What is the key to scaling a real estate investing business? Growing your investor database? Raising more and more capital for deals? Putting together and training a capable team? Yes, all of those things are absolutely necessary. And they all require that you build out systems. Systems that allow the business to run on its own. Jorge Abreu is the Cofounder and CEO of Elevate Commercial Investment Group, a Dallas real estate firm focused on the acquisition of value-add multifamily assets. In his 15-year career, Jorge has flipped 200-plus houses, wholesaled another 100 properties and done $8M in ground-up construction. Since his introduction to multifamily four years ago, Jorge has built a portfolio of 1,700 units worth $125M. On this episode of Apartment Building Investing, Jorge joins cohost Garrett Lynch and I to share the challenges of scaling a single family investing business and discuss what inspired his transition to apartment buildings. He weighs in on the value of networking (online and in-person) to forge new partnerships and build a solid team. Listen in for insight on building systems to grow your business and learn why Jorge recommends skipping single family and getting right into multifamily investing!

Key Takeaways

What inspired Jorge’s interest in real estate

• Research of successful individuals
• Entrepreneurial role models in family

The challenges of scaling a single family business

• Difficult to find reliable contractor for flips
• Creating systems to delegate work

How Jorge started over in Dallas after 2008

• Network every day, go to every event
• Build team and find partnerships

The value of finding a good partnership

• Division of roles affords time freedom
• One partner as visionary, one as executor

The benefits of multifamily investing

• Build generational wealth
• Branch out into other companies

How Jorge attracts and retains team members

• Make sure everyone happy
• Check in re: expectations

When to bring property management in house

• Implement own systems (control)
• More appropriate with scale

Why Jorge runs his own construction company

• Helped scale single family business
• Confident taking on any heavy lift

Jorge’s insight on raising capital for multifamily

• Invest passively to get feel for business
• Market to build database of investors

What Jorge does to market his syndications

• Build platform, daily posts on social
• Funnel with email marketing follow up

How Jorge manages his investor lists

• Speak to new investors asap
• Strategic messaging to match goals

What’s next for Jorge and the Elevate team

• Explore new partnerships
• Fine tune system for evaluating deals

What Jorge would tell his younger self

• Build out systems early on
• Go straight to large multifamily

Connect with Jorge Abreu

Elevate Commercial Investment Group Email [email protected]

Resources

Join the Nighthawk Equity Investor Club Learn More About Michael’s Mentoring Program Garrett at Nighthawk Equity National Real Estate Investors Association Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman ActiveCampaign Deal Maker Live The Deal Maker’s Mastermind Podcast Show Notes Michael’s Website Michael on Facebook Michael on Instagram Michael on YouTube Apartment Investor Network Facebook Group