Looking to Build a Real Estate Empire WITHOUT Syndications

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Looking to Build a Real Estate Empire WITHOUT Syndications

Matt J.
Rental Property Investor · Hugo, MN · Member since 2014 · 283 posts · 257 votes

On the podcasts over the past couple of years, it seems like the hosts of the original BiggerPockets podcast focus more on raising funds to invest in big deals than what I think they started out as, which was the mom/pop investor looking to grow on their own. 

I'm definitely not saying there's anything wrong with syndications or raising money, but what I'm wondering is, are there any good podcasts to listen to for people with goals like mine? 

To own all of my own units without any partners or raising funds, probably not to the same scale but with a lot more control over what I have and not being beholden to any investors, employees, etc. 

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Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
4y
Quote from @Matt J.:

On the podcasts over the past couple of years, it seems like the hosts of the original BiggerPockets podcast focus more on raising funds to invest in big deals than what I think they started out as, which was the mom/pop investor looking to grow on their own. 

I'm definitely not saying there's anything wrong with syndications or raising money, but what I'm wondering is, are there any good podcasts to listen to for people with goals like mine? 

To own all of my own units without any partners or raising funds, probably not to the same scale but with a lot more control over what I have and not being beholden to any investors, employees, etc. 


vast majority of BP members are mom and pop and as such there is a ton of info in the forums.  Syndication or becoming a GP  or whatever is simply a natural progression for those who want to scale and dont want to wait decades to do it organically.
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  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Matt J.:

    On the podcasts over the past couple of years, it seems like the hosts of the original BiggerPockets podcast focus more on raising funds to invest in big deals than what I think they started out as, which was the mom/pop investor looking to grow on their own. 

    I'm definitely not saying there's anything wrong with syndications or raising money, but what I'm wondering is, are there any good podcasts to listen to for people with goals like mine? 

    To own all of my own units without any partners or raising funds, probably not to the same scale but with a lot more control over what I have and not being beholden to any investors, employees, etc. 


    vast majority of BP members are mom and pop and as such there is a ton of info in the forums.  Syndication or becoming a GP  or whatever is simply a natural progression for those who want to scale and dont want to wait decades to do it organically.
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  • Jeffrey Albaum
    Investor · Austin TX · Member since 2018 · 151 posts · 165 votes
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    Hi @Matt J.! There are tons of great podcasts out there! Another favorite of mine is the Remote Real Estate Investor that Roofstock puts out. Give it a listen and hope that helps!

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  • Michael Dumler
    Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
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    @Matt J. BiggerPockets still talks a good deal about traditional investing and scaling your portfolio but recognizes the fact that capital can get tied up into assets quickly and easily, hence, why many investors venture into the syndication space. The Real Estate Guys Radio Show is another great podcast to listen to for real estate investing strategies. Hope this helps!

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  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
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    Biggerpockets has the Rookie podcast. I never listen to it, but I assume it's focused specifically on the beginning stages.

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  • Evan Polaski
    Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    4y

    @Matt J., I would imagine this would be hard to find.  Podcasts are a great marketing tool, and typically those that do not want or need to raise capital from outside sources do not need to market in that manner.  However, if you seek out podcasts that are run by syndicators, they will often have non-syndicator guests on telling their stories, but this will take more research to find specific episodes.

    As for your goals of "not being beholden to investors, employees, etc".  Unfortunately owning any "empire" will require employees.  Without employees, your empire will be a 24/7 job for you alone, which will impact both your life and your finances.  

    While this is diverging from the point of your post, I like to share that the 4 largest owners in my market do not have outside investors.  They self fund all acquisitions.  It is totally possible to grow to a large scale without outside equity, but it certainly takes more time.  These groups own thousands of units each.  But they have employees, hundreds often, because they are their own management company. 

    A good friend who made his money in venture capital noted once that "everyone has a boss", which is ultimately your customer.  In rentals, you will be beholden to your tenants no matter what.  

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  • Nicholas L.Pro Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Pittsburgh · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y

    @Matt J. yes, there are tons.  For example, check out the Rental Income Podcast with Dan Lane.  He seems to focus on experienced but smaller landlords with small to medium size portfolios who have been very successful.  They often get into great detail on a variety of topics like the earlier BP podcasts.

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  • Bryan Hancock
    Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    4y

    There is always a control versus growth tradeoff to investing.  Taking in capital from outside sources generally comes with giving away control in some fashion or having additional stakeholders to answer to.  More capital means you can grow faster, but the price you pay is extra complexity and having others to report to in some fashion or another.  There really is no free lunch.

    Startup founders face a similar dilemma when they're growing.  They need capital to grow, but one of the primary reasons to take the risk of starting your own thing is to optimize for autonomy.  So you need to decide if you want to be a "lifestyle business" (often used in the pejorative sense) or if you want to aim for growth.  There isn't a right answer, but recognize that there are tradeoffs unless you're fortunate to have been born into a situation with significant resources to start.

    As others have stated BiggerPockets is chalk-full of people in your situation.  Just recognize that your growth is going to be constrained by your time, the time of your employees, or the capital you can bring to bear to fuel growth out of the equity your PFS.  

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  • Chris Levarek
    Real Estate Syndicator · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2018 · 903 posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @Matt J. I always thought the BiggerPockets podcast was more an every type of strategy kind of podcast. Syndication podcasts are definitely more tailored in my opinion such as Cashflow Connections, The Real Estate Syndication Show or any podcast by the major big name syndicators, take your pick.

    Yet, I think Real Estate Radio guys is pretty good for economics and overall info, Real Estate Strategies is good by Ken McElroy, and maybe Real Estate & Financial Independence by Chad Carson might be some you can check out.

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  • Paul MoorePro Member
    Commercial Real Estate Fund Manager · Lynchburg, VA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    Hi @Matt J.. I would check out any of the podcasts out out by Jason Hartman. You might also want to check out Kathy Fettke’s The Real Wealth Show    

    Good luck!   

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