Best Axel Ragnarsson Podcasts (2025)

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283: Aligned Incentives In Vetted Multifamily Real Estate with Axel Ragnarsson 55:23

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26d ago55:23

55:23

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Axel Ragnarsson, Founder and Managing Partner of Aligned Real Estate Partners. Axel began his entrepreneurial journey by flipping cars in college, which eventually led him to real estate. Over the years, he built a personal portfolio of multifamily properties before expa…

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290: Why Accurate Financials Lead To Better Decisions and More Profit with Max Emory 51:35

2d ago51:35

51:35

Jonathan welcomes Max Emory, founder of Time Capital Bookkeeping & CFO Solutions, a bookkeeping educator and active investor. Together, they explore why clean books form the foundation of every real estate business and how accurate categorization impacts both taxes and lending. Max explains what decision-ready financials allow investors to do, incl…

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#302: The Importance of "Leading With Your CapEx" and Why You Should Over-Renovate Units Early In A Hold Period 13:57

4d ago13:57

13:57

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, …

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289: Finding a Better Way To Build Wealth and Cash Flow with Jon Wells 49:26

5d ago49:26

49:26

On this week's episode, Jonathan welcomes Jon Wells, a real estate matchmaker, syndicator, and longtime realtor with A Better Way Realty and managing partner at Alpha Network—for a candid look at what actually builds durable wealth. Jon traces his journey from early "fix-and-flips" to higher-conviction "fix-and-holds," and ultimately to group homes…

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288: Building a Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan with Brett Swarts 47:11

9d ago47:11

47:11

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, to explore strategies for minimizing capital gains taxes when selling real estate or business assets. Brett Swarts is the founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, specializing in advanced strategies to help inves…

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#301: Salvaging a Bad First Deal with Investor Capital, Building Incredible Investor Relationships, and Numerous Great Deal Stories with Levi Allen and Joe Rinderknecht 53:33

11d ago53:33

53:33

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 relat…

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287: Getting Rich Slowly By Investing In Real Estate Over a Lifetime with Luis Belmonte 52:05

12d ago52:05

52:05

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Luis Belmonte, a lifelong real estate investor, to explore the lessons he's learned over decades of investing in multifamily, industrial, and commercial real estate across the U.S. and internationally. Luis shares his early experiences, including navigating the com…

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286: Calculated Risk and Upsized Returns in Self Storage with Neil Henderson 57:52

16d ago57:52

57:52

On today's Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Neil Henderson, investor relations specialist and general partner at Nomad Capital, joins Jonathan to share how he transitioned from Airbnb host to self-storage syndicator. His story begins with a guesthouse, an article from his mother about a new company called Airbnb, and a growing curiosity th…

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#300: Reflecting On 300 Episodes! How Our Business Has Grown, Changes in How I Think About Investing, Business, and More! 34:02

18d ago34:02

34:02

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 …

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285: Creating and Understanding Your Short-Term Rental Buy Box with John Bianchi 51:58

19d ago51:58

51:58

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes back John Bianchi, founder of STR Search and widely known as "The Airbnb Data Guy." John specializes in data-driven short-term rental analysis, helping investors identify profitable properties that align with their personal and financial goals. Returning for his second a…

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284: Diverse Opportunities With Funds and Syndications For Long-Term Growth with Mike Zlotnik 49:33

23d ago49:33

49:33

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Mike Zlotnik, a real estate fund manager and the CEO of TF Management Group, who is widely known in the real estate investing community as "Big Mike." With over two decades of experience in finance, technology, and real estate, Mike offers a clear and structured appro…

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282: Building Strategic Partnerships in Commercial Real Estate Investments with John Azar 52:43

1M ago52:43

52:43

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene speaks with John Azar of Peak 15 Capital about the power of strategic partnerships in commercial real estate. John shares his experience in structuring co-GP deals, managing multifamily funds, and creating opportunities that enable investors to scale their portfolios while…

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#299: Building a Small Portfolio of Multis and Divesting To Focus on Capital Raising + Combining Bitcoin/Real Estate Into One Offering with Harrison Riley 56:09

1M ago56:09

56:09

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 …

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168-Unit Chateau Apartments In Chapel Hill, NC With Will Matheson, Multifamily Investing Expert 27:17

1M ago27:17

27:17

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews multifamily investing expert Will Matheson, who shares about his acquisition of the 168-unit Chateau Apartments in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He talks about using the state’s tax abatement program to significantly boost net operating income, as well as how he navigates the recent amendments…

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281: Securing Your New Life Abroad Using Expat Money with Mikkel Thorup 47:53

