The Multifamily Wealth Podcast

Axel sits down with Jake Heller, co-founder of the AI for CRE Collective, for one of the most tactical and implementation-focused conversations ever released on the Multifamily Wealth Podcast.This is a killer episode in how multifamily investors can begin adopting AI today to streamline underwriting, automate repetitive tasks, speed up market research, build better investor materials, and dramatically increase operational output without hiring additional staff.Jake breaks down the exact tools he uses, the automations he’s built, and why AI isn’t replacing real estate professionals, but multiplying their capabilities. If you’re using AI at a bare-bones level (or barely using it at all), this episode walks you step-by-step through where to start and how to integrate AI into your business in a real and meaningful way.Join us as we dive into:Why “AI replacing people” is a misconception—and how it actually amplifies investor productivitySpecific tools multifamily investors should adopt (Gamma, Claude, Grok, Relay, Index/Shortcut, NotebookLM, etc.)How to use AI to automatically: Underwrite deals, pull rent comps and sales comps, create investor decks; summarize calls, emails, and market data and more!How to use AI note-takers, workflow automators, and email-based agentsHow to consolidate your historical data so AI tools can actually learn your voice and processWhat “digital twins” are—and how Jake uses them to simulate the decision-making frameworks of leaders like Stuart MillerWhy the investors who adopt AI today will dramatically outpace those who waitAre 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 PartnersConnect with Jake:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinLearn more about AI for CRE Collective

In this tactical episode, Axel shares specific, actionable strategies multifamily buyers can use to structure more creative and compelling offers, especially in today’s buyer-leaning market.He breaks down how to think beyond “price and timelines” and instead use deal structure, seller collaboration, lender creativity, and strategic concessions to win more deals, reduce cash requirements, and speed up your business plan.Whether you’re pursuing value-add properties, working with mom-and-pop sellers, or navigating tight constraints with lenders, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can immediately apply to your own acquisitions.Join us as we dive into:Why now is the best time to get more creative with your offersHow to negotiate with lenders using interest escrows and earn-outsHow to collaborate with sellers to accelerate your business planWays to incentivize sellers to deliver vacant units, handle repairs, or secure renewalsHow staggered closing dates can benefit both the buyer and sellerHow to structure seller financing, tiered interest, and seller credits to reduce cash needed at closingAre 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

In Episode, Axel welcomes back the very first guest ever featured on the Multifamily Wealth Podcast — Chris Grenzig, founder of JAG Capital and JAG Property Management.Chris shares his story of bootstrapping a property management company from scratch, why he intentionally started small, and how he built out systems, and a service model that actually works for investors.He also discusses how his background in institutional asset management shaped the way he approaches underwriting, operations, team structure, and investor communication. This episode dives into the realities of building a PM company the hard way — from taking on the first dozen units, hiring slowly and deliberately, and not taking short cuts.Whether you're a small operator thinking about bringing PM in-house, or a growing GP looking to improve your operations, Chris’s insights on structure, staffing, and cost discipline are highly tactical and immediately useful.Join us as we dive into:Why Chris decided to build a property management company from scratchHow he scaled from a handful of units to a real operational teamThe biggest lessons learned from institutional real estateHow to think about headcount, roles, and responsibilities in PMWhy small operators often underestimate the true cost of PMThe systems JAG built to improve communication, transitions, and service qualityThe most common mistakes GPs make when evaluating PM companiesAre 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 PartnersConnect with Chris:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about JAG Capital Partners

Axel shares five practical leasing strategies that every multifamily operator can implement to reduce vacancy, maximize rent roll, and ultimately increase NOI.These are simple, high-impact tactics that work whether you self-manage, run an in-house property management team, or work with a third-party manager. Axel also breaks down how to use staggered lease terms to avoid bad leasing cycles, how and why to incentivize referrals, how to drive more online reviews, and how to structure concessions for both new leases and renewals in a way that increases retention without damaging your long-term rent roll.Take note of the tips in this episode and apply the ones that fit your multifamily operations.Join us as we dive into:How to use staggered lease terms to avoid costly seasonal vacancyA simple resident referral incentive that increases leasing traffic and retentionThe most effective moments to ask for (and reward) reviewsHow to offer concessions strategically to drive faster lease conversionsHow to boost renewal rates using longer-term renewals paired with one-time creditsAre 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

In this episode, Axel Ragnarsson is joined by John Makarewicz, President and Head of Operations at Faris Capital Partners, to discuss how sponsors can stand out in a crowded multifamily space and the systems that drive excellent asset management.John shares his journey from scaling one of the largest residential brokerages in the Southeast to building Faris Capital Partners, a firm focused on world-class investor and resident experiences. He explains how they differentiate themselves from other general partners through transparency, communication, and disciplined asset management practices.John unpacks the philosophies and operational processes that have shaped his firm’s growth. He also explains the importance of being on-site (post-acquisition) from day one, building trust with residents, and adding value before asking for anything in return.This conversation is packed with practical insights for operators, investors, and anyone looking to raise the bar in multifamily execution.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to de-commoditize yourself as a GP through world-class communication and transparencyWhy being on-site and listening to residents can help you out in the long-termThe structure of a strong asset management process with third-party PMsHow to align incentives across teams to improve NOI and performanceAre 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 John:Connect with him on LinkedInLearn more about Faris Capital PartnersCheck out Full out InvestingConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In this solo episode, Axel breaks down one of the most overlooked aspects of multifamily ownership—the timing of your CapEx spending. Many investors wait until systems fail before addressing roofs, heating, or parking lots, but Axel explains why this “defer and react” approach can actually hurt you long-term.He shares why leading with your CapEx, creates a more stable operation and more benefits around it. Axel also discusses why you should consider over-renovating one of your first few units to test what the market will bear and adjust your strategy early on.This episode is packed with practical, experience-driven advice for anyone managing value-add or long-term hold multifamily assets.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why waiting to spend CapEx until systems fail can backfireThe operational and financial benefits of leading with your CapExHow proactive CapEx planning simplifies long-term cash managementWhy early CapEx investment can subtly boost resident quality and retentionHow to test the market by over-renovating one early unit to gauge demand and pricingAre 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

