Real Estate Agent · Phoenixville, PA · Member since 2019 · 8 posts · 2 votes
Hello BiggerPockets!
As I learn more in Apartment investing and syndication, I'm curious to hear: Who are you favorite syndicators?
Who among the ranks of syndicators are the most consistent and you feel comfortable investing in their deals? Or who spends a lot of time educating newbies, and you are a fan of their work mentoring new syndicators the right way?
Cost Segregation Expert and Investor · Lakewood, NJ · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
@Travis Houck there are literally hundreds of successful syndicators out there, but only a few dozen that are active on BP, but now that you have put in the keywords, I'm sure a lot of great people will chime in :)
What are you looking for exactly? To learn from? To passively invest with? Or is this just a theoretical discussion?
I personally would look for track record. Specifically those who have successfully executed on their business plan all the way through disposition. There are way too many newbie syndicators and co-GPs out there, that call themselves syndicators that have not had enough experience, regardless if they have the right team. A few that come to mind as active BPers are @Brian Burke@Joe Fairless@Jeff Greenberg@Ben Leybovich@Brian Adams@Ivan Barratt
Cost Segregation Expert and Investor · Lakewood, NJ · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
@Travis Houck there are literally hundreds of successful syndicators out there, but only a few dozen that are active on BP, but now that you have put in the keywords, I'm sure a lot of great people will chime in :)
What are you looking for exactly? To learn from? To passively invest with? Or is this just a theoretical discussion?
I personally would look for track record. Specifically those who have successfully executed on their business plan all the way through disposition. There are way too many newbie syndicators and co-GPs out there, that call themselves syndicators that have not had enough experience, regardless if they have the right team. A few that come to mind as active BPers are @Brian Burke@Joe Fairless@Jeff Greenberg@Ben Leybovich@Brian Adams@Ivan Barratt
As I learn more in Apartment investing and syndication, I'm curious to hear: Who are you favorite syndicators?
Who among the ranks of syndicators are the most consistent and you feel comfortable investing in their deals? Or who spends a lot of time educating newbies, and you are a fan of their work mentoring new syndicators the right way?
Lets have a discussion!
Thank you!
It is not really the syndicator's job to educate newbies. They really can not offer financial advice so better not to be in situations where they are playing educator for people who might invest in their deals.
I see you are 'close' to Philadelphia. If you are new to investing, consider spending some time with apartment owners and other investors so you can learn the ropes. Not to be hands on. More so you know how others look at deals. In addition, if there are local syndicators, it is in their best interest and yours that you get to know each other before an investment is presented.
I am spending some time over the next few months about 45 minutes south of you. I can suggest a few meetings you might want to attend. Ones I have discovered or attended since relocating to the area.
Nobody educates more than Joe Fairless. From his podcast to his Syndication School, lots of great free resources.
Does voting for your boss count? lol
I thought the exact same thing...
I have no idea if he is or isn't the best educator in the MF syndication space, but it may make sense from a marketing perspective to put out there that he also signs your paycheck.
Dare may I return the favor and mention to look up the excellent Meetup hosted by Chris (and the Toro real estate team). The best Meetup or your money back ;)
Investor · Front Royal, VA · Member since 2013 · 586 posts · 418 votes
7y
@Travis Houck as you can see, a lot of posts have been removed on this one. Lot's of self-promotion. There are plenty of reputable folks here on BP, but your best bet is to look for folks with a long track record of success. If they don't have the time in the market, they should have partners on the team that do have that experience.
Specialist · Tampa, FL · Member since 2012 · 933 posts · 492 votes
7y
@Travis Houck there are a ton of great syndicators out there. As you can see from the answers in this post, it really all boils down to personal preference and who are you most comfortable with. A lot of syndicators here have their own podcast, even books they've published. Dive deep into their education and develop a level of comfortabilit, then take the direction your heart desires.
