The Multifamily Wealth Podcast

Axel Ragnarsson
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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.

  1. #321: How To Tactically Maximize Renewals, Adopting AI in a PM Business, and 2026 PM Trends with Peter Lohmann

    2D AGO

    #321: How To Tactically Maximize Renewals, Adopting AI in a PM Business, and 2026 PM Trends with Peter Lohmann

    In this episode, Axel welcomes back Peter Lohmann of RL Property Management for his third appearance on the podcast for another tactical episode. Peter actively operates a 750-unit property management company out of Columbus, Ohio, and brings a systems-thinker's perspective (rooted in his background as an electrical engineer) to everything from lease renewals to AI adoption. Peter and Axel’s discussion dive into maximizing renewal rates, why the move-in experience is the single greatest predictor of whether a tenant renews, and how to think about offering flexible lease terms to optimize your leasing cycle. From there, the conversation shifts to artificial intelligence — not the hype, but the practical framework for deciding where AI actually belongs in your business. Peter shares a live example of using AI agents to generate property management leads by monitoring competitor listings in real time. Peter also shares three PM industry trends he's watching closely for the rest of 2026, including how AI search is replacing Google for property manager discovery — and why that should be on every PM business owner's radar now. This episode is essential listening for property managers, asset managers, and multifamily investors who want actionable frameworks for renewals, AI adoption, and staying ahead of where the industry is heading. Join us as we dive into: Peter's background as an electrical engineer turned property management company founder and how RL Property Management grew to 750 unitsThe Theory of Constraints framework — and why identifying your one bottleneck is more valuable than chasing every shiny AI toolRL Property Management's shift from a departmental org structure to a pod-hybrid model — and the early results from giving owners a single point of contactWhy renewal decisions are largely made within the first 72 hours of move-in, and how the "No Meld 90" philosophy drives renewal ratesThe role of hotel-clean standards, functional units, and seamless move-in experiences in long-term tenant retentionHow offering staggered and multi-year lease terms can optimize your leasing calendar and reduce winter vacancy exposureHow Peter is using AI agents (OpenClaw) to monitor competitor listings, identify stale rentals, and auto-build a prospecting list with owner contact infoThree 2026 PM trends: AI search replacing Google for PM discovery, the rise of community-based learning (like Crane), and what the 2026 PM Trends Report is revealing about how rental owners are finding property managersConnect with Peter Lohmann: • Crane – Private PM Owner Community → Join a private network of property management owners and operators: https://joincrane.co/ • Free Weekly Newsletter → Property management insights, strategies, and industry updates direct to your inbox: https://peter.beehiiv.com/subscribe • RL Property Management → Learn more about Peter’s company and services in Columbus, Ohio: https://rlpmg.com/ Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities. Connect with Axel: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Subscribe to our

    48 min
  2. #320: Lessons From Bringing Management In-House, Tips For New Investors, and The State Of The FL Market with Gabe Bowling

    MAR 17

    #320: Lessons From Bringing Management In-House, Tips For New Investors, and The State Of The FL Market with Gabe Bowling

    In this episode, Axel sits down with Gabe Bowling — founder of The Deal Room, active multifamily investor, and operator for a return appearance on the podcast. Gabe shares how he went from raising capital for Grant Cardone's funds to building his own 405-unit, $65M portfolio across Florida and Missouri, and what he's learned in the process of transitioning from third-party property management to running operations fully in-house. The conversation gets highly tactical, covering the real pain points of bringing management in-house, how it's changing the way Gabe underwrites and evaluates deals, and what the Florida multifamily market actually looks like right now — market by market. Axel and Gabe also spend significant time on practical advice for new investors looking to do their first deal or level up to their next one. This episode is a must-listen for operators looking to improve their operational infrastructure, understand the current Florida market, and get clear on the most efficient path to that first or next deal. Join us as we dive into: How Gabe went from Grant Cardone's investor relations team to operating a $65M multifamily portfolioThe co-sponsorship pathway: how partnering with experienced operators enabled Gabe to build his track recordWhy third-party property management underperformed and what pushed Gabe to bring management fully in-houseThe hard lessons from taking over a 68-unit deal and evicting 10% of residents in the first monthWhy tenant creditworthiness and existing application quality are now a top due diligence priorityHow bringing management in-house is opening up smaller deals (16–32 units) that previously didn't pencil with third-party feesA market-by-market breakdown of Florida: Tampa, Ocala, Daytona, St. Pete, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and OrlandoWhy Gabe is bullish on late 2025 through 2026 as a strong entry window for multifamily acquisitionsPractical advice for new investors: start in your backyard, focus on 5–30 units, and build 1–2 capital relationships before you need themGabe's previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2233723/episodes/14897814 Connect with Gabe: Follow him on Instagram (@multifamily) Watch on YouTube (search "Gabe Bowling" or "The Deal Room") Visit The Deal Room at thedealroom.io Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities. Connect with Axel: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Subscribe to our YouTube channel Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

    50 min
  3. #319: 10 Year Anniversary Since My First Deal + 4 Lessons I Learned From it... All Apply To New AND Experienced Investors

    MAR 10

    #319: 10 Year Anniversary Since My First Deal + 4 Lessons I Learned From it... All Apply To New AND Experienced Investors

