All Forum Posts by: Jorge Abreu

If you're not setting clear goals and tracking your KPIs, you're flying blind in real estate investing. 

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as both an investor and a coach is this: success isn’t random, it’s measured.

Whether you're scaling a portfolio, leading a team, or managing day-to-day operations, goal alignment and KPI visibility are game-changers.

Here’s how we break it down:

1. Company Goals – Big-picture vision: growth targets, investor returns, brand credibility, new market entry.
2. Department Goals – Focused objectives for leasing, maintenance, finance, etc.
3. Individual Goals – Role-specific KPIs that drive daily execution and tie back to the big vision.

💡 But goals alone aren’t enough. You need the right KPIs to track what matters:

✅ Leads & Lease Conversions - Measures marketing and leasing effectiveness; supports resident acquisition strategies
✅ Renewal Rates & Lease Trade-Outs - Gauges resident satisfaction and rental income optimization
✅ Physical & Economic Occupancy - Evaluates demand, pricing accuracy, and income stability
✅ Delinquency Trends - Helps manage cash flow and collection processes
✅ Work Order Completion & Resident Reviews - Assesses property management quality and responsiveness
✅ CapEx: Actual vs. Budget - Tracks project spending and supports cost control and planning
✅ Renovated Units & Rent Lifts - Measures renovation ROI and helps guide future investments
✅ NOI: Pro Forma vs. Actual - Compares projections to actual performance to ensure financial goals are met

We check these KPIs weekly. Why? Because real-time visibility allows us to adjust, improve, and stay ahead of problems before they grow.

Your KPIs tell your property's story—are you reading it often enough?

Want to scale your real estate business like a pro? Start by laying a strong foundation with simple systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs). These tools are essential for keeping your team running efficiently and your operations consistent.

I can tell you from experience, when you have clearly documented processes, tasks get done faster and with fewer mistakes. Begin with the basics and build as you grow. As your business evolves, so should your SOPs.

This is also the perfect time to lean on checklists. They help standardize your workflows, reduce errors, and make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Document every step, establish your systems, and you’ll create a business that can grow without chaos.

A key part of scaling is recognizing when you are the bottleneck. No one scales alone. As your business expands, you’ll need to bring in people with strengths in areas where you may lack experience. A strong, skilled team allows you to seize new opportunities without sacrificing your core operations.

In my own journey, I’ve been able to take on new challenges outside my skillset because I had a team I could trust to keep things running smoothly.

Bottom line:
Scaling a real estate business isn’t a solo act—it’s a team sport.

• Document your operations

• Identify where you need help

• Build a team that complements your skills

Growth is great, but adaptability is what makes it sustainable. Prepare your systems now, and you’ll be ready to act with clarity and confidence when new challenges and opportunities come your way.

Let's go!

The fear of getting started: Many aspiring real estate investors struggle with fear and uncertainty when starting their journey. The key is to take action and not wait until you feel 100% ready. Building a competent team, cultivating relationships, and having prior experience can provide the necessary confidence to submit offers and move forward.

The truth is, you don’t need to know everything before you start. What you do need is a solid team and the willingness to move forward. Surround yourself with skilled people—those who are strong where you’re not. Let your team carry part of the load so you can focus on leading and making smart decisions.

Relationships matter too. Having trusted professionals like attorneys, accountants, and brokers in your corner gives you confidence and support when you're making big moves.

Experience also helps ease fear. Every deal, every mistake, and every lesson builds your confidence. Over time, I developed clear systems and processes that helped me evaluate opportunities faster and more accurately. That clarity reduced hesitation and made decision-making easier.

Here’s one key lesson: Don’t wait to feel completely ready. If the numbers work and the deal fits your criteria, submit the offer. You don’t need to match the asking price exactly—make an offer that works for you. Rejection is part of the process, but each offer gets you closer to your goals.

Beat fear by taking action, building a strong team, and learning through experience. Confidence comes with momentum. The more you move forward, the easier it gets. Don’t let fear hold you back from becoming a successful investor.

In real estate, one document stands above the rest: the operating agreement.

It serves as the foundation for any partnership—outlining each person's roles, responsibilities, and how compensation is handled. A well-written operating agreement ensures everyone is aligned and helps prevent conflicts down the road.

Having built several successful companies, I can confidently say: don’t skip this step. An operating agreement keeps everyone on the same page. Taking the time to get it right from the start pays dividends later. It sets the tone for how the business operates.

Partnerships often run into trouble when expectations aren't clear.

Imbalances in contribution, effort, or decision-making can lead to frustration. That’s why it’s essential to clearly define duties and accountability in the agreement. Include regular check-ins and performance reviews to keep communication open and the team strong.

I’ve seen things fall apart when one partner feels overburdened or another feels left out. Setting clear expectations early avoids misunderstandings and builds trust.

Success in real estate depends on strong teamwork.

It’s not just about hiring skilled individuals—it’s about building a team that communicates well and shares the same vision. Regular reviews and team meetings help keep everyone aligned and focused.

Documentation is another key to scaling.

As your business grows, start creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists. You don’t need to do it all at once, but gradually building these systems will improve efficiency and support future growth.

From my experience as a real estate investor and coach, I’ve learned that two things make a huge difference:

🤝A great team

📄 Solid documentation

But above all, the operating agreement is the most important tool in your toolbox. It brings clarity, avoids surprises, and creates a healthy, productive partnership that can stand the test of time.

I hope this provides value to you and supports you on your journey. Let's go!

@Janet Behm Thanks for the kind words! I appreciate the follow and your insight. Great add. Glad to connect and looking forward to learning from your perspective as well.

To build a successful real estate business, you need to structure it in a way that aligns with your goals and provides the right protection. Let me walk you through what’s worked for me.

First and foremost, I recommend forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC). It's straightforward when it comes to taxes and offers solid legal protection. But don't go it alone—work with professionals like a real estate attorney and CPA to determine the best setup based on your income goals and unique circumstances. The right structure lays the groundwork for long-term success.

As you begin acquiring properties, consider forming separate entities for each one. This keeps things organized and adds another layer of protection—especially when dealing with lenders. Personally, I’ve found that using Delaware LLCs for individual properties checks all the boxes for lender requirements and offers peace of mind. Remember: organization fuels efficiency.

Segmenting your properties this way also helps you evaluate each one on its own merit while reducing the risk that issues with one property impact your whole portfolio. It sends a clear message to partners and lenders—you’re serious, professional, and thinking ahead.

These principles create a strong foundation for your business. As I often tell my mentees, structure your business for success, and success will follow.

One of my own mentors once told me: "Don't get lost in the weeds of structure—just take action." That advice stuck. So, keep it simple. If you haven't already, go online and set up that LLC. Don't overthink it. Take the leap.

Through my journey, I’ve learned that a solid structure is just one part of the equation. You also need a strong team and meaningful relationships. Real estate is a team sport, and the right people around you can turn fear into confidence.

In real estate investment, staying focused and maintaining clarity is vital from the start. It's easy to be lured by exciting new opportunities, but it's important not to lose sight of what’s in your wheelhouse. I call this the shiny object syndrome that can distract us from our goals.

To overcome this syndrome, I emphasize the need for well-defined systems and processes. These systems ensure that my team can effectively handle and evaluate opportunities that align with our investment goals. By having clear guidelines in place, we can filter out distractions and stay focused on our path to success.

Early on in my real estate investment journey, I recognized the importance of staying within my lane of expertise. While it may be tempting to explore different deals and asset classes, it's crucial to maintain focus and stick to our established investment strategy. Each asset class has its unique underwriting assumptions and expenses, and deviating from our lane can lead to costly mistakes.

Know your strengths and stay knowledgeable. By staying informed about our chosen asset class, we can make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risks. To succeed, avoid chasing every opportunity and focus on your expertise.

@Philip Barr I concur, thank you for sharing!

Mastering the Two Fronts: Managing and Scaling Your Real Estate Investments

As I advanced in my real estate journey, I faced a familiar challenge managing my current portfolio while scaling for growth. Picture juggling flaming torches on a unicycle that’s what it can feel like.

With a growing portfolio comes the need for more efficient management systems. Early on, I leaned on third-party property managers. But as my unit count increased, those managers’ margins shrank, making it tough to find quality teams willing to manage smaller portfolios.

The tipping point came around 80 units enough to justify in-house hires: a property manager, leasing agent, and maintenance tech. This internal structure gave me greater control and faster tenant response times, a must in multifamily investing.

Managing more units means more tenant issues and operational demands. Staying engaged, proactive, and informed is essential to keeping your investments on track.

Early in my career, I focused on C-class properties. They offer value-add opportunities and lower equity requirements ideal for beginners. As I gained experience, I reassessed goals and moved toward B- and A-class properties, which demand more capital and a proven track record. That’s when partnerships with private equity firms become viable and valuable.

Scaling adds complexity. Operational demands increase, and balancing personal growth with professional ambition becomes critical. A clear long-term vision helps you stay focused, make strategic decisions, and capitalize on the right opportunities.

In the end, success in real estate comes down to three things: managing your portfolio effectively, scaling with intention, and always aligning actions with long-term goals. With clarity, consistency, and commitment, the path to growth is achievable and rewarding.

@Kyle Vogeler

Thank you! I completely agree—networking is a game-changer. Surrounding yourself with the right people accelerates progress in ways you can’t achieve alone. It’s amazing what happens when you collaborate with like-minded individuals who share similar goals.