1M ago47:53

47:53

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Mikkel Thorup, founder and CEO of Expat Money, a consultancy helping clients navigate second residencies, international investments, and asset diversification. Known as one of the world's most sought-after expat consultants, Mikkel has lived in nine countries over 25 yea…

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280: How Real Estate Investing Can Change Communities with Joe Killinger 53:51

1M ago53:51

53:51

Real estate isn't just about properties and profits. It's also about the communities shaped by every investment. In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes seasoned investor, broker, and entrepreneur Joe Killinger. With more than 30 years of experience spanning auctions, multifamily, single-tenant net leases, and…

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#298: Vetting (and Partnering With) Sponsors, Raising Capital For 20+ Deals, and Transitioning From Single Family To Multifamily with Igor Shaltanov 45:59

1M ago45:59

45:59

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…

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24-Unit Gilmore Apartments In Jeffrey, NH With Mike Preshman, Apartment Investor 34:58

1M ago34:58

34:58

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews apartment investor Mike Preshman, who shares his acquisition of the 24-unit Gilmore Apartments in Jeffrey, New Hampshire in November 2024. He explains his unconventional approach to due diligence and financing, particularly his strategy to raise debt instead of equity. Mike also reveals how h…

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279: Unlocking Value In Industrial Outdoor Storage with Blake Rodgers 46:37

1M ago46:37

46:37

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Blake Rodgers, co-founder and principal at Steel Peak. Blake specializes in industrial outdoor storage (IOS). This niche asset class includes contractor yards, equipment rental facilities, and bulk material sites across the Western U.S. He shares how his early experience…

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278: Learning How To Buy Cash-Flowing Self-Storage Facilities with Bree Hartman 55:52

1M ago55:52

55:52

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Bree Hartman, a former gym owner turned commercial real estate investor and the founder of Self Storage School. Bree shares how she shifted from running gyms to building a portfolio of self-storage facilities, and how this asset class can create time freedom, financial i…

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#297: The 5 Real Estate "Hills" I'm Willing To Die On.... Some Spicy Takes! 16:03

2M ago16:03

16:03

We all hear “conventional wisdom” in real estate—but sometimes, following it blindly can cost you big. In this solo episode, I share the five controversial real estate takes (or “hills I’m willing to die on”) that I feel strongest about. Some of these might challenge how you started your investing career. But if you’re a new or growing investor, th…

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277: How Multifamily Real Estate Creates Lifetime Cash Flow with Rod Khleif 47:38

2M ago47:38

47:38

Multifamily real estate has long been one of the most powerful vehicles for creating generational wealth and consistent cash flow. In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Rod Khleif, entrepreneur, real estate investor, author, philanthropist, and host of the Lifetime Cash Flow Through Real Estate Investing pod…

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276: The Unique Passive Affordable Seller-Financing System with Emanuel Stafilidis 52:52

2M ago52:52

52:52

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Emanuel Stafilidis, founder and chief investment strategist at Capable Capital. Emanuel introduces listeners to the PASS system, which stands for Passive Affordable Seller-Financing System. With over 30 years of real estate experience, he has built a strategy around a…

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#296: Building a 3,000 Unit Portfolio, Selecting Markets, and The Power of Narrow Focus with Jason Yarusi 42:37

2M ago42:37

42:37

In this episode, Axel sits down with Jason Yarusi—real estate investor, entrepreneur, and operator of a 3,000+ unit multifamily portfolio. Jason shares his journey from running bars and restaurants in New York City to building a thriving multifamily business in the Southeast. He talks about the lessons learned from his early days in construction, h…

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72-Unit The Sterling Realty Apartments In Barrington, NH With Axel Ragnarsson, Apartment Syndicator 27:06

2M ago27:06

27:06

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Axel Ragnarsson, founder of Aligned Real Estate Partners. Axel reveals his strategic approach to winning direct-to-seller multifamily deals, even when competitive offers are higher. Learn how he masterfully structured the contract for the 72-unit Sterling Realty Apartments in Berrington, New …

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275: Leveraging Multifamily Real Estate For Long-Term Growth with Kent Ritter 48:33

2M ago48:33

48:33

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Kent Ritter, CEO and founder of Hudson Investing. Kent's path into real estate began after selling his healthcare consulting business, which left him looking for ways to diversify his capital. Starting as a passive investor in multifamily syndications, he eventually tran…

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274: Repositioning Shopping Centers in Hometown Markets with Andy Weiner 45:06

