Profit or People? The Ethics of Real Estate Investing

In this episode of The Remote Investor podcast, hosts Michael Albaum, Tom Schneider, and Pierre Carrillo tackle the critical question of whether it's possible to be a moral and ethical real estate investor and property owner. They dive into common criticisms leveled against landlords, including rent increases, exploitation of vulnerable tenants, gentrification and community displacement, prioritizing profit over tenant well-being, and the ethics of evictions.

The panel provides thoughtful, nuanced perspectives, acknowledging the valid concerns behind these criticisms while also highlighting the realities and challenges of operating a rental property business. They emphasize the importance of running an ethical operation, maintaining empathy and humanity in tenant relationships, and finding win-win solutions.

Key topics covered include the economics of rental property ownership, the supply and demand dynamics impacting housing affordability, and strategies for proactively supporting tenants facing difficulties. The hosts also underscore the critical need to increase the overall supply of affordable housing.

This episode offers a balanced and insightful exploration of the ethical dilemmas facing real estate investors, providing valuable guidance for anyone seeking to build a socially responsible investment portfolio.