Kuuntele Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing

In this episode, Michael Blank and Garrett Lynch talk with Axel Ragnarsson, who scaled from self-funding small multifamily deals to building a 500+ unit portfolio and raising over $15 million in capital. Axel shares the turning point that forced him to move beyond his DIY approach, how he overcame mental blocks around partnering and raising money, and what it really takes to grow in today’s market. Whether you're early in your investing journey or looking to level up, Axel’s story offers powerful insights. Key Takeaways: * Self-Funding Has Limits: Axel built up to 70 units on his own, but liquidity challenges and stress forced him to rethink his approach and start partnering. * Mindset is Everything: His biggest obstacle wasn’t skill—it was fear of raising capital and losing control. Overcoming that changed everything. * Adapt or Miss Out: In today’s shifting market, underwriting must adjust constantly. Flat rents and rising interest rates mean conservative assumptions are critical. * Scale with Purpose: You don’t have to grow endlessly. Axel is evaluating whether to stay put or expand into new markets—and why lifestyle alignment matters. CONNECT WITH MICHAEL Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/themichaelblank] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichaelblank/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/themichaelblank?sub_confirmation=1] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@themichaelblank] RESOURCES TheFreedomPodcast.com  [http://thefreedompodcast.com] Access the #1 FREE Apartment Investing Course (Apartments 101) [https://apartments101.co/] Schedule a Free Strategy Session with Michael's Team of Advisors [https://call.themichaelblank.com/clarity] Explore Michael’s Mentoring Program [https://themichaelblank.com/mentor/] Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club [https://nighthawkequity.com/invest-now/] Review the Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/financial-freedom-with-real-estate-investing/id848693430] Syndicated Deal Analyzer [https://themichaelblank.com/syndicated-deal-analyzer/] Get the Book, Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank [https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07GJRH6WL]  For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session469/

In this special episode of the Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing podcast, Michael Blank sits down with his mentors—Barry Flavin, Brad Tacia, Jonathan Nichols, Paula Nichols, and Philippe Schulligen—for a powerhouse discussion. These incredible mentors, who’ve helped countless students achieve their multifamily investing goals, share their wisdom, personal journeys, and actionable tips for getting started or scaling up in real estate. Whether you’re working on your first deal or growing your portfolio, this episode is packed with inspiration and strategies to guide you to financial freedom. Key Takeaways: * Current Market Outlook: Despite uncertain times, the mentors agree on being bullish about the multifamily market's long-term prospects. They emphasize ongoing housing demand and discuss factors like rent increases and occupancy rates that strengthen the sector. * The Role of Brokers: Building strong relationships with brokers is crucial for consistent deal flow. The mentors share strategies for establishing these connections, highlighting the advantages of frequent communication and personal meetings. * Student Success Stories: Real-world examples illustrate how students are finding and closing deals—often through creative financing solutions like seller financing. A common theme is the powerful combination of consistency and leveraging mentorship to make informed decisions. * Capital Raising Strategies: Distinguishing between deal finders and capital raisers, the panel discusses tailoring approaches to suit different personalities and skill sets. They also underline the importance of using personal networks, social media, and educational content to attract investors. * The Value of Mentorship: The mentors highlight the dual benefits of mentorship in keeping students on track and opening pathways for scaling more quickly. They stress the significance of being "all in" and actively engaging in the process to maximize the benefits of mentorship. This episode is packed with actionable insights and real-life examples from the world of multifamily syndication. If you are looking to delve deeper into real estate investing and have access to expert guidance, consider exploring mentorship options on theMichaelBlanc.com/mentor [https://www.themichaelblanc.com/mentor]. CONNECT WITH JONATHAN AND PAULA NICHOLS Jonathan’s Mentor Bio [https://themichaelblank.com/mentor-jonathan-nichols/] Paula’s Mentor Bio [https://themichaelblank.com/mentor-paula-nichols/] Apogee Capital [https://www.apogeemfc.com/] Paula Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/paulanichols_/?hl=en] Jonathan Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/multifamilyengineer/?hl=en] CONNECT WITH PHILIPPE SCHULLIGEN Mentor Bio [https://themichaelblank.com/mentor-philippe-schulligen/] Boost Capital Group [http://boostmycapital.com] Philippe LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippe-schulligen555/] CONNECT WITH MICHAEL Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/themichaelblank] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichaelblank/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/themichaelblank?sub_confirmation=1] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@themichaelblank] RESOURCES Access the #1 FREE Apartment Investing Course (Apartments 101) [https://apartments101.co/] Schedule a Free Strategy Session with Michael's Team of Advisors [https://call.themichaelblank.com/clarity] Explore Michael’s Mentoring Program [https://themichaelblank.com/mentor/] Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club [https://nighthawkequity.com/invest-now/] Review the Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/financial-freedom-with-real-estate-investing/id848693430] Syndicated Deal Analyzer [https://themichaelblank.com/syndicated-deal-analyzer/] Get the Book, Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank [https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07GJRH6WL]  For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session468/

