Ken Gee: Buying When Others Pause

The Evolution of Family Office Investments

In this conversation, Colten Ratz, founder of Family Office Factory, discusses the importance of building authentic relationships within the family office space. He shares his journey into the industry, emphasizing the shift towards direct investments and co-investing among family offices. The discussion also covers the significance of networking events, investment trends, and the impact of the next generation on family office dynamics. Ratz highlights the challenges of fake family offices and the varying acceptance of artificial intelligence in the sector. He concludes with insights into the future initiatives of Family Office Factory. Key Takeaways * Colten Ratz emphasizes authenticity in the family office space. * Building relationships is crucial for success in family offices. * Quality over quantity is a key principle in networking. * Families seek narrative clarity in their investments. * Co-investing is becoming increasingly popular among family offices. * Smaller, intimate gatherings are more effective for networking. * Real estate remains a foundational investment for family offices. * The next generation is focused on impact and ESG investing. * Fake family offices pose a significant challenge in the industry. * AI's acceptance varies among family offices, with some embracing it and others resisting. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Family Office Factory 07:44 Building Relationships in the Family Office Space 12:40 Understanding Family Office Dynamics 17:38 Investment Trends and Direct Deals 22:26 Networking Events for Family Offices 27:36 Next Generation Trends in Family Offices 32:40 The Role of AI in Family Offices 37:36 Future Initiatives for Family Office Factory Show Notes Guest: Colten Ratz, Founder & CEO at Family Office Factory Website: ⁠ [https://www.spaxel.com/] Family Office Factory [https://www.linkedin.com/company/family-office-factory/posts/?feedView=all] LinkedIn: Colten Ratz on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/colten-ratz-5b4ab3180/]

Revolutionizing Real Estate: The Spaxel Approach

In this conversation, Ben Siscovick discusses the innovative approach of Spaxel, a vertically integrated real estate platform that leverages technology and offshore infrastructure to differentiate itself in the market. He shares insights on the challenges faced in building the platform, the importance of fostering a culture of innovation, and the integration of AI in their operations. The discussion also touches on market dynamics, future initiatives, and the unique strategies that have positioned Spaxel for growth in a competitive landscape. Key Takeaways * Spaxel was founded on the principle of doing real estate differently. * The team combines technology and unique operational strategies. * Cultural challenges in real estate require a focus on innovation. * Offshore infrastructure is a key competitive advantage. * AI is integrated into various aspects of the business. * The real estate market is facing significant challenges due to rising costs. * Spaxel's approach allows for substantial cost savings for clients. * The company is expanding its steel subcontracting business. * Future growth will focus on land acquisition and offshoring services. * The demand for housing is expected to rise despite supply constraints. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Spaxel and Ben Siscovick 08:46 Building a Culture of Innovation in Real Estate 16:24 Leveraging Offshore Infrastructure for Competitive Advantage 22:45 Navigating the New York Real Estate Market 34:11 Integrating AI into Real Estate Operations Show Notes Guest: Ben Siscovick, Partner & President at Spaxel Website: Spaxel.com [https://www.spaxel.com/] LinkedIn: Ben Siscovick on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bensiscovick/]

Ken Gee: Buying When Others Pause

In this episode of Private Capital Perspectives, John Pugh sits down with Ken Gee [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geekennetha/], founder of KRI Partners [https://www.kripartners.com/], who shares his extensive experience in multifamily real estate investing. With over 26 years in the industry and involvement in transactions exceeding $2 billion, Ken discusses the current state of the multifamily market amidst rising interest rates. He emphasizes that now is an opportune time to invest, as fewer buyers are competing for properties, and distressed sellers are more willing to negotiate. Ken advocates for a disciplined approach to investing, highlighting the importance of understanding market cycles and maintaining a conservative leverage strategy to protect investor capital. Ken also delves into the educational aspect of real estate investing, outlining four essential rules for passive investors to vet deals and sponsors effectively. He stresses the significance of experience, transparency, and alignment of interests between investors and sponsors. Throughout the conversation, Ken shares valuable insights on risk management, the importance of thorough underwriting, and the long-term wealth-building potential of multifamily real estate. This episode is a treasure trove of knowledge for both seasoned investors and those new to the multifamily space. Key Takeaways * The best time to buy is when there are fewer buyers. * Real estate is not get rich quick; it is a wealth-building tool over time. * Ask the hard questions before you invest. * You need to be patient; it works over time. * If you keep doing that over and over, how do you not get wealthy? * You cannot run a property by committee. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ken Gee and Multifamily Investing 04:21 Current Market Dynamics and Opportunities 07:22 Investor Behavior and Market Changes 10:27 Raising Capital in a Challenging Environment 13:29 Underwriting Strategies and Exit Cap Rates 16:23 Four Rules for Passive Investors 22:17 Understanding Profit Sharing and Investor Communication 25:56 Overcoming Investor Hesitations and Mental Barriers 27:05 The Importance of Underwriting in Real Estate 29:30 Defining Your Market and Business Plan 32:08 The Role of Partnerships in Real Estate 34:02 The Necessity of Active Management in Real Estate 37:16 Navigating Market Cycles and Investment Timing 40:06 Long-Term Wealth Building Through Real Estate Show Notes Guest: Ken Gee, founder of KRI Partners Website: KRI Partners [https://www.kripartners.com/] LinkedIn: Ken Gee on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/geekennetha/]

