The Assisted Living Investing Podcast

Summary In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson shares his insights on overcoming the challenges faced by new assisted living investors. He discusses his personal journey into the industry, the overwhelming feelings that many beginners experience, and the importance of understanding financial aspects and regulations. Brandon introduces his Focus Framework, which outlines the essential phases for l...

Summary In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the 5% rule as a foundational method for validating markets in assisted living. He explains how to apply this rule to determine the demand for assisted living services based on population demographics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough market research beyond the 5% rule, analyzing competition, and tailoring mar...

Summary In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson outlines the five essential phases for launching an assisted living business using the Focus Framework. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong foundation, selecting the right property, securing funding, understanding regulations, and executing a strategic launch. Throughout the discussion, he provides insights and personal anecdotes to gui...

Summary In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the critical factors to consider when investing in assisted living facilities, focusing on house size, layout, income potential, and the importance of due diligence. He emphasizes that while house size can be a factor, the layout and room count are more significant in determining profitability. Additionally, he highlights the necessity of u...

Summary In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses various investment options in real estate, focusing on the financial ranges for getting started and the different pathways to profitability. He emphasizes the importance of aligning investment choices with personal goals, whether that be through rental arbitrage, purchasing existing facilities, or building custom properties from scratch. St...

Summary In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the common mistakes made by new real estate investors, particularly the dangers of making blind investments without proper due diligence. He emphasizes the critical role of underwriting in ensuring financial success in property management. 00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and Brandon’s mission to help first-time assisted living entrepren...

In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the critical aspects of managing operating expenses and evaluating profitability in financial planning. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the five main expenses that constitute a significant portion of operating costs and the necessity of ensuring that income potential can cover these expenses. The conversation highlights the use of too...

In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the urgent need for more memory care homes in the senior living industry, highlighting the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's and dementia. He emphasizes the unique challenges and opportunities within the memory care sector, including the importance of quality care and the potential for everyday individuals to enter this field. The discussion als...

Summary In this conversation, Jacob Crockett discusses the importance of defining and intentionally shaping organizational culture, particularly in the context of assisted living facilities. He emphasizes that culture is a collective set of shared experiences and beliefs, and it cannot be solely defined by leadership. The discussion highlights the need for organizations to be intentional about the...

Summary In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the critical role of clarity in launching an assisted living business. He emphasizes that having a clear vision instills confidence and provides a structured roadmap to navigate the complexities of starting a business, helping to alleviate feelings of overwhelm and confusion. Struggling to launch your assisted living business? Get clarity i...

This episode explores the feasibility and profitability of running very small assisted living homes with two or three beds. Brandon explains that while small homes can be profitable, they come with unique challenges and trade-offs, especially if operating under a live-in caregiver model. Key advantages include reduced staffing costs, smarter cost management due to close proximity and control, pote...

Summary In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson introduces his Focus Framework, a structured five-phase process designed to assist individuals in launching their own assisted living businesses. He emphasizes the effectiveness of this framework, which has been beneficial for him and many others in the field. Resources Mentioned: Visit our website,  AssistedLivingInvesting.net , for additional...

In this episode of the Assisted Living Investing Podcast, host Brandon Gustafson emphasizes the critical role of the administrator in running a successful assisted living facility. He outlines three primary responsibilities of an administrator: creating an effective work environment to ensure compliance, managing operations and staff, and serving as the communication bridge among residents, famili...

In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the essential elements of creating a great care home for veterans. He emphasizes the importance of understanding VA benefits, building a veteran-centered culture, coordinating care with the VA, supporting the whole person, and maintaining transparency in pricing. The conversation also highlights the need for resident engagement and the potential fu...

Summary In this episode of the Assisted Living Investing podcast, Brandon Gustafson discusses the top expenses associated with running an assisted living business, encapsulated in the acronym WeFUD: Wages, Insurance, Food, Utilities, and Debt Service. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing these expenses to ensure profitability and success in the industry. The episode provides...

In this episode, Brandon discusses the current state of the assisted living industry amidst government shutdowns, addressing concerns about financial impacts and operational challenges. He emphasizes that while there may be administrative slowdowns, the core funding for assisted living remains stable. Brandon also highlights the importance of financial preparedness and diversifying income sources...

In this episode, Brandon provides an overview of the most significant expense when launching an assisted living business: wages. Brandon emphasizes that wages typically constitute 50% to 80% of all expenses, making it crucial for new operators to thoroughly understand how to calculate and manage staffing costs. Resources Mentioned: Visit our website,  AssistedLivingInvesting.net , for additio...

In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the challenges faced by aspiring assisted living entrepreneurs and provides insights on how to overcome these obstacles. He emphasizes the importance of crafting a clear vision, building a strong foundation, and taking decisive action to achieve success in the assisted living business. The conversation also highlights the significance of clarity an...

In this episode, Brandon provides an overview of how beginners can determine if their assisted living business will be profitable. The key is accurate underwriting—analyzing expenses and income through a simple pro forma. Brandon introduces the acronym WFUD (Wages, Insurance, Food, Utilities, Debt Service) to guide financial planning, explaining why wages are the largest cost and how to budget rea...

In this conversation, Brandon Gustafson discusses the essential steps to kickstart an assisted living business. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the confusion surrounding the process, finding one's motivation, grasping financial fundamentals, selecting the right property model, navigating barriers like funding and licensing, and creating a clear roadmap for success. Throughout the dis...

Brandon overview of the essential steps to secure funding and successfully launch an assisted living business within a year. The primary emphasis is on three critical pillars: finding a lender, building a solid business foundation, and developing strong relationships. Brandon underscores the importance of working with lending brokers, as a valuable contact for funding assistance. He advocates for...

In this episode of the Assisted Living Investing Podcast, host Brandon Gustafson addresses a common misconception about assisted living—that it is merely a money grab. Brandon emphasizes that assisted living fills a critical care gap for elderly individuals who need support beyond what Medicare covers but do not require the intensive care of nursing homes. Assisted living provides essential daily...

Brandon gives an overview of a crucial aspect of launching an assisted living business: securing funding by building relationships with key financial contacts. Brandon emphasizes that while finding lenders can be challenging, there are effective strategies to increase your chances of success. 00:00 Introduction to the podcast mission: helping beginners launch an assisted living business in the nex...

Brandon extensive annual review of the top assisted living markets to watch in 2025. He provides a comprehensive breakdown of the research and criteria he uses to rank states, helping beginners and aspiring investors navigate the assisted living business landscape effectively. 01:14 Assisted living combines financial freedom with impactful care for residents. 02:12 Top market selection criteria in...

In this episode of The Assisted Living Investing Podcast, Brandon Gustafson shares how to overcome common funding challenges when starting an assisted living business. Learn the essentials of building a strong business plan, mastering underwriting, building lender relationships, and staying resilient through rejections—all with practical tips and free tools to help you launch successfully. 00:00:0...