Accountant · Greensboro, NC · Member since 2015 · 22 posts · 10 votes
7y
@Travis Houck Maybe worth mentioning that you generally have to be an accredited investor to invest in a syndicated deal. You may know that but I don't want to make assumptions.
Also maybe worth mentioning that @Brandon Turner and @Ryan Murdock are launching a fund soon and have begun marketing that a little. Check that out if you are interested in the mobile home park space.
I recommend you run the numbers yourself and ask a lot of questions before getting into a deal. If you don't understand the asset class or the numbers, it's probably better to not invest or at least find someone you trust, maybe a mentor or someone with some experience, to help you vet the deal.
Real Estate Broker · OKC, OK · Member since 2018 · 10 posts · 3 votes
7y
@Travis Houck
The main thing I think you need to look for when researching Syndication is how many doors does the "guy sleeping his crap" own?
Is he really experienced in syndication or just selling his coaching. There has been alot get on the band wagon with Syndication coaching. Vet your coach.
There is no substitute for your own research imo. Some folks responding take fees or work with syndicators and one responded actually recommended his own firm. Look for long track records, alignment of interest with yours and people you won't mind being in business with for many years because you will be.
Also, good to keep in mind that we have had a huge increase in prices so most track records should probably be looked at with a little skepticism. Very few of those mentioned have track records going back further than 2008 and very few have large scale operating experience.
Rental Property Investor · St. Paul, MN · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
Lot's of good syndicators out there and on BP. Do your research and find the one that aligns best with your personality and goals. Everyone has their own area of expertise and teaches to that. If you are going to pay someone, just do your research.
Multi-Family Syndicator · Abington, MA · Member since 2017 · 603 posts · 347 votes
7y
Tons of great syndicators to invest with on this platform. Just have to do your homework. Not only do you have to select the right operator that meets your criteria you have to educate and continue to educate yourself as a passive investor. You want to understand some aspects of the business. Don't have to know everything, just enough to feel comfortable.
Investor · FL · Member since 2017 · 247 posts · 245 votes
7y
@Travis Houck Great question. I transitioned years ago into multifamily syndication investing. I've now invested with 14+ different syndication groups. Currently I am invested in 8 deals with Ashcroft Capital, they have been the best group I have worked with so far. I also brought my wife and my father into deals with them as well. In full transparency, I am fortunate to now be part of the Investor Relations with Ashcroft. With all that said, I have also had great experience working with other syndication groups and I invest in private note-lending and other real estate related funds as well. - PS Joe Fairless does a tremendous amount of education surrounding multifamily, syndications, and investing in genral. Best of luck!
Developer · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
I will not "toot my own horn" here, as I am a syndicator myself but here are things you need to consider:
1. Has the syndicator been investing long enough that his/her investing model stood the test of time?
2. Has he/she lost money for his/her investors?
If I am to invest as an LP, just based on my research, my GP of choice here on BP is @Brian Burke
I've been investing since 1999 and like Brian, I've never lost money for my investors even during the Great Recession of 2008-09. A lot of these younger syndicators have not gone through that (their business have not stood the test of time) and some of the deals they're touting are just marginal at best and will be financially disastrous when market cap rates start rising again.
Investor · Ogden, UT · Member since 2018 · 295 posts · 208 votes
5y
There are a few solid ones out there. Find the group that matches your investment criteria, your goals and your personality. A lot pitch hard on returns but there is a lot more to spending 5+ years invested with a group than +/- .5% IRR.
Investor · MI · Member since 2020 · 14 posts · 13 votes
5y
Myself! All jokes aside, I would have to say David Toupin, Josh Sterling and Darin Batchelder. All super great at what they do and always willing to help. I have had 2/3 of them on my podcast so far and it is always to cool to hear how they are all in the syndication game yet everyone has their own strategies! Welcome to the multifamily world!
Also, to answer your question David is actually launching a Master Mind group that will be launching November 1st, myself and 70 other syndicators will be in it. From 0 units to 1,000+ units syndicators will be in the group.