ChrisTopher Smith is the founder of CMS Equity and a seasoned real estate expert with over 20 years of experience in building successful projects across 48 states. After growing his construction company, MS Square Construction, by 100X, ChrisTopher transitioned to focus on Build-to-Rent real estate, offering accredited investors exceptional returns and significant tax benefits. His firm, CMS Equity, specializes in guiding investors through every step of the process, from research and underwriting to construction and property management. ChrisTopher is passionate about helping busy professionals redirect underperforming Self-Directed IRAs and 401(k)s into high-return real estate projects, allowing them to maximize their net worth and cash flow while minimizing tax liabilities. Through new construction investments in Maricopa County, the fastest-growing area in the U.S., CMS Equity provides a turnkey solution for investors looking to grow their wealth with zero effort. ChrisTopher's mission is to ensure investors achieve a high ROI while benefiting from tax advantages like accelerated depreciation and 1031 exchanges.

Connect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestor

Lonnie Hendry is the Chief Product Officer at Trepp, leading a global team responsible for developing and commercializing Trepp’s suite of CRE, CMBS, and CLO products. Since joining in 2019, Lonnie has spearheaded product innovation and business growth, launching multiple successful offerings that help clients achieve strategic goals.

He also co-hosts The TreppWire Podcast, a popular CRE podcast with over 1.1 million listens. Recognized for his industry insights, Lonnie is frequently cited by major publications like The Wall Street Journal and Commercial Observer.

With 22 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry, Lonnie's expertise spans multifamily management, leasing, brokerage, and appraisal. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Texas Tech University, teaching real estate courses and mentoring future professionals.

Lonnie holds a Master’s in Real Estate from the University of Texas at Arlington and serves on several advisory boards, contributing to industry leadership and education.

Keywords

commercial real estate, technology, passive investing, market trends, distressed properties, due diligence, multifamily investments, real estate education, investment strategies, CRE insights

Summary

In this episode, Randy Smith interviews Lonnie Hendry, Chief Product Officer at TREP, who shares his extensive experience in commercial real estate and the evolving role of technology in the industry. They discuss the cyclical nature of real estate markets, the importance of due diligence for passive investors, and the opportunities presented by distressed properties. Lonnie emphasizes the need for investors to educate themselves and ask the right questions to navigate the current market landscape effectively. The conversation also highlights the resilience of the commercial real estate sector and offers insights into future trends and investment strategies.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Lonnie Hendry and His Background

02:34 - The Intersection of Technology and Commercial Real Estate

04:43 - Market Trends and the Cyclical Nature of Real Estate

09:22 - Understanding Distressed Properties and Buying Opportunities

12:51 - Challenges in Turning Around Distressed Assets

17:09 - Due Diligence for Passive Investors

23:38 - Positive Outlooks and Market Resilience

29:35 - Advice for Passive Investors in Today's Market

36:39 - Educational Resources and Final Thoughts

RANDY SMITH

Connect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestor

Ken is the Founder and Managing Member of KRI Partners, a real estate private equity and investor education firm. He has more than 26 years of real estate, banking, private equity, and real estate investing experience. Throughout his career, he has been involved in transactions valued at more than $2.0 billion, which has included the acquisition, management, and financing of various multifamily real estate projects. Before forming KRI Partners, Ken was a CPA with Deloitte in their tax & M&A practice. His major clients included some of the largest private equity and real estate firms in the U.S. Prior to his career at Deloitte, he was a commercial lender at a large regional bank in Cleveland (now part of PNC). Before that, he owned and operated several certified Cessna Pilot Centers in the Northeast Ohio area where he trained pilots for the Delta Connection program. Ken is married and has three grown children. He enjoys learning, spending time with his family, and helping people create wealth through real estate so they can enjoy life as he has been able to.

Summary

In this episode of the Gentle Art of Crushing It podcast, host Randy Smith interviews Ken Gee, founder and president of KRI Partners. Ken shares his journey from being a CPA to a successful real estate investor, discussing the importance of team management, finding the right partners, and the transition to syndication. He emphasizes the significance of building investor confidence through a solid track record and transparency. Ken also shares insights on current market conditions, risk management strategies, and his disciplined approach to investing in multifamily properties in Florida. The conversation concludes with Ken's thoughts on investor education and his personal bucket list experiences.

Takeaways

Ken transitioned from CPA to real estate investor after realizing he wanted more time with his family.

Starting in real estate can be done alongside a full-time job.

Team management is crucial for scaling in real estate.

Finding the right partners can help overcome initial liquidity and experience challenges.

Syndication allowed Ken to expand his business into Florida.

Building investor confidence relies on a solid track record and transparency.

Ken follows four rules for choosing an operator: experience, track record, transparency, and putting investors first.

Current portfolio performance is stable due to disciplined risk management.

The market is expected to see increased deal velocity as more assets come to market.

Investors should focus on education and understanding the real estate space.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Ken Gee and His Journey

02:59 - Transitioning from CPA to Real Estate Investor

05:57 - The Importance of Team and Management in Real Estate

08:52 - Finding the Right Partners and Scaling the Business

12:00 - Syndication and Expanding into Florida

14:50 - Building Investor Confidence and Track Record

17:57 - The Four Rules for Choosing an Operator

20:50 - Current Portfolio Performance and Risk Management

24:00 - Market Outlook and Future Deal Velocity

27:01 - Investor Experience and Fund Structure

30:05 - Final Thoughts and Bucket List Adventures

Keywords

real estate, investing, syndication, multifamily, portfolio management, investor education, risk management, Florida real estate, CPA, asset management

RANDY SMITH

Connect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestor