The Real Estate Launchpad: The ultimate toolkit for multifamily and other property investing success

Every real estate investor wants to take action in ways that produce great returns. But how many are really doing that, or even trying? Jonathan's guest on this episode is not a real estate investor, he's a psychologist. Peter Shallard is known as the "Shrink For Entrepreneurs" and Jonathan invited him to have a conversation about the fears behind inaction, the reality of analysis paralysis, strategies to prepare for moments of decision, and more. Those are topics every real estate investor needs to understand. This episode is going to help you understand what motivates your decisions - or lack of them - and help you take action in prudent, unbiased ways. You won't want to miss this conversation with Peter Shallard.

You're already taking risks, you just don't think of it that way

You may think that those who can't "pull the trigger" on an investment decision are simply risk-averse by nature, but that's not necessarily the case. Peter Shallard points out that many people who won't take appropriate and necessary risks hesitate because they believe that there is such a thing as avoiding risk. But if you are participating in the economy at any level you are already taking risks. It's a normal part of life and a common aspect of any financial practice. In this conversation, Peter describes simple but effective ways you can train yourself to think that will open you up to taking appropriate risks that could provide the investment success you're hoping for.

Analysis paralysis is real, and it's holding many people back

We all have topics or areas of interest that consume our time and energy. For some, it's finances. Business blogs and cable channels provide these individuals a constant stream of financial analysis and conjecture, but they never really do anything with the knowledge they gain. That's OK if financial topics are nothing more than a hobby for you. But if you are voyeuristically peeking into the financial realm with a belief that someday, when the conditions are right, you're going to take action, you could be fooling yourself. On this episode of Real Estate Launchpad Peter Shallard explains what you can do to get out of your easy chair and into the game by taking action. Be sure to listen.

How you can take action on investments before the pressure is on

You may listen to every real estate investment podcast available and read every real estate investment blog, all with the hope that you will one day feel ready to purchase your first investment. But when the time comes, will you? Not if you are unclear on what qualifies as a good investment for you. Peter Shallard says that many people feel the fear of making investment decisions the most when the heat is on, in the moment of decision. It makes sense for anyone to find it difficult - but it can be avoided by putting your real estate education to work beforehand. Work out your criteria for an acceptable investment before the pressure is on and have it available in the moment of decision. When you do, you don't have to rely on your own judgment when emotions are high and the sales spin is happening - you can simply look at your list, evaluate the deal, and make a clear and confident decision.

If you discover you're part of a gold rush, it's time to reconsider

A few times on previous episodes of this podcast, Jonathan has mentioned how investors these days seem to be putting their money into deals that years before, they never would have even looked at. Why is that the case? Peter Shallard says it's FOMO - the fear of missing out - and it is one of the psychological dynamics that crops up when something that's been fruitful in the past is still available, but likely isn't going to be around for much longer. In those circumstances people often rationalize the wildest decisions and behavior, hoping to cash in big as a result. Peter says it's nothing more than fear-based decision making - not the kind of prudent action that goes into solid investment decisions. This episode is full of insights about the way we make decisions (good and bad) and how you can learn to know yourself so that you can make better investment decisions.

In This Episode Peter Shallard says...

• [2:11] Why Peter is known as the "shrink for entrepreneurs"
• [4:10] The mindset behind those who are more comfortable taking risks
• [11:50] You can guarantee your own autonomy. Here's how
• [16:40] Trouble pulling the trigger on your first investment? Here's Peter's advice
• [21:54] How to develop decisiveness so you can take action
• [29:02] How to deal with the tension to decide in the moment of decision
• [36:33] What is the psychology behind the fear of missing out and market bubbles?
• [46:45] Knowing you are on the right track even if you don't see the results yet
• [49:33] The best thing you can control is your own learning

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• [email protected] - Learn to be an asset manager and Investor
• Bellwether Enterprise (sponsor) - contact Will Oldham [email protected]
• Wikipedia List of cognitive biases: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases
• Warren Buffett: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett

Connect with Peter Shallard

• https://www.petershallard.com/ - Peter's website
• Peter's Commit Action company: https://www.commitaction.com/
• Follow Peter on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commitaction/
• Follow Peter on Twitter: https://twitter.com/petershallard
• Follow Peter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petershallard/

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

Subscribe to REAL ESTATE LAUNCHPAD onApple Podcasts || Google Podcasts || Android || SpotifyStitcher || TuneIn Radio || Google Play Music

 

Owning multifamily properties and running a successful real estate investment company were not things Gino Barbaro ever thought would be in his future. He was actively working long hours in his family's restaurant business and expected that was his lot in life. But when he recognized that he wasn't doing anything of lasting value and decided it was time for a change, he looked to real estate investing - and after 2 years of educating himself, Gino quickly became prominent as a multifamily property investor, along with his partner Jake. This episode tells the story of Gino's transition from restaurants to real estate, explains why he partnered with his friend Jake, describes their "backward" way of getting into the business, and more. Gino shares his story and his advice freely, so be sure you listen.

The 4 basic roles in a successful multifamily operation

One of the themes you'll hear as you listen to the conversations Jonathan has had on this podcast is that real estate investing is a team sport. Gino's story demonstrates it to be true once again. He and Jake started out as a two-man team, doing everything required to set up and close successful multifamily deals. But in order to grow the business, they couldn't continue to do all the work themselves. Gino says that a multifamily business requires 4 primary roles - Someone to underwrite the deals, someone with a strong balance sheet or net worth to bring a base of financial stability to them, another person to run the operations, and a final person to be in charge of raising the remaining capital needed. Gino discusses how he and Jake have gone about building those roles into their latest syndications and how you can set your sights and get started with multifamily properties yourself. It's hard work, but it can be done - even in the most competitive markets.

Look for properties that are poorly managed or need improvement

If you look at what's happening in the hot markets like Denver, you'll see that multifamily property investing is a big business. Apartment buildings are being constructed at a rapid pace and there aren't many multifamily properties available for sale. But Gino says you have to work hard to find the good deals - and that they can be found. He and Jake have learned that there is great value to be had in C and C+ level apartment communities, but you have to work hard to find them and work harder to make them work for you. The two of them typically look for "mom and pop" run properties that are poorly managed or in need of major improvements. Those are indications of potential profits from streamlining things administratively or adding value that supports slightly higher rents. Find out why Gino wants to stay in that apartment class and what he recommends to those wanting to step into multifamily investing, on this episode.

Why investors are risking it by pushing C+ properties to A property levels

Many multifamily investors are short-sighted in their goals, looking primarily to immediate increases in income. You can see it in the things they do to the Class C or Class B properties they purchase. They immediately start pushing to get into the Class A market so they can ask for higher rents by adding top-of-the-line improvements to the units, like granite countertops. There's a problem with that approach. They are dealing with an older building, which is a fact that cannot be changed. What happens when the market takes a downturn and tenants in the market for Class A units have to make a choice between their property and the newer development down the street? Gino says they will choose the newer property - and the investor who worked so hard to upgrade their property will be forced to accept lower rents and decrease their bottom line profits. There is a better way, and Gino describes how it works in this conversation.

Gino's trinity of success: focus, structure, discipline

One of the most appealing things about Gino is that he's a regular guy. He knows what it's like to work hard, work long hours, and do what needs to be done to pay the bills. But he has also experienced the success that many hard-working people long for. He says anyone can succeed - in life or in multifamily property investing - by applying a trio of things: focus, structure, and discipline. Listen to hear how Gino describes these three and to understand why he feels they are so important. You'll also learn how he applied them in his own life to achieve the incredible success he has.

In This Episode Gino Barbaro says...

• [2:04] Why Gino thinks he and his partner Jake did things backwards
• [5:02] Gino's transition from restaurants to real estate
• [8:01] Why Gino decided on multifamily investing over other forms of real estate
• [15:20] The synergy and success that came from finding a great partner
• [19:36] Decisions about who does what in the business - get it clear from the beginning
• [23:26] The genesis of Gino's podcast and what has come from publishing it
• [26:50] Using a coaching model to learn about the real estate business yourself
• [34:30] What Gino and Jake are doing differently now than they were in the beginning
• [41:58] The transferrable skills Gino learned in the restaurant business and uses today
• [45:40] The Trinity of success: focus, structure, discipline

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• Bigger Pockets
• Joe Fairless
• Appfolio
• SureDeposit
• LeaseLock
• The Entrepreneur Operating System
• [email protected] - Learn to be an asset manager and Investor
• Bellwether Enterprise (sponsor) - contact Will Oldham [email protected]

Connect with Gino Barbaro

• www.JakeAndGino.com - Gino's website or Gino (at) JakeAndGino.com
• The Wheelbarrow Profits Podcast

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

Subscribe to REAL ESTATE LAUNCHPAD onApple Podcasts || Google Podcasts || Android || SpotifyStitcher || TuneIn Radio || Google Play Music

Investing in turnkey properties is not the typical way you hear of successful investors getting into real estate investing. But for Lane Kawaoka, it was what fit his circumstance at the time. More importantly, turnkey property investing enabled Lane to get his hands dirty with the real work of investing, to understand the terminology, activities, and deal structures that investors often employ, and build a portfolio of single-family properties that could financially open the door to bigger and better opportunities. Lane's a down-to-earth guy who has a lot of insight into how turnkey properties work out as a good deal for some and a marginal opportunity for others. In this episode, he shares how to find a good turnkey opportunity and more.

An unorthodox way to get into real estate investing: rent out your primary dwelling

Though Lane Kawaoka built his income through turnkey properties, he didn't start there. Lane was trained as an engineer and took his first job out of college with a company that asked him to travel a great deal of the time. Since he was a single guy it didn't bother him that much. What did bother him was that he was paying his mortgage every month and only living in his home part of the time. Could he leverage the property to cover his mortgage? He gave it a shot and was soon actually making a profit on the deal. That unexpected benefit is what got Lane thinking about real estate investing on a more serious level and propelled him to where he is today - helping deal sponsors for multifamily properties pull together investors.

The best place for real estate networking is likely NOT at your local REI

Every successful real estate investor will tell you that the success of your efforts will depend on the relationships you establish with others in the industry. And while attending your local REI meetings might be a start, it's typically not where you're going to make the types of relationships you need. Lane suggests you do your homework and choose a real estate investing conference to attend - preferably one that has an entry fee. That fact alone is going to separate the real operators from the wannabes and will put you on similar footing with everyone at the event (since you paid to get in as well). You'll come away knowing more about the ins and outs of real estate investing but more importantly, you'll come away with the benefit of new friendships with other investors you established at the conference. Face to face always builds better relationships.

Should you buy turnkey properties or try something else? Here's Lane's formula

Lane has had great success buying and benefiting from turnkey properties. But one of the greatest advantages of it is that he used the properties to build his monthly cash flow so he could get into bigger deals. While it worked for Lane, it may not be the right path for you. How can you know which real estate investing model to pursue? Lane says there are 3 ingredients to the recipe you should consider:

#1 - How much time do you have?

#2 - How much money do you have?

#3 - How much knowledge or how extensive of a network do you have?

Your answers to those questions will make all the difference in what real estate investing approaches fit you and your situation. Listen to hear Lane explain it. He provides insight into how turnkey properties, passive investing, and others fit with various answers to the questions.

Get REI experience helping others who are already doing real estate investing

Lane eventually decided that he'd like to divest himself of the single-family properties he purchased as turn-key properties and move into multi-family syndications. The path he followed to make it happen has turned out to be extremely beneficial. Lane discovered he had a knack for talking with potential investors and getting them to commit to real estate deals, so he approached sponsors of multi-family syndications and asked if he could come along as a limited partner and help raise funds for their deals. How does he benefit? He gets a ring-side seat to all the action, learns a ton as each deal comes together, and gets to say he is an experienced multi-family syndicator as he attempts to structure multi-family deals of his own. Lane's approach is very creative and very smart. Listen to how he recommends others can take the same approach, on this episode.

In This Episode Lane Kawaoka says...

• [1:03] Renting his own home taught him the power of real estate investing
• [6:27] What are turnkey rentals and how do you know a good deal when you see it?
• [15:46] The things you should watch out for if you're looking to get into turnkeys
• [18:05] Systems and procedures for working with a property management company
• [33:27] Making the transition to multifamily investing - and why he did it
• [39:19] 3 tips for avoiding bad passive investing opportunities

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• [email protected] - Learn to be an asset manager and Investor
• Bellwether Enterprise (sponsor) - contact Will Oldham [email protected]

Connect with Lane Kawaoka

• Lane Kawaoka's website and podcast: http://simplepassivecashflow.com/
• Get access to Lane's analyzer - www.SimplePassiveIncome.com/start   

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

Subscribe to REAL ESTATE LAUNCHPAD onApple Podcasts || Google Podcasts || Android || Spotify Stitcher || TuneIn Radio || Google Play Music

The stereotype commonly held of mobile home parks and the types of residents who live there has created a strange phenomenon in the world of real estate assets: the inventory of mobile home parks is diminishing, which makes the opportunity all the more inviting to Kevin Bupp.

Kevin has experienced it all in the real estate investing space - single family homes, multifamily syndications, and now mobile home parks, which has captured his attention more than any other asset class. In this conversation, Kevin reveals why he is attracted to mobile home parks, how his team finds parks for sale, and what he looks for in a good deal or notices as a sign of a bad deal. If you're curious about the disrespected but lucrative asset class of mobile home parks, you'll want to hear this episode.

The comparison of mobile home parks to apartment complexes

From an operational standpoint, there are many things owning a mobile home park has in common with owning an apartment complex. Naturally, you're dealing with multiple "units" in both scenarios and there is a "rental" component involved (lot rent, in the case of mobile home parks).

But with mobile home parks the operating costs are much lower, simply because as the owner of a park you're typically only responsible for the upkeep of the common areas, utilities leading up to the homes, and the enforcement of rules for the park. You're not responsible for repairs to individual units at all. Join Jonathan as he discussed the advantages of mobile home park ownership with Kevin Bupp, on this episode of The Real Estate Launchpad.

The magic of marketing directly to the owner of a mobile home park

The traditional way to find opportunities to purchase any multifamily property, including mobile home parks, is through a broker. But brokers farm opportunities out to many potential buyers - that's what they do. That means if you're looking for a great opportunity in mobile home parks, you'll have greater competition and less opportunity to work out a deal especially suited to you.

That's the main reason Kevin and his team have developed their own proprietary way of reaching out to mobile home park owners personally, through direct mail, phone calls, and even in-person visits at times. In this episode, Kevin highlights why marketing direct to the owners of mobile home parks often provides the opportunity to be in front of the owner the moment they are considering selling and tells how his team has learned to capitalize on the opportunity once it comes.

FOMO is driving investors to buy properties that are too risky

For many years, the real estate market has been touted as the best investment opportunity around. More and more people are hearing about the very real benefits and are getting on board. But Jonathan and Kevin both see too many people tossing their money into investment opportunities because they are afraid of missing out, not because they are wisely considering opportunities and taking prudent steps.

Kevin and Jonathan discuss why it's important to consider individual opportunities on their own merits and how to build out worst-case scenarios for the next few years before you invest money in any real estate deal. The market will correct in time and you don't want to have your money in an investment that can't survive the downturn when it comes.