In this episode, Axel sits down with Levi Allen and Joe Rinderknecht, co-founders of Cowboy Capital, to talk about their journey from a tough first deal to becoming trusted operators with a growing investor base.They share how they salvaged a challenging early project that nearly sank their business, what they learned about managing investor relationships through transparency, and the principles that guide every deal they do today. From ranching roots to raising millions in capital, Levi and Joe have built a business defined by integrity, speed, and a deep commitment to their investors.They also share memorable deal stories, including a Montana acquisition that doubled in value within a year, and explain how their “run out the bad news, walk out the good” philosophy has built lifelong investor trust.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Levi and Joe salvaged a struggling first deal and retained investor confidenceWhy transparency and honesty are their strongest investor retention toolsThe power of speed and decisiveness in sourcing great dealsHow they structure preferred equity and ensure investor alignmentWhy trust, simplicity, and clear communication always win in capital raisingAre 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 Levi and Joe:Joe’s LinkedInJoe’s InstagramLevi’s LinkedInLevi’s InstagramCowboy Capital WebsiteConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In this special milestone episode, Axel Ragnarsson celebrates 300 episodes of The Multifamily Wealth Podcast by reflecting on how his business—and his mindset—has evolved since the show began in 2020.From launching with 42 units and no investors to managing over 500 units and $18M in equity today, Axel walks through the journey of growth, lessons learned, and the mindset shifts that have shaped his investing philosophy. He shares what he’s learned about raising capital, expanding (and contracting) markets, building a property management business from scratch, and redefining what success really means in multifamily.This is part reflection, part masterclass—a candid look behind five years of business building and personal growth.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The evolution of Aligned Real Estate Partners—from 42 units to over 515 unitsWhy “unit count” is a misleading metric for successThe biggest lessons from raising over $17M in investor capitalWhy Axel stopped chasing multiple markets and doubled down on New HampshireHow his property management company scaled from 70 to 800+ unitsThe shift from chasing volume to prioritizing quality, efficiency, and team cultureInsights on long-term thinking, lean growth, and staying consistentAre 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

Harrison Riley’s journey into real estate is anything but traditional. After building a small multifamily portfolio, he realized he didn’t enjoy the property management grind and decided to shift his focus toward raising capital and building partnerships.In this episode, Harrison shares the lessons he learned from painful contractor mistakes, why he ultimately divested from Pittsburgh to focus on larger deals in Cleveland, and how he approaches building long-term relationships with LPs. He also shares his bold take on combining Bitcoin with real estate—pairing two hard assets to combat inflation and generate stronger returns.Whether you’re an aspiring LP, a new GP, or curious about the future intersection of crypto and real estate, this episode will give you valuable insights on vetting sponsors, building trust, and structuring smarter deals.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Harrison grew a 17-property small-multifamily portfolio before pivoting into capital raisingThe $200K lesson he learned from a bad contractor deal—and how he structures partnerships differently todayWhy trust and transparency matter more than the deal itself when raising capitalBest practices for cultivating LP relationships without relying on cold lists or impersonal outreachThe case for pairing Bitcoin with multifamily real estate in the years aheadAre 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 Harrison:🌐 glassbeachventures.com🐦 Twitter/X: @HarryZag🏀 (Yes, he’ll also talk Gonzaga basketball if you ask!)Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

From professional water polo in Russia to raising capital for over 20 multifamily deals in the U.S., Igor Shaltanov’s story is all about resilience, discipline, and smart investing.In this episode, Igor shares how he went from renting out his mom’s spare apartment in Moscow to building a U.S. real estate business, starting with single-family homes before scaling into multifamily. He explains why he became an LP in 10 deals before actively investing, the lessons learned from both successful and failed partnerships, and how he approaches co-GP relationships today.We also discuss how Igor evaluates sponsors, what to look for in the capital stack, and why newer-vintage multifamily properties with assumable loans are especially attractive in today’s market.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Igor’s journey from water polo athlete to multifamily investorWhy starting as an LP in 10 deals was the best education he could buyHow COVID revealed the importance of landlord-friendly statesWhat he learned from losing money in deals—and how to vet sponsors betterBest practices for structuring co-GP partnerships the right wayWhy loan assumptions and newer vintages (2000s+) are his current focusHow to think about timing the market when “nobody wants multifamily”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.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Igor:📩 Free course for single-family owners and investors available on his website: https://winrealestategame.com/Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners