time credits

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
Connect with him on Linkedin
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In this episode, Axel Ragnarsson is joined by John Makarewicz, President and Head of Operations at Faris Capital Partners, to discuss how sponsors can stand out in a crowded multifamily space and the systems that drive excellent asset management.

John shares his journey from scaling one of the largest residential brokerages in the Southeast to building Faris Capital Partners, a firm focused on world-class investor and resident experiences. He explains how they differentiate themselves from other general partners through transparency, communication, and disciplined asset management practices.

John unpacks the philosophies and operational processes that have shaped his firm’s growth. He also explains the importance of being on-site (post-acquisition) from day one, building trust with residents, and adding value before asking for anything in return.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for operators, investors, and anyone looking to raise the bar in multifamily execution.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to de-commoditize yourself as a GP through world-class communication and transparency
• Why being on-site and listening to residents can help you out in the long-term
• The structure of a strong asset management process with third-party PMs
• How to align incentives across teams to improve NOI and performance

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with John:

Connect with him on LinkedIn
Learn more about Faris Capital Partners
Check out Full out Investing

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In this solo episode, Axel breaks down one of the most overlooked aspects of multifamily ownership—the timing of your CapEx spending. Many investors wait until systems fail before addressing roofs, heating, or parking lots, but Axel explains why this “defer and react” approach can actually hurt you long-term.

He shares why leading with your CapEx, creates a more stable operation and more benefits around it. Axel also discusses why you should consider over-renovating one of your first few units to test what the market will bear and adjust your strategy early on.

This episode is packed with practical, experience-driven advice for anyone managing value-add or long-term hold multifamily assets.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why waiting to spend CapEx until systems fail can backfire
• The operational and financial benefits of leading with your CapEx
• How proactive CapEx planning simplifies long-term cash management
• Why early CapEx investment can subtly boost resident quality and retention
• How to test the market by over-renovating one early unit to gauge demand and pricing

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
Connect with him on Linkedin
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In this episode, Axel sits down with Levi Allen and Joe Rinderknecht, co-founders of Cowboy Capital, to talk about their journey from a tough first deal to becoming trusted operators with a growing investor base.

They share how they salvaged a challenging early project that nearly sank their business, what they learned about managing investor relationships through transparency, and the principles that guide every deal they do today. From ranching roots to raising millions in capital, Levi and Joe have built a business defined by integrity, speed, and a deep commitment to their investors.

They also share memorable deal stories, including a Montana acquisition that doubled in value within a year, and explain how their “run out the bad news, walk out the good” philosophy has built lifelong investor trust.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Levi and Joe salvaged a struggling first deal and retained investor confidence
• Why transparency and honesty are their strongest investor retention tools
• The power of speed and decisiveness in sourcing great deals
• How they structure preferred equity and ensure investor alignment
• Why trust, simplicity, and clear communication always win in capital raising

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Levi and Joe:

Joe’s LinkedIn

Joe’s Instagram

Levi’s LinkedIn

Levi’s Instagram

Cowboy Capital Website

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In this special milestone episode, Axel Ragnarsson celebrates 300 episodes of The Multifamily Wealth Podcast by reflecting on how his business—and his mindset—has evolved since the show began in 2020.

From launching with 42 units and no investors to managing over 500 units and $18M in equity today, Axel walks through the journey of growth, lessons learned, and the mindset shifts that have shaped his investing philosophy. He shares what he’s learned about raising capital, expanding (and contracting) markets, building a property management business from scratch, and redefining what success really means in multifamily.

This is part reflection, part masterclass—a candid look behind five years of business building and personal growth.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The evolution of Aligned Real Estate Partners—from 42 units to over 515 units
• Why “unit count” is a misleading metric for success
• The biggest lessons from raising over $17M in investor capital
• Why Axel stopped chasing multiple markets and doubled down on New Hampshire
• How his property management company scaled from 70 to 800+ units
• The shift from chasing volume to prioritizing quality, efficiency, and team culture
• Insights on long-term thinking, lean growth, and staying consistent

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
Connect with him on Linkedin
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Harrison Riley’s journey into real estate is anything but traditional. After building a small multifamily portfolio, he realized he didn’t enjoy the property management grind and decided to shift his focus toward raising capital and building partnerships.

In this episode, Harrison shares the lessons he learned from painful contractor mistakes, why he ultimately divested from Pittsburgh to focus on larger deals in Cleveland, and how he approaches building long-term relationships with LPs. He also shares his bold take on combining Bitcoin with real estate—pairing two hard assets to combat inflation and generate stronger returns.

Whether you’re an aspiring LP, a new GP, or curious about the future intersection of crypto and real estate, this episode will give you valuable insights on vetting sponsors, building trust, and structuring smarter deals.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Harrison grew a 17-property small-multifamily portfolio before pivoting into capital raising
• The $200K lesson he learned from a bad contractor deal—and how he structures partnerships differently today
• Why trust and transparency matter more than the deal itself when raising capital
• Best practices for cultivating LP relationships without relying on cold lists or impersonal outreach
• The case for pairing Bitcoin with multifamily real estate in the years ahead

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Harrison:

🌐 glassbeachventures.com

🐦 Twitter/X: @HarryZag

🏀 (Yes, he’ll also talk Gonzaga basketball if you ask!)

Connect with Axel:

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Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

From professional water polo in Russia to raising capital for over 20 multifamily deals in the U.S., Igor Shaltanov’s story is all about resilience, discipline, and smart investing.

In this episode, Igor shares how he went from renting out his mom’s spare apartment in Moscow to building a U.S. real estate business, starting with single-family homes before scaling into multifamily. He explains why he became an LP in 10 deals before actively investing, the lessons learned from both successful and failed partnerships, and how he approaches co-GP relationships today.

We also discuss how Igor evaluates sponsors, what to look for in the capital stack, and why newer-vintage multifamily properties with assumable loans are especially attractive in today’s market.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Igor’s journey from water polo athlete to multifamily investor
• Why starting as an LP in 10 deals was the best education he could buy
• How COVID revealed the importance of landlord-friendly states
• What he learned from losing money in deals—and how to vet sponsors better
• Best practices for structuring co-GP partnerships the right way
• Why loan assumptions and newer vintages (2000s+) are his current focus
• How to think about timing the market when “nobody wants multifamily”

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

NH Multifamily Fund III Details:

Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III

Connect with Igor:

📩 Free course for single-family owners and investors available on his website: https://winrealestategame.com/

Connect with Axel:

Follow him on Instagram
Connect with him on Linkedin
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners