PassivePockets: The Passive Real Estate Investing Show

Dan Handford: Debt Funds, Reg A Access, and Lessons from 80+ LP Deals

Sep 9, 2025

Dan Handford, the founder of PassiveInvesting.com and a general partner in vast multifamily units, shares his journey from chiropractor to real estate mogul overseeing a billion-dollar portfolio. He reveals lessons learned from investing in over 80 LP deals and stresses the importance of transparency and steady communication. Dan discusses risk management strategies, including the shift towards private debt funds and the impact of rising interest rates on market dynamics. His insights on navigating current challenges and focusing on diversification are invaluable for aspiring investors.

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ANECDOTE

From Chiropractor To Active Real Estate Investor

Dan moved from running chiropractic clinics to full-time real estate after hiring a mentor and investing passively to learn the space.
He now holds 80+ LP positions to educate himself and also co-founded PassiveInvesting.com to syndicate deals.

INSIGHT

LP Experience Shapes GP Communication

Investing as an LP taught Dan how operators communicate under stress and revealed red flags in management behavior.
He uses those lessons to design better investor relations and empathy in his own firm.

ADVICE

Favor Consistency Over Chasing High IRR

Prioritize consistent, durable returns over chasing the highest IRRs that require excessive risk.
Diversify across operators and asset types to protect long-term wealth preservation.

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From chiropractor to running a billion dollar portfolio, Dan Handford joins hosts Paul Shannon and Chris Lopez to unpack how he scaled across multifamily, storage, car washes, hotels, and private debt. He shares why he invested as an LP in 80 plus deals to sharpen his GP playbook, how he allocates for durable returns, and where he is leaning today. You will hear candid lessons from floating rate pain, capital calls, investor communication, and why debt strategies and selective distress are front of mind.

Key Takeaways:

LP lens: transparency, steady updates, and tackling problems head on

Allocation: prioritize consistency over stretch returns, diversify across operators and asset types

Where he is leaning: private debt funds with liquidity and a coming Reg A option for smaller checks

Risk lessons: floating rate vs fixed rate, large reserves, when a capital call protects value

Outlook: bid ask spread, lender pressure, and a likely uptick in distress over the next year

Disclaimer

The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk, so use your best judgment and consult with qualified advisors before investing. You should only risk capital you can afford to lose. Remember that past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may contain paid advertisements or other promotional materials for real estate investment advisers, investment funds, and investment opportunities, which should not be interpreted as a recommendation, endorsement, or testimonial by PassivePockets, LLC or any of its affiliates. Viewers must conduct their own due diligence and consider their own financial situations before engaging with any of the advertised offerings, products, or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages arising out of reliance on information and advertisements presented in this podcast.