REady2Scale – Real Estate Investing

What if managing a 300-unit apartment complex was more like running a multimillion dollar business than simply collecting rent?

In this episode of REady2Scale, Jeannette Friedrich is joined by Kayla Maack, Senior Asset Manager at Blue Lake Capital, to unpack the reality behind asset management in multifamily real estate. From fostering resident relationships to avoiding costly renovation pitfalls, Kayla brings a wealth of experience and unfiltered insight into the systems, leadership, and mindset that separate average operators from great ones.

Key Takeaways:

– Beyond Rent Collection: Discover the complex daily operations required to manage multifamily assets and how even small inefficiencies can have significant financial consequences.

– Resident Retention Through Human Connection: Learn how consistent, compassionate communication with residents can reduce turnover and build long-term trust, even in a tech-driven environment.

– The “CEO” Mindset: Understand why on-site managers should think of themselves as CEOs of multimillion dollar businesses and how that shift impacts property performance.

– Leadership as Leverage: Explore how thoughtful leadership and team motivation directly translate into better resident experiences and stronger returns.

– Avoiding Renovation Pitfalls: Hear how renovation tracking systems, especially those that measure cost and ROI by unit, can help prevent project delays and budget overruns.

– When Management Changes Lives: Kayla shares a powerful story of how one small act of thoughtfulness changed the trajectory for a resident in crisis.

This episode is essential for investors, asset managers, and anyone curious about what truly drives operational success in multifamily real estate.

Guest: Kayla Maack, Senior Asset Manager at Blue Lake CapitalHost: Jeannette Friedrich, Director of Investor Relations

Connect with Kayla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-maack-7999354a/ Learn more at bluelake-capital.com.

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?

Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits

Producer: Blue Lake Capital

Strategist: Syed Mahmood

Editor: Emma Walker

Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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Is insurance the hidden reason multifamily deals no longer pencil like they used to? In this episode, Jeannette Friedrich, Director of Investor Relations at Blue Lake Capital, breaks down how a global phenomenon called reinsurance is driving up insurance costs across the U.S. and eroding investor returns. What used to be a manageable line item has now doubled or tripled in some markets, threatening the viability of deals, especially in high-risk regions.

This episode covers:

• What reinsurance is and why it impacts local multifamily investments

• How premiums have surged 30% to 50% in 2023 and 2024 due to climate risk and inflation

• Why insurance now consumes as much as 9% of gross income in some deals

• How this shift is affecting underwriting, deal flow, and investor distributions

• Red flags passive investors should watch for when reviewing deals

• What proactive sponsors are doing to mitigate insurance risk, such as shifting markets, increasing deductibles, and focusing on disaster-resilient CapEx

• Why conservative underwriting and geographic diversification matter more than ever

To dive deeper into how insurance fits into broader 2025 risk trends, check out our H2 Multifamily Outlook Report here: https://hubs.la/Q03rwdbQ0 

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Multifamily Investment Challenges

00:42 Understanding Reinsurance

01:20 Impact of Reinsurance on Multifamily Investments

02:59 Strategies for Investors to Mitigate Insurance Costs

04:08 Evaluating Sponsor Practices

04:35 Blue Lake’s Approach and Resources

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?

Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits

Producer: Blue Lake Capital

Strategist: Syed Mahmood

Editor: Emma Walker

Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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What if the retail apocalypse was just bad PR? In this episode of REady2Scale, we dive into the misunderstood world of retail and mixed-use real estate with Babak Ziai, founder of BrandView Inc. With over $2.5B in transactions and decades of experience transforming overlooked properties, Babak offers a grounded, data-informed perspective on where the real opportunities lie in today’s evolving retail landscape. If you’ve ever written off retail as yesterday’s asset class, this conversation may change your mind.

Key Takeaways:

– Retail is not one thing: Babak breaks down the diverse categories of retail such as malls, grocery-anchored centers, and street retail, and explains why each responds differently to market forces.

