May 14, 2019

MB 161: Break into the Multifamily Business with Joint Ventures – With Jens Nielsen

MB 161: Break into the Multifamily Business with Joint Ventures – With Jens Nielsen

There are a number of different ways to get your multifamily investing career off the ground. You might choose to buy a small property with your own money or learn the business as a passive investor in a syndication. You could take on the role of...

There are a number of different ways to get your multifamily investing career off the ground. You might choose to buy a small property with your own money or learn the business as a passive investor in a syndication. You could take on the role of syndicator and partner with an experienced team or get in the game as a capital raiser. So, what are the benefits to each of these strategies? Which approach provides the quickest route to financial freedom? And how can you leverage the power of joint ventures to invest in bigger deals early on?

Jens Nielsen is the principal at Open Doors Capital, a private equity firm out of Durango, Colorado, that helps people passively invest in real estate. In just three years, he has raised nearly $1M for multifamily deals and invested in 800-plus apartment units. Jens has a talent for assessing risk and assembling the right team to renovate and operate multifamily properties, and he has utilized a variety of strategies to build an impressive portfolio—while working a full-time job in IT.

Today, Jens joins me to explain how his lack of faith in the stock market led him to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and become a multifamily investor. He walks us through his journey and each of the strategies he utilized, from buying a fourplex on his own to a seller financing deal to raising capital for syndications. Listen in for Jens’ insight around the benefits of getting started through passive investing and learn his unique approach to raising money by way of a joint venture!

Key Takeaways

Jens’ path to multifamily investing

  • Successful career in IT but afraid to count on 401(k)
  • Build passive income streams to secure financial future

How to develop an entrepreneurial mindset

  • Realize idea of job security = myth
  • Get educated and grow risk muscle

Jens’ first real estate deal

  • Bought fourplex in Albuquerque, NM with own money
  • Rehab units + new roof for cashflow of $800/month

How everyone wins in a seller financing deal

  • Lower taxes and interest rate benefits seller
  • Small down payment + monthly payments

Jens’ 38-unit joint venture deal

  • Negotiated price down from $1.6M to $1.2M
  • Sellers came in undercapitalized, losing money
  • Jens halfway through $10K/door renovation

The roles and responsibilities of Jens’ team

  • Jens does underwriting, due diligence and budget
  • Partner focuses on renovations and management

How to shift into the role of raising money for deals

  • Position self as investor and nurture relationships
  • Present deals in logical way and discuss benefits

The advantages of investing in a multifamily syndication

  • Much easier to scale + more reliable return
  • Opportunity to expand influence, network

Jens’ advice for aspiring real estate investors

  • Consider passive investments in bigger deals
  • Be careful about self-managing properties

How to prepare for the role of raising capital for multifamily

  • Surround self with peer group just ahead of you
  • Use team approach to raise money for syndicator

Connect with Jens

Open Doors Capital

Email jens@opendoorscapital.com

Resources

Deal Maker Live

Michael’s Mentoring Program

Invest with Michael

Financial Freedom with Real Estate Investing: The Blueprint to Quitting Your Job with Real Estate—Even Without Experience or Cash by Michael Blank

Podcast Show Notes

Review the Podcast on iTunes

Michael’s Website

Michael on Facebook

Apartment Investor Network Facebook Group

Michael on Instagram