2M ago45:06

45:06

Shopping centers may not dominate headlines like multifamily or industrial, but they remain one of the most overlooked opportunities in commercial real estate. In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Andy Weiner, founder and president of RockStep Capital, to discuss how shopping centers, especially in ho…

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#295: The 5 Attributes Of A Holy Grail Multifamily Deal... When We See These, We Aggressively Pursue! 15:41

2M ago15:41

15:41

What makes a multifamily deal truly irresistible? For us, it comes down to five specific attributes that signal, this is one we want to buy. In this solo episode, I break down the five “holy grail” characteristics we look for in deals—and why these features dramatically increase the odds of success. If you’re a value-add investor, you’ll likely be …

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96-Unit Tanglewood Apartments In Charlotte, NC With Jeff Ervick, Apartment Investing Expert 27:33

2M ago27:33

27:33

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Jeff Ervick, co-founder of Valoris Capital Partners. They dive into the complexities of challenging multifamily deals. Specifically, they discuss the acquisition of the 96-Unit Tanglewood Apartments in Charlotte, NC. Jeff recounts the turbulent journey, sharing critical lessons on due diligen…

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273: Why An ESPN SportsCenter Anchor Is Knee-Deep in Real Estate with Gary Striewski 57:03

2M ago57:03

57:03

What happens when a SportsCenter anchor trades in highlight reels for house hacking? In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes ESPN's Gary Striewski to share his story of becoming a DIY real estate investor while holding down a demanding broadcasting career. Gary takes listeners inside his approach to building w…

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272: Unlocking Your Legacy With Turn-Key Real Estate with Lindsay Davis 54:49

2M ago54:49

54:49

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Lindsay Davis, CEO of Spartan Invest, to explore the world of turn-key real estate. Lindsay shares her journey from college landlord to building one of the leading turn-key investment companies in the Southeast. Their discussion covers the advantages of passive …

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#294: Discussing Market Cycles, Market Selection, and Rebuilding a Business After a Decade in Prison with Mike Morawski 44:03

2M ago44:03

44:03

What does it take to rebuild your life—and your business—after losing it all? In this episode, I sit down with Mike Morawski, a 30-year real estate veteran, entrepreneur, author, and speaker, whose story is one of both caution and inspiration. Mike built a $60M portfolio, lost everything, served a decade in federal prison, and then came back to reb…

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291-Unit The Altitude 970 In Kansas City, MO With Ivan Barratt, Multifamily Syndication Expert 24:47

2M ago24:47

24:47

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Ivan Barratt, CEO of The BAM Companies, about the world of successful multifamily real estate acquisitions. Learn how his company strategically acquired The Altitude 970, a 291-unit property in Kansas City, MO. Discover their precise off-market purchase strategy and hear about Ivan's unique "…

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271: Creating Net Gains Through Property Management with Derek Morton 51:03

2M ago51:03

51:03

Property management may not be flashy, but it's essential to successful real estate investing. In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Derek Morton, founder and owner-broker of Netgain Property Management in Utah. Since 2016, Derek has built his company around balancing landlords' expectations with tenants' ne…

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270: The Ins and Outs of Real Estate Fund Administration with Mike Zane 50:11

2M ago50:11

50:11

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Mike Zane, a real estate fund administrator at Lexcraft Advisors who specializes in supporting fund managers through the complexities of launching, managing, and scaling investment funds. With a background in accounting and years of experience working inside and alongsid…

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#293: A Haunting Story of a Home-Run Deal That I F**ked Up... and What We Learned From It 14:47

3M ago14:47

14:47

Every investor has a deal that got away. For me, one in particular still stings—not because of market timing or bad luck, but because the failure was entirely within my control. In this solo episode, I share the story of a property I pursued back in 2018–2019 that had all the makings of a “holy grail” deal... and how I whiffed on it. More important…

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120-Unit Chevy Chase Apartments In Nacogdoches, TX With Ethan Diaz, Apartment Investing Expert 19:57

2M ago19:57

19:57

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Ethan Diaz, a full-time operator and syndicator, about the acquisition and long-term holding strategy for the 120-Unit Chevy Chase Apartments in Nacogdoches, TX. Discover how they navigated an off-market deal, negotiated the purchase price down, and structured a non-recourse Fannie Mae loan w…

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269: How To Start Living Off Rentals with Kirby Atwell 51:38

3M ago51:38

51:38

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Kirby Atwell, an Army veteran, real estate investor, and host of the Living Off Rentals podcast. Kirby's journey from military service to financial freedom offers a practical roadmap for investors seeking a sustainable, high-cash-flow strategy. Kirby's interest in real e…

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268: Designing and Operating a Boutique Wellness Resort with Diana Ossa and Josh Dobken 59:29

3M ago59:29

59:29

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with Diana Ossa and Josh Dobken to discuss the creation of their boutique wellness resort in Palm Springs. As a couple with a shared vision for conscious living, they transformed their dream into a real estate venture focused on wellness, sustainability, and community. …

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#292: Everyone Talks About Why Location Is Critical... But What Does That actually Mean When Underwriting Deals? 18:38

3M ago18:38

18:38

We’ve all heard it: location, location, location. But what does that really mean when you’re underwriting multifamily deals—and how should it actually impact your numbers? In this solo episode, I break down the real, tangible differences between buying in a good location versus a bad one—within the same asset class. Drawing from years of operating …

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114-Unit The Elwood In Kokomo, IN With Justin Goodin, Multifamily Developer & Syndicator 28:04

3M ago28:04

28:04

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews multifamily developer and syndicator Justin Goodin, who shares his acquisition of the 114-unit The Elwood in Kokomo, Indiana. He talks about acquiring the land, going through the entitlement process, and doing his own ground-up development. Justin provides insights into working with municipal…

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267: Investing in Real Estate From a Position of Strength with Scott Trench 1:02:06

3M ago1:02:06

1:02:06

In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Scott Trench, former CEO of BiggerPockets, co-host of the BiggerPockets Money podcast, and author of "Set for Life." Their conversation dives into how Scott achieved financial independence through real estate and frugality, and how new investors can build the confidence …

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266: How To Get Steadier Returns and Less Volatility Through Real Estate with Daniel Angel-Mejia 45:42

3M ago45:42

45:42

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Daniel Angel-Mejia, managing partner at Apex Investments, for a conversation about sustainable real estate growth, building solid operations, and finding your way into development the smart way. Daniel brings international experience and a background in finance to his…

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#291: Spend 30 Minutes a Week on These 3 Activities If You Want To Find More Multifamily Deals 7:53

3M ago7:53

7:53

Struggling to source more multifamily opportunities? The truth is, you don’t need 10 hours a week—you need just 30 focused minutes. In this solo episode, I break down the three high-ROI activities any investor can do weekly to uncover more deals and stay top-of-mind with the people who are most likely to send you opportunities. These simple actions…

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265: Unlocking Tax Incentives for Real Estate Investors with Gian Pazzia 46:19

3M ago46:19

46:19

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Gian Pazzia, chairman and chief strategy officer of KBKG and a pioneer in the cost segregation field. With more than 25 years of experience, Gian has worked on everything from casinos to single-family rentals. He breaks down how real estate investors can legally and s…

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264: Building Real Estate Wealth Through Rental Properties with Joel Miller 50:33

3M ago50:33

50:33

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan sits down with experienced investor and author Joel Miller, who has spent nearly five decades building wealth through rental properties. Joel walks through his early days as a mobile DJ, his accidental path into real estate, and how he grew a portfolio of rentals, flipped over…

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263: How To Become The Most Trusted Home Buyer In Your Town with Nick Disney 47:29

3M ago47:29

47:29

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan speaks with Nick Disney, founder of Sell My San Antonio House. Nick built a thriving home-buying business by focusing on what matters most—helping sellers solve real problems, not just pitching offers. He guides listeners through the transformation from a small-scale side hust…

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262: Real Estate Investing Lessons From the Mad Scientist of Multifamily with Neal Bawa 56:49

3M ago56:49

56:49

In today's episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Neal Bawa, founder and CEO of Grocapitus and a nationally recognized leader in data-driven real estate investing. Known as the "Mad Scientist of Multifamily," Neal brings a tech-forward approach to real estate, combining sharp market analysis with a clear-eyed view of…

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#290: Talking Current Events: The Growing Competition in Small Multifamily... Get it While The Getting is Good! 21:11

3M ago21:11

21:11

There’s a major shift happening in the small multifamily space—and if you’re not paying attention, you might miss your window. In this solo episode, I break down the growing competition in the small-to-mid-sized multifamily market and why it’s becoming harder to find an edge. We cover what’s changed, who’s entering the space, and how savvy investor…

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128-Unit Townhomes At Pine Hill In Griffin, GA With Andrew Cushman, Apartment Investing Expert 32:14

3M ago32:14

32:14

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews apartment investing expert Andrew Cushman about his recent acquisition of the 128-unit Townhomes at Pine Hill in Griffin, Georgia. He shares how his stabilized value-add strategy helped a lot in closing the deal and navigating unexpected challenges they faced during the turnover. Andrew also …