In this episode, Michael Blank delves into the art of raising capital for real estate, highlighting the importance of using other people's money to build a real estate empire. He discusses the common mistakes people make when raising capital and shares insights on overcoming these challenges. Key Takeaways: * Understanding Limiting Beliefs: * Many aspiring real estate investors struggle with the idea of raising capital due to limiting beliefs, such as "I can't do it," "I don't know anyone with money," and fear of using sales tactics. * Avoiding Common Mistakes: * Going online for raising money without prior experience is a common mistake. * Assuming the money will follow once you have a deal is misleading. * Start raising capital before securing a deal by using a sample deal package. * The Importance of Networking and Education: * Real estate investors should educate themselves and others about the benefits of real estate investing. * Networking and leaving a positive impression are crucial in building relationships with potential investors. * Referrals and Expanding Your Network: * Always ask for referrals to expand your network and potential investor base. * Stay in touch with potential investors to nurture relationships. * Leveraging IRA Money: * Many people have significant funds in IRAs or 401(k)s. Educate potential investors on how they can invest their IRA money in real estate. * Scaling by Raising Money Online: * Once you've raised money one-on-one successfully, transition to online platforms to scale up. * Building a strong online presence requires more than just a website; it involves creating valuable content and having a clear target audience. * The Who, Not How Mentality: * Emphasize finding partners who can help fill gaps, such as those who can raise funds while you focus on finding deals. CONNECT WITH MICHAEL Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/themichaelblank] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichaelblank/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/themichaelblank?sub_confirmation=1] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@themichaelblank] RESOURCES TheFreedomPodcast.com  [http://thefreedompodcast.com] Access the #1 FREE Apartment Investing Course (Apartments 101) [https://apartments101.co/] Schedule a Free Strategy Session with Michael's Team of Advisors [https://call.themichaelblank.com/clarity] Explore Michael’s Mentoring Program [https://themichaelblank.com/mentor/] Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club [https://nighthawkequity.com/invest-now/] Review the Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/financial-freedom-with-real-estate-investing/id848693430] Syndicated Deal Analyzer [https://themichaelblank.com/syndicated-deal-analyzer/] Get the Book, Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank [https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07GJRH6WL]  For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session467/

