The Best Ever CRE Show

Passive Investor Tips is a weekly series hosted by full-time passive investor and Best Ever Show host, Travis Watts. In each bite-sized episode, Travis breaks down passive investor topics, simplifying the philosophy and mindset while providing tactical, valuable information on how to be a passive investor. Every passive investor begins their journey from a different starting point. Some start with limited capital and very little education — these are the newbies who are true beginners. Others have a lot of capital because they’re a doctor or had a liquidity event, like the sale of a business or an inheritance, and want to make that money work for them. The third most common starting point is the investor who is pivoting from the buy-low, sell-high mindset and looking to build wealth through passive investing. In this episode, Travis discusses how to get started with passive investing, regardless of which of the three common situations you’re starting from.   Click here to learn more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Higgins is a Managing Partner at Terra Capital, a real estate investment firm that rolls up mini-multis (2-15 units) through fund offerings into large, fully renovated, optimized cash-flowing portfolios of 100–200 units. He has leveraged his experience working at large institutional development companies to lead Terra's first-class operational and development professionals. In this episode, Tom discusses investing in mini-multis, including the benefits, the options it gives investors upon exit, and how to raise capital for mini-multi funds. Tom Higgins | Real Estate Background Managing partner at Terra Capital Portfolio:  Mini-multis (2-15 units) in Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Indianapolis Based in: New York City Say hi to him at:  usaterra.com LinkedIn Twitter Best Ever Book: Principles, by Ray Dalio Click here to learn more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Baik, Managing Principal at Compounding Capital Group, shares his transition from corporate data scientist to multifamily real estate investor. He highlights the importance of understanding market conditions and effective communication in underwriting. Listeners discover how to avoid analysis paralysis and become 'deadly efficient' in their approach. Jason also discusses strategies for thriving in competitive markets and the significance of strong partnerships and niche skill sets in this dynamic field.

Mark Updegraff is the founder of Updegraff Group Realty Services, a suite of companies that broker, manage, and provide GC services, as well as Raze Capital, a commercial real estate syndication company. After getting laid off from his job making $70,000 a year in tech, a poor experience with a realtor prompted him to become a real estate broker. From there, he began purchasing distressed assets, eventually scaling into larger assets, including multifamily syndicating. In this episode, Mark discusses his tech background, how he follows local trends to position himself for short-term appreciation, and his approach to choosing and retaining employees and partners. Mark Updegraff | Real Estate Background Founder of Updegraff Group Realty Services and Raze Capital Portfolio: $40MM AUM One- to four-family rentals Multifamily  Mixed-use Commercial Industrial Based in: Rochester, NY Say hi to him at: markupdegraff.com LinkedIn Best Ever Book: The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand Greatest Lesson: Kindness will fuel your business growth more than hard work or luck.   Click here to learn more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Jones is the CEO of Hawkwing Capital, which invests passively and raises capital from other investors for solid deals with proven sponsors. In this episode, Matt discusses how he went from house-hacking a triplex to becoming an LP and eventually raising capital for his own deals, including how to build relationships through problem-solving, how to communicate with investors when plans and projections change, and why starting as an LP is a great way to get started in syndications. Matt Jones | Real Estate Background CEO of Hawkwing Capital Portfolio:  40 multifamily units  244 senior assisted living beds Based in: St. Paul, MN Say hi to him at:  hawkwingcapital.com Best Ever Book: Green Lights, Matthew McConaughey; Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki Greatest Lesson: Network marketing in his 20s helped Matt come out of his shell as a shy introvert.   Click here to learn more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Warren is the President at Forte Properties, Inc., a top-performing real estate brokerage that specializes in selling real estate in the one- to four-unit space and acquiring value-add apartment buildings. In this episode, John discusses the nuances of investing in Chicago, Ill., and takes us inside the day-to-day operations of managing a 154-unit multifamily portfolio. John Warren | Real Estate Background President at Forte Properties, Inc. Portfolio: 154 units Based in: Chicago, IL Say hi to him at: Instagram Best Ever Book: The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings, by Steve Berges; Traction, by Gino Wickman   Click here to know more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abbas Mohammed is the CEO and founder of Model Equity, a multifamily real estate investment firm with a focus on properties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He started in the residential space as an agent at 18 years old before going all-in on multifamily real estate investing. In this episode, Abbas discusses hiring and utilizing virtual assistants, the gap between seller and buyer expectations in today’s market, and the importance of choosing the right market and right properties above all else. Abbas Mohammed | Real Estate Background CEO and founder of Model Equity, a multifamily real estate investment firm with a focus on properties in the DFW area.  Portfolio GP of 338 units $54M AUM LP of 1,588 units Based in: San Jose, CA Say hi to him at:  modelequity.com Best Ever Book: Whatever It Takes, by Stephen A. Schwarzman Greatest Lesson: The importance of adaptation and persistence.   Click here to know more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Passive Investor Tips is a weekly series hosted by full-time passive investor and Best Ever Show host, Travis Watts. In each bite-sized episode, Travis breaks down passive investor topics, simplifying the philosophy and mindset while providing tactical, valuable information on how to be a passive investor. We’re taught to invest in the stock market, hold for the long term, diversify in index funds and mutual funds, etc. — convictions that perpetuate the “buy, hold, and pray” mindset. In this episode, Travis shares how he shed these learned convictions through education, the importance of evaluating odds and market cycles to identify opportunities, and avoiding the get-rich-quick, gold-rush mentality when investing in real estate.   Click here to know more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carrie Cook is the President of Ignite Funding. With over 15 years of experience in private lending, Carrie has funded over $1.5B and is committed to continued growth and preservation of investor capital. In this episode, Carrie discusses her underwriting process, structuring investor-friendly terms, and the benefits of investing in a trustee vs. a fund. Carrie Cook | Real Estate Background President of Ignite Funding with over 15 years of experience in private lending. Licensed mortgage broker in NV and AZ.  Portfolio Servicing $350MM in loans Type: 60% commercial 40% residential NV, TX, CO, UT, AZ Based in: Las Vegas, NV Say hi to her at:  linkedin.com/in/carriecookceo highheelboss.com Greatest Lesson: Do your due diligence. Don’t invest in somebody or something you know nothing about. If you don’t take the time to do the research, then you’re the only one to blame if you lose your money.   Click here to know more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Garrett Sutton is an attorney and the founder of Corporate Direct, which helps entrepreneurs and investors protect their assets, maintain privacy, and reach their financial goals. He’s also a best-selling author and one of Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Advisors. In this episode, Garrett discusses LLCs — why real estate investors need them, how and why they vary from state to state, and the benefits of having your LLC taxed as an S-corp. He also compares CRE investing to a new market into which he’s delving: movies. Garrett Sutton | Real Estate Background Attorney and founder of Corporate Direct, which helps entrepreneurs and investors protect their assets, maintain privacy, and reach their financial goals. Best-selling author and one of Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Advisors.  Previous episode: JF964: Do You Know About these LEGAL LOOPHOLES of Real Estate? Based in: Reno, NV Say hi to him at:  corporatedirect.com Best Ever Book: Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki; Veil Not Fail, by Garrett Sutton, Esq. Greatest Lesson: Start early, learn from your mistakes, and keep going. Don’t let the fear of making a mistake keep you from moving forward.   Click here to know more about our sponsors: MFIN CON Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices