Global Investors: Investing in U.S. Real Estate

SS276: When to Renovate Units—and When Not To

Most investors overpay for apartment renovations—and it quietly destroys their returns.
In this episode, we break down a smarter renovation strategy used by experienced multifamily investors to maximize ROI and avoid costly mistakes. You’ll learn how to apply the 36-month payback rule, how to analyze rent comps correctly, and why simple upgrades often outperform full renovations.
If you’re investing in rental properties or multifamily real estate, this framework will help you increase NOI, improve cash flow, and make better capital allocation decisions.
What you’ll learn:
The 36-month renovation payback rule explained
When to renovate (and when not to)
How to avoid over-renovating your units
Light vs full renovation: which performs better
How to test renovation levels across units
How to use rent comps the right way
This is essential for anyone focused on apartment renovation ROI, multifamily investing, and value-add strategies.
🎯 If you found this helpful, subscribe for more real estate investing strategies and weekly insights.
 
Links Referenced in Episode:
SS219: Transforming Properties: The Untold Value of Minor Renovations - https://youtu.be/fN7h6xCTlJc
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/

GI353: From $500 to a $12M Real Estate Portfolio with Andres Bernal

He came to the U.S. with just $500… and turned it into a $12M real estate portfolio. In this episode of the Global Investors Podcast, Andres Bernal breaks down exactly how he built his portfolio from the ground up — from his first deal to scaling flips, rentals, and a team that runs the operation. This is not theory. It’s a tactical breakdown of what actually works in real estate today.
You’ll learn:
How Andres went from working 50–60 hours a week to building financial freedom
The exact strategy behind flipping 50+ properties in 2 years
How he built a contractor team from scratch (without connections)
Why student rentals outperform traditional rentals in certain markets
The truth about Section 8 investing (and why most investors misunderstand it)
How to screen tenants properly to avoid costly mistakes
When to sell properties and redeploy capital for better returns
The biggest mistakes new real estate investors make (and how to avoid them)
If you're serious about building wealth through real estate, this episode gives you a real-world blueprint — no fluff, no hype.
 
Learn More About Andres Here:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andres-bernal-6b6716398/
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/
 
 
 

SS275: How to Spot Over-Optimistic Rent Growth

If you’re underwriting a multifamily deal and relying on rent growth… you might already be making a costly mistake.
Over-optimistic rent projections are one of the biggest reasons apartment deals look great on paper—but fail in real life. In this video, we break down how to spot unrealistic rent growth, how to analyze true market rent vs current rent, and how to avoid overpaying for a deal.
Whether you're an active investor or a passive investor reviewing deals, understanding this one assumption can protect your downside and improve your long-term returns.
What you’ll learn:
The difference between current rent and true market rent
How to analyze rent comps correctly
Why “3% rent growth” is often misleading
How new supply impacts rent growth
The biggest underwriting mistakes investors make
If you want to avoid bad deals and make smarter investment decisions, this is a must-watch. Subscribe for more multifamily investing strategies and real estate insights.
 
Links Referenced in Episode:
SS236: How To Raise Rents Without Losing Tenants - https://youtu.be/AZMOE35popA
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/
 

GI352: Real Estate vs. Small Business: Diversifying into Both with Dr. Jason Balara

If you think real estate is the best way to build passive income… you might be missing a huge piece of the puzzle.
In this episode of the Global Investors Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara breaks down the real difference between investing in multifamily real estate and acquiring small businesses — and why combining both could be the smarter strategy for long-term wealth.
We go beyond the typical “passive income” narrative and talk about what actually happens when markets shift, cash flow slows down, and investors are forced to adapt.
You’ll learn:
Why real estate cash flow is often slower than expected
How small businesses can generate faster income
The biggest mistake investors make with leverage and debt
How to balance cash flow vs long-term appreciation
What changed after interest rates disrupted the market
How experienced investors really think about risk
If you're trying to decide where to put your money, this conversation will challenge your assumptions.
Learn More About Jason Here:
Lark Capital Grouphttps://www.larkcapital.com/
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/
 

SS274: How Long-Term Debt Protects Your Returns

If you think interest rates are the most important part of a real estate deal… you might be making a costly mistake.
In this episode, we break down why loan term matters more than interest rate and how short-term debt has destroyed deals—especially in volatile markets like 2022–2023.
Most investors focus on getting the lowest rate possible. But the real risk isn’t the rate… it’s the structure of your debt.
You’ll learn how long-term debt:
Protects your downside during market shifts
Reduces refinancing risk
Builds equity over time
Uses inflation to your advantage
Gives you the flexibility to survive downturns
If you want to invest safely and avoid forced sales or bad refinancing decisions, this is a must-watch.
Links Referenced in Episode:
SS47: How To Reduce Your Real Estate Debt With Inflation - https://youtu.be/wyPo_5zNnuM
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/
 

GI351: How Zero-Deposit Leasing Is Changing Multifamily With Andrew Bowen

Why investors are killing security deposits and what’s replacing them in multifamily real estate. In this episode, Andrew Bowen breaks down how zero-deposit leasing is changing NOI, reducing bad debt, and reshaping leasing strategy across the industry. Security deposits have quietly collapsed over the last decade but most investors don’t realize the hidden risk this creates.
In this conversation, we dive into:
Why traditional security deposits are becoming obsolete
The difference between physical occupancy vs economic occupancy
How bad debt is quietly eating into multifamily returns
How zero-deposit leasing works (and why operators are adopting it)
The role of lease insurance in protecting owners
How fraud, skips, and poor screening impact NOI
Why better operations — not just higher rent — drives real value
If you’re investing in multifamily or analyzing deals, this episode will change how you think about risk, leasing, and long-term returns. 
 
