The LSCRE Podcast

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Joe Pistorius, Asset Manager at LSCRE, to break down how strong asset management and execution drive consistent returns in multifamily real estate. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at Preserve at Copper Springs, a new Houston acquisition located between two of LSCRE’s best-performing assets. Joe explains how exp...

Why is the seller selling — and how do you actually make a multifamily deal work in today’s market? In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and Rob Beardsley answer real investor FAQs around LSCRE’s newest Houston acquisition, Preserve at Copper Springs, and break down the real mechanics behind underwriting, expenses, insurance, and exits. This is not theory — it’s how institutional...

How do 1031 exchanges actually work — and how does LSCRE support investors and fund managers through the process? In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Dasha Beardsley, Director of Investor Relations at LSCRE, to break down 1031 exchanges, investor experience, capital partners, and how LSCRE has facilitated over $150M in 1031 value. This episode is a deep dive into...

What does smart multifamily investing actually look like in 2026? In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and Rob Beardsley break down their 2026 multifamily outlook, including acquisitions, operations, capital strategy, and why walking away from bad deals is often the best deal you can do. This episode covers how LSCRE is approaching growth after one of the most volatile real estat...

What happens to multifamily real estate when the market resets — and where is smart capital moving next? In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Ari Rastegar, Founder of Rastegar Capital, to break down real estate cycles, capital flows, and large-scale development across Texas. Ari shares his journey from law to institutional real estate, and offers a candid look at:...

How should multifamily deals really be underwritten in 2026? In this live LSCRE podcast, we break down how we are underwriting multifamily real estate today and the critical mistakes investors and sponsors don’t realize until years 3–5. This episode covers real-world underwriting decisions we’re making right now, including: Why underwriting mistakes don’t show up in year one Cash flow vs IRR (and...

Higher leverage makes deals look better on paper,  but often weakens cash flow and increases risk. In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down why we structure deals with lower leverage for better cash flow and risk management. We discuss targeting lower loan-to-value, using full-term interest-only debt, and maintaining strong coverage from day one. We explain why LTV a...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Andrew Davis, Partner at Fully Funded, to discuss why integrity has become the most valuable advantage in real estate investing. Andrew shares insights from raising hundreds of millions in capital, building investor trust at scale, and partnering with best-in-class operators. He explains how discipline, clear incentives, and lon...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down how market cycles influence smarter capital decisions. We explore why patience, long-term holds, and strategic underwriting leads to better outcomes than chasing hot deals. Learn how understanding cycles, managing closing costs, and avoiding short-term flips can reduce risk and compound returns over time. Whether you’re a new...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Michael Guthrie, who grew his ATM business to over 8,000 machines across the United States before exiting in 2023. He explains how he scaled the business one machine at a time, expanded through affiliates, and created a model that allowed him to generate income while remaining hands-off. Michael shares how those same principles...

In this episode of the Live LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down how to maximize value and reduce expenses in multifamily properties. We dive into contract services, maintenance strategies, and key line items in the P&L that can make or break your NOI. Learn how strategic expense management, property tax exemptions, and smart operational practices can drive strong, risk-adjusted re...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Mathew Owens from OCG Properties to explore how the smartest investors approach risk, opportunity, and cash flow. They discuss how alternative strategies like real estate-backed loans and unique financing structures create consistent returns, and why understanding the numbers is only part of the story. Mathew shares lessons from...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down the most surprising finance trends shaping 2025, covering everything from capital flows to unexpected movements in the debt markets. We talk through why these trends are emerging now, how they are influencing investor behavior, and what they reveal about the next phase of the real estate cycle. The episode highlights the data...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Alex Zahn from Sunrise Capital Investors to unpack the alternative real estate strategies investors aren’t hearing about. They dive into unique opportunities in mobile home communities and parking structures, exploring how cash flow, long-term land value, and smart management create compelling returns. Alex shares insights on ho...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I unpack the latest market update and what it tells us about today’s multifamily landscape. We explore shifting transaction volumes, rising prices, and how debt origination, not just sales activity, is shaping investor decisions. The discussion highlights what data points truly matter for evaluating risk and opportunity in the current envi...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Jack Martin to uncover the hidden goldmine in mobile home parks and affordable housing. They explore the factors driving opportunity in this sector, from rising demand and shifting demographics to innovative strategies that unlock value for investors. Jack shares his perspective on what makes mobile home parks a compelling marke...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down how the best real estate deals are actually found - not by chasing hype, but by understanding when the market overreacts. We discuss why disciplined investors position themselves to act when others pull back, and how reading sentiment shifts can uncover opportunities that most overlook. I also share why staying grounded in fun...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Ray Hightower to discuss why entrepreneurs are betting on Arizona. They explore the factors driving Arizona’s growth, from population inflows and business migration to a thriving innovation ecosystem that continues to attract investors and operators. Ray shares his perspective on what makes Arizona a standout market, highlightin...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I unpack the real story behind rent growth in today’s market. We break down how new supply, wage trends, and inflation are influencing multifamily performance, and why headline rent growth figures don’t always reflect what’s happening on the ground. I share insights on how investors can separate short-term volatility from sustainable deman...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and Sam Morris uncover how one simple debt decision can completely wipe out investor returns. They discuss how leverage, loan structure, and interest rate exposure can quickly turn a profitable deal into a loss – and what disciplined operators do differently to protect downside risk. Craig and Sam share insights on aligning financing strategy...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I dive into how investors can stay competitive and build sustainable portfolios in today’s market environment. We discuss why many investors are being forced to rethink their capital structures, how to protect returns without taking on excessive leverage, and the principles of disciplined underwriting that separate strong operators from ov...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Sam Silverman to discuss the critical challenge facing fund managers today in building sustainable revenue while waiting years for equity deals to pay out. Sam introduces KUDO Capital's private credit fund, which targets 16% annual returns through business funding investments that fully amortize in 4 to 12 months. With a fully aligned fee struc...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I tackle whether alpha is dead in multifamily real estate. I explain how institutionalization has compressed returns across the board, but opportunities still exist through vertical integration, market expertise, and innovative strategies. We break down what true vertical integration actually means and how these "one percenters"...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Joe Downs, CEO of Belrose Group, who shares his journey from financial advisor to bar owner to self-storage operator. After multiple career reinventions, Joe discovered that 80% of self-storage facilities are owned by mom & pop operators – creating a massive opportunity for professional operators who can bring modern technology, dynamic pricing,...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Gino Barbaro of Jake and Gino, who shares his 20-year journey from running a restaurant to owning 1,800+ multifamily units. After spending 18 months finding their first 25-unit deal for $675K (now worth $2.5M), Gino explains how he worked full-time while building his portfolio – dedicating 15-20 hours weekly to real estate until 2015. He emphasizes...