The Multifamily Wealth Podcast

In this episode, Axel sits down with Steeve Breton, Founder of Velocity Capital Partners, to break down what long-term multifamily investors need to understand about partner selection, transparency with investors, and the growing role of preferred equity and structured capital in today’s market.Steeve shares his journey from buying small duplexes in New England to sponsoring and investing in 25+ large multifamily and development deals across the U.S. The conversation dives deep into how partnerships evolve over time, what can go wrong when alignment breaks down, and why control and transparency have become non-negotiables in today’s environment.The episode also includes an in-depth, tactical discussion on preferred equity and structured equity, including when it makes sense for sponsors, how it protects LPs, and how it’s being used to solve real capital stack challenges in a tougher fundraising market.If you’re a sponsor navigating partnerships, raising capital in today’s environment, or considering preferred equity as part of your deal structure, this episode is packed with real-world insight.Join us as we dive into:Steeve’s path from small local rentals to large-scale multifamily investingWhy partner quality matters more than market selectionHard-earned lessons from partnerships that didn’t work outHow to properly vet partners (including background checks and gut instincts)Why radical transparency is becoming essential for raising capitalHow preferred equity and structured equity actually workThe role preferred equity plays in protecting LPs during stressed periodsWhen preferred equity makes sense for sponsors — and when it doesn’tMarket conditions and deal types Steeve is avoiding todayHow today’s supply dynamics are impacting underwriting and risk assessmentAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate PartnersConnect with Steeve:Connect with him on LinkedinLearn more about Velocity Capital Partners

In this final episode of 2025, Axel shares eight forward-looking predictions and trends that multifamily investors need to be aware of as we head into 2026.Moving beyond the generic predictions found in major publications, Axel focuses on the data-driven reality of the 2026 market. This isn't about following optimistic forecasts; it’s about mapping a strategy based on the actual trends and ground-level shifts we are seeing as 2025 draws to a close.These insights aren't coming from a crystal ball, but from the practical realities we are actively using to shape our own investment strategy for the year ahead.If you’re planning acquisitions, dispositions, or operational changes in 2026, this episode provides a practical framework for adjusting expectations and positioning your business accordingly.The 8 Predictions Covered in This Episode#1: Real estate is becoming a highly politicized asset class#2: C-class valuations will struggle to rebound#3: Light value-add becomes the new standard#4: The property management divide will explode#5: The market trades more efficiently (especially for smaller assets)#6: Price beats amenities in B/C class assets#7: The homeownership gap widens#8: Multifamily valuations stay flatThe investors who understand these shifts and position accordingly will be the ones who generate returns in 2026. The ones who keep underwriting (and more importantly, operating assets) like it's 2022-2025 are going to struggle.Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In this engaging discussion, Lee Yoder, founder of Threefold Real Estate Investing, shares his transformative journey from managing a single duplex to overseeing over 900 multifamily units. He reflects on the tough lessons learned while scaling and the pivotal decision to bring property management in-house, shedding light on unexpected challenges like HR burdens and operational complexities. Lee also dives into building effective teams, maintaining cash flow discipline, and why in-house management requires patience and strategic thinking for long-term success.

Axel welcomes back Stacey Hampton, founder of Asset NOI Consulting, for a highly tactical conversation focused on improving multifamily operations in today’s challenging environment.Stacey breaks down how asset managers can move beyond surface-level KPIs and start focusing on the metrics that actually drive performance. She explains how to turn annual budgets into actionable operating plans, how to think strategically about lease expirations throughout the year, and why understanding the true cost of turnover fundamentally changes decision-making.The conversation also dives deep into renewal strategy, retention timing, workforce housing dynamics, and why optimizing for cash flow, not just rent growth is critical for long-term operators.This episode is a must-listen for owners, asset managers, and operators who want to tighten operations, protect NOI, and make better data-driven decisions.Join us as we dive into:The difference between asset management strategy vs. property management executionHow to convert a budget into a clear, measurable action planWhy landing Q1 is critical to hitting annual NOI targetsHow to intentionally manage lease expirations across the calendar yearThe real, fully-loaded cost of a unit turnoverWhy retention and occupancy are often more powerful than rent growthTools and AI resources Stacey is using to stay ahead of operational trendsAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate PartnersConnect with Stacey:Connect with him on Linkedin

