
The Lead Sponsor - Real Estate Investing Through Syndications and Funds
Welcome to The Lead Sponsor Podcast where host David T. Robinson interviews $100M+ real estate investors, syndication sponsors, and investment fund managers from all across the country. We extract their strategies, systems, and secrets to help you on your commercial real estate investing journey.
Latest episodes

Dec 8, 2021 • 33min
From a Mostly Vacant 92-Unit Apartment Building to a 2000 Unit Portfolio - with Andrew Cushman | TLS148
Andrew took the traditional path into real estate and got a chemical engineering degree. In 2007 he left engineering to flip houses full time, and then seeing huge opportunity in apartments, transitioned full-time to multifamily in 2011. His first deal was a mostly vacant 92 unit property on the other side of the country, and since then has acquired 2,350 units across the Southeast U.S.Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:How he was able to leave his full-time job as an engineer.The reasoning behind their transition to apartment investing.How he got his first deal.The challenges of raising a fund.What his business looks like today.Their business milestones.The importance of setting business goals.His learnings on building a team.His biggest challenge.His biggest win.His best advice for someone just startingKEY QUOTE:“The good news for anyone listening today is raising money is far far easier than it was back then - both in terms of people’s willingness and interest in apartments and also in terms of your ability to reach people.”CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Visit their website at https://www.vpacq.com/CONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Dec 6, 2021 • 37min
From Firefighter Veteran to Managing a $100 M Private Equity Fund - with Dave Seymour | TLS147
16 year firefighter from construction to investing. Recognized for Flipping Boston on A&E TV now manages 100MM PE Fund with 150MM in the pipeline.Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:The financial struggles that he initially went through.The radio commercial that answered his prayer.How he got into the field of distressed assets.How he started investing.Where his business is focused on.What motivated him to make build-for-rent single-family properties.The challenges that he faced in the build for rent communities.How the communities are designed.His insights on using marketing and branding to attract capital to their projects.His biggest challenge.His biggest win.His best advice for someone just starting.KEY QUOTE:"Realize that once you get in this game whether as a passive investor, as an active investor - real estate is the cornerstone of wealth.”CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Email: info@freedomventure.comTel: 781-922-4418CONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Dec 3, 2021 • 36min
From Financial Analyst to Mobile Home Park Investor - with Jefferson Lilly | TLS146
Jefferson acquires and improves mobile home parks nationwide to expand the supply of affordable housing. He's raised $38 million dollars from over 200 Accredited Investors to acquire 36 mobile home parks.Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:How he started investing in mobile home parks.How he got his first deal.How he found mentors in his field.The focus of their business today.Their target market.What passive investors should expect from a mobile home park deal?His biggest challenge.His biggest win.His best advice for someone just starting.KEY QUOTE:“There are no bad mobile home parks to buy, there are only bad prices to pay. We’re always considering what’s the upside and what’s the pricing.”CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Visit their website at parkavenuepartners.comCONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Dec 1, 2021 • 30min
Leveraging Public Incentives to Acquire Multifamily - with Atif Qadir | TLS145
Atif is a licensed architect turned entrepreneur. He founded REDIST, a venture-backed fintech company based in Brooklyn and focused on real estate incentives, and Amanat Properties, a development company focusing on the renovation of historic real estate in New Jersey. Previously, he was at Extell Development and is a graduate of MIT and Columbia.Atif Z. Qadir founded REDIST, a venture-backed fintech company focused on real estate incentives, and Amanat Properties, a development company focusing on the renovation of historic real estate in New Jersey. Previously, he was at Extell Development, where he was an Associate on the acquisitions and development teams for deals across the United States and Canada. Prior to that, he was at Turner Construction and at Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman & Associates Architects. He is a licensed architect and a member of the American Institute of Architects. He also is the host of “American Building” a new podcast he produces with Michael Graves Architecture & Design, and frequently speaks on real estate and entrepreneurship at universities and industry organizations. Atif serves as a city planning commissioner in Hoboken, where he also lives. He is on the boards of The Hudson School and the Haven Adolescent Community Respite Center. Atif received his bachelor's degrees in architecture and in urban planning from MIT and his MBA from Columbia Business School.Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:His background as a licensed architect.Getting his first development job out of business school.The work that he mostly handled.His transition to becoming a developer.What public incentives are?What Redist does.How they founded Redist.What Redist does for developers and syndicators.Their ideal customer.A practical example of how Redist plays a part in a dealKEY QUOTE:“We gather all the information that is necessary in order to identify what you’re eligible for and then choose what you should actually pursue in terms of incentives in order to aid your capitalization on a deal.”CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifzqadir/CONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Nov 29, 2021 • 37min
How Confidence and Competence Attracts Investors - with Ken Gee | TLS144
Mr. Gee is the founder and managing partner of KRI Partners and the KRI group of companies. He has more than 24 years of significant real estate, banking, private equity transaction and principal investing experience. Throughout his career, he has been involved in transactions valued in excess of $2.0 billion, much of which has included the acquisition, management and financing of various multi-family real estate projectsJoin Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:How his previous career has exposed him to real estate.How he acquired his first propertyHow he made the transition in the market he’s investing in.What his company is focused on today.The advantages as well as challenges of creating the fund vs. syndications.The importance of confidence and competence.The impact of having a management company in acquiring deals.The details of a 75-unit deal in Florida.His strategies to acquire deals that will have reasonable returns for his investors.The future direction of his company.His biggest challenge.His biggest win.His best advice for someone just starting.KEY QUOTE:“Knowledge creates confidence... If you gain the knowledge your confidence goes through the roof, and then you're able to do this more successfully"CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Visit www.kripartners.com/ebook to get a free ebook, Multifamily Real Estate is a Total Gamechanger!CONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Nov 26, 2021 • 34min
Focusing on Quality Deals versus Quantity of Deals - with David Kamara | TLS143
David has been a real estate investor since buying his first duplex in 2006. Over time he has transformed the portfolio from residential, single-family, and duplex units to focus on larger multi-family investing including apartment buildings and townhouse communities. When David is not looking for the next investment opportunity he is a successful management consultant and highly sought-after advisor to C-suite executives and private equity investors. He has held a number of interim CIO and COO roles and has been involved in over 50 private equity, corporate and strategic transactions.David received his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He holds a Master of Liberal Arts degree from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. David speaks five languages. Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:How a question from his daughter had made him reconsider his goals.His first property and their transition to larger commercial multifamily.How he handles his management consulting career.The start of his commercial multifamily journey.Getting his first deal.What their business looks like today and what they are focused on.Their criteria in finding deals.The landlord laws in Michigan.His focus on quality over quantity.His biggest challenge.KEY QUOTE:“Doing X thousands of units isn't our focus. Our focus is how can I wake up and spend more time with my kids..."CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Visit their website at https://capesierracapital.com/CONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Nov 24, 2021 • 23min
Strategies to Producing Content to Attract Investors - with Deidre Woollard | TLS142
Deidre Woollard is a writer and editor with two decades of experience covering all aspects of real estate from luxury residential real estate to the latest in proptech. Her passion for real estate writing started when she created the first Estate of the Day column online but her interest in the business began long before that. Real estate investing is a family tradition and she hails from a long line of landlords, renovators, and contractors currently invested from Massachusetts to California. She created the Ask A Realtor feature at Realtor.com and has led marketing and communications at top residential real estate brokerages. She has an MFA in Writing from Spalding University and is currently writing a book on real estate crowdfunding which she believes is poised for a massive upswing.Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:How her love for writing about real estate began.What Motley Fool is and its goals.What is a REIT?The pros and cons of investing in a REIT vs syndication.The future of crowdfunding.The difference between FUNDRISE from syndication.Her suggestion for syndicators who are looking to produce content that would attract prospective investors.The topic that really resonated with her readers that surprised her.Her tip to produce content consistently.KEY QUOTE:“I think newsletters are tremendous for syndicators in terms of building an audience and building that investor pool that will be there when you need it." CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Twitter: @DeidreCONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Nov 22, 2021 • 24min
85 Million in Multifamily in 2.5 years - with Chris Salerno | TLS141
Chris Salerno attended Wharton Business School and Winthrop University. Chris successfully transacted more than 40mm in real estate volume and helped lead the #1 real estate team in the Carolinas to produce more than 140mm in annual sales prior to creating QC Capital. Named to Charlotte’s 30 under 30, Elite 50, Elite 50 entrepreneurs, 30 under 30 entrepreneurs, and nominated for Forbes 30 under 30, 2018 and 2020. Chris has quickly gained recognition, and notoriety for his hard work, and dedication.Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:The start of his career in real estate.Why he emphasizes the economies of scale.The value of hiring a coach.The journey of his company’s success in 2 1/2 years.How he got his first deal.His takeaways from his first deal.The details of his 144-unit deal in South Carolina.How he handled the residential business before transitioning to multifamily.What’s next for their company.His biggest challenge.His biggest win.His best advice for someone just starting.KEY QUOTE:“People think, oh I’m gonna hire a coach and that's it. No, you need to put the time and effort into the program...so you can take as much out"CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Visit our website at www.qccapitalgroup.com, click on the invest tab, and set up a 15-minute call. CONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Nov 19, 2021 • 32min
From Flipping 400 Homes to Commercial Multifamily - with Jonathan Barr | TLS140
Jonathan is a former flipper of 400 homes in Los Angeles. During that 10 year period, 22 million in profits were created with an average yearly return of 38%. Now he has teamed up with his brother/partner to buy apartments in the Midwest using some of their own funds and now starting to raise from others. Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:His early introduction to real estate.Why he switched to the Midwest market.The impact of scaling their business.The details of their 14-unit deal in Kansas.His realizations in investing outside of his “backyard” market.What’s ahead for their business.His 71-unit deal in Oklahoma.The structure of that deal.His biggest challenge.His biggest win.His best advice for someone just starting.KEY QUOTE:“You don’t have to do the biggest deal in the world right away. House hacking is a good way to get started. Eventually, you could sell and exchange it into a 14 unit" CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Twitter: @JB2investmentsWebsite: JB2investments.comCONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!

Nov 17, 2021 • 27min
How Bringing Value to Others Lead to a 228 Unit Multifamily Deal - Hayden Harrington | TLS139
Hayden Harrington is a real estate entrepreneur focused on large-scale multifamily syndications. He currently has $30MM AUM and actively growing the portfolio. He is one of the managing partners at Momentum Multifamily, a commercial real estate group focused on buying institutional quality assets for their investors.Join Our Passive Investor NetworkDownload Our Passive Investor Guide to Multifamily SyndicationsWE DISCUSS:His first exposure to real estate.Why his goal is focused on scaling.The importance of networking events.The skillset he used to bring value to the business.Why building relationships takes time.How they acquired their first deal.The details of their 228-unit deal in Houston.His best advice for someone just starting.KEY QUOTE:“A lot of times, we’re the only thing that’s separating ourselves from our goals"CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:Website: www.momentummultifamily.com Email: hayden@momentummultifamily.com CONNECT WITH US! Visit our Website: https://www.canovocapital.com/podcastConnect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/?modal=admin_todo_tourFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpmNIzpEzxGn5ZuNgjAVV-w/featuredFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apartmentinvestingjourney/Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apartment-investing-journey/id1464256464LOVE THE SHOW? PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW & SHAREARE YOU A PASSIVE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR PRE-VETTING COMMERCIAL MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES? VISIT CANOVOCAPITAL.COM TO CONNECT WITH US LOVE THE SHOW? Please subscribe, rate, review and share! Thank you!