WHY do you want to invest NOW? Perhaps the most important question

There are really only two reasons people get into real estate deals. First is the issue of capital preservation. The sale of a previous investment could be on a timeline and you have to meet it in order to avoid taxes. In that case, it's wise to reinvest to avoid losses, but it needs to be done wisely in opportunities that are only moderately risky. The second reason is as a growth opportunity, an investment. There's nothing wrong with investing in real estate, it's what this podcast is about. But when markets are as hot as what we're experiencing now, you have to be very careful that the high prices and inflated numbers are not giving you a sense of security about a deal that is unrealistic.

As this episode of The Real Estate Launchpad wraps up, Kevin and Jonathan share their perspectives on the current market situation, explain why every investor needs to do their due diligence in underwriting deals carefully, and demonstrate how building out worst-case scenarios can reveal that a deal isn't all it's made out to be.

In This Episode Kevin Bupp says...

• [1:03] Kevin Bupp's experience in real estate and his current situation
• [2:22] Kevin's interest in the mobile home park industry and how he got started
• [8:20] The things that tell Kevin if a mobile home park is a winner or loser
• [17:07] Dealing with properties where mobile homes are included with the land
• [22:49] How operating a mobile home park differs from an apartment complex
• [26:20] Why are CAP rates better on mobile home parks?
• [30:56] How to Source opportunities to buy mobile home parks
• [37:35] Current conditions in the real estate market (9/2018)
• [41:16] If you are buying at premium prices you have to stress test opportunities
• [45:08] Unrealistic fees could warn you that a syndication deal is likely to fail
• [50:50] Jonathan's suggestions of what to do in this amazingly hot market
• [55:49] Kevin's advice: get educated, meet other operators, build your resources

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• Marcus & Millichap
• Colliers
• [email protected] - Learn to be an Asset Manager and Investor
• Bellwether Enterprise (sponsor) - contact Will Oldham [email protected]

Connect with Kevin Bupp

• Kevin's Personal Website
• Sunrise Capital Investors
• Real Estate Investing For Cashflow Podcast
• Mobile Home Park Investing Podcast

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

Subscribe to THE REAL ESTATE LAUNCHPAD onApple Podcasts || Google Podcasts || Android || SpotifyStitcher || TuneIn Radio || Google Play Music

Mortgage note investing is not as sexy a topic as multifamily investments or fix and flips, but it's one of the most lucrative real estate investing options Tyler Sheff has discovered. In this conversation, Tyler shares a wealth of insight from his long and multi-faceted career as a real estate investor. You'll hear how Tyler got started doing fix and flips, transitioned to investing in multifamily buildings, and has built a mortgage note portfolio of over 200 notes.

But you'll also hear a thought-provoking discussion of why he and Jonathan both believe that a market correction is on the way, and what will happen to the many investors out there who are over leveraging investments beyond what the numbers dictate when that time comes. It's a sobering reality that you'll be able to learn from, so be sure you listen to this episode.

Do a good job telling people what you need and they will sometimes provide it

Drawing from his experience as a police officer, Tyler Sheff learned very quickly that just as in police work, the relational part of every real estate deal is the most important component. It doesn't matter if he's working to secure a multifamily apartment building or to take over a non-performing mortgage note, investing is a relationship business.

Successfully finding the money to fund real estate deals is rooted in building great relationships as well. Tyler discovered that if he became skilled at sharing his projects with people, even if they didn't know anything about real estate investing or mortgage note investing, he'd find potential investors who only needed to understand what he was doing to become interested in partnering with him. You can do the same thing - but only if you're committed to learning the people skills that make for good investing relationships.

Build a team of experts to make up for your lack of expertise

One of the catch-22 issues in the multifamily investment space is that brokers and investors alike are hesitant to give new syndicators or sponsors a chance because they lack experience. But you've got to have an opportunity to get experience at some point, right? How does it happen?

In this conversation, Tyler provides a couple of examples of how he was able to gather a team of people who had expertise and experience in particular aspects of the real estate investing process and then leverage that expertise in a way that made his deals attractive to investors and brokers. In his words, he was a "team builder" and that became the skill others could trust. You can hear more of Tyler's intriguing story on this episode of The Real Estate Launchpad.

If you educate, you can dominate: Tyler Sheff's approach to meeting potential investors

It's always difficult to find investors, even for most seasoned syndicators or mortgage note investors. When Tyler Sheff first began exploring multifamily investing he took a novel approach to building relationships with would-be investors. He invited people to join him to play a board game. No joke.

How did this turn into investor relationships? Because the board game was called "Cash Flow 101," an educational tool created by Robert Kiyosaki. As people who were already interested in real estate were educated about how things worked through playing the game, and as they got to know Tyler and became familiar with his investment opportunities, it was a natural relationship-building environment. Learn more about Tyler's innovative approaches to real estate investing, on this episode.

As a multifamily owner, think of yourself as a service provider, not a landlord

Tyler Sheff can't remember ever having to evict a person from one of his multifamily apartments. That fact makes it sound like Tyler has a magic touch, but he says it's nothing more than the application of simple kindness and decency toward other people that makes the difference. He's intentional about meeting every tenant so they know he is a person, not an ogre. But he does more than meet them, he listens to them. When it comes time to invest in "value adds" to the properties where they live, he knows exactly what to do because his customers (his tenants) have already told him what they need.

Tyler shares a number of stories about how he's done this and explains the long-lasting results that have come from seeing himself as a service provider instead of a landlord, so be sure you make the time to listen.

In This Episode Tyler Sheff says...

• [1:55] The 30 second version of who Tyler is - house flipper to multifamily investor
• [3:59] A primer on how buy and hold real estate and multifamily solved Tyler's tax issues
• [7:45] A true zero-money-down deal Tyler was able to pull off
• [10:55] How can you promote your deals when you have no track record?
• [13:31] Tyler's initial method for attracting investors to his deals - a board game
• [16:24] Setting his sights for bigger deals - apartment buildings
• [22:50] Using his experience as a police officer to meet and help his tenants
• [31:26] Note investing: an amazing new opportunity for Tyler, and how he got started
• [37:14] Measuring the risk on buying a non-performing note
• [43:01] Why Tyler believes there are good deals available all the time
• [47:40] How can good multifamily deals be found in a difficult market?
• [50:49] The danger of working with sponsors who live off of acquisition fees with no vested interest
• [53:01] Harbingers to a downturn in the market: What may be coming
• [58:41]

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• BOOK: Rich Dad, Poor Dad
• BOOK: The Cashflow Quadrant
• BOARD GAME: Cashflow 101
• The Real Estate Guys Podcast
• [email protected] - Learn to be an asset manager and Investor
• Bellwether Enterprise (sponsor) - contact Will Oldham [email protected]

Connect with Tyler Sheff

• Tyler's free videos: www.CashflowGuys.com/MailboxMoney
• The Cashflow Guys YouTube Channel
• The Cashflow Guys Podcast

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

Subscribe to REAL ESTATE LAUNCHPAD onApple Podcasts || Google Podcasts || Android || SpotifyStitcher || TuneIn Radio || Google Play Music

Many people these days are becoming property investors - for a very good reason. Real Estate is one of the most historically stable investment classes in existence. But there are many pieces to the property investment puzzle that have to be learned and applied correctly in order for a person to be successful. Rod Khleif is one of the guys who has become a master at assembling the puzzle in a way that makes sense and generates revenue.

In this conversation, Rod joins Jonathan to discuss his story, the mindset behind success, the systems required to build a personal vision and make it a reality, and how anyone can take their first steps into multifamily investing. Rod's enthusiasm and knowledge are unmistakable, so be sure you take the time to learn from what he shares in this episode of Real Estate Launchpad.

Anything great that has ever occurred had to be visualized first

If you consider the history of success - whether in societies or in business - you'll realize that nobody begins moving toward a positive outcome until they first have a clear picture of what they are trying to accomplish. The same is true in property investing. If you don't know what your desired outcome will look like, you won't have any idea how to get there.

In this recording, Rod Khleif shares the power he discovered in visualizing his end goals as a property investor. He explains his personal visualization process, how he makes his property investment goals tangible and practical, and how he follows a pattern of sequential steps to make them a reality. Be sure you take the time to listen.

Once you know what you want and why you want it, look for opportunities

In this conversation, Rod explains how he determines his end goals - with a particular emphasis on knowing exactly WHY those goals are important. He's discovered that knowing the reasons behind what he's doing is what keeps him going when things become difficult. The same will be true for you. But once you've done all that, how do you get moving toward your goals?

Rod says it's important to open your eyes to the opportunities around you and how they could become open doors toward the fulfillment of your goals. Those opportunities may exist in the form of conversations you have with a person next to you in the coffee shop line, or over social media. You have to be ready to answer the inevitable question, "So what do you do?" with a clear, confident, and brief description of your property investment goals. Keep it simple and low-key. People who are interested in the possibility of investing in real estate will want to hear more. That's your opportunity - make the most of it.

You will fail your way to success, so make the decision now to learn the lessons well

For some reason, we think that failure is a bad thing. Rod Khleif is adamant that failure is a required step in reaching success. In fact, he says, "You will fail your way to success." His encouragement is that you not let the certainty of failure keep you from persevering. You have to make the decision at the outset that no matter what failures may come your way, you will learn from them, apply the lessons well, and move forward. Success only comes to property investors who learn to use their failures to make themselves better investors.

Educate yourself and commit to your business, because dabblers get crushed

One of the things Rod has noticed happening in the real estate investing world is that many people try to dabble in the industry. But they never wind up going anywhere because they don't have the commitment required to become experts at what they do. Rod's advice is simple: Take the time to educate yourself through podcasts, courses, and seminars and then go all-in. If you aren't willing to press through the difficulties that will certainly come along the path to success, you will be crushed.

Don't miss this engaging conversation. Rod's experience of losing it all then rebuilding it again is a timely teacher for those who want to know the truth of what it takes to be a multifamily property investor.

In This Episode Rod Khleif says...

