

PassivePockets: The Passive Real Estate Investing Show
PassivePockets, Jim Pfeifer, and Left Field Investors
Welcome to PassivePockets: The Passive Real Estate Investing Show presented by Equity Trust– your go-to podcast for building and protecting wealth through smart, passive real estate investments. Hosted by Jim Pfeifer, this podcast is designed for investors who want to grow without the grind. Each episode features expert interviews with seasoned LPs (Limited Partners) and GPs (General Partners) who share their insights, experiences, and practical advice.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 41min
J Scott’s 2026 Playbook: Inflation, Rates, and Where Real Estate Wins
In this insightful conversation, J Scott, a seasoned investor and author known for his expertise in real estate, shares his key takeaways from 2025 and what to watch for in 2026. He highlights the surprising resilience of asset prices amid inflation and construction delays. J prioritizes needs-based real estate and small multifamily markets as promising investment areas. He cautions against office and retail sectors while discussing the impacts of immigration policy on labor costs. Dive into J's strategies for navigating the current economic landscape!

Dec 9, 2025 • 33min
Brian Burke’s 2026 Playbook: Small-Multi Deals & What’s Next for Rates
In this discussion, Brian Burke, an experienced investor and author specializing in commercial real estate, revisits 2025 and shares insights for 2026. He highlights the success of senior housing and the unexpected resilience of multifamily new construction. Brian also dives into his investment strategies, revealing interest in Bitcoin and biotech. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on needs-based real estate like senior housing and small multifamily investments while cautioning against straying from core competencies.

14 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 50min
2026 Game Plan, Debt vs. Equity, Rate Cuts Reality
The hosts dive into their personal portfolio updates, discussing a 30% capital return and an unfortunate loss linked to the DJE/Ascent situation. They explore the limited impact of recent Fed rate cuts on long-term debt and predict a gradual increase in market distress by 2026. A key focus is setting strategic financial goals for the coming years, including a shift towards a balanced debt-equity approach. They also introduce new tools for updating sponsor reviews, enhancing members' engagement and accountability.

Nov 25, 2025 • 36min
LP Lessons From Losses: Julie Holly on Transparency & Recalibration
Chris Lopez and Paul Shannon sit down with investor and educator Julie Holly for a candid conversation about wins, losses, and leadership as an LP and GP. Julie traces her path from house hacking to syndications, shares the “receive & release” mindset she uses to process setbacks, and explains what changed in her underwriting and operator vetting after a tough year, including one deal where mismanagement led to a total loss. They cover how LPs should share accountability, the exact questions to ask sponsors (who underwrites, how they stress-test, and how they communicate), and why Julie paused new offerings to focus on stewardship and transparency.
Key Takeaways
Start as an LP to learn the experience end-to-end; early distributions can feel great, but plans must survive rate, insurance, and market shifts
“Receive & release”: make space to process losses, own your part, then offload what isn’t yours so you can lead and decide clearly
Trust and verify: dig into vacancy, taxes, insurance, payroll, and who actually underwrites (in-house vs. outsourced/AI); stress-test more than one way
Accountability is shared: GPs must report clearly and often; LPs must understand their risk profile, read docs, and avoid “write first, learn later” FOMO
Choose relationships, not just returns: invest with people who answer candidly, welcome hard questions, and are reachable when things get bumpy
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk, so use your best judgment and consult with qualified advisors before investing. You should only risk capital you can afford to lose. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may contain paid advertisements or other promotional materials for real estate investment advisers, investment funds, and investment opportunities, which should not be interpreted as a recommendation, endorsement, or testimonial by PassivePockets, LLC or any of its affiliates. Viewers must conduct their own due diligence and consider their own financial situations before engaging with any advertised offerings, products, or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages arising out of reliance on information and advertisements presented in this podcast.

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 1min
Multifamily 2026: Bid-Ask Reality, Distress Signals, and Where Deals Pencil
In this exclusive webinar release, Paul Shannon moderates a market check with brokers Beau Beery, Reid Bennett, and Jakob Andersen. The panel covers where multifamily deals are actually clearing in late 2025, why the bid ask gap is narrowing, and how underwriting has shifted from headline cap rates to year one cash on cash, DCR, and debt yield. They compare Sunbelt supply waves to steadier Midwest fundamentals, walk through valuation reality checks sellers must face, and explain why most 2026 activity will be motivated sales and selective distress rather than a fire sale. The group also digs into operational costs, staffing shortages, financing paths into 2026, and what LPs should demand from GPs.
Key Takeaways
Bid ask is closing as loan maturities force decisions and rate volatility calms enough for buyers to plan
Underwrite to cash on cash, DCR, debt yield first and sanity check taxes, insurance, payroll, and true vacancy before quoting a cap rate
Supply matters more at scale: heavy Sunbelt deliveries pressure B assets while Midwest occupancy stays supported by limited new B stock and tight single family inventory
Financing mix for 2026 will be agency for stabilized and selective bridge for assets that cannot qualify, with realistic reserves and timelines
Expect more transactions and some distress in 2026, but not a broad capitulation; LPs should vet operators with downturn experience and transparent decision trees on sell, refi, or hold
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk, so use your best judgment and consult with qualified advisors before investing. You should only risk capital you can afford to lose. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may contain paid advertisements or other promotional materials for real estate investment advisers, investment funds, and investment opportunities, which should not be interpreted as a recommendation, endorsement, or testimonial by PassivePockets, LLC or any of its affiliates. Viewers must conduct their own due diligence and consider their own financial situations before engaging with any advertised offerings, products, or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages arising out of reliance on information and advertisements presented in this podcast.

11 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 38min
Dave Meyer: The 20-Hour Rule & Systems for Busy Real Estate Investors
Dave Meyer, the host of the BiggerPockets and On the Market Podcasts, shares his journey from active house hacking in Denver to passive syndication investments after relocating to Europe. He discusses the importance of controlling time, capping real estate commitments at 20 hours a month, and using dollar-cost averaging for liquidity management. Dave emphasizes investing in what you understand, the significance of operator selection, and ways to hedge risk with fixed-rate debt and diversification. Plus, insights on adapting to evolving market trends in multifamily real estate!

Nov 4, 2025 • 54min
Pulse Check: Multifamily Momentum, Debt Funds Rising, Q3 Moves
The hosts delve into their latest investments and strategies, discussing a shift towards debt funds and the importance of transparency in deals. Jim shares insights on new allocations in healthcare and coffee, while Paul outlines a promising Indiana multifamily turnaround. They emphasize the need for thorough checks on fee structures and the significance of using investing clubs to vet new managers. Red flags in hotel conversions are dissected, highlighting potential pitfalls like phantom equity and misaligned waterfalls. It's a vital guide for savvy investors.

Oct 28, 2025 • 39min
From Pizza Shop to $100M+ Multifamily w/ Gino Barbaro
Host Paul Shannon sits down with Gino (of Jake & Gino) to trace the path from family pizza shop to operating ~1,900 units with no outside equity. Gino breaks down why they paused syndications after 2019, how “PPU—profit per unit” drives their buy/hold decisions, and the exact LP diligence framework he wishes he’d had before losing money as a passive. They dig into today’s tighter credit, catching-a-falling-knife rent/occupancy dynamics, and why longer debt runways and operator fit matter more than ever.
Key Takeaways:
The LP Framework: Jockey (sponsor) → Saddle (alignment of interests) → Horse (deal: buy right, manage right, finance right)
Why they exited syndications: control, long-hold strategy, and avoiding the “feed the beast” pressure—investor expectations make investors your de facto bosses
Diligence like a pro: visit the asset, run the PPM through AI, then spend an hour with a securities attorney before wiring a dime
Operate for durability: target $200–$400 PPU, prefer vertical integration, and secure ≥5-year debt to bridge cycles
Match strategy to you: know your relationship with money, stagger commitments (the “conveyor belt”), and choose sponsors aligned with long-term holds if that’s your goal
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk, so use your best judgment and consult with qualified advisors before investing. You should only risk capital you can afford to lose. Remember that past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may contain paid advertisements or other promotional materials for real estate investment advisers, investment funds, and investment opportunities, which should not be interpreted as a recommendation, endorsement, or testimonial by PassivePockets, LLC or any of its affiliates. Viewers must conduct their own due diligence and consider their own financial situations before engaging with any of the advertised offerings, products, or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages arising out of reliance on information and advertisements presented in this podcast.

Oct 21, 2025 • 36min
LP Protection 101 with Ryan Duff
Paul Shannon sits down with lender-turned-operator Ryan Duff to unpack how lenders really size risk and how LPs can use the same lens. Ryan financed ~$4B+ across cycles before launching Seaport, and he explains why trailing 3–6 month economic occupancy (physical vacancy + concessions + loss-to-lease) tells you more than any glossy OM. Join us to dive into debt yield, DSCR reality vs. pitch decks, the broker-driven “falsified inputs” fiasco and subsequent lender cleanup, and why he prioritizes local, vertically integrated operators with disciplined leverage and cash buffers.
Key Takeaways:
Underwrite like a lender: focus on economic occupancy (vacancy, concessions, loss-to-lease), not just IRR/EM multiples
Expenses are mostly knowable; deals are won/lost on the top-line and honest reporting of rent integrity
Debt terms follow the inputs: DSCR, debt yield, and recent trailing performance drive survivability
Protect yourself: vet the GP first (local, cycled deals, vertical ops, conservative leverage, transparency)
Industry shift: tighter lender verification post-froth (less room for “massaged” rent rolls), more equity skin-in-the-game
Bridge debt isn’t evil, operator fit + execution speed must match the capital structure
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk, so use your best judgment and consult with qualified advisors before investing. You should only risk capital you can afford to lose. Remember that past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may contain paid advertisements or other promotional materials for real estate investment advisers, investment funds, and investment opportunities, which should not be interpreted as a recommendation, endorsement, or testimonial by PassivePockets, LLC or any of its affiliates. Viewers must conduct their own due diligence and consider their own financial situations before engaging with any of the advertised offerings, products, or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages arising out of reliance on information and advertisements presented in this podcast.

Oct 14, 2025 • 53min
LP Safety 101: Mauricio Rauld on SEC Compliance for LPs
Host Chris Lopez and Paul Shannon talks with securities attorney Mauricio Rauld about the compliance landmines that trip up syndicators and how LPs can protect themselves. Mauricio shares why he exited his law firm to focus on education and “in-between” guidance (before the PPM), what an SEC lawyer actually does, and the real differences between 506(b) and 506(c). They cover LP recourse (rescission), how to diligence sponsors and structures (co-GPs, capital raisers, funds-of-funds), why “investment clubs” aren’t a loophole, and where regulations may head next (accreditation changes, a possible finder’s rule).
Key Takeaways:
Compliance isn’t “just a PPM”: most mistakes happen pre-attorney (emails, websites, social posts)
506(b) vs 506(c): advertising and accreditation verification are the two big pivots
LP protection: if securities laws are violated, rescission can force capital + interest returned
Capital raising rules: no transaction-based comp, substantial duties, and primary role ≠ fundraising
Trends to watch: FoF adviser/Investment Company Act issues, “investment club” myths, broader accredited paths and a potential finder rule
Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only. All host and participant opinions are their own. Investment in any asset, real estate included, involves risk, so use your best judgment and consult with qualified advisors before investing. You should only risk capital you can afford to lose. Remember that past performance is not indicative of future results. This podcast may contain paid advertisements or other promotional materials for real estate investment advisers, investment funds, and investment opportunities, which should not be interpreted as a recommendation, endorsement, or testimonial by PassivePockets, LLC or any of its affiliates. Viewers must conduct their own due diligence and consider their own financial situations before engaging with any of the advertised offerings, products, or services. PassivePockets, LLC disclaims all liability for direct, indirect, consequential, or other damages arising out of reliance on information and advertisements presented in this podcast.


