Apartment Building Investing With Michael Blank Podcast

Do you feel stuck? Like you’re not making progress in life?Until my early 30s, I drifted through life. It felt like unseen forces were holding me back. And then I had a breakthrough and started living an intentional life—filled with purpose and fulfillment.What made the difference? What does it mean to live with intention? What disciplines helped me identify and pursue what really matters to me?On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I’m sharing my five clarity practices for living an intentional life.I discuss the My Perfect Day exercise that helped me start making mindful choices and walk you through my process for setting five-year, one-year and quarterly goals.Listen in for insight on scheduling Monthly Clarity Days and Weekly Strategic Time to reflect on your progress and learn how a Daily Morning Routine can help you live a more purposeful, fulfilling life!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session412/

Would David Kamara have figured out how to invest in multifamily on his own?Yes, but at a much slower pace.Working with a mentor accelerated his success. And now, the student has become the teacher.David is a seasoned investor and mentor with the Michael Blank program. With 15 years of experience in real estate, David owns 1,000-plus units across the Midwest, primarily in Michigan and Iowa.David is also a successful management consultant and sought-after advisor to C-suite executives and private equity investors. And he is fluent in five languages!On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, David joins guest host Marybeth Noonan to share his early wins as a student in our mentoring program.David describes a near-perfect deal he manages in Marquette, Michigan, and discusses how he problem-solved an unexpected situation where the property taxes on a pending deal tripled.Listen in for insight on trusting your resourcefulness as an aspiring investor and learn how a mentor like David can fast

Whether you're looking to close a business deal or just improve your everyday interactions, the art of negotiation is key to getting to a YES.But what if you’re not a natural negotiator? How do you build a relationship with the person on the other side of the table? Or learn to navigate difficult conversations? On this episode of the Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett is back to explain how his experience selling Cutco knives helped him become an expert negotiator. He describes how he prepares for a negotiation, discussing what it means to command the relationship and how to respond when emotions run high.Listen in for Garrett’s tips on gaining leverage in a negotiation and learn how to secure the negotiator’s edge in a legal dispute, contract negotiation or real estate deal.For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session410/

Reading Rich Dad Poor Dad inspired me to build generational wealth. But the first few cashflow businesses I tried didn’t produce the passive income I expected.So, if you’re thinking about starting your real estate career with fix-and-flips or even a SFH portfolio, know that neither strategy leads to financial freedom.But can you really skip single family investing and jump right into apartments?On this episode of the podcast, I’m sharing my journey to financial freedom with real estate, explaining why I tried to earn passive income with restaurants first—and why that strategy didn’t work.I discuss why it’s impossible to scale a single-family portfolio to achieve financial freedom and describe the light bulb moment when I pivoted to multifamily investing.Listen in for insight on getting into multifamily without money or experience and learn how to skip SFH investing and start building wealth with apartments!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session409/

Whether you’re already involved in multifamily syndications, or you’re interested in getting into the space in 2024, it’s crucial to understand the market outlook.Through Nighthawk Equity, we own a 2,000-unit portfolio worth $350M. And we’re always on the lookout for new deals.That means we have insight into what’s happening in the market and what’s likely to happen in 2024.So, what are our predictions for the next 12 months of multifamily real estate? How can you leverage this information to survive and thrive as an investor in 2024?On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I’m sharing my top three headlines for the multifamily market outlook in 2024.I discuss what’s behind the ongoing operator distress in apartments and describe how the fundamentals of multifamily remain strong despite the challenges.Listen in to understand how economic headwinds are easing and learn how to take advantage of the incredible buying opportunities coming in 2024!For full episode show notes 

You want financial freedom, but it feels out of reach.Because you’re living paycheck to paycheck. And struggling to pay down consumer debt.So, how do you get from where you are now to building generational wealth?On this episode of the podcast, I’m walking you through the steps to achieving financial freedom in 2024.I explain how to get your financial house in order first, challenging you to track your current spending and build emergency savings over time.Listen in to understand why apartment investing is the key to financial freedom and learn how to create enough wealth to quit your job in the next six to 18 months!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session407/

Losing is never fun, but it’s often valuable.In fact, Garrett Lynch contends that down moments force us to pick ourselves up and close the gap between who we are and who we want to be.In addition to being my podcast cohost, Garrett Lynch serves as Director of Acquisitions and Managing Member of our investing firm, Nighthawk Equity.And his story is full of setbacks. Setbacks that pushed him to grow and take the next step in becoming a successful real estate investor.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Garrett goes solo to share his journey from troubled teen to millionaire multifamily entrepreneur.Garrett explains how he developed his #1 skill set selling Cutco knives and describes how his experience as a VIP concierge at a nightclub led him to real estate.Listen in to understand what Garrett learned from scaling a portfolio of class D properties and get his advice on finding happiness in the business of real estate investing.For full episode show notes visit: https:

It's a new year with exciting new possibilities. Which means many of us are setting goals for 2024.But why is it that New Year's resolutions usually don't work? Why can't we seem to stick to them for more than a few weeks before we fall away?And more importantly, what can we do about it?On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, I’m sharing the Living Fully Compass system I recommend to crush your goals in 2024.I explain what causes most of us to fail to follow through on our goals and why it’s beneficial to share your vision with a small group of accountability partners.Listen in for insight on eliminating deadlines when you can’t control all the variables and learn how to achieve your goals by committing to the activities that lead to the outcome you want—for as long it takes!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session405/

What are the three most recession-resistant asset classes in real estate?Even in challenging economic times, multifamily, mobile home parks and self-storage perform quite well.Sergio Altomare built a portfolio of small multifamily properties while working full-time in technology for the Federal Reserve.But in 2018, Sergio was having a hard time getting deals to pencil. He anticipated a market correction and pivoted to self-storage.Today, Sergio is Cofounder and CEO of Hearthfire Holdings, a real estate private equity and development firm that manages over $50M in self-storage assets.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Sergio joins Garrett and me to discuss the benefits of investing in self-storage.Sergio describes the financing challenges he’s facing in his business right now and shares his outlook for the self-storage market moving into 2024.Listen in for Sergio’s insight on using data to find deals and find out if self-storage is the right real estate investment for you!For full

Passive investors are fearful in the current market environment.Many got burned by rising interest rates, and they’re skittish about putting more money into the real estate market right now.But we know that there are big opportunities coming in 2024. And Warren Buffet encourages us to ‘be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful.’So, how do you position a deal to investors who may have lost money in multifamily? Can you still raise capital at scale—even when it’s not a popular time to invest?Bronson Hill is CEO of Bronson Equity, where he has raised over $20M for real estate ventures and served as GP for a portfolio valued at more than $150M.An advocate for helping others achieve financial freedom through passive investing, Bronson educates aspiring investors through his podcast and new book, Fire Yourself: Replace Your Working Income with Passive Income in 3 Years or Less.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Bronson joins Garrett and me to explain how h

Financial freedom opens you up to live a life of significance.To pursue passions that may or may not generate any revenue. To do volunteer work or support causes you believe in.For me, that cause is Uganda Counseling and Support Services or UCSS, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life in remote communities of Uganda.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Drew Kniffin joins me to discuss our involvement with UCSS, describing how I met its founder, Dr. Ronald Kaluya, and what differentiates the organization from other nonprofits. Drew asks me why I trust Dr. Kaluya and his team, and I explain how UCSS measures the impact of donor dollars in the communities we serve.Listen in to understand the vision for UCSS moving forward and learn how you can get involved by sponsoring a student or becoming a legacy partner in the ministry!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session402/

Most real estate investors being their journey while they’re working a W-2.But many hesitate to step away from the perceived security of their regular job, even after they’ve replaced their living expenses.Others achieve financial freedom, leave the rat race, and then feel lost because they don’t have a sense of purpose.So, what is the best way to transition from a W-2 to full-time entrepreneurship?In addition to being a distinguished psychiatrist and mother of four, Dr. Elaine Stageberg is Cofounder and CEO of Black Swan Real Estate.Elaine is a sought-after national presenter and investment thought leader, and she owns and operates a multifamily portfolio of 1,300 units.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Elaine joins Garrett Lynch to share her transition from psychiatry and healthcare administration to full-time real estate investor.Elaine offers advice on preparing to leave your W-2, challenging us to simultaneously work toward our objective freedom number and the more subjecti

What were the top AHA moments on Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing in 2023?As the year comes to an end, it’s time for a highlight reel of our most inspiring moments on the podcast in the last 12 months.On this Best of 2023 episode, we revisit our conversation with Faisal Ensuan and Dr. Sheri Fluellan on why real estate syndicators need the right coach and reflect on Joseph Kimbrough’s advice around building relationships with high-net-worth investors.We look back at Marc Rutzen’s insight on using AI for asset management, Chris Pomerleau’s guidance on overcoming imposter syndrome and Nicole Gauthier’s suggestions for connecting with a real estate investing mentor.We also share wisdom from Rachel Richards on the value of financial independence, Ross Hamilton on successfully pivoting a real estate company, and Jon Jasniak on land flipping with no friction.Listen in for Matt King’s advice on choosing a peer group that will help you level up and get free coaching from our top guests on Financial Freedom

There are risks associated with running short-term rentals, especially when your Airbnb units are in a multifamily building.But Syed Lateef has found a way to scale a STR business in apartment buildings.And the landlords don’t just ALLOW Syed to rent their units, they WELCOME it.Syed stands out in the world of short-term rentals, currently managing a portfolio of 300 units with a dedicated team of 50-plus employees.Syed’s business earns over $30,000 a day, allowing him to give back by providing clean water wells to communities in need.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Syed joins us to explain how he replaced his W-2 income with short-term rentals.Syed discusses his rental arbitrage business model, describing what he does to mitigate the risks of renting multifamily units on Airbnb and how he helps landlords solve vacancy issues. Listen in for insight into the risks of running a STR business and learn how Syed achieved financial freedom with Airbnbs in apartments.For full episode

I'm not really a big fan of flipping anything. I flipped three dozen houses early in my real estate career. But couldn't figure out how to turn that into a financial freedom business. That's why I switched to apartments. And I am convinced that apartments are the number one way to become financially free with real estate.But Travis King found a way to earn passive income with land flipping. How does that work?On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Travis joins us to discuss how he finds and finances off-market vacant land deals.Travis explains how he gets top dollar on land when he sells it, earning a nice return for investors and interest income for himself through seller financing.Listen in for insight on raising outside money to land bigger deals and learn how long it takes to replace your W-2 income with land flipping!For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session398/

Mark Khuri’s real estate business survived the crash of 2008. And the lessons he learned through that experience can help us take advantage of similar circumstances in the current market.But how do you find good deals in tough times? Can you reduce risk without reducing expected returns?Mark is Cofounder of SMK Capital Management, a family-owned investment firm that focuses on providing diversified offerings and attractive returns via income-producing commercial real estate.With 17 years of real estate investing experience, Mark has executed over $1 billion in deals in a variety of asset classes.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Mark joins us to discuss how he leveraged networking to make it through the Great Recession.Mark describes his transition from sponsor and operator of a SFH portfolio to raising capital for mobile home parks, self-storage and large multifamily deals.Listen in for insight around Mark’s process for vetting operators and learn what you should be looking for

Wherever you are in the process of building a company (real estate or otherwise), it’s important to consider your exit strategy.Because even if you don’t plan on selling your business anytime soon, that pushes you to eliminate yourself from the day-to-day and move into what we call the owner’s box.So, what does it look like to position your company to sell? And how do you benefit from building a business that runs without you?Ross Hamilton is the former CEO of Connected Investor, the real estate technology platform he scaled and sold to Fortune 100 Company First American.Today, he is planning a mountain biking trip to Peru and building Saving Homes, a nonprofit that is disrupting affordable housing.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Ross joins us to discuss how he positioned Connected Investor to sell and why First American was the right buyer at the right time. Ross shares what he learned in ten years of scaling Connected Investor and walks us through his ‘lifeboat strategy’ for

Is your corporate job making you miserable?Are you tired of giving everything to your company for eight hours (or more) and being too exhausted to spend quality time with your family at the end of the day?What if you could get rid of those golden handcuffs with real estate?Brooke Ceballos-Pinero has not only achieved financial freedom through real estate, but she is also dedicated to empowering others on their path to prosperity.After 20 years in corporate America, Brooke left her W-2 just two weeks ago and went all-in on herself, growing the Multifamily Momentum coaching program and Real Women in Real Estate book project.On this episode of the podcast, Brooke describes her frustrations with corporate America and shares the game plan she used to leave her 9-to-5 for real estate.Brooke discusses the societal messaging that keeps women from pursuing multifamily, explaining why she’s committed to inspiring people in marginalized communities to build wealth with real estate.Listen in for Brooke’s advice on planni

Robert Martinez has been a successful real estate investor for more than a decade. But he made headlines recently when MF1 Capital foreclosed on one of his Houston properties.So, how did it happen? What factors contributed to Robert losing the first deal of his career?Robert is the visionary syndicator behind Rockstar Capital, a multifamily investing firm with a portfolio of 21 apartment communities encompassing 3,762 rental units.In 10 years, Robert has led the underwriting, acquisition and management of 30 multifamily properties, and he is the only two-time National Apartment Association Independent Rental Owner of the Year.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate, Robert describes the perfect storm that led to his first foreclosure, discussing how the Fed rate hikes impacted his business.Robert explains why hiring a third-party management company for help backfired and shares what he did to try and save the deal—and why it didn’t work.Listen in to understand how Robert benefited from being tra

Former Marine Joseph Kimbrough was a successful wholesaler, but the work was a constant grind.Joseph realized that to achieve financial freedom, what he needed was equity. And he was already comfortable pitching investors on big-ticket wholesale dealsSo, Joseph started building a fund, raising capital from high-net-worth individuals and investing that money in multifamily deals run by the best operators in the business.Today, Joseph is Founder and Fund Manager at Apex Real Estate Investments, a privately held equity investment company that invests in multifamily in the Southeast US.To date, Joseph has built a portfolio of 592 doors worth $150M, and he is also a TEDx Speaker and esteemed member of the Forbes Real Estate Council.On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate, Joseph shares his ‘dream team’ approach to investing with top syndicators and describes the challenges he faced raising capital early on.Joseph explains what he learned in the Marines that applies to real estate and offers advice on