Navigating the Dallas Real Estate Landscape with Carla Malone

In this episode, John Pugh sits down with Carla Malone, Vice President of Property Management at Newmark in Dallas, Texas. With over two decades of experience in commercial real estate, Carla shares her insights on the evolving landscape of property management, particularly in the competitive Dallas market. She discusses the importance of asset performance driven by top-tier property management and how institutional owners are adapting to current demands. Carla emphasizes the shift back to office spaces post-COVID, the growth of industrial properties, and the resurgence of retail, highlighting the need for property managers to adopt a hospitality mindset to enhance tenant satisfaction and community engagement. Carla also delves into the qualities that make a standout property manager, stressing the importance of relationship-building, financial acumen, and leadership skills. She reflects on the challenges faced by property managers in distressed assets and the operational metrics that owners should prioritize. The conversation wraps up with Carla's optimistic outlook for the Dallas economy, particularly in retail and office leasing, as well as the significance of creating engaging environments for tenants to foster community and collaboration. Key Takeaways * You have to approach the management of that asset from a hospitality perspective. * Protecting NOI is so important, managing expenses without sacrificing quality. * Creating community within a building is key to tenant satisfaction. * Finding really good talent in property management is difficult. * You have to commit to maintaining the quality of the assets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Carla Malone and Her Background 03:02 Current Trends in the Dallas Real Estate Market 07:25 Identifying Standout Property Managers 09:06 Value Creation in Property Management 12:35 Creating Community in Office Spaces 13:39 Challenges in Distressed Assets 15:07 Operational Metrics for Property Owners 18:33 Leasing Trends in Dallas 21:37 The Future of Industrial Development 22:54 Economic Drivers in Dallas 24:40 Outlook for the Next 12-18 Months 27:32 Retail Trends and Consumer Experience 30:16 The Importance of Walkability in Dallas 31:23 Advice for Aspiring Property Managers Show Notes & Links: Guest: Carla Malone, Vice President of Property Management at Newmark LinkedIn: Carla Malone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-malone/]

Jacob Schulder: Discipline, Adaptability, and the Long Game in Real Estate

In this episode of Private Capital Perspectives, John Pugh sits down with his friend ⁠Jacob Schulder⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-schulder-9253394/], founder of ⁠Victoria Industrial Properties⁠ [https://www.victoria-industrial.com/], for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on building a real estate career through cycles, asset classes, and hard lessons learned as an operator. Jacob and John have crossed paths over the years as operators and partners, and the discussion reflects that familiarity. It is honest, practical, and grounded in real-world experience rather than theory. They talk openly about career pivots, pressure, mistakes, and what actually holds up over decades in this business. Having grown up in the Kushner real estate family, Jacob was exposed to the business early. But the perspective he shares in this episode is shaped by more than 20 years of operating through multiple market cycles, starting with hands-on work as a teenager, entering the industry full-time during the Global Financial Crisis, and ultimately building his own platform. From workforce housing in New Jersey and Brooklyn to institutional capital partnerships and eventual exits, Jacob walks through the realities of scaling multifamily operations, including management intensity, regulatory friction, and constant problem-solving. The conversation then turns to his transition into industrial real estate and why that shift was less about chasing trends and more about aligning asset class choice with scalability, risk tolerance, and long-term staying power. The episode closes with insights on building a national operating platform, partnering with local operators, generational versus value-add strategies, recommended resources for learning small-bay industrial, and a lighter discussion on Knicks basketball and leadership, ending with how listeners can connect with Jacob directly. Key Takeaways * Cycles shape operators. Starting a career during the GFC forced discipline, creativity, and resilience. * Multifamily scales pain as well as profit. Operational intensity grows exponentially with people-heavy assets. * Industrial reduces friction. Triple-net leases and business tenants simplify management and improve scalability. * You can’t time markets perfectly. Focus on conviction, fundamentals, and survivability. * Debt is always available. Equity alignment is the real bottleneck in deals. * Local knowledge still wins. National strategies require trusted boots-on-the-ground partners. * Every asset has a personality. Buildings—even on the same block—operate differently. * Clarity beats complexity. Simple strategies executed well outperform over-engineered plans. Chapters 00:00 Podcast introduction and John Pugh’s investment philosophy 01:30 Jacob’s early exposure to real estate and entering the industry during the GFC 04:00 Launching an independent multifamily platform and scaling workforce housing 08:00 Institutional partnerships, portfolio growth, and strategic exits 12:00 Why multifamily management fatigue led to a pivot toward industrial 14:30 Real-world operator stories that shaped Jacob’s risk tolerance and mindset 19:30 Industrial market focus, geographic strategy, and asset selection 22:30 Interest rates, seller financing, and capital market dynamics 27:00 Operational advantages and scaling a national industrial platform 30:30 2026 strategy: generational holds vs. value-add deals 33:30 Recommended resources and the Small Bay Industrial community 36:30 Knicks talk, leadership parallels, and how to connect with Jacob Show Notes Guest: Jacob Schulder, Founder of Victoria Industrial Properties Website: Victoria Industrial Properties [https://www.victoria-industrial.com/] LinkedIn: Jacob Schulder on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-schulder-9253394/] Recommended Resource: Small Bay Industrial email newsletter and community [https://news.smallbaylist.com/]