Hands-on learning running early properties

David details on-site management, collecting rent, evictions, and how hands-on work became KnightVest's DNA.

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Episode notes

David Moore joins Brandon Sedloff on The Distribution for a candid conversation about his unconventional path into real estate, the early grind of building Knightvest, and how his team has scaled into one of the country’s most active multifamily owner operators. He reflects on growing up in an entrepreneurial household, navigating early career uncertainty, and stumbling into real estate through necessity rather than design.

David walks through the chaotic early days of buying properties at auction, running them by hand, and slowly transforming that experience into a vertically integrated, disciplined, and highly scaled platform. He also shares his perspective on today’s operating environment, how he thinks about acquisitions, and what it takes to sustain performance across cycles.

They discuss: • The influence of David’s upbringing and the entrepreneurial parallels he saw in his father’s work • Knightvest’s origin story, including buying its first apartments at a tax auction and learning the business on-site • How the firm evolved from survival mode to institutional partnerships and large-scale operations • The decision to adopt a fund model and what it means for long-term continuity • Knightvest’s renovation philosophy, vertical integration, and localized acquisition strategy • Current portfolio trends, market pressures, and how the team is preparing for future opportunities

Links:

Knightvest Capital - https://knightvestcapital.com/

David on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-moore-03005a39/

Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/

Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/

Topics:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:53) - David’s background and career

(00:05:35) - Transition to real estate and founding Knightvest

(00:09:22) - Early struggles and first investments

(00:18:31) - Scaling the business and institutional partnerships

(00:22:31) - Current state of Knightvest