– Why e-commerce didn’t kill retail: Retail isn’t disappearing; it is evolving into a service and experience-based model where human interaction, wellness, and dining are central.

– What makes mixed-use properties work: Learn how thoughtful integration of secondary uses like office or residential around retail can create stronger, more resilient assets.

– How to revitalize overlooked assets: Babak shares his “rent roll 2.0” strategy and explains what types of tenants and experiences drive long-term NOI growth in challenging markets.

– Real-world operations insight: From activating vacant space with pop-ups to building trust with tenants, hear how hands-on property management can become a competitive advantage.

– Misconceptions investors still have: Babak reflects on why retail remains misunderstood and where sophisticated investors are finding opportunities that others miss.

Whether you are active in commercial real estate or simply curious about what’s next for physical retail, this episode offers a thoughtful and nuanced look at an asset class that is far from obsolete.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:24 Meet Bobak Zai: Retail Investment Expert
01:44 Understanding Retail Segments
03:58 The Future of Retail in an E-commerce World
07:20 Transforming Overlooked Properties
26:15 Lightning Round and Closing Thoughts

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?
Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits
Producer: Blue Lake Capital
Strategist: Syed Mahmood
Editor: Emma Walker
Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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If the market dropped 30%, would your legacy be at risk? Wealth that lasts doesn’t just grow. It defends. In this episode, Jeannette Friedrich, Director of Investor Relations at Blue Lake Capital, shares the exact three-layer strategy she has seen high-net-worth investors use to preserve their wealth, and now teaches within her own family. This approach helps you navigate uncertainty, avoid forced decisions, and remain flexible in volatile markets.

Key takeaways from this episode:

– Why holding 6 to 12 months of operating cash is essential, even for those with eight-figure net worths
– How passive income investments like multifamily real estate and preferred equity help reduce taxable income
– The purpose of a dedicated liquidity buffer and how it gives you the freedom to act without disrupting your portfolio
– Why relying on a single investment strategy leaves you vulnerable in unpredictable markets
– How combining all three layers builds financial resilience that supports both lifestyle and legacy

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Wealth Defense
00:45 Understanding Market Impact
01:52 Layer 1: Operating Cash
02:25 Layer 2: Passive Income
03:09 Layer 3: Liquidity Buffer
04:19 Conclusion and Next Steps

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?
Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits
Producer: Blue Lake Capital
Strategist: Syed Mahmood
Editor: Emma Walker
Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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What changed, what didn’t, and what does it all mean for investors today?
Twelve months ago, Paul Fiorilla of Yardi Matrix shared a cautiously optimistic outlook on multifamily real estate despite rising interest rates. Now, in June 2025, he returns to assess how that outlook held up. In this episode, Paul and host Jeannette Friedrich take a data-driven look at the key shifts in market fundamentals, capital flows, rent dynamics, and global headwinds, and what these mean for the road ahead.

Key Takeaways:
– Multifamily demand remained strong through 2024 but is expected to moderate due to slowing job growth, reduced immigration, and corporate return-to-office mandates

– Interest rates have not declined as anticipated, keeping refinancing difficult and limiting transaction volume across the market

– Distress exists but remains isolated, with capital still available for loan workouts, preferred equity, and mezzanine solutions

– Sunbelt markets continue to experience rent softness due to oversupply, even as new construction slows significantly

– Renewal rents are outperforming asking rents, reinforcing the value of tenant retention over new lease growth assumptions

– Conservative underwriting is critical, particularly in assuming flat or modest rent growth and avoiding reliance on overly optimistic projections

– Investors should prioritize experienced sponsors with strong balance sheets and a track record of navigating challenging environments

– Geopolitical shifts, including trade policy and U.S. retrenchment from global leadership, introduce new macroeconomic risks that may influence capital flows and inflation

