Multifamily Investor Nation

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews multifamily operator Chris Lento as he shares his journey from aerospace engineer to scaling a nearly 1,000-unit portfolio and acquiring a $26M, 126-unit property in Conyers, Georgia. In this episode, Chris breaks down how he found the deal, navigated a competitive process, and secured it at an attractive basis. He also dives into underwriting, due diligence, capital structure, and the real challenges behind managing and improving a large multifamily asset. If you want a clear, real-world look at how experienced investors source, analyze, and execute large deals—while avoiding common pitfalls—this conversation delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Lane Kawaoka of The Wealth Elevator in this exclusive episode to deep-dive into the full lifecycle of a notable multifamily deal: Courtney Square Apartments, 96 units located in Huntsville, Alabama. Discover the unconventional acquisition strategy that secured this Class B property at a "smoking amazing" price of $50,000 per unit right before the market peaked. Lane reveals the strategic rationale behind putting long-term fixed-rate debt on the asset and how his team navigated the business plan amidst rising interest rates and "rent softness" that hit the market from 2022 to 2024. Most crucially, learn how Lane successfully executed an exit in 2025—a notoriously tough market—more than doubling investor returns and why holding onto the cash-flowing asset was not the best strategy for maximizing returns. This episode is packed with essential lessons on basis, capital deployment, and the evolving role of diversification for today's syndicator.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Michael Pansolini, who shares about his acquisition of the 18-unit Grand Central Mobile Home Community in Horseheads, New York. He explains how his institutional background and relationship with the local park owners played a role in executing his New York-specific strategy and sourced this off-market deal. Michael also discusses the ingredients of a good professional partnership, specifically when managing single-family homes within a mobile home park. Tune in to hear the full story and learn how you can master the mobile home park asset class.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Lisa Moore, a former finance executive turned multifamily investor, about the acquisition of the 18-unit Bernice Apartments in Lansing, a suburb of Chicago. What started as a seemingly turnkey deal quickly revealed unpaid tenants, inaccurate rent rolls, and a complex master lease negotiation. Lisa breaks down how she re-traded the purchase price from $2.1M to $1.7M, structured a bridge loan at 12% interest, and navigated evictions, squatters, and a property management change. She shares how her background in finance and her husband’s construction expertise helped them pivot the business plan, underwrite a heavy value-add, and position the asset for refinance. This is a candid look at what really happens during due diligence—and how experienced operators protect returns when deals get messy.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Sam Morris of LSCRE about the $44M acquisition of Discovery at West Road, a 280-unit multifamily property in Houston’s Cypress submarket. Sam explains how financial—not physical—distress created the opportunity and why certainty of close mattered more than being the highest bidder. He walks through in-house due diligence, uncovering operational issues, deferred maintenance, and the decision to replace on-site management immediately after takeover. The conversation also covers the 5-year Freddie Mac fixed-rate, interest-only loan at 65% LTV, the equity raise, a 7% preferred return with a 70/30 split, and how declining insurance costs in Houston improved the deal. Sam closes by sharing why location within Cypress ISD made this asset stand out and what he’d do differently next time.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Jon Siegel of RailField about the 288-unit Springfield Apartments in Durham, North Carolina, diving into every step of this multifamily acquisition. Jon shares how he first discovered the property, the twists and timing that led to closing the deal, and the challenges of assuming a Fannie Mae loan. He breaks down the detailed due diligence process, including inspecting units, evaluating the market, and navigating unexpected issues like outdated breaker panels, while ensuring insurance and taxes were managed effectively. The conversation also covers how he structured a programmatic joint venture with institutional partners, the hold and exit strategy, and the value-add approach for maximizing returns, offering listeners a clear, behind-the-scenes look at executing a complex multifamily investment with precision and foresight.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Caleb Johnson of Red Sea Capital Group to dive deep into a 14-unit studio in Van Buren, a redevelopment in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona and unpack the real-world challenges behind acquiring a bank-owned, 1940s-era property—from navigating hard money lending and skyrocketing rehab costs to pivoting business plans when co-living no longer penciled. Caleb shares candid insights on due diligence for vacant assets, negotiating purchase price, raising capital in a cautious market, and why experience and the right team matter more than chasing big returns. If you want a transparent, deal-level breakdown of how seasoned investors create value in today’s multifamily market—this episode delivers lessons you won’t want to miss.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Robert Martinez about his acquisition of the 118-Unit Waterchase Apartments in Humble, Texas. Instead of going down the usual investing route, Robert has decided to do a recapitalization and use a five-year floating-rate bridge loan. He breaks down his unique free structure, the attractiveness of long-term ownership, and what it takes to navigate a pretty scary and unpredictable real estate market. Don't miss this masterclass in asset management and value creation.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Nick Stageberg of Black Swan Real Estate, a dynamic real estate private equity firm, as they dive deep into the fascinating world of distressed multifamily acquisition. Stageberg unpacks the complex purchase of Rainbow Plaza Apartments, a 105-unit "Franken building" in Anoka, Minnesota. He reveals the strategy his firm used to navigate buying this distressed asset from a nonprofit, including the shocking detail of doubling the Net Operating Income (NOI) on the day of closing. The discussion goes tactical as they detail the highly unusual, but highly favorable, financing stack: assuming a low-rate Freddie Mac loan alongside a "Soft Pay Loan" from Mercy Housing with optional debt service. Discover how Black Swan structures their deals with the Secure Freedom Fund to deliver a secure 10% fixed rate of return to investors, proving that a mission-driven approach to affordable housing can be a powerful engine for profit.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews Lee Yoder, a seasoned investor and former physical therapist, who shares his incredible journey from clinical director to successful syndicator, navigating the complexities of large-scale real estate. Discover the intricate details of his 414-unit "The Villas" deal spread across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, including the challenges of securing financing with five different loans, the unexpected due diligence surprises, and the strategies for building a high-performing property management team. Lee offers valuable insights into identifying unique opportunities in rural markets and the importance of perseverance in overcoming significant obstacles in multifamily real estate.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews multifamily investor Percy Nikora about his acquisition of the 192-unit Spring Forest in Mebane, North Carolina. He shares insights into the deal-sourcing process, mired with some negotiating challenges with attorneys. Percy also delves into the physical and financial due diligence, as well as how he brought in institutional money to boost revenue while mitigating risks.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews apartment investing expert Karl Krauskopf as he shares the story behind acquiring and repositioning the 20-unit Westwood Townhomes in Wenatchee, Washington. Karl reveals how local expertise and quick action turned a competitive listing into a winning deal, breaking down his three-day path from tour to contract, a $345,000 negotiation win, and his approach to value-add renovations that enhance both returns and livability. With candid lessons on financing, tenant relations, and ethical investing, he offers a grounded look at building success in multifamily investing through discipline, empathy, and long-term vision.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews multifamily investor Aaron Fragnito, who talks about his acquisition of the 42-unit Henry Street in Passaic, New Jersey. He breaks down everything they went through in renovating the 90-year-old building, from dealing with plumbing issues to taking care of termite damage. Aaron also shares their challenges in dealing with tenants, how they raised money to secure the property, and why they require a “green card” for their non-New Jersey clients.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews multifamily investing expert Ben Michel of Ridgeview Property Group as he recounts his impressive journey from a decade as a broker to a successful multifamily investor. Dive deep into the strategic acquisition and transformative renovation of the 36-unit Sky Hill Apartments in Champlin, MN, a C-building in an A-location. Ben shares invaluable insights on navigating the complexities of financing a 50% vacant property with a construction-to-permanent loan, the meticulous due diligence process with a seasoned team, and his effective capital raising strategies, including a 75/25 split and a 6% preferred return for investors. Learn about his long-term hold business plan, the importance of market timing for leasing in Minnesota, and the lessons learned regarding concessions to achieve full occupancy.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews apartment syndication expert Ashley Garner on his acquisition of the 196-unit Brynn Marr Village in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He breaks down his contract structure, finance strategies, and due diligence approach for getting the 1973 vintage property, which he closed in February 2025. Ashley explores the challenges and triumphs of securing funding, overcoming unexpected hurdles, and doing on-site inspections. He also emphasizes the importance of conservative underwriting and the invaluable experiences to be gained from stressful moments.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews multifamily investing expert Will Matheson, who shares about his acquisition of the 168-unit Chateau Apartments in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He talks about using the state’s tax abatement program to significantly boost net operating income, as well as how he navigates the recent amendments regarding housing finance corporations or HFCs. Will also talks about the surprisingly good condition of their recently acquired property that gave way to a smooth due diligence, despite being built in 1969.

Whitney Elkins-Hutten of PassiveInvesting.com interviews apartment investor Mike Preshman, who shares his acquisition of the 24-unit Gilmore Apartments in Jeffrey, New Hampshire in November 2024. He explains his unconventional approach to due diligence and financing, particularly his strategy to raise debt instead of equity. Mike also reveals how he used his local market knowledge to gain a competitive advantage in his property acquisition, the right way to handle unexpected positives of a deal, and the importance of having a long-term vision.