Real Estate Investment Strategies That Work Right Now

I spoke with an investor who’s built a portfolio of 150 assets using what he calls the “County Seat Strategy.” It’s not your typical infill core-market thesis. In fact, it flips it on its head. Instead of chasing rooftops and income in dense trade areas, he focuses on county seats—the central hub of government and healthcare within a rural or tertiary county. 📍 These cities often have sub-25,000 populations. But they pull from 20+ miles out. Why? Because they’re home to the county courthouse, government departments, and the regional hospital system. That means people are driving in, not just living nearby. And when they do, they shop, eat, fill up gas, get prescriptions filled—and leave. The retail trade area looks weak on a radius map. But unit-level performance tells a very different story. Here’s the kicker: cap rates are wide, competition is low, and replacement costs are hard to match. I walked away from that conversation thinking: this isn’t just clever—it’s a powerful alternative strategy for value creation in overlooked places. 💬 What’s the most surprising or unconventional investment strategy you’ve seen actually work? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to learn from this community. #NetLease #RetailRealEstate #InvestmentStrategy #CountySeatModel #CommercialRealEstate #CRE #AlternativeInvestment

Most investors focus on buying right... But they're missing where the real money is made. After analyzing hundreds of multifamily deals, I discovered something shocking: For every $1 saved in operations, you create $16.67 in property value at a 6% cap rate. Let that sink in for a moment. Here's what this means in real terms: A 100-unit property implements better maintenance. They save just $100 per unit annually. That's $10,000 in total savings. The result? $166,667 in instant equity creation. But here's where it gets fascinating... Modern technology is transforming property operations: AI leasing assistants that never sleep Smart maintenance systems that predict issues Utility optimization tools that cut costs Data analytics platforms that spot trends The real magic happens in the resident experience: Community events that build loyalty Responsive communication systems Premium amenities that justify higher rents Package solutions that residents love Three game-changing strategies I've seen work: 1. Expense Control Vendor contract optimization Energy efficiency upgrades Staff cross-training 2. Revenue Enhancement Strategic amenity upgrades Ancillary income opportunities Resident retention programs 3. Capital Improvement Data-driven renovations ROI-focused upgrades Bulk purchasing power Here's the truth most investors miss: You're not just buying a property. You're buying an operating business. Remember this fundamental truth: A mediocre property with excellent operations will always outperform an excellent property with mediocre operations. PS: Reply with your top property management pain point - I'd love to share some practical solutions.

It's 2025. If you're an unproven real estate operator, you're toast. Capital markets are frozen, LPs won't return calls, and your apartment deal won't get funded. Here are the 5 strategies I see that ARE working - when everything else fails: 1. Team up with pros Don't go alone. Find someone who has done this before. New operators who can't raise $5M alone can get $50M+ with the right partner. What each side brings: • Pro partner: Past wins, investor friends, trust • You: Hard work, new deals, fresh ideas 2. Pick weird niches Don't do apartments like everyone else. Go narrow and deep. Focus on things like: • Storage parks • RV parks   • Surf parks When you're the "RV guy," investors call you first. 3. JV with big money Big investors still have cash. They want to work with new people. But you give up control. They put up 80-90% of money. You give them: • Big chunk of the fees • Big decisions Not great, but better than nothing. 4. Stay local Two ways this works: Build: Small, local projects in neighborhoods work best. Even small offices do well when they serve the community. Money: Raise from locals. Tell them you're making their city better. This works when big money says no. 5. Tell good stories Look at Radical Play Concepts. They turn old offices into family clubs in Dallas. It's not just real estate. It's about community and families. Investors don't just look at numbers now. They buy stories. Connect your project to something bigger than money. TAKEAWAY: Real estate fundraising has always been relationship-driven. But in 2025, traditional relationships aren't enough. Most operators are going to fail this year because they're running playbooks that worked in 2021. But if you focus on these five strategies, you might have a shot. I just have one question for YOU LinkedIn... What fundraising strategies are you seeing work in today's market?

One of the best CRE investment strategies today is acquiring older vintage hotels and converting them to naturally affordable apartments. You're able to: - Deliver a fully renovated product at a basis that's 50% less than traditional multifamily. - Stabilize to 8-10% return on cost - Offer affordable rents that are $300-500 per month lower than competing properties. It's a win-win for everyone involved. Yesterday, I spoke to Ryan Sudeck of Sage Investment Group. They're the market leader in the hotel conversion space having just acquired their 24th conversion deal. They now have 2,670 units under management and a wealth of knowledge to share. If you want to learn how they execute this business model from start to finish, check out the latest podcast episode on Apple or Spotify (search Recap with Brandon Roth). In 34 minutes, we covered everything you'd need to know about: - Market selection - Deal sourcing - Underwriting - Due diligence - Financing - Construction - Lease-up & stabilization - Outlook for the next 5 years