If you’re serious about building wealth through real estate investing, make sure to subscribe and turn on notifications.
 
Learn More About Andrew Here:
LeaseLock - https://leaselock.com/
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/
 

SS273: Multifamily Expense Ratio

Understanding the multifamily operating expense ratio is critical for analyzing apartment building investments. Two properties may generate the same income, but their operating expenses can be dramatically different — and that difference can make or break your investment returns.
In this episode of Strategy Saturday, Charles Carillo explains how the operating expense ratio in real estate works, how to calculate it, and how investors use it to evaluate multifamily deals. You’ll learn what expenses are included, what costs are excluded, and why the commonly referenced 50% expense rule can be a useful benchmark when underwriting apartment buildings.
This video also covers typical expense ratio ranges for Class A, Class B, and Class C multifamily properties, and explains how factors like property age, market conditions, management efficiency, and deferred maintenance can impact operating expenses.
Whether you're analyzing your first rental property or evaluating a large apartment complex, understanding the expense ratio for multifamily investing can help you identify hidden risks and avoid bad deals.
In this video you’ll learn:
• What the operating expense ratio is in multifamily real estate• How to calculate operating expense ratio step-by-step• What operating expenses are included in real estate analysis• Typical expense ratio benchmarks for Class A, B, and C properties• Common underwriting mistakes investors make when analyzing expenses• How expense ratios help investors identify potential deal risks
Understanding operating expenses is one of the most important skills in multifamily underwriting, and mastering this metric will help you evaluate deals more confidently.
Links Referenced in Episode:
SS114: Most Important Expenses When Underwriting an Apartment Building - https://youtu.be/xWtVXSre3xk
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/
 

GI350: From W-2 to 550 Units: Scaling a Multifamily Portfolio with Andrew Freed

Andrew Freed went from a W-2 employee to owning over 550 rental units in just a few years — all while working his job.
In this episode of the Global Investors Podcast, Andrew shares the strategies he used to scale his multifamily real estate portfolio, including house hacking, creative financing, value-add investing, and building relationships with local banks and mentors.
If you're a W-2 professional who wants to start investing in real estate, this episode breaks down the exact steps Andrew used to grow from 0 units to hundreds of units through smart leverage and disciplined execution.
In this episode we discuss:
• How Andrew scaled from 0 to 550 rental units• Using a W-2 job as leverage for real estate investing• The house hacking strategy for acquiring multifamily properties• Creative financing with FHA loans and local portfolio lenders• How to find and execute value-add multifamily deals• The role of mentorship in accelerating real estate success• Managing older multifamily properties and workforce housing• Why vertical integration and in-house property management can create a competitive advantage• The biggest mistakes investors make when scaling with other people's money
This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to build long-term wealth through multifamily real estate investing.
Learn More About Andrew Here:
Freedom Management - https://freedommanagement.net/
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/

SS272: How to Increase NOI Without Raising Rents

Most real estate investors think the only way to increase net operating income (NOI) is by raising rents or renovating units. But what if you could increase your rental property cash flow without raising rent at all?
In this video, we break down the hidden cashflow strategies real estate investors use to increase NOI — even in slow markets where rent growth disappears. These operational strategies can help multifamily investors improve property performance, reduce vacancy, control expenses, and unlock additional income streams.
If you own rental property or invest in apartment buildings, understanding how to increase NOI without relying on rent increases can dramatically improve your investment returns.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How to increase NOI without raising rent• Why operational efficiency matters more in a slow real estate market• The biggest mistake investors make when rent growth stops• How reducing vacancy and turnover increases property cash flow• Expense optimization strategies used by professional asset managers• Hidden income opportunities most property owners overlook
These strategies are commonly used by experienced multifamily investors to improve net operating income, increase property value, and stabilize cash flow.
Since property values are largely determined by NOI, improving operations can significantly increase the value of your real estate investment.
If you want to learn how to grow rental property income without major renovations, this video will show you the operational strategies that make the biggest difference.
Links Referenced in Episode:
SS272: How to Increase NOI Without Raising Rents - https://youtu.be/ZD7UIyYUn_U
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/
 

GI349: Building Long-Term Wealth Through Workforce Housing with Ashley Garner

Many real estate investors start with single-family rentals or small multifamily properties—but very few ever scale beyond a handful of units.
In this episode of the Global Investors Podcast, Ashley Garner shares how he scaled from small rentals to 196-unit multifamily deals and why small landlords often get “mathematically eliminated” from building real wealth.
Ashley explains the key shift every real estate investor must make: moving from operator to system builder.
If you're interested in multifamily investing, workforce housing, or scaling a rental portfolio, this conversation breaks down the real strategies behind long-term real estate wealth.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why small rental portfolios often fail to create financial freedom• The math behind scaling multifamily real estate• When to stop self-managing properties• Why building a team is critical for scaling• The advantages of focusing on one real estate market• How financing evolves from small deals to large multifamily assets• HUD 223(f) loans and long-term multifamily financing• How professional investors source real estate deals• The biggest mistakes new multifamily investors make
Connect with Ashley Garner:
ABG Multifamily- https://abgmultifamily.com/
Connect with the Global Investors Show, Charles Carillo and Harborside Partners:
◾ Setup a FREE 30 Minute Strategy Call with Charles: http://ScheduleCharles.com
◾ Learn How To Invest In Real Estate: https://www.SyndicationSuperstars.com/ ◾ FREE Passive Investing Guide: http://www.HSPguide.com ◾ Join Our Weekly Email Newsletter: http://www.HSPsignup.com ◾ Passively Invest in Real Estate: http://www.InvestHSP.com ◾ Global Investors Web Page: http://GlobalInvestorsPodcast.com/