Cost Segregation Specialist for Small Multifamily (1-200 Units)

Chicago, Illinois
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Cost Segregation Specialist for Small Multifamily (1-200 Units)

Max Segal
Specialist · Chicago, IL · Member since 2025 · 15 posts · 4 votes

Hi BiggerPockets Community!

My name is Max and I’m based here in Chicago. I’ve been following the forums for a while and wanted to officially introduce myself.

My background is in tax strategy and engineering, specifically focused on Cost Segregation.

I noticed a huge gap in the market where most "big firms" won't touch deals under $5M (or they charge fees that don't make sense for the deal). Consequently, a lot of Small Multifamily (SMF) owners—specifically in the 5-200 unit space—end up using standard 27.5-year depreciation and overpaying their taxes.

I decided to launch a firm specifically to fix that problem for the "little guys" using tech to speed up the process and lower fees.

I'm here to answer any questions about Bonus Depreciation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or general tax strategy for value-add deals. I know the tax code can be dry, but I actually love this stuff.

Looking forward to connecting with other investors and adding value where I can!

Best, 
Max

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  • Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo
    Welcome max! Looking forward to seeing your insights!
    [email protected]
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  • Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10mo

    Welcome to BP offically, @Max Segal!  Love your niche in the cost seg world of 5-200 unut space.

    Assuming you are also taking on properties outside Chicago, correct?  And Illinois for that matter?  

    We've got a larger 19-unit building in Cicero that we may be doing a cost seg on sometime soon.

    Would love to have you out to one of the meetups to talk about Cost Segregation- a topic that's pretty hard to understand.

    [email protected]
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  • Max Segal
    OP
    Specialist · Chicago, IL · Member since 2025 · 15 posts · 4 votes
    10mo

    Thanks Jonathan!

    Yes - small multifamily nationwide! 

    Sounds good - would love to!

    0Reply
  • Reyjie Sobebe
    Member since 2025 · 29 posts · 7 votes
    10mo

    Max, this is a solid intro and honestly a real need in the SMF space. You’re spot on that deals under $5M get ignored or priced out, and that’s exactly where depreciation optimization actually moves the needle the most for active investors. I’ve seen a lot of owners sitting on meaningful paper losses but unable to use them because they’re missing proper structure or documentation around participation and REP. That’s actually why I use automated tools, not as a flashy thing, just a clean way to keep hours, activities, and elections defensible so cost seg benefits don’t get wasted or challenged later. Glad to have more people here who understand both the engineering and tax side looking forward to learning from your posts.

    0Reply
    • Basit SiddiqiBusiness Member
      Accountant · New York, NY · Member since 2015 · 8k+ posts · 3k+ votes
      9mo

      'Fix the problem' by using tech - What does that even mean?
      The Big, medium or small firms are all likely using tech at this point.

      [email protected]917-280-8544
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    • Maya Jones
      Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes
      9mo
      Quote from @Reyjie Sobebe:

      Max, this is a solid intro and honestly a real need in the SMF space. You’re spot on that deals under $5M get ignored or priced out, and that’s exactly where depreciation optimization actually moves the needle the most for active investors. I’ve seen a lot of owners sitting on meaningful paper losses but unable to use them because they’re missing proper structure or documentation around participation and REP. That’s actually why I use automated tools, not as a flashy thing, just a clean way to keep hours, activities, and elections defensible so cost seg benefits don’t get wasted or challenged later. Glad to have more people here who understand both the engineering and tax side looking forward to learning from your posts.


       Do you mind sharing more about yous system for tracking hours and material participation. I am aiming to earn the REP status for 2026. TIA

      0Reply
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