

The Multifamily Wealth Podcast
Axel Ragnarsson
Axel Ragnarsson speaks with successful real estate investors and dissects how they started, built, and scaled their businesses. In each episode, listeners can expect tactical and actionable information to help grow their business and real estate portfolio.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 22, 2025 • 21min
#290: Talking Current Events: The Growing Competition in Small Multifamily... Get it While The Getting is Good!
There’s a major shift happening in the small multifamily space—and if you’re not paying attention, you might miss your window.In this solo episode, I break down the growing competition in the small-to-mid-sized multifamily market and why it’s becoming harder to find an edge. We cover what’s changed, who’s entering the space, and how savvy investors can still win if they act now.Join us as we explore:Why small multifamily properties are being pursued by more sophisticated capitalThe key market forces driving increased efficiency in this once “inefficient” nicheHow technology is making scattered-site management easier and more cost-effectiveWhat the generational shift in ownership means for deal flow and pricingWhy today’s edge (deal sourcing, operations, capital structure) may not exist in 5 yearsThe urgent case for doubling down before this opportunity narrows even moreAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Jul 15, 2025 • 13min
#289: The 5-Step Value-Add Process We Follow After Buying a Multifamily Property
Ever feel overwhelmed after closing on a multifamily deal? Not sure where to start—or in what order—to execute your business plan effectively?In this episode, I break down the five-step value-add process we follow after acquiring a multifamily property to our portfolio. Whether you're self-managing, have your property management firm or working with a third-party team, this framework helps you sequence improvements for maximum impact—operationally and financially.Join us as we explore:The very first thing to address before you even close on the propertyWhy tackling deferred maintenance and improving curb appeal should happen before pushing rentsHow to build goodwill with tenants before issuing rent increases or implementing feesThe most strategic time to renovate and lease units for maximum rent bumpsThe often-overlooked optimization layer that separates average operators from great ones.Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Jul 8, 2025 • 7min
#288: In 5 Minutes I Explain The One Thing That Separates Investors Who Rapidly Scale Vs. Those That Don't
Curious about what differentiates rapidly scaling real estate investors from those who struggle? Discover the critical two-part formula that fuels fast growth and the importance of sourcing great deals, no matter your experience level. Learn how leveraging high-debt or equity partners can significantly boost your progress. Additionally, find out why early-stage investors shouldn’t just focus on underwriting models and how combining deal flow with capital access serves as the key to scaling. It's a quick mindset shift anyone can apply!

Jul 1, 2025 • 17min
#287: Struggling To Make Confident Investment Decisions During This Time of World/Economic Uncertainty? Here Are Some Mindset Shifts and Tactical Tips To Help
In this episode, we sit down to talk through a challenge many investors are facing: how to confidently make investment decisions amid global tension, economic uncertainty, and nonstop headlines.Drawing from recent conversations with LPs and operators, Axel unpacks the mindset shifts and practical tactics investors can use to stay focused and make sound decisions—regardless of market noise or world events.Join us as we dive into:Why uncertain markets often create some of the best opportunitiesA practical framework for controlling what you can control: market, asset type, deal structure, and moreThe difference between data-driven underwriting and fear-based hesitationA mindset shift that helps you avoid binary “invest or don’t invest” thinkingWhy young investors in particular should consider getting in the game—even if things feel uncertainAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Jun 10, 2025 • 16min
#286: How We Overcome The 3 Most Common Objections From Sellers + Launching the NH Multifamily Fund III
In this episode, we sit down with Axel Ragnarsson, founder of Aligned Real Estate Partners, to break down the three most common objections sellers give—and exactly how to respond to them effectively. Whether you're negotiating direct-to-seller deals or just want to sharpen your acquisition skills, this solo episode is packed with actionable takeaways.Plus, Axel shares the launch of the New Hampshire Multifamily Fund III, a new investment vehicle that gives investors access to small multifamily deals that are typically not easy to access due to their size and complexity.Join us as we dive into:The 3 most common seller objections—and why they come up so frequentlyHow to respond to "I'm not ready to sell" without alienating the opportunityWhat to say when sellers don’t want tenants to know a sale is happeningWhy pricing objections are rarely about numbers—and how to use data to reset expectationsAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Jun 3, 2025 • 11min
#285: The 3 Financial Reasons To Hire a PM Company... OUTSIDE Of The Time Savings
In this episode, we sit down with Axel Ragnarsson, for a practical solo breakdown of three overlooked financial advantages of hiring a property management company.While most investors think of property management as a time-saving decision, Axel explains how the right PM can also improve your bottom line through better vendor pricing, optimized leasing, and built-in bookkeeping systems. If you're self-managing—or thinking about doing so—this episode is a must-listen.Join us as we dive into:How experienced PMs get better pricing from contractors and vendors through scaleThe advantage of real-time rent comps from PMs who are constantly leasing units in your marketWhy your PM is also your built-in bookkeeper—and how that compares to hiring one separatelyThe collections advantage that professional PMs bring over self-managing landlordsWhy even small portfolios benefit financially from third-party management (if you choose the right one)Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

