In this episode of the Redemptive Real Estate podcast, host Ryan is joined by Andrew Reichert, co-founder of Birgo Capital. Andrew’s journey began after a rebellious childhood and an expulsion from high school. A redemptive opportunity came in the form of a college education and a profound encounter with the book "Rich Dad Poor Dad," which changed his entire mindset about money and success. This led him to buy his first duplex with no money, no credit, and no experience, and ultimately to build Birgo Capital, a company that redefines what it means to be a successful real estate firm.
Andrew delves into his philosophy of "work-life harmony," which integrates faith, family, and business into a cohesive whole, rather than trying to maintain a stressful "balance." He explains how his company evaluates success not just by financial returns, but by holistic metrics that include social, environmental, and community impacts, sharing a powerful story about transforming a dilapidated municipal building and a nuisance scrap yard into a revitalized neighborhood.
The conversation also explores the inherent tension between stakeholders—investors, residents, and employees. Andrew reveals how he navigates this challenge by believing that what’s good for one group is good for all, and how this mindset led to an astonishing statistic in their 2023 Thrive Report: Birgo Capital residents pay only 16% of their income toward rent, a testament to their commitment to financial well-being. The episode concludes with a look at how biblical principles like integrity and humility are not just abstract values, but practical, actionable pillars that guide every decision at Birgo Capital, inspiring a long-term vision of stewardship and purpose.
Andrew Reichert is the co-founder of Birgo Capital, https://www.birgo.com/, a real estate investment firm based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in workforce housing. With a portfolio of over $350 million in assets, Andrew's work is driven by a deep commitment to stewardship and a redemptive framework that seeks to improve lives through real estate. His philosophy focuses on creating holistic returns for all stakeholders—residents, investors, and employees.
This episode was sponsored by Master’s Program, https://priorityliving.org/
Assessment: https://lba.priorityliving.org/
[00:00:00] Intro: Welcome to the Redemptive Real Estate Podcast
[00:00:32] A Rebellious Past and a Redemptive Journey to Real Estate
[00:02:54] A Niche in Workforce Housing: Birgo Capital’s Focus
[00:04:41] The Science and Art of Market Selection
[00:06:04] Self-Managing vs. Third-Party Property Management
[00:07:11] Defining Success: A Holistic View Beyond Financial Returns
[00:09:18] The Renewal of People and Place
[00:10:38] Work-Life Harmony: Integrating Family, Faith, and Business
[00:13:20] The Flourishing of Employees, Residents, and Investors
[00:15:23] The Great Challenge of Balancing Stakeholders
[00:18:17] The Power of Financial Literacy for Residents
[00:20:55] Biblical Principles as a Business Foundation
[00:24:25] The Motivation to Keep Pushing Forward
[00:26:58] Closing and Thank You
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