In this episode of The Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing podcast, Michael Blank sits down with Scott Todd, a Deal Maker who successfully transitioned into multifamily real estate. Scott shares how he closed his first deal, the key lessons he learned along the way, and how he overcame the fear and obstacles that stop many investors from taking action. If you’re on the fence about multifamily investing, this episode is packed with practical insights that will give you the confidence to move forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS KEY TAKEAWAYS * How Scott Got Started in Real Estate * Transitioned from his previous career into real estate. * Discovered multifamily investing as the fastest way to financial freedom. * Started with no prior experience but took action to learn the process. * Lessons from His First Multifamily Deal * The biggest challenges he faced and how he overcame them. * How he structured his deal and raised capital as a first-time investor. * What he would do differently if starting over today. * Overcoming Fear and Taking Action * The mindset shift that helped him push past self-doubt. * How he took the leap despite not having a perfect plan. * Why waiting for the perfect time will only slow you down. * Finding the Right Support System * The importance of mentors and networking in real estate. * How joining a like-minded community accelerated his success. * Why trying to do everything alone is a costly mistake. * Scaling Beyond the First Deal * How closing his first deal changed everything. * The next steps he’s taking to grow his portfolio. * Advice for new investors looking to get their first deal done. CONNECT WITH SCOTT LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotttod/] CONNECT WITH MICHAEL Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/themichaelblank] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichaelblank/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/themichaelblank?sub_confirmation=1] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@themichaelblank] RESOURCES TheFreedomPodcast.com  [http://thefreedompodcast.com] Access the #1 FREE Apartment Investing Course (Apartments 101) [https://apartments101.co/] Schedule a Free Strategy Session with Michael's Team of Advisors [https://call.themichaelblank.com/clarity] Explore Michael’s Mentoring Program [https://themichaelblank.com/mentor/] Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club [https://nighthawkequity.com/invest-now/] Review the Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/financial-freedom-with-real-estate-investing/id848693430] Syndicated Deal Analyzer [https://themichaelblank.com/syndicated-deal-analyzer/] Get the Book, Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank [https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07GJRH6WL]  For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session466/

Welcome to another episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing! In this special episode, we bring you a deep dive into Nighthawk Equity with all the partners in the house – Garrett Lynch, Drew Kniffin, and our very own Michael Blank. It's been a while since the last team update, which was back in episode 414, where we discussed a deal that we didn't do. This time, we're pulling back the curtain to share where Nighthawk started, the lessons learned, and what lies ahead in their journey to scale and face market challenges. On this episode, Michael, Drew, and Garrett discuss everything from the origins of Nighthawk, the trials of joint ventures, the importance of asset management, to mastering the art of raising capital. Learn about their transition to focusing deeper into specific geographies and how they're adapting to today's market conditions. Key Takeaways: * A Glimpse into Nighthawk's Origin Story * How Garrett joined through the Deal Desk with a challenging El Paso deal * The evolution from joint ventures to focus and scale * The Importance of Focus and Geography * The shift from multiple markets to being deeply rooted in Atlanta * Economies of scale and operational efficiency as major benefits * Mastering Asset Management * Why executing the business plan is crucial for financial success * Enhancing procedures and systems for operational excellence * Challenges and Innovations in Raising Capital * Introduction of fund managers with Fund of Funds program * Experimentation with paid Facebook advertising for scaling capital raise * The Secret Sauce Behind Partnership Longevity * Open communication and radical candor as key to sustained collaboration * Defining roles and respecting decision-making processes * Market Insights and Future Outlook * Navigating current economic conditions * Strategies to seize opportunities in the coming years Join the Nighthawk team as they reflect on their past, share valuable insights into their operations, and look forward with anticipation to what’s next in real estate investing. If you're ready to take the next steps toward financial freedom, whether actively or passively, they're here to guide you. Visit thefreedompodcast.com to discover resources customized for your journey. Whether you're looking to find deals as an operator or become a passive investor, this is your starting point. Catch the energy of this episode, and as always, happy investing! For more information on achieving financial freedom through real estate investing, visit thefreedompodcast.com. Let's get you one step closer to financial independence! CONNECT WITH MICHAEL Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/themichaelblank] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/themichaelblank/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/themichaelblank?sub_confirmation=1] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@themichaelblank] RESOURCES TheFreedomPodcast.com  [http://thefreedompodcast.com/] Access the #1 FREE Apartment Investing Course (Apartments 101) [https://apartments101.co/] Schedule a Free Strategy Session with Michael's Team of Advisors [https://call.themichaelblank.com/clarity] Explore Michael’s Mentoring Program [https://themichaelblank.com/mentor/] Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club [https://nighthawkequity.com/invest-now/] Review the Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/financial-freedom-with-real-estate-investing/id848693430] Syndicated Deal Analyzer [https://themichaelblank.com/syndicated-deal-analyzer/] Get the Book, Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank [https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07GJRH6WL]  For full episode show notes visit: https://themichaelblank.com/podcasts/session465/