The LSCRE Podcast

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...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Joe Downs, CEO of Belrose Group, who shares his journey from financial advisor to bar owner to self-storage operator. After multiple career reinventions, Joe discovered that 80% of self-storage facilities are owned by mom & pop operators – creating a massive opportunity for professional operators who can bring modern technology, dynamic pricing, and professional management to an ...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Gino Barbaro of Jake and Gino, who shares his 20-year journey from running a restaurant to owning 1,800+ multifamily units. After spending 18 months finding their first 25-unit deal for $675K (now worth $2.5M), Gino explains how he worked full-time while building his portfolio – dedicating 15-20 hours weekly to real estate until 2015.

He emphasizes the importance of limitin...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Casey Stratton, who shares his journey from corporate layoffs during the GFC to building a real estate portfolio using the 1% rule – buying duplexes for $100K that rented for $1K/month. Now focused on Eastern Washington's Tri-Cities (one of the top 20 fastest-growing MSAs), Casey discusses how they're navigating today's 0.75% reality by pursuing true off-market deals a...

In this episode, Craig Mcgrouther sits down with Axel Ragnarsson of Aligned Real Estate Partners, who's carved out a unique niche buying 5-20 unit properties direct from sellers in Southern New Hampshire. Since 2016, Axel has built a 525-unit portfolio by maintaining long-term follow-up with sellers, often nurturing relationships for 12-18 months before closing. 

He explains how 75% of his deals bypass brokers entirel...

In this post-LSC Summit episode recorded in NYC, Craig McGrouther and I reflect on another successful investor event and dive deep into current market opportunities. We share behind-the-scenes insight on why our summit is designed to break even, the power of curated in-person networking, and the culture of accessibility that sets our events apart.

We break down why 1970s-80s vintage multifamily is becoming the sweet spot –...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Andrew McNair, founder of SWAN Capital, who shares his remarkable journey from saving $62K working at McDonald's and Denny's as a teenager to losing it all in the stock market at 19. After reading Rich Dad Poor Dad at 14, Andrew worked for free at a wealth management firm while maintaining jobs, eventually building a portfolio of 54 rental properties by age 30.

Th...

In this episode of the LSCRE podcast, Craig McGrouther, Sam Morris, and I tackle the "hackneyed" concept of value-add investing and why it's been reduced to a one-trick pony of kitchen renovations. We explain how value-add became overused to the point of losing meaning, with sponsors pitching newer construction as "value-add opportunities".

We explore alternative value-add strategies: operational i...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther sits down with Marcin Drozdz of M1 Capital, who shares his 20-year journey from buying his first property at 19 to raising $300M for Ken McElroy during the 2008 crisis. Marcin reveals how he bought medical amd dental plazas for 20-30 cents on the dollar during the GFC, targeting insurance-backed tenants that remained recession-proof.

He breaks down the "3 P's" of fund raisi...

In this episode, Craig McGrouther and I dive deep into the nuances of "above the line" and "below the line" expenses in multifamily underwriting. We explain how the "line" is Net Operating Income (NOI), with operating expenses like payroll and insurance sitting above, while CapEx and debt service fall below. I reveal the art behind these classifications and how a unit renovation could be coded as eithe...