The Multifamily Wealth Podcast

In this episode of the Multifamily Wealth Podcast , we sit down with Spencer Hilligoss of Madison Investing, for a tactical and transparent conversation on how passive investors should evaluate deals, vet sponsors, and position their portfolios for 2026. Spencer brings a rare dual perspective, having personally invested across dozens of passive deals and raised capital from multiple LPs. Together,...

In this solo episode, Axel breaks down three specific pieces of news and data that are directly informing how his team is thinking about multifamily investing decisions in 2026. Axel also explains why increased single-family home sales can actually be a positive signal for rental demand, why nationwide rent declines, even in historically strong markets are changing underwriting assumptions, and wh...

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+...

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 g...

Axel sits down once again with Lee Yoder, founder of Threefold Real Estate Investing , to unpack the full journey of scaling from a single duplex to 900+ multifamily units and the hard lessons learned along the way. Lee walks through how he gradually built his portfolio, why he ultimately decided to bring property management in-house, and the unexpected challenges that came with making that transi...

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...

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, referr...

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 dramati...

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 spee...

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...

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 a...

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 wor...

In this solo episode, Axel breaks down one of the most overlooked aspects of multifamily ownership—the timing of your CapEx spending. Many investors wait until systems fail before addressing roofs, heating, or parking lots, but Axel explains why this “defer and react” approach can actually hurt you long-term. He shares why leading with your CapEx, creates a more stable operation and more benefits...

In this episode, Axel sits down with Levi Allen and Joe Rinderknecht, co-founders of Cowboy Capital, to talk about their journey from a tough first deal to becoming trusted operators with a growing investor base. They share how they salvaged a challenging early project that nearly sank their business, what they learned about managing investor relationships through transparency, and the principles...

In this special milestone episode, Axel Ragnarsson celebrates 300 episodes of The Multifamily Wealth Podcast by reflecting on how his business—and his mindset—has evolved since the show began in 2020. From launching with 42 units and no investors to managing over 500 units and $18M in equity today, Axel walks through the journey of growth, lessons learned, and the mindset shifts that have shaped h...

Harrison Riley’s journey into real estate is anything but traditional. After building a small multifamily portfolio, he realized he didn’t enjoy the property management grind and decided to shift his focus toward raising capital and building partnerships. In this episode, Harrison shares the lessons he learned from painful contractor mistakes, why he ultimately divested from Pittsburgh to focus on...

From professional water polo in Russia to raising capital for over 20 multifamily deals in the U.S., Igor Shaltanov’s story is all about resilience, discipline, and smart investing. In this episode, Igor shares how he went from renting out his mom’s spare apartment in Moscow to building a U.S. real estate business, starting with single-family homes before scaling into multifamily. He explains why...

We all hear “conventional wisdom” in real estate—but sometimes, following it blindly can cost you big. In this solo episode, I share the five controversial real estate takes (or “hills I’m willing to die on”) that I feel strongest about. Some of these might challenge how you started your investing career. But if you’re a new or growing investor, these lessons will help you avoid costly mistakes an...

In this episode, Axel sits down with Jason Yarusi—real estate investor, entrepreneur, and operator of a 3,000+ unit multifamily portfolio. Jason shares his journey from running bars and restaurants in New York City to building a thriving multifamily business in the Southeast. He talks about the lessons learned from his early days in construction, how a near-death experience changed his mindset, an...

What makes a multifamily deal truly irresistible? For us, it comes down to five specific attributes that signal, this is one we want to buy . In this solo episode, I break down the five “holy grail” characteristics we look for in deals—and why these features dramatically increase the odds of success. If you’re a value-add investor, you’ll likely be targeting similar opportunities. Join us as we ex...

What does it take to rebuild your life—and your business—after losing it all? In this episode, I sit down with Mike Morawski, a 30-year real estate veteran, entrepreneur, author, and speaker, whose story is one of both caution and inspiration. Mike built a $60M portfolio, lost everything, served a decade in federal prison, and then came back to rebuild his business and his life from scratch. We di...

Every investor has a deal that got away. For me, one in particular still stings—not because of market timing or bad luck, but because the failure was entirely within my control. In this solo episode, I share the story of a property I pursued back in 2018–2019 that had all the makings of a “holy grail” deal... and how I whiffed on it. More importantly, I unpack the lessons learned that continue to...

We’ve all heard it: location, location, location . But what does that really mean when you’re underwriting multifamily deals—and how should it actually impact your numbers? In this solo episode, I break down the real, tangible differences between buying in a good location versus a bad one— within the same asset class . Drawing from years of operating properties across varying submarkets, I share t...

Struggling to source more multifamily opportunities? The truth is, you don’t need 10 hours a week—you need just 30 focused minutes. In this solo episode, I break down the three high-ROI activities any investor can do weekly to uncover more deals and stay top-of-mind with the people who are most likely to send you opportunities. These simple actions are repeatable, require no fancy tools, and most...

There’s a major shift happening in the small multifamily space—and if you’re not paying attention, you might miss your window. In this solo episode, I break down the growing competition in the small-to-mid-sized multifamily market and why it’s becoming harder to find an edge. We cover what’s changed, who’s entering the space, and how savvy investors can still win if they act now. Join us as we exp...