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Guest Reintroduction
01:22 Market Overview and Risk Assessment
02:19 Property Fundamentals and Demand Drivers
05:49 Capital Markets and Financing Challenges
15:30 Regional Market Insights and Rent Growth
23:57 Geopolitical Risks and Future Outlook

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?
Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits
Producer: Blue Lake Capital
Strategist: Syed Mahmood
Editor: Emma Walker
Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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When you hear “immigration,” do you think of people or capital? In this episode, Jeannette Friedrich breaks down a lesser-known but highly influential trend: the flow of global wealth into U.S. real estate. From institutional investors to high-net-worth families, five countries are significantly shaping U.S. property markets through strategic investments. This episode offers a data-backed breakdown of who is investing, where, and why, giving investors a clearer lens on what drives pricing, competition, and long-term opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

– Canada leads as the largest foreign investor in U.S. commercial real estate with over $184 billion deployed since 2015, driven by pension funds seeking long-duration, dollar-denominated cash flow

– Chinese investors focus on single-family and condo assets near top universities, with motivations including capital flight hedging, education pipelines, and EB-5 visa incentives

– Mexico leverages geographic proximity, with dual-national families targeting vacation rentals and income properties in border states and Florida

– Indian investors are the fastest-growing segment, focusing on suburban tech corridors in markets like Austin and the Bay Area to establish long-term roots and benefit from rental yield differentials

– Sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf region, especially Qatar, are deploying capital at scale into U.S. trophy assets, data centers, and private credit, seeking diversification away from petro-currency exposure

– By understanding these trends, investors can gain a competitive edge in anticipating shifts in demand, asset pricing, and capital inflows across U.S. markets.

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?

Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits

Producer: Blue Lake Capital

Strategist: Syed Mahmood

Editor: Emma Walker

Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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When you hear “immigration,” do you think of people or capital? In this episode, Jeannette Friedrich breaks down a lesser-known but highly influential trend: the flow of global wealth into U.S. real estate. From institutional investors to high-net-worth families, five countries are significantly shaping U.S. property markets through strategic investments. This episode offers a data-backed breakdown of who is investing, where, and why, giving investors a clearer lens on what drives pricing, competition, and long-term opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

– Canada leads as the largest foreign investor in U.S. commercial real estate with over $184 billion deployed since 2015, driven by pension funds seeking long-duration, dollar-denominated cash flow

– Chinese investors focus on single-family and condo assets near top universities, with motivations including capital flight hedging, education pipelines, and EB-5 visa incentives

– Mexico leverages geographic proximity, with dual-national families targeting vacation rentals and income properties in border states and Florida

– Indian investors are the fastest-growing segment, focusing on suburban tech corridors in markets like Austin and the Bay Area to establish long-term roots and benefit from rental yield differentials

– Sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf region, especially Qatar, are deploying capital at scale into U.S. trophy assets, data centers, and private credit, seeking diversification away from petro-currency exposure

– By understanding these trends, investors can gain a competitive edge in anticipating shifts in demand, asset pricing, and capital inflows across U.S. markets.

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?

Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits

Producer: Blue Lake Capital

Strategist: Syed Mahmood

Editor: Emma Walker

Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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Are we heading toward a global correction, or just caught in fear?With uncertainty dominating today’s headlines, it is natural to look for historical patterns that help make sense of what is next. In this episode, Dr. Adam Gower, founder of GowerCrowd and a seasoned real estate capital advisor, unpacks the financial lessons he uncovered from studying the Great Depression and how they apply to navigating today’s volatile market. From capital preservation to creativity under pressure, this episode is filled with hard-earned wisdom for investors looking to endure and thrive in uncertain times.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

– Why the impact of major downturns often feels delayed in real estate but is no less severe

– How low leverage, lender relationships, and capital reserves helped investors survive the Great Depression- Why creativity (like Hilton’s asset management pivot) was essential during past crises- What signals Adam Gower is tracking now that concern him more than any in his 40-year career- How to rethink financial freedom, modest wealth-building, and burn rate in a post-2024 world

– Why long-term perspective, humility, and helping others are critical for building an extraordinary life

Guest: Dr. Adam Gower Founder, GowerCrowd Newsletter: gowercrowd.com

Research paper: https://gowercrowd.com/real-estate-syndication/resources/navigating-uncertainty-great-depression-lessons PhD in History, Banking and Risk Mitigation Former President, Asia Pacific at Universal Studios

For a deeper dive into Adam’s research on the Great Depression and its parallels to today’s macroeconomic landscape, find the link to his white paper in the show notes. 

