The LSCRE Podcast

What happens to multifamily real estate when the market resets — and where is smart capital moving next?
In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Ari Rastegar, Founder of Rastegar Capital, to break down real estate cycles, capital flows, and large-scale development across Texas.

Ari shares his journey from law to institutional real estate, and offers a candid look at:

How multifami...

How should multifamily deals really be underwritten in 2026?

In this live LSCRE podcast, we break down how we are underwriting multifamily real estate today and the critical mistakes investors and sponsors don’t realize until years 3–5.

This episode covers real-world underwriting decisions we’re making right now, including:

Why underwriting mistakes don’t show up in year one

Cash flow vs IRR (and...

Higher leverage makes deals look better on paper,  but often weakens cash flow and increases risk.

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down why we structure deals with lower leverage for better cash flow and risk management.

We discuss targeting lower loan-to-value, using full-term interest-only debt, and maintaining strong coverage from day one.

We explain why LTV alone doe...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Andrew Davis, Partner at Fully Funded, to discuss why integrity has become the most valuable advantage in real estate investing.

Andrew shares insights from raising hundreds of millions in capital, building investor trust at scale, and partnering with best-in-class operators. He explains how discipline, clear incentives, and long-term thinking matter mor...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down how market cycles influence smarter capital decisions.

We explore why patience, long-term holds, and strategic underwriting leads to better outcomes than chasing hot deals. Learn how understanding cycles, managing closing costs, and avoiding short-term flips can reduce risk and compound returns over time.

Whether you’re a new investor or seaso...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Michael Guthrie, who grew his ATM business to over 8,000 machines across the United States before exiting in 2023. He explains how he scaled the business one machine at a time, expanded through affiliates, and created a model that allowed him to generate income while remaining hands-off.

Michael shares how those same principles of calculated risk, smart ...

In this episode of the Live LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down how to maximize value and reduce expenses in multifamily properties.

We dive into contract services, maintenance strategies, and key line items in the P&L that can make or break your NOI. Learn how strategic expense management, property tax exemptions, and smart operational practices can drive strong, risk-adjusted returns.

Whether yo...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Mathew Owens from OCG Properties to explore how the smartest investors approach risk, opportunity, and cash flow.

They discuss how alternative strategies like real estate-backed loans and unique financing structures create consistent returns, and why understanding the numbers is only part of the story. Mathew shares lessons from his investing journey, re...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down the most surprising finance trends shaping 2025, covering everything from capital flows to unexpected movements in the debt markets.

We talk through why these trends are emerging now, how they are influencing investor behavior, and what they reveal about the next phase of the real estate cycle. The episode highlights the data points that matter most fo...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Alex Zahn from Sunrise Capital Investors to unpack the alternative real estate strategies investors aren’t hearing about.

They dive into unique opportunities in mobile home communities and parking structures, exploring how cash flow, long-term land value, and smart management create compelling returns. Alex shares insights on how this “cash-covered land ...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I unpack the latest market update and what it tells us about today’s multifamily landscape.

We explore shifting transaction volumes, rising prices, and how debt origination, not just sales activity, is shaping investor decisions. The discussion highlights what data points truly matter for evaluating risk and opportunity in the current environment.

Learn mo...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Jack Martin to uncover the hidden goldmine in mobile home parks and affordable housing.

They explore the factors driving opportunity in this sector, from rising demand and shifting demographics to innovative strategies that unlock value for investors. Jack shares his perspective on what makes mobile home parks a compelling market, highlighting areas wher...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I break down how the best real estate deals are actually found - not by chasing hype, but by understanding when the market overreacts.

We discuss why disciplined investors position themselves to act when others pull back, and how reading sentiment shifts can uncover opportunities that most overlook. I also share why staying grounded in fundamentals matters more tha...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther sits down with Ray Hightower to discuss why entrepreneurs are betting on Arizona.

They explore the factors driving Arizona’s growth, from population inflows and business migration to a thriving innovation ecosystem that continues to attract investors and operators. Ray shares his perspective on what makes Arizona a standout market, highlighting the opportunities emergi...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I unpack the real story behind rent growth in today’s market.

We break down how new supply, wage trends, and inflation are influencing multifamily performance, and why headline rent growth figures don’t always reflect what’s happening on the ground. I share insights on how investors can separate short-term volatility from sustainable demand and what data points mat...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and Sam Morris uncover how one simple debt decision can completely wipe out investor returns.

They discuss how leverage, loan structure, and interest rate exposure can quickly turn a profitable deal into a loss – and what disciplined operators do differently to protect downside risk. Craig and Sam share insights on aligning financing strategy with investment goals, str...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I dive into how investors can stay competitive and build sustainable portfolios in today’s market environment.

We discuss why many investors are being forced to rethink their capital structures, how to protect returns without taking on excessive leverage, and the principles of disciplined underwriting that separate strong operators from overextended ones. I share i...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Sam Silverman to discuss the critical challenge facing fund managers today in building sustainable revenue while waiting years for equity deals to pay out.

Sam introduces KUDO Capital's private credit fund, which targets 16% annual returns through business funding investments that fully amortize in 4 to 12 months. With a fully aligned fee structure where the GP takes z...

In this episode of the LSCRE Podcast, Craig McGrouther and I tackle whether alpha is dead in multifamily real estate.

I explain how institutionalization has compressed returns across the board, but opportunities still exist through vertical integration, market expertise, and innovative strategies. We break down what true vertical integration actually means and how these "one percenters" create the actual value ad...