• [2:13] The overview of who Rod Kleif is and what he's done in real estate
• [4:06] Why every business is about people and systems
• [6:49] Rod's weekly planning session: 3 steps to successful organization
• [11:56] Seeing your goals and going for them - and don't forget the "why"
• [27:05] The dramatic crash Rod experienced from thinking he was unstoppable
• [34:27] Once you know what you want and why, look for opportunity
• [40:07] Advice for getting started in multifamily real estate investment
• [44:30] How to find investors and practice pitching them with a sample deal package
• [48:46] Rod's final advice for those interested in multifamily

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• BOOK: The E-Myth
• BOOK: Regrets of the Dying
• [email protected] - Learn to be an asset manager and Investor
• Bellwether Enterprise (sponsor) - contact Will Oldham [email protected]

Connect with Rod Kleif

• Rod's website and podcast
• www.MultifamilyBootcamp.com - or text "multifamily" to "41411"
• www.RodsDealDesk.com - Rod will help you raise money for your deal
• Text "Rod" to "41411" to receive his free book

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

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The road to successful real estate investing can be long and hard, so it's encouraging to hear real-life stories that demonstrate how it can be done. On this episode of Real Estate Launchpad, you'll hear the story of Jason Yarusi, a hard-working, regular guy who has diligently and patiently built a real estate investing business that started out with fix and flips and has scaled to the point of successfully completing its first multifamily syndication - and he's got dreams of taking it even further.

You'll enjoy the easy-going way Jason shares his story, the practical advice he provides, and the actionable tips he has for both beginning and seasoned investors. You don't want to miss this conversation.

Is the fear of the unknown holding you back from real estate investing?

It's always interesting to hear what experienced investors say when they are asked about the things they allowed to hold them back from getting started with real estate investing. For Jason Yarusi, it was fear of the unknown. But he eventually overcame that fear and took on his first fix and flip project. The success he experienced there encouraged him to take another step - and another - and another.

Jason says the unknown is always something you'll have to deal with, in every area of life. In real estate investing it feels particularly powerful because of the zeros attached to the end of the numbers you're dealing with. But in any situation where you don't know something, there's a simple solution: You can learn the things you don't know. Let Jason's story serve as an example of how step by step learning and effort can lead you to bigger successes over time.

Jason's advice for beginning investors: Focus on one area and go after it

There are many options you could pursue in real estate investing: fix and flips, wholesaling, raw land purchases, multifamily syndications - how do you know which is best to pursue? Jason Yarusi says you should find one area that is of particular interest to you and focus on it. Don't allow yourself to get distracted by unrelated opportunities that come across your path. By focusing in this way you'll flatten your learning curve and gain expertise in your chosen area at a faster rate.

That's what sets you up for success in real estate investing: consistent, focused effort. Join Jonathan for this intriguing and helpful conversation as Jason shares his story, his tips, and his dreams for the future of the multifamily syndication business he's just begun.

Multifamily investing requires that you know what you're looking for

As Jason Yarusi started looking for a multifamily deal he could syndicate, he knew there would be many possibilities to choose from. He'd also had enough business experience to know that a greater number of opportunities can result in greater confusion about which one to pursue.

That's why he decided to narrow his focus by selecting specific criteria for the multifamily properties he'd inquire about. He decided he'd only pursue properties with a certain number of units, in certain areas of the city, with certain criteria in terms of value adds he could make that would increase the potential profit for his investors. It's that kind of selectivity that made his first multifamily deal (a syndication) a success.

Raising money for multifamily syndication is more about knowing what the investor wants

The most difficult part of any syndication, especially for new sponsors, is raising capital to fund the deal. For many who have never done so before, it's hard to ask high-level people for money. But Jason Yarusi says asking for money is much easier when you turn it around to think of what you're truly offering the investor.

If you've done your homework properly you should be able to provide realistic figures that demonstrate the kind of return your investors are looking for. Jason says knowing the specifics of what your individual investors are looking for enables you to do that in a way that specifically addresses the concerns of each. In this conversation, Jason shares multifamily syndication tips that will help you succeed, so be sure to listen.

In This Episode Jason Yarusi says...

• [2:08] Jason's work flipping houses, syndicating multi-family deals, and running his family's heavy construction business - how can he operate 3 businesses at once?
• [5:45] Tips for beginners about determining the most important tasks they should do
• [8:02] Jason's road to real estate investing and multifamily syndications
• [14:51] Turning fix and flips into an ongoing business
• [16:25] Jason's description of his marketing system and how people move through it
• [20:15] How Jason's podcast fits into his marketing and business strategy
• [23:38] The upsides and downsides of a fix and flip business, and the key to success
• [28:23] Why Jason got into multifamily, how he did it, and how it's been for him
• [33:14] How Jason landed his first multifamily deal - and what he was looking for
• [41:37] Finding and vetting management companies that can execute your business plan
• [45:27] The process Jason went through to find investors

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• [email protected] - Learn to be an asset manager and Investor
• Bellwether Enterprise (sponsor) - contact Will Oldham [email protected]

Connect with Jason Yarusi

• The Real Estate Investing Foundation Podcast
• www.YarusiHoldings.com - Jason's real estate investing company
• Google Ads

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

Subscribe to REAL ESTATE LAUNCHPAD onApple Podcasts || Google Podcasts || Android || SpotifyStitcher || TuneIn Radio || Google Play Music

Investing in land is not the sexy kind of real estate investing you hear about on HGTV. But it's a viable and much less competitive way to earn substantial income that can change your life. On this episode you're going to hear how Mark Podolsky does it, step by step, and how he's turned it into a recurring revenue machine.