May 27, 2025 • 12min
#284: The Precise 12-Step Process Investors Can Follow To Buy Their First (Or Next) Multifamily Deal
In this episode, we sit down for another tactical solo episode that lays out the exact 12-step process investors can follow to buy their first—or next—multifamily deal. From setting crystal-clear criteria to building broker relationships and mastering the follow-up, walking through each step in detail, offering practical tips that are easy to implement. Whether you’re brand new to multifamily investing or trying to build a more consistent acquisition engine, this episode is a playbook you can revisit and reference for accelerating your journey.Join us as we dive into:How to define a crystal-clear acquisition criteria that builds confidence and focusThe fastest way to become an expert in your market and price rangeBuilding a deal funnel through brokers, direct-to-seller outreach, and networkingWhy a simple CRM and follow-up system is non-negotiable for serious deal flowWhat to do after your first deal to build momentum and scale your acquisitionsAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

May 20, 2025 • 43min
#283: How PMs Can Asset Manage, Leveraging Technology, and Building a 1,000+ Unit PM Company with Casey Howe
In this episode, we sit down with Casey Howe, founder of Howe Property Management, a New England-based firm managing over 1,000+ multifamily units. Casey shares his journey from SaaS and tech sales to building one of the region’s most tech-forward property management companies—offering a refreshing, systems-driven perspective on how PMs can evolve into true strategic partners for investors.Whether you're self-managing, using a third-party PM, or building your own operations team, this is a must-listen conversation packed with operational gold.Join us as we dive into:Casey’s transition from tech sales to building a high-performing property management teamHow to vet, implement, and iterate tech systems to improve operations without killing the tenant experienceWhy PMs need to start thinking like asset managers—and how Casey's team delivers bothHow small tweaks in maintenance response times can materially improve renewal rates and reduce vacancyLessons from scaling a scattered-site portfolio and what most PMs get wrong about client communication and leasing strategyAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners📢 Connect with Casey:Connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyhowe/Or visit: https://www.howzerpropertymanagement.com/

May 13, 2025 • 47min
#282: Building a Robust Organization That Owns/Operates 1,000+ Multifamily Units and Flips 100s of SFHs with Brian Ferguson
In this episode, we sit down with Brian Ferguson, a real estate entrepreneur whose company owns and operates over 1,000 multifamily units, hundreds of single-family flips per year, and manages a significant retail portfolio. Brian shares how he built a vertically integrated business over the past two decades—and how operators can scale their team, protect their time, and stay disciplined across asset classes.Whether you’re flipping houses, buying apartments, or building your first team, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights on building a business that lasts.Join us as we dive into:Brian’s journey from motorcycle sales to flipping homes, building a rental portfolio, and scaling into multifamily and retailHow to run a lean, high-output team using EOS and deep personality testingWhy choosing the right first hires is crucial—and how to calculate when to make themBuilding operational systems that reduce turnover and unlock true scalabilityHow Brian balances multiple real estate verticals while staying focused on high-cash-flow opportunitiesHis multifamily buy box, why operational inefficiencies are his #1 value-add target, and what he’s seeing in today’s Texas marketAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners📢 Connect with Brian:Connect with him at http://fergmarcapital.com/

May 6, 2025 • 10min
#281: A 1% Increase in Vacancy Rate Reduces Cash Flow By 4-6%... Why Managing Revenue Is So Critical in Multifamily Operations
In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked levers in multifamily operations: revenue management. Through real-world math and clear examples, I explain and share how small changes in occupancy can create huge swings in cash flow—and why reducing turnover and maximizing renewals should be top priorities for any operator or asset manager.This is a short but highly tactical solo episode packed with insights that can directly improve your property performance.Join us as we dive into:Why a 1% change in vacancy can lead to a 4–6% drop in free cash flowThe high cost of turnover—and how to reduce itWhy most operating expenses are fixed, and what that means for NOIThe tradeoff between pushing rents vs. preserving renewalsA simple rule of thumb to apply when modeling vacancy and rent collectionAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners