After 8+ years and $150M+ in real estate acquisitions, here's what actually drives returns: operations, not deals.
In this special episode, I break down the operational lessons that separate winning real estate investors from the rest. From why I stopped talking to middle management and started calling leasing agents directly, to the $2,200 water heater mistake that taught me about cost control.
What You'll Learn:
- The "get in the weeds" philosophy - why Basil II managed his empire from the battlefield, not the throne room
- Tenant retention early warning systems (work orders are your canary in the coal mine)
- Leasing speed kills competition - Caesar's "trivial causes" principle applied to 15-minute response times
- Financial forensics - Carnegie's cost obsession and why you need to audit every invoice
- Infrastructure over deals - building systems that outlast you
- Managing trades and contractors without getting burned
Historical Connections: Each operational lesson connects back to characters we've studied - from Carnegie's weighing scales to Marcus Aurelius's early warning philosophy to the Medici's contractor management systems.
This isn't your typical "10 tips" episode. These are hard-won lessons from managing 550+ units, with the historical wisdom to back them up.
Perfect for: Active real estate investors, property managers, and anyone building an operating business.
Most investors focus on deals. Winners focus on operations.
Resources Mentioned:
- Andrew Carnegie biography and cost control methods
- Basil II's administrative systems
- Caesar's Letters from Gaul
Connect with Arie:
- Newsletter: The Timeless Investor on Substack
- Email: arie@lombardequities.com
- Previous episodes on Carnegie, Basil II, Caesar, and more
Subscribe and leave a review if this episode helps you think differently about real estate operations!
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If you want to learn about new investment opportunities through Lombard Equities Group (accredited investors only), please reach out here.
Think Well. Act Wisely. Build Something Timeless.
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