Hacking Real Estate Podcast

The Art of Picking the Right Property: Insights from Sean O'Dowd

Sep 7, 2023
Sean O'Dowd, Managing Partner of Scholastic Capital, shares his fascinating journey from consulting to mastering real estate investment. He emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking and highlights how school district quality influences property desirability. Sean offers insights into his rigorous 17-criteria selection process for Class A properties that minimize costs and enhance profitability. He also discusses tenant motivations and how local politics shape real estate trends, especially in Minneapolis, providing invaluable advice for aspiring investors.
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ANECDOTE

Early Multi-Family Investments

  • Sean O'Dowd's early real estate ventures involved purchasing multi-family properties, aiming for high door count.
  • These investments proved unprofitable due to constant maintenance, high tenant turnover, and short lease terms.
INSIGHT

The "Right to Win"

  • O'Dowd realized the importance of a property's "right to win," focusing on what makes it desirable for tenants over other available rentals.
  • This led him to identify elite school districts as a key differentiator and a consistent source of high tenant demand.
INSIGHT

Premium Rents and Multi-Year Leases

  • O'Dowd discovered that high demand, low supply of rentals in elite school districts allows for premium rents and multi-year leases.
  • This minimizes turnover costs and provides predictable cash flow, unlike his previous multi-family experiences.
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