the Learn-It-All™ podcast 271: The $10B Portfolio Standard They Refuse to Compromise | Mark Gleiberman
From Solopreneur to $10 Billion: Mark Gleiberman on Focus, Family, & Resilient Growth
What does it take to scale a business from a single 38-unit apartment acquisition to a 33,000-unit, $10B empire? In this eye-opening episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Mark Gleiberman, Founder & CEO of MG Properties, who walks us through three decades of disciplined growth. Together, they break down the power of saying "no" to distractions, weathering economic storms, and building a culture where people thrive for decades.
Mark Gleiberman explains why MG Properties has stuck with one niche—existing multifamily apartments—and how that single-minded focus fueled their resilience through multiple market cycles. You’ll hear the inside story of scaling a team, navigating family dynamics in leadership, and why great organizations are built on values as much as they are on strategy. It’s a masterclass in entrepreneurship, disciplined growth, and the art of building businesses that last.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why staying laser-focused on one niche can be your ultimate strategic advantage
- Mark Gleiberman shares how MG Properties consistently avoided the “shiny object” trap, resisting pressure to branch into other asset classes and staying disciplined—even as the company exploded in size.
- The hidden upside of tough markets (and how “safe” doesn’t mean slow)
- Gain insight into how Mark weathered the S&L crisis, the Great Financial Crisis, and major interest rate hikes—spotlighting the long-term investor mindset and tactical approaches that kept MG thriving.
- How to scale company culture (and keep talent for decades)
- Learn how MG Properties cultivates DRIVE—Dedication, Respect, Integrity, Value, Empathy—and why leadership starts with a walk in your employees' shoes.
- Secrets to effective succession planning and thriving family business dynamics
- Get actionable advice on bringing the next generation into leadership, building credibility, and ensuring smooth collaboration—at work and at the dinner table.
- How philanthropy strengthens teams and community impact
- Discover how MG Properties weaves giving back into their day-to-day, from CASA advocacy to supporting the homeless—and why it fuels retention and company pride.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Why disciplined focus beats chasing the next big thing
02:32 – From 38 units to $10B: MG Properties’ founding story
05:05 – Learning every side of the business—by doing it all firsthand
07:04 – Empathy in leadership: lessons from property management
08:12 – Long-term investing and “the best way to get rich slow”
10:03 – The 1031 Exchange: building generational wealth (tax efficiently)
12:00 – What truly differentiates MG Properties
15:50 – Surviving downturns: 2008 and the recent rate hikes
18:47 – Bringing in institutional capital & the evolution of partnerships
21:08 – The power (and tests) of sticking to your strategy
22:36 – When (and how) to say no to new markets—or new asset classes
24:03 – MG’s strategy for geographic expansion and market diligence
29:59 – People challenges: recruiting, retaining, and developing your team
31:53 – Living—and rewarding—your core values: DRIVE
33:12 – Creating clear pathways for career growth
35:38 – The family business: bringing Jeff on board
39:59 – How the next generation scaled investor relations 5x
42:07 – Navigating disagreements and building consensus as a family team
44:13 – Why outside ideas and new talent sharpen your edge
46:36 – MG Properties’ approach to philanthropy and impact
50:44 – What the next 10 years might hold for MG Properties
52:14 – What makes an ideal MG Properties investor
53:30 – How to connect with Mark Gleiberman and MG Properties
About Mark Gleiberman
Mark Gleiberman is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MG Properties, one of the nation’s leading multifamily real estate investment firms. Since launching the company in 1992 with a single small property, Mark Gleiberman has steered MG Properties through multiple market cycles to a portfolio of 33,000 units valued at over $10 billion. His background as a CPA and tax specialist laid the foundation for MG’s disciplined, tax-optimized approach and long-term focus. Renowned for building high-trust teams, an enriching company culture, and fostering a philanthropic spirit, Mark Gleiberman continues to lead MG Properties as a model of resilience and integrity in real estate.
Resources & Mentions:
- MG Properties website – Learn more or connect with investor relations
- Mark Gleiberman on LinkedIn
- Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 – Learn more about tax-deferred exchanges
- CASA Program (Court Appointed Special Advocates) – The philanthropy Mark and MG Properties actively support
- MG Properties Careers – For those interested in joining the team
Podcast Contact Information:
Website: www.learnit.com
Email: podcast@learnit.com
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