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?

Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits

Producer: Blue Lake Capital

Strategist: Syed Mahmood

Editor: Emma Walker

Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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Is it finally time to step off the sidelines and re-enter the multifamily market?If you’ve been waiting for clarity before making your next move in real estate, this episode breaks down critical data points from Blue Lake Capital’s H2 2025 Multifamily Outlook. Jeannette Friedrich, Director of Investor Relations, walks through key trends that suggest the market may be entering a window of opportunity, especially for those focused on long-term fundamentals.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

– Why Q1 2025 marked the strongest first quarter for absorption in over 30 years and what that signals for demand

– How vacancy rates are tightening, dropping from 7% to closer to 5%, even amid elevated new supply

– What to expect in Q3 2025, when two thirds of active construction is projected to hit the market, followed by a sharp pullback

– Why new construction starts are down 11% year over year and how this points to a constrained future supply pipeline

– What these supply-demand dynamics mean for investors considering re-entry or expansion into multifamily now

Download the full H2 2025 Multifamily Outlook Report here: https://hubs.la/Q03rwdbQ0

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?

Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits

Producer: Blue Lake Capital

Strategist: Syed Mahmood

Editor: Emma Walker

Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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What can a retired real estate mogul with $28 billion in AUM teach us about building enduring wealth, navigating downturns, and staying relevant in a digital world?

In this episode of REady2Scale, we sit down with John S. Pennington, Jr., co-founder of Bridge Investment Group, who led the firm from its inception through an IPO and managed over 100 funds before retiring in 2021. He shares the hard-earned lessons of building a real estate empire, the value of long-term thinking, and how digital assets like Bitcoin could reshape the future of alternative investments. With a candid mix of storytelling and strategic insight, John breaks down the realities of fund structuring, economic cycles, succession planning, and risk.

Key Takeaways:

– The fund structure that allowed Bridge to scale and why general partnerships offer more control than public corporations.

– Why 2008 was the best buying opportunity of his lifetime and how they positioned themselves early to take advantage.

– How John evaluates risk today and why experienced managers with personal capital in the fund matter.

– A comparison of 2025’s macro landscape to past crisis years, and what it might signal for investors.

– A primer on tokenization, Eurodollars, and the long-term challenge digital assets pose to traditional finance.

– Succession planning insights from someone who transitioned out with intention and impact.

– How personal discipline, family focus, and resisting lifestyle inflation created long-term security.

– Why he still keeps 90% of his wealth in real estate-backed assets and the balance he strikes with Bitcoin and gold.

– This conversation is a masterclass in how real estate, economics, and disciplined investing intersect and what it really takes to build something that lasts.

Guest Info

John S. Pennington, Jr.Co-Founder, Bridge Investment Group (Retired)Author of Dollars, Gold & Bitcoin: A Guide to Value in a Changing World

LinkedIn: John S. Pennington, Jr.

Website: www.johnspenningtonjr.com

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:37 John’s Journey and Key Lessons

11:48 Navigating Financial Crises and Future Outlook

21:55 The Eurodollar System and Global Currency Dynamics

22:23 Balancing Real Estate and Digital Assets

24:47 Succession Planning and Retirement Insights

Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments?

Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com.

Credits

Producer: Blue Lake Capital

Strategist: Syed Mahmood

Editor: Emma Walker

Opening music: Pomplamoose

*𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘗𝘈, 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶.

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