What happens when a former engineer and Shark Tank entrepreneur applies a product developer’s mindset to real estate? Alvin Uy has been focused on real estate in Los Angeles for 22 years, doing construction, fix-and-flips, short-term rentals, ADUs, SB9, and most recently, senior living. In this episode, Alvin shares how he built wealth by treating real estate like a product, creating solutions that attract tenants instead of chasing them. From maximizing returns through ADUs and rent-by-the-room strategies to developing co-living and senior housing models inspired by personal experience, Alvin reveals the creative approaches that have allowed him to thrive in one of the nation’s toughest markets. He also opens up about today’s challenges with capital raising and investor expectations, while offering an optimistic outlook on Los Angeles real estate as the city prepares for global events and a new wave of growth.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Alvin Uy’s pursuit of real estate after seeing his immigrant parents lose everything.
- How Alvin transitioned from aerospace engineering and design into real estate by leveraging creativity and side hustles like flipping homes.
- What appearing on Shark Tank taught him: the value of betting on himself instead of selling out early.
- How viewing real estate as a product helped Alvin by shifting his focus from chasing deals to creating solutions people chase.
- Building ADUs in Los Angeles to force appreciation and cash flow.
- Boosting his returns by pivoting to rent-by-the-room models that maximized market rents and tenant turnover benefits.
- Partnering with a construction team that allows scalable, cost-efficient builds.
- Diversifying by experimenting with co-living models like student housing, assisted living, and sober living.
- Managing investor expectations and navigating market uncertainty with high-end flips.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Alvin Uy on LinkedIn
Alvin Uy on Instagram
Alvin Uy on X
AARK Investments
Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Asset Management Mastery Facebook Group
Invest Smart
Break of Day Capital
Break of Day Capital Instagram
🙏 Special thanks to our sponsor, Bromley Palamountain of Northwestern Mutual — helping professionals and business owners build financial plans that support long-term freedom. To book your complimentary consultation, click the link.
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