PassivePockets: The Passive Real Estate Investing Show

Scott Trench, a seasoned real estate investor and former CEO of BiggerPockets, shares his insights on the 2025 market and unveils a strategic playbook for 2026. He discusses the challenges and surprises of the past year, like sticky interest rates and resilient stock markets. Scott plans to de-risk by transitioning from high-multiple stocks to paid-off multifamily rentals in Denver. He also explores the dynamics of supply, rents, and an intriguing contrarian investment thesis for office spaces, emphasizing quality operators and long-term strategies.

Chris Lopez is joined by Equity Trust’s John Bowens to close out 2025 and prep smart moves for 2026 using self-directed retirement accounts. John walks through contribution and conversion timelines for IRAs, Roth IRAs, HSAs, and Solo 401(k)s, explains the seven-day payroll rule for S- and C-corps, and shares practical strategies like spousal IRAs, backdoor Roths, staged Roth conversions over two tax years, and maximizing early-year compounding. The conversation also covers 2026 limit increases, Solo 401(k) employer vs employee buckets, and the Secure Act 2.0 tax credit for new plans. Key Takeaways Roth conversions must post by Dec 31 for the current tax year Previous-year IRA and HSA contributions allowed until Apr 15 if not on extension Solo 401(k) employee deferrals for S- and C-corps must be deposited within seven days of payroll Sole proprietors can set up and fund a Solo 401(k) for the prior year by Apr 15 Use spousal IRAs and backdoor Roths to maximize annual limits Stage conversions across two years to manage tax brackets while starting compounding sooner 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.

Dr. Alex Schloel, a physician and residential assisted living investor, and Charlie Cameron, an operator and investor in the field, dive into the booming residential assisted living market. They discuss the aging population's impact on demand, the benefits of smaller care homes, and various investment models from passive options to full ownership. Key points include essential home specs, the importance of operator vetting, and the revenue potential of mixed payer types. Listen in for insights on navigating risks and maximizing cash flow in this niche market.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.