Welcome to The Real Estate Launchpad podcast - today's guest, Mark Podolsky is affectionately known as "The Land Geek" and he's developed an amazing system of investing in raw land that has freed him from corporate and set him on a trajectory to rid the world of stress caused by money worries. If you've been interested in Real Estate Investing but have never taken the plunge, this could be the episode you've been looking for.

How to turn a raw land purchase into an ongoing stream of revenue

Mark's system for investing in land is common sense and simple. He gets information from county assessors or county treasurers regarding raw land properties where back taxes are owed. The owner usually has not emotional attachment to the property, and the fact that they owe taxes means there is some kind of distress related to the property. All of that adds up to motivation to sell.

Mark's formula - which doesn't always work, is to divide the value of the property by 4. That gives him Warren Buffet's "margin of safety" in the investment. If the offer is accepted, he does due diligence on the property, and if everything checks out, he buys it and then sells it in 30 days or less for a 1000% profit. But he's not looking for an all-cash sale, he wants to be the banker for the property to create a passive income stream, and he doesn't have to worry about government regulations because no tenants are involved.

Why Mark doesn't see your efforts at land investing as competition

The first time Mark even considered teaching others how to follow his methodology for investing in land was when someone offered him an outrageous amount of money to teach them how. That's when he realized that what he'd developed was special and could benefit many people beyond himself.

At first, he and his wife were leary of creating their own competition through teaching others what they were doing, but when they realized how much raw land inventory there is available and how limited their ability was, they decided it was something they had to do. So, listen, learn, and get involved in land investing. Mark is eager for you to do it. The pie is plenty big enough for anyone who wants to get started.

Are you among the 3% who will DIY land investing? If not, here's help

Nothing Mark has discovered about investing in land is so difficult you couldn't figure it out on your own through trial and error (like he did). But he's found that only about 3% of people will really follow through on a DIY approach like he did. There's one simple reason why: lack of accountability.

We all need our feet held to the fire in order to get things that matter, done. Mark offers the right kind of accountability for people who want to learn, through online courses, group coaching, and more. You can get the details about the programs Mark offers by listening to this episode - and start your land investing career.

In This Episode Mark Podolsky says...

 

• [0:53] Mark's story is an inspiration. Raw land notes are why. Here's the story...
• [3:33] How can raw land be turned into an income stream?
• [7:57] The journey to coming up with this amazing land investment model
• [10:47] What is required in the due diligence process and how much does it cost?
• [15:37] Why Mark is NOT being crowded out of buying these kinds of land deals
• [19:20] How Mark finds the properties and makes the deals happen
• [24:55] Investing in land turns into a coaching / business opportunity
• [29:26] How can you tell a real estate educator from a guru you shouldn't trust?
• [36:46] Investors can join Mark - and he's got group coaching available as well
• [42:25] On a mission to make the world a less stressful place because of money

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• SPONSOR: Bellwether Enterprise - Contact Will - [email protected]
• Replace your income with real estate investing: Email Jonathan  
• Craigslist
• LandModo
• Lands of America
• Land And Farm
• App: What 3 Words - verify locations worldwide
• www.PostingDomination.com/thelandgeek - post to ad sites automatically
• www.GeekPay.io - automates borrower and lender relationships  

Connect with Mark Podolsky (The Land Geek)

• https://www.thelandgeek.com/ - get a free ebook download
• [email protected] - mention this podcast and get a free passive income launch kit course and an ebook, "Dirt Rich"

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

There is a lot of noise in the real estate investing community these days surrounding the topic of multifamily syndications. It's made to sound like something anyone can do. While that statement might be true, it's also true that it takes lots of hard work, time, and the right connections to truly be successful syndicating investment deals.

In this conversation, Jonathan speaks with Brian Burke, a 30 year veteran of Real Estate Investing who has taken every bit of that time to build a successful multifamily syndication track record. Brian had a successful career as a law enforcement officer and began a side hustle buying and flipping homes for more than a decade before he transitioned into multifamily deals. Now, his company - Praxis Capital - manages over 1500 units. Brian shares his story and his years of experience in a very transparent and genuine way, so be sure you listen to hear his advice.

How Brian Burke used credit cards to get started in real estate investing

After reading and learning about real estate investing, Brian knew he had to eliminate every obstacle and simply get started. Since his main obstacle was cash, he decided to use whatever cash he could get his hands on. He signed up for every credit card deal he could, got cash advances on all of them, and started buying real estate. His determination is an example of how those who really want to begin investing in their future don't allow obstacles to hold them back.

Why was he so willing to take on consumer debt to get his real estate investing career started? Because he knew that before he would be able to get others to put cash toward his investments, he'd have to build a track record that demonstrated he could be trusted. Find out why trust is so important and what you can begin doing now to create your own trustworthy track record as an investor, on this episode.

Income real estate is the only way to build a sustainable business that can scale

During their conversation, Jonathan asked Brian Burke why he made the switch from fix and flip projects to multifamily investing. His answer is one that makes perfect sense: a flipping business is great at generating quick cash, but if you stop doing flips, you stop earning money immediately. Brian wanted long-term monthly income instead of one-time influxes of cash - and multifamily investments are the way he discovered to do that. Find out how Brian has moved almost 95% of his business to multifamily properties, how he structures multifamily syndications, and what he does to scale his business one deal at a time, by listening to this conversation.

Multifamily syndications can be complicated, but the payoff is amazing

A syndication is a group of investors who pool their money together to purchase a larger property. The asset manager does everything he/she can to maximize the deal and give the investors the projected return on their money. That's the role Brian's company - Praxis Capital - plays in the multifamily syndications he talks about in this episode.

Brian explains how he goes about evaluating possible syndication deals, why he projects returns on investor money conservatively, and how he builds trust with investors in a way that makes them eager to invest with him again in the future. You won't want to miss this conversation. Brian shares hard-learned tips and advice even experienced investors can benefit from.

In This Episode Brian Burke says...

• [2:09] A 30 year veteran of real estate investing, starting out with single family homes
• [4:33] How Brian figured out a no-money-down deal in his early 20s
• [7:47] Over 29 years Brian moved from novice to expert investor
• [10:07] The moment when Brian decided to give up his stable government career
• [14:32] The only thing that enables you to effectively fund deals using investors
• [21:01] The transition from flipping homes to funding a 16 unit apartment building
• [24:58] How to find and manage small multifamily deals in distant locations
• [32:04] How Brian built trust and raised money to buy 100s of foreclosures a year
• [35:30] 95% of what Brian does today is in the multifamily space
• [42:49] Brian's perceptions of what's happening in the real estate market right now
• [47:54] Safeguarding against risk as he invests in nationwide markets
• [53:30] Brian's advice to those who want to passively invest
• [56:07] It takes time and is difficult to build syndication deals - don't give up

Resources Mentioned In The Episode

• [email protected] - Learn to be an asset manager and Investor
• Bigger Pockets
• Bellwether Enterprise (sponsor) - contact Will Olden [email protected]

Connect with Brian Burke

• Praxis Capital
• Brian on LinkedIn

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community

All right, here we are. This is our introductory episode for The Real Estate Launchpad podcast. YOUR HOST:

Jonathan Twombly is the owner of Two Bridges Asset Management, LLC in New York City, which invests in multifamily apartment communities across the southeast United States on behalf passive investor clients.

Jonathan is also a real estate writer and educator providing multifamily real estate investment programs aimed at highly skilled, sophisticated professionals who want to learn to invest in apartment communities for themselves through high quality education programs that are truly on their level.

Jonathan has an incredible goal in life - a big, hairy audacious goal  - to help 1 million real estate investors make better investment decisions by improving the quality of the real estate education available to the public. He's not talking about small stuff here… he wants to improve what's available by a factor of 100!

Not Your Typical Real Estate Investing Podcast

The Real Estate Launchpad podcast is going to be a bit different from the rest of the real estate podcasts out there.

Of course, Jonathan will interview all your favorite personalities in this space, in fact, soon interviews with people like Mark Podolsky, Jake and Gino, Joe Fairless, Rod Khleif, Michael Blank and others will be available.

But Jonathan will also focus heavily on aspects of real estate investment that had been overlooked.

Jonathan knows that if you're listening to this show, there's a good chance you're trying to escape a job and build a life supported by real estate, just like he did. That means you need to know more than just how to get a deal. You need to know how to build, scale, and run a real estate investment business. So, in addition to great stories about how people were finally able to break through in real estate, Jonathan will also talk a lot about the business side of things.

The Real Estate Launchpad Podcast Will Address Practical Questions Like These

• How do you start a real estate investing business?
• How can you manage it so it doesn't take over your life and become just like the job you're trying to escape?
• How do you scale your business so that you truly obtain wealth, freedom, and autonomy?

In a time when the real estate market is near the end of one of its greatest bull runs of all time, you don't just need success stories and practical tips. You need accurate, real-time information about where the market is now and where it's heading. So Jonathan is also going to feature regular check-ins with bankers, brokers, and economists who can explain what they're seeing in the markets and what they expect to happen next.

That's going to be valuable to you when you're making important decisions about whether to buy or sell - you'll have the most up to date information possible.

A Better Real Estate Investing Podcast Will Empower Your REI Decisions

To sum up in a single phrase what The Real Estate Launchpad podcast is all about - it's to help you make better investment decisions. So be sure to subscribe to our podcast and listen every week.

If you have friends who want to break through in real estate, be sure to recommend the show to them as well.

The next episode will feature a conversation with The Land Geek himself, Mark Podolski. He's going to explain not just how he broke into real estate investing, but also how he built and scaled his business to where it is today.

Don't miss it! You can connect with Jonathan and subscribe to the show below.

Connect With Jonathan and Real Estate Launchpad

• To invest with me go to www.TwoBridgesMgmt.com/investors
• To learn from me go to www.MultifamilyLaunchpad.com
• Join my free Facebook community