The Best Ever CRE Show JF 4033: From Turnkeys to Billions, GP Breakups and Tax Surprises ft. Lane Kawaoka
Sep 19, 2025
Lane Kawaoka, the founder of The Wealth Elevator, is a seasoned real estate investor who transformed from house hacking into a billion-dollar multifamily empire. He shares the challenges of operating C-class assets and a tough GP breakup that involved critical paperwork and tax implications. Lane emphasizes the importance of selecting competent operators over profit splits and discusses his Wealth Elevator framework for evolving from an operator to an investor. Tune in for invaluable insights on market strategies and the complexities of real estate partnerships!
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Early House-Hacking To Multifamily
- Lane started by house-hacking, buying a duplex, and scaling to 11 turnkey rentals by 2015.
- That early rental experience led him naturally into multifamily investing.
Underwrite Yourself First
- Underwrite deals yourself so brokers take you seriously and you avoid garbage deal flow.
- Use underwriting to prove competence before partnering or committing capital.
Paperwork Failures Signaled Trouble
- Lane described a partnership where paperwork and bank draw submissions weren't handled, creating the first signs of trouble.
- Missing draw paperwork and reimbursements started the operational decline on that asset.