In this solo episode, we share an extremely tactical, milestone-based roadmap for sponsors who want to raise their first $1M, $5M, and eventually $10M+ in investor capital.Axel explains why each stage requires a completely different set of activities, why brute-force outreach is the only reliable way to raise your first seven figures, and how inbound marketing, email lists, social content, referrals, and track record compounding begin to take over once your investor base matures.This episode is a hands-on playbook for anyone planning to raise capital in 2026, from brand-new sponsors raising for their first deal to experienced operators looking to scale more intentionally.Join us as we dive into:Why raising your first $1M is 100% outbound, brute-force communicationThe experience you must have before raising a single investor dollarExactly what activities sponsors should focus on at the $1M → $5M stageThe content, email, and marketing systems required to attract scalable inbound leadsWhy referrals and repeat investors become the engine behind raising $5M → $10M+How to set process-based goals to grow your capital-raising machine in 2026Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Axel sits down with Jake Heller, co-founder of the AI for CRE Collective, for one of the most tactical and implementation-focused conversations ever released on the Multifamily Wealth Podcast.This is a killer episode in how multifamily investors can begin adopting AI today to streamline underwriting, automate repetitive tasks, speed up market research, build better investor materials, and dramatically increase operational output without hiring additional staff.Jake breaks down the exact tools he uses, the automations he’s built, and why AI isn’t replacing real estate professionals, but multiplying their capabilities. If you’re using AI at a bare-bones level (or barely using it at all), this episode walks you step-by-step through where to start and how to integrate AI into your business in a real and meaningful way.Join us as we dive into:Why “AI replacing people” is a misconception—and how it actually amplifies investor productivitySpecific tools multifamily investors should adopt (Gamma, Claude, Grok, Relay, Index/Shortcut, NotebookLM, etc.)How to use AI to automatically: Underwrite deals, pull rent comps and sales comps, create investor decks; summarize calls, emails, and market data and more!How to use AI note-takers, workflow automators, and email-based agentsHow to consolidate your historical data so AI tools can actually learn your voice and processWhat “digital twins” are—and how Jake uses them to simulate the decision-making frameworks of leaders like Stuart MillerWhy the investors who adopt AI today will dramatically outpace those who waitAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate PartnersConnect with Jake:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinLearn more about AI for CRE Collective

In this tactical episode, Axel shares specific, actionable strategies multifamily buyers can use to structure more creative and compelling offers, especially in today’s buyer-leaning market.He breaks down how to think beyond “price and timelines” and instead use deal structure, seller collaboration, lender creativity, and strategic concessions to win more deals, reduce cash requirements, and speed up your business plan.Whether you’re pursuing value-add properties, working with mom-and-pop sellers, or navigating tight constraints with lenders, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can immediately apply to your own acquisitions.Join us as we dive into:Why now is the best time to get more creative with your offersHow to negotiate with lenders using interest escrows and earn-outsHow to collaborate with sellers to accelerate your business planWays to incentivize sellers to deliver vacant units, handle repairs, or secure renewalsHow staggered closing dates can benefit both the buyer and sellerHow to structure seller financing, tiered interest, and seller credits to reduce cash needed at closingAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In Episode, Axel welcomes back the very first guest ever featured on the Multifamily Wealth Podcast — Chris Grenzig, founder of JAG Capital and JAG Property Management.Chris shares his story of bootstrapping a property management company from scratch, why he intentionally started small, and how he built out systems, and a service model that actually works for investors.He also discusses how his background in institutional asset management shaped the way he approaches underwriting, operations, team structure, and investor communication. This episode dives into the realities of building a PM company the hard way — from taking on the first dozen units, hiring slowly and deliberately, and not taking short cuts.Whether you're a small operator thinking about bringing PM in-house, or a growing GP looking to improve your operations, Chris’s insights on structure, staffing, and cost discipline are highly tactical and immediately useful.Join us as we dive into:Why Chris decided to build a property management company from scratchHow he scaled from a handful of units to a real operational teamThe biggest lessons learned from institutional real estateHow to think about headcount, roles, and responsibilities in PMWhy small operators often underestimate the true cost of PMThe systems JAG built to improve communication, transitions, and service qualityThe most common mistakes GPs make when evaluating PM companiesAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate PartnersConnect with Chris:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about JAG Capital Partners

Axel shares five practical leasing strategies that every multifamily operator can implement to reduce vacancy, maximize rent roll, and ultimately increase NOI.These are simple, high-impact tactics that work whether you self-manage, run an in-house property management team, or work with a third-party manager. Axel also breaks down how to use staggered lease terms to avoid bad leasing cycles, how and why to incentivize referrals, how to drive more online reviews, and how to structure concessions for both new leases and renewals in a way that increases retention without damaging your long-term rent roll.Take note of the tips in this episode and apply the ones that fit your multifamily operations.Join us as we dive into:How to use staggered lease terms to avoid costly seasonal vacancyA simple resident referral incentive that increases leasing traffic and retentionThe most effective moments to ask for (and reward) reviewsHow to offer concessions strategically to drive faster lease conversionsHow to boost renewal rates using longer-term renewals paired with one-time creditsAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In this episode, Axel Ragnarsson is joined by John Makarewicz, President and Head of Operations at Faris Capital Partners, to discuss how sponsors can stand out in a crowded multifamily space and the systems that drive excellent asset management.John shares his journey from scaling one of the largest residential brokerages in the Southeast to building Faris Capital Partners, a firm focused on world-class investor and resident experiences. He explains how they differentiate themselves from other general partners through transparency, communication, and disciplined asset management practices.John unpacks the philosophies and operational processes that have shaped his firm’s growth. He also explains the importance of being on-site (post-acquisition) from day one, building trust with residents, and adding value before asking for anything in return.This conversation is packed with practical insights for operators, investors, and anyone looking to raise the bar in multifamily execution.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to de-commoditize yourself as a GP through world-class communication and transparencyWhy being on-site and listening to residents can help you out in the long-termThe structure of a strong asset management process with third-party PMsHow to align incentives across teams to improve NOI and performanceAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.NH Multifamily Fund III Details:Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIAccess The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund IIIConnect with John:Connect with him on LinkedInLearn more about Faris Capital PartnersCheck out Full out InvestingConnect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners