It’s a common misconception in multifamily investing that you have to start small. But Chris Roberts looked beyond his first deal to envision a multimillion-dollar real estate business. He accelerated his success by thinking BIG from the beginning, acquiring nearly 1,000 units worth $69M in just three years. So, what’s the secret to scaling fast the way Chris did?

Chris is the Founder and CEO of Sterling Rhino Capital, where he specializes in commercial debt, managing financials and investor relations. A full-time entrepreneur and investor since 2007, Chris started his real estate career by renovating, flipping and renting dozens of single-family properties. But after attending one of our events, Chris shifted his focus to helping people create cashflow by investing in larger apartment buildings of 100 units or more. 

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Chris joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share the process he used to scale quickly and achieve financial freedom. He explains why finding the right partner was key in growing Sterling Rhino and describes his team’s make-it-personal approach to finding deals and raising money. Listen in for Chris’ insight on investing in mentorship and find out what it takes to build a BIG real estate investing business—in very little time.

Key Takeaways 

What inspired Chris to invest in multifamily real estate

• Motivated by money at first
• Passive cashflow = freedom

The mindset shift that propelled Chris into action

• Realized one person’s decision could change future
• Would much rather control own destiny

The process Chris used to scale quickly

• Take massive action
• Invest in tools, mentors for support

Chris’ transition from sales and marketing to multifamily

• Already people person, love business planning
• Had to overcome fears and bring on team

How Chris and his business partner divide roles

• Paul excels at numbers, analytics and systems
• Chris focuses on investor relations

Chris’ approach to deal flow and raising money

• Set yourself apart by ‘making it personal’
• Create frictionless process of doing business

What Chris is doing to handle scaling quickly

• Software to manage assets and team
• Grow team

Chris’ advice on how to scale fast in multifamily

• Don’t be afraid to partner
• Join programs for tools, guidance and networking

Connect with Chris Roberts

Sterling Rhino Capital 

Sterling Rhino on YouTube 

Sterling Rhino on Facebook 

Sterling Rhino on LinkedIn 

Charging Forward Podcast

Resources

Get Tickets for Deal Maker Bootcamp

Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program

Join the Deal Maker’s Mastermind

Register for the Deal Maker Certification Program

Buy Michael’s Syndicated Deal Analyzer 

Access Michael’s Free Resources in the Freedom Vault

Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club

Review the Podcast on iTunes [Text CONTEST to 66866]

Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank

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Apartment Investor Network Facebook Group 

Podcast Show Notes

We had some inspiring guests on the podcast in 2021, all with their own particular interest or expertise around achieving financial freedom. But the one thing they all have in common is the powerful combination of hard work and passion it takes to achieve next-level success.

So, what were some of the highlights from our interviews this past year? What are my top takeaways from the entrepreneurs and real estate investors who appeared on the show?

On this episode, I’m sharing the Best of 2021 on Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, beginning with Jordan Harbinger’s insight on building relationships BEFORE you need them and Brandon Turner’s simple approach to developing your personal brand.

We revisit John Lee Dumas’ dynamic formula for becoming a person of value, Joe Fairless’ perspective on raising capital through a fund and Chad Williams’ thoughts on applying Navy SEAL principles to your multifamily business.

Listen in as we look back at Liz Faircloth’s commitment to building the Real Estate InvestHER community, Jenny Gou’s experience of leaving her high-paying corporate job for real estate, and Ronan McMahon’s understanding of opportunities to invest internationally!

Key Takeaways

Jordan Harbinger’s proactive approach to networking

• ‘Dig the well before you’re thirsty’
• Don’t wait until you need something to reach out

Brandon Turner’s insight on building a personal brand

• Consider how people already think about you
• Lean into what you’re good at (simplicity is key)

John Lee Dumas’ take on what it takes to be successful

• Hard work + passion wins every time
• We develop passion for things we’re good at

Liz Faircloth’s passion for the Real Estate InvestHER community

• Support women investors, provide role models
• Thrive better in marriage to have own business

Joe Fairless’ insight on raising capital through a fund

• Con = miss out on ‘lightning in a bottle’
• Pro = spread out capital raise over time

Chad Williams’ take on applying SEAL principles to multifamily

• Control emotions regardless of circumstances
• Take on role of servant leader

Jenny Gou’s experience of quitting her job for real estate

• Inspired by desire to prioritize time with family
• Left corporate job, grew to 800 units in 10 months

Ronan McMahon’s insight on investing internationally

• Big buying moment always happening somewhere
• Identify places with significant upside potential

Resources

Register for Michael’s Deal Maker Bootcamp

Access Michael’s Deal Maker Certification

Join the Deal Maker Mastermind

Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program

Get Your Tickets for Deal Maker Live

Download Free Resources from The Freedom Vault

Review the Podcast on iTunes [Text ‘contest’ to 66866]

Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank

Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty: The Only Networking Book You’ll Ever Need by Harvey Mackay

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BiggerPockets

Dave Meyer’s Data Deli on Instagram

Podcast Show Notes

Michael’s Website 

Michael on Facebook 

Michael on Instagram 

Michael on YouTube 

Apartment Investor Network Facebook Group 

The more truth you put to any problem, the easier it is to solve. So, if you want to quit your W-2 job, start by doing the math. Because once you know how much you need to cover your living expenses, it’s just a matter of building your multifamily portfolio step by step until you achieve financial freedom.

Mandy McAllister is Managing Member of Good Fortune Capital and Cofounder of the Aspiring Women Achieving More community. After years of chasing a commission, Mandy retired from her 9-to-5 in medical device sales to pursue multifamily investing full time. Today, she’s on a mission to help others define their own path to financial freedom.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Mandy joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to share her take on the different levels of financial freedom, describing how she calculated her freedom number—and achieved it 12 months later. She explains why she started small, working her way up to large multifamily properties acquired in joint venture partnerships. Listen in for Mandy’s insight on securing debt to match your business plan and learn how to leverage multifamily investing to break free of YOUR golden handcuffs and live a life by design!

Key Takeaways

When Mandy started thinking about quitting her job

• Bought fourplex when son was born as college fund
• Saw potential to retire on cashflow with more deals

Mandy’s take on the different levels of financial freedom

1. Cover minimum living expenses
2. Cover current living expenses
3. Replace income
4. Replace income plus buffer

How Mandy financed her multifamily deals

• Use equity in other properties for deals < 20 units
• Took on partners in JV structures for > 50 units

How to decide whether to start small or go big right away

• Depends on individual goals
• Advantages to going larger

What Mandy looks for in a multifamily deal

• B class asset with quality long-term debt
• Size agnostic (less competition for 50-unit deals)

What Mandy looks for in a joint venture partnership

• Someone on same page who you can trust
• Important to have different strengths

Why Mandy sees long-term debt as the ultimate flexibility

• 15-year loan on recent 53-unit acquisition
• Terms allow for 3 potential exit strategies

What Mandy is doing to ensure consistent deal flow

• Network with young, hungry investors at Meetup
• Potential JVs look for deals that fit her criteria

Where Mandy is looking to invest right now

• Strong growth markets in Midwest
• Drive there and back before dinner

How COVID influenced Mandy’s decision to quit her job

• Did 4 transaction in 3 months with extra time
• Brought in double W-2 income

What Mandy is looking forward to moving forward

• Impact as many lives as possible
• Help others remove golden handcuffs

Connect with Mandy McAllister

Mandy’s Website

Good Fortune Capital

Aspiring Women Achieving More

Mandy on Instagram

Mandy on Facebook

Mandy on YouTube

Mandy on LinkedIn

Resources

Get Tickets for Deal Maker Bootcamp

Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program

Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club

Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want from Your Business by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters

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Michael on Facebook 

Michael on Instagram 

Michael on YouTube 

Apartment Investor Network Facebook Group 

Podcast Show Notes

How do you get brokers to take you seriously if you’re brand new to multifamily? Savannah Arroyo and her husband Lupe talked to 50 brokers before they found one who was willing to work with them. But that relationship led to three deals in nine months, allowing Savannah to quit her full-time job as an RN!

Savannah is the Founder of Networth Nurse, a platform designed to help healthcare professionals stop living paycheck to paycheck. Through the Networth Nurse blog and YouTube channel, she educates and empowers her colleagues around personal finance and multifamily investing. Savannah and her husband Lupe leveraged the Michael Blank Mentoring Program to accelerate their success, partnering with other students in our network to close three syndications and replace her income as a nurse in under a year.

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Savannah joins cohost Garrett Lynch and me to explain how she got that first broker to take her seriously. She describes how she and Lupe created a five-year game plan for their real estate business and then put in the reps, taking daily action to realize that vision. Listen in to understand the benefits of investing in your multifamily education and learn how Savannah is scaling her portfolio through partnerships and the Networth Nurse platform.

Key Takeaways 

The freedom of choice real estate gives Savannah

• Still works as RN when she wants
• Very involved in children’s lives

What inspired Savannah and her husband to pursue real estate

• Way to invest that puts money in pockets now
• Strategy to grow wealth, earn passive income

How Savannah and Lupe came up with a real estate game plan

• Set vision for 5 years out and worked backward
• Got educated and invested in coaching

How Savannah got started with single family rentals

• Lender told about $100K of equity in home
• Used debt to buy income-producing assets 

Why Savannah transitioned from SFH rentals to multifamily

• Realized scale necessary to achieve vision
• Healthcare operations skill set translates to apartments

How Savannah pursued real estate while working full time

• Work on real estate from 8 to 12pm every day
• Built-in accountability partner in husband

How Savannah overcame limiting beliefs around raising money

• Trusted with leadership role at work 
• Mitigate risk with research and underwriting

How to get brokers to take you seriously as a new investor

• Be specific about what you’re looking for
• Provide feedback on deals within 48 hours

Savannah’s first multifamily deal

• $1M 12-unit in Oregon financed through credit union
• Struggled to raise $350K from friends and family

Why Savannah decided to invest in coaching

1. Leverage mentor’s experience to avoid mistakes
2. Momentum to get into first deal much quicker

What Savannah is doing to scale the business

• Partner with other investors to raise capital
• Build online platform with Networth Nurse

How Savannah and her husband share responsibilities

• Husband does acquisitions and asset management
• Savannah raises capital and does marketing

Savannah’s advice for aspiring multifamily investors

• Reach out to someone doing what you want
• Research and get educated with podcasts, networking

Connect with Savannah Arroyo 

Networth Nurse 

Networth Nurse on YouTube 

Networth Nurse on Instagram 

Networth Nurse on LinkedIn 

Networth Nurse on Facebook

Resources 

Get Tickets for Deal Maker Bootcamp 

Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program 

Register for Deal Maker Live

Join Michael’s Deal Maker Certification Program

Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank

The Miracle Equation: The Two Decisions That Move Your Biggest Goals from Possible to Probable to Inevitable by Hal Elrod 

BiggerPockets

Dave Ramsey

Michael on Facebook 

Michael on Instagram 

Michael on YouTube 

Apartment Investor Network Facebook Group 

Podcast Show Notes

Robert Kiyosaki’s Cone of Learning illustrates that while we only remember 10% of what we read after two weeks, we recall a full 90% of what we say and do. And that’s why aspiring investors who work through a simulation of their first deal are so much more confident than those who don’t practice the process beforehand. 

But what does it look like to simulate your first multifamily deal? Where can you go to rehearse the steps in the Deal Maker Blueprint and gain the confidence to follow through?

On this episode of Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing, Nighthawk Equity President Drew Kniffin joins me to discuss our upcoming Deal Maker Bootcamp in Orlando this January and explain how the workshop simulates the process of finding and closing on your first multifamily deal.

We explore the benefits of simulating your first deal and following a proven process, challenging you to master the critical skill of analyzing deals quickly and accurately. 

Listen in for insight on the three kinds of people you need in your real estate network (and where to find them) and learn our top strategies for simulating your first apartment deal and building confidence while you practice in a safe environment.

Key Takeaways 

Robert Kiyosaki’s Cone of Learning

• Remember 10% of what we read
• Remember 50% of what we see and hear
• Remember 90% of what we say and do

The benefits of simulating your first deal

• Builds confidence
• Know what to expect if LOI accepted

How to simulate your first multifamily deal

• Practice in throw away market
• Visit larger properties
• Build sample deal package

The 3 kinds of people you should network with

1. Peer group (Deal Maker’s Mastermind)
2. Mentors who’ve done what you want
3. Partners with complementary skills

Why we recommend following a proven process

• Don’t have figure out next step on own
• Avoid expensive mistakes

The benefit of being able to analyze deals

• Need for negotiating and making offers
• Confidence to talk to brokers/investors

Connect with Drew Kniffin

Nighthawk Equity

Drew on Twitter

Drew on LinkedIn

Resources 

Register for Michael’s Deal Maker Bootcamp 

Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program

Join Michael’s Deal Maker’s Mastermind

Learn More About Deal Maker Live 

Get Michael’s Blueprint to Your First Multifamily Deal

Access Michael’s Syndicated Deal Analyzer

Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club

Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing by Michael Blank 

Robert Kiyosaki’s Cone of Learning 

Sample Deal Package 

The Deal Maker Certification on MB EP262 

Podcast Show Notes 

Michael’s Website 

Michael on Facebook 

Michael on Instagram 

Michael on YouTube 

Apartment Investor Network Facebook Group