Are you looking for a way to scale your real estate portfolio? Maybe you’ve been thinking about multifamily investing but you’re asking the same question a lot of people are right now: “Is this really the right time?”

I get it. There’s a lot of noise out there—talk of high interest rates, an uncertain economy, and deal flow slowing down. But right now is actually one of the best times to get into multifamily investing because of something called “risk-adjusted return.”

In this post, I’m going to break down why that is, what “risk-adjusted return” means, and how this measurement can help you make smarter investment decisions—especially in today’s market.

Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Multifamily Real Estate? 

The question we’ll answer here is this: is now a good time to start investing in multifamily real estate? 

This question matters because timing can feel like everything when you’re starting out. And when you see market headlines that feel scary or uncertain, it’s easy to think, “Maybe I should just wait.” 

But I don’t think the headlines are accurately representing the reality of the current condition of the market. Let me explain. 

Two years ago, the market was hot. Everyone was buying. You had to put deposits on deals. Prices were high. But now it’s completely different. Prices are lower. Yes, interest rates are higher, but the risk is actually lower. Here’s what I mean: 

The Market is Favorable Right Now Because of Risk-Adjusted Return

We’re in a place where the returns are still strong, but the risk is much lower than it used to be. That’s what we call a risk-adjusted return.

Here’s how I define it:

A risk-adjusted return is what you earn on your investment after accounting for the risk you’re taking. Let’s take a look back a couple of years. 

You might have gotten a 15% return on a deal, but the risk was through the roof—aggressive rent projections, high purchase prices, barely any room for error. If anything went sideways, your return could’ve vanished overnight.

Today, you can still find many deals at a 15% return – but with far less risk than previously. This is because: 

1. Prices are down. Sellers are more flexible. You’re not fighting off 15 other buyers to land the deal.
2. Rent growth has normalized. You're not banking on sky-high rent jumps to make the deal work.
3. You can be conservative. There’s room to build in solid buffers and still hit strong returns.
   

When I say the risk-adjusted return is better now, that’s what I mean. You’re earning the same return but without walking a tightrope.

Now’s the Time to Be Selective (And That’s a Good Thing)

The shift in the market has done something really important: it’s slowed down the pace. You’re not racing against the clock or getting into bidding wars every week.

This gives you something powerful—time to analyze. You can be picky. You can say “no” to deals that don’t check all the boxes. You’re not forced to compromise just to get in the game.

You’ve also got a chance to negotiate better terms. Whether it’s on price, financing, or seller concessions, there’s a real opportunity if you know where to look.

So if you’re a new investor—or someone looking to scale—this is your moment to step in smart – not fast.

What You Should Do Next

Here are a few action steps if you’re serious about investing in multifamily right now:

1. Learn how to analyze deals. You need to understand what makes a deal good after accounting for risk. Use conservative assumptions. Look for deals with built-in safety nets.
   
2. Build your team. Even in a market with less competition, you still need brokers, lenders, and partners you can trust.
   
3. Get your capital ready. Line up investors or lenders before you have a deal under contract. The best deals often come together fast once they show up.
   
4. Act—don’t wait. Waiting for “perfect timing” is just another form of fear. The best deals usually come when others are sitting on the sidelines.
   

Multifamily investing is still one of the most powerful ways to build wealth—and now might be the safest it’s been in years to get started. The key is understanding risk-adjusted return and using that lens to make better decisions.

Don’t let fear or uncertainty keep you from taking action. If you’re prepared, educated, and willing to be selective, this market has huge potential for you.

👉 Watch the full video here to dive deeper into how to use risk-adjusted returns to your advantage.

You’ll learn exactly how I look at deals in today’s market—and why this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

To your success,

Michael Blank