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The Multifamily Wealth Podcast
The Multifamily Wealth Podcast
Author: Axel Ragnarsson
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© 2025 The Multifamily Wealth Podcast
Description
Axel Ragnarsson speaks with successful real estate investors and dissects how they started, built, and scaled their businesses. In each episode, listeners can expect tactical and actionable information to help grow their business and real estate portfolio.
300 Episodes
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In this episode, Axel sits down with Levi Allen and Joe Rinderknecht, co-founders of Cowboy Capital, to talk about their journey from a tough first deal to becoming trusted operators with a growing investor base. They share how they salvaged a challenging early project that nearly sank their business, what they learned about managing investor relationships through transparency, and the principles that guide every deal they do today. From ranching roots to raising millions in capital, Levi and...
In this special milestone episode, Axel Ragnarsson celebrates 300 episodes of The Multifamily Wealth Podcast by reflecting on how his business—and his mindset—has evolved since the show began in 2020. From launching with 42 units and no investors to managing over 500 units and $18M in equity today, Axel walks through the journey of growth, lessons learned, and the mindset shifts that have shaped his investing philosophy. He shares what he’s learned about raising capital, expanding (and contra...
Harrison Riley’s journey into real estate is anything but traditional. After building a small multifamily portfolio, he realized he didn’t enjoy the property management grind and decided to shift his focus toward raising capital and building partnerships. In this episode, Harrison shares the lessons he learned from painful contractor mistakes, why he ultimately divested from Pittsburgh to focus on larger deals in Cleveland, and how he approaches building long-term relationships with LPs. He a...
From professional water polo in Russia to raising capital for over 20 multifamily deals in the U.S., Igor Shaltanov’s story is all about resilience, discipline, and smart investing. In this episode, Igor shares how he went from renting out his mom’s spare apartment in Moscow to building a U.S. real estate business, starting with single-family homes before scaling into multifamily. He explains why he became an LP in 10 deals before actively investing, the lessons learned from both successful a...
We all hear “conventional wisdom” in real estate—but sometimes, following it blindly can cost you big. In this solo episode, I share the five controversial real estate takes (or “hills I’m willing to die on”) that I feel strongest about. Some of these might challenge how you started your investing career. But if you’re a new or growing investor, these lessons will help you avoid costly mistakes and build a stronger foundation for your portfolio. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why workin...
In this episode, Axel sits down with Jason Yarusi—real estate investor, entrepreneur, and operator of a 3,000+ unit multifamily portfolio. Jason shares his journey from running bars and restaurants in New York City to building a thriving multifamily business in the Southeast. He talks about the lessons learned from his early days in construction, how a near-death experience changed his mindset, and why “focus” has been the key to scaling successfully. The conversation also dives deep into m...
What makes a multifamily deal truly irresistible? For us, it comes down to five specific attributes that signal, this is one we want to buy. In this solo episode, I break down the five “holy grail” characteristics we look for in deals—and why these features dramatically increase the odds of success. If you’re a value-add investor, you’ll likely be targeting similar opportunities. Join us as we explore: Why minimal systems CapEx and maximum value-add renos are the sweet spot The management ...
What does it take to rebuild your life—and your business—after losing it all? In this episode, I sit down with Mike Morawski, a 30-year real estate veteran, entrepreneur, author, and speaker, whose story is one of both caution and inspiration. Mike built a $60M portfolio, lost everything, served a decade in federal prison, and then came back to rebuild his business and his life from scratch. We dive into market cycles, market selection, lessons from failure, and the mindset it takes to overco...
Every investor has a deal that got away. For me, one in particular still stings—not because of market timing or bad luck, but because the failure was entirely within my control. In this solo episode, I share the story of a property I pursued back in 2018–2019 that had all the makings of a “holy grail” deal... and how I whiffed on it. More importantly, I unpack the lessons learned that continue to guide my investing approach today—and that I hope will save you from making the same mistake. ...
We’ve all heard it: location, location, location. But what does that really mean when you’re underwriting multifamily deals—and how should it actually impact your numbers? In this solo episode, I break down the real, tangible differences between buying in a good location versus a bad one—within the same asset class. Drawing from years of operating properties across varying submarkets, I share the operational, financial, and time-management impacts that location has, far beyond the cliché. ...
Struggling to source more multifamily opportunities? The truth is, you don’t need 10 hours a week—you need just 30 focused minutes. In this solo episode, I break down the three high-ROI activities any investor can do weekly to uncover more deals and stay top-of-mind with the people who are most likely to send you opportunities. These simple actions are repeatable, require no fancy tools, and most investors aren’t doing them consistently—which is exactly why they work. Join us as we explore:...
There’s a major shift happening in the small multifamily space—and if you’re not paying attention, you might miss your window. In this solo episode, I break down the growing competition in the small-to-mid-sized multifamily market and why it’s becoming harder to find an edge. We cover what’s changed, who’s entering the space, and how savvy investors can still win if they act now. Join us as we explore: Why small multifamily properties are being pursued by more sophisticated capitalThe key m...
Ever feel overwhelmed after closing on a multifamily deal? Not sure where to start—or in what order—to execute your business plan effectively? In this episode, I break down the five-step value-add process we follow after acquiring a multifamily property to our portfolio. Whether you're self-managing, have your property management firm or working with a third-party team, this framework helps you sequence improvements for maximum impact—operationally and financially. Join us as we explore: Th...
Wondering why some real estate investors scale rapidly while others stay stuck for years? The answer is much simpler than you think. In this quick solo episode, I break down the one fundamental difference that sets fast-scaling investors apart—and how you can apply it to accelerate your own portfolio growth. Whether you're just starting or looking to break through a plateau, this is the five-minute mindset shift you need. Join us as we dive into: The two-part formula that powers rapid growth...
In this episode, we sit down to talk through a challenge many investors are facing: how to confidently make investment decisions amid global tension, economic uncertainty, and nonstop headlines. Drawing from recent conversations with LPs and operators, Axel unpacks the mindset shifts and practical tactics investors can use to stay focused and make sound decisions—regardless of market noise or world events. Join us as we dive into: Why uncertain markets often create some of the best opportuni...
In this episode, we sit down with Axel Ragnarsson, founder of Aligned Real Estate Partners, to break down the three most common objections sellers give—and exactly how to respond to them effectively. Whether you're negotiating direct-to-seller deals or just want to sharpen your acquisition skills, this solo episode is packed with actionable takeaways. Plus, Axel shares the launch of the New Hampshire Multifamily Fund III, a new investment vehicle that gives investors access to small multifami...
In this episode, we sit down with Axel Ragnarsson, for a practical solo breakdown of three overlooked financial advantages of hiring a property management company. While most investors think of property management as a time-saving decision, Axel explains how the right PM can also improve your bottom line through better vendor pricing, optimized leasing, and built-in bookkeeping systems. If you're self-managing—or thinking about doing so—this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we dive into...
In this episode, we sit down for another tactical solo episode that lays out the exact 12-step process investors can follow to buy their first—or next—multifamily deal. From setting crystal-clear criteria to building broker relationships and mastering the follow-up, walking through each step in detail, offering practical tips that are easy to implement. Whether you’re brand new to multifamily investing or trying to build a more consistent acquisition engine, this episode is a playbook y...
In this episode, we sit down with Casey Howe, founder of Howe Property Management, a New England-based firm managing over 1,000+ multifamily units. Casey shares his journey from SaaS and tech sales to building one of the region’s most tech-forward property management companies—offering a refreshing, systems-driven perspective on how PMs can evolve into true strategic partners for investors. Whether you're self-managing, using a third-party PM, or building your own operations team, this is a m...
In this episode, we sit down with Brian Ferguson, a real estate entrepreneur whose company owns and operates over 1,000 multifamily units, hundreds of single-family flips per year, and manages a significant retail portfolio. Brian shares how he built a vertically integrated business over the past two decades—and how operators can scale their team, protect their time, and stay disciplined across asset classes. Whether you’re flipping houses, buying apartments, or building your first team, this...






