    In this solo episode, Axel reflects on the 10-year anniversary of his very first real estate deal, a 3-unit property he found on Craigslist back in March 2016 and extracts four powerful lessons from that experience. While the deal didn't go as planned, the education it delivered shaped every successful investment that followed. Axel also walks through the specific challenges that deal presented: private utilities, financing complications, the realities of self-managing as a first-time investor, and the emotional difficulty of embracing uncertainty. He frames each setback as a teachable moment that applies whether you're buying your first duplex or scaling to 100+ units. This episode is designed to help both new and experienced investors think more strategically about exit liquidity, debt structure, professional leverage, and the mindset required to grow through uncertainty. Join us as we dive into: Why Axel's first deal — a 3-unit FSBO found on Craigslist — didn't go as plannedThe hidden liquidity trap of private utilities (dug wells, undersized septics) and how they shrink your buyer poolWhy you must understand your takeout financing before you close — especially with private or bridge debtThe real cost of self-managing too early and why hiring a property manager on deal one can actually accelerate your learningHow to embrace learning on the fly without letting perfectionism delay your first (or next big) moveWhy even a "bad" first deal can be the foundation for everything that follows Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities. Connect with Axel: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Subscribe to our YouTube channel Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

    17 min
  4. #318: Answering Listener Questions! AI Is Erasing Your Edge (Except For These Areas) + When To Bring Management In-House and How To Do It

    FEB 24

    #318: Answering Listener Questions! AI Is Erasing Your Edge (Except For These Areas) + When To Bring Management In-House and How To Do It

    In this Q&A episode, Axel answers two timely listener questions that are becoming increasingly relevant for multifamily investors in 2026: when it actually makes sense to bring property management in-house and how artificial intelligence is changing where investors can (and can’t) maintain a competitive edge. On the operations side, Axel breaks down the realities of vertical integration, why scale and local presence matter, the foundational hires you should prioritize, and the systems required to avoid turning in-house management into a costly distraction. On the technology side, he explains how AI is rapidly commoditizing underwriting, research, and analysis. As access to data and decision tools becomes universal, investors will need to shift their focus toward execution, operational excellence, and relationship-driven deal flow. This episode is designed to help operators think strategically about where to invest their time, where their real edge will come from, and how to build a business that stays competitive as technology accelerates. Join us as we dive into: When it actually makes sense to bring property management in-houseWhy scale (and local presence) matter before vertical integrationThe foundational hires to prioritize when building an internal teamThe operational infrastructure and software needed to scale successfullyWhy most investors underestimate the complexity of self-managementHow AI is already commoditizing underwriting and researchWhat types of work AI will automate in the near futureWhere your competitive advantage will come from going forwardWhy operational execution and relationships will matter more than ever NH Multifamily Fund III Details: Link to the recording for the NH Multifamily Fund III Access the NH Multifamily Fund III deal room Connect with Axel: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Subscribe to our YouTube channel Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

    27 min
  5. #317: The Release of OpenClaw, Leveraging AI Agents, and How Investors Can Stay Ahead Of The AI "Curve" with TJ Burns

    FEB 17

    #317: The Release of OpenClaw, Leveraging AI Agents, and How Investors Can Stay Ahead Of The AI "Curve" with TJ Burns

    In this episode, Axel is joined by longtime friend, business partner, and co-sponsor TJ Burns of Burns Capital Partners to break down one of the biggest developments in AI since the launch of ChatGPT: the release of OpenClaw. The conversation explores how AI is moving beyond simple prompt-based tools into true agentic systems capable of operating autonomously inside a business. TJ explains what makes OpenClaw different from traditional large language models like ChatGPT and Claude, why this development matters for real estate operators, and how investors can prepare for what’s coming without getting distracted by hype. They also dive into how AI adoption intersects with capital raising, LP transparency, and operational leverage and why the sponsors who embrace these tools intelligently will gain a long-term edge. Be sure to pay attention to this episode so you can gain practical positioning: how to stay ahead of the curve without abandoning focus on your core business. Join us as we dive into: The difference between traditional LLMs and true AI agentsWhy OpenClaw represents a major shift in AI capabilityHow AI agents can begin replacing computer-based rolesWhy most non-technical operators shouldn’t rush to adopt open-source toolsHow to prepare your business for AI without being distracted by hypeWhy context and documentation are the key to future AI leverageReal-world use cases in lending, underwriting, and SDR workflowsHow capital raising has evolved in a more crowded sponsor landscapeWhy transparency and authenticity matter more than ever for LPs NH Multifamily Fund III Details: Link to the recording for the NH Multifamily Fund III Access the NH Multifamily Fund III deal room Connect with Axel: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Subscribe to our YouTube channel Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners Connect with TJ: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Learn more about Burns Capital Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

    53 min
  6. #316: Follow This 3-Step Process To Get Sellers To Accept More Offers + Launching Final Round of The NH Multifamily Fund III

    FEB 10

    #316: Follow This 3-Step Process To Get Sellers To Accept More Offers + Launching Final Round of The NH Multifamily Fund III

    In this solo episode, Axel breaks down a simple but highly effective 3-step framework his team uses to get sellers to accept more offers, without being the highest bidder. Rather than focusing purely on price, Axel explains how clarity, credibility, and execution certainty often matter more to sellers than squeezing out an extra few dollars per unit. He walks through how small adjustments in communication, timing, and offer structure can dramatically increase acceptance rates, especially in today’s more efficient market. Axel also shares an update on the final capital raise for NH Multifamily Fund III, outlining what the fund targets, how it’s structured, and who it’s best suited for as the team prepares to deploy capital in 2026. (See below links to learn more!) This episode is designed for operators who want more deals under contract and investors who want insight into how capital is being positioned going forward. Join us as we dive into: Why sellers care more about certainty than headline pricingThe 3-step process Axel uses to improve offer acceptance ratesHow positioning yourself as an “easy buyer” changes negotiationsWhy speed and clarity can outweigh aggressive termsHow to communicate credibility without overcomplicating offersCommon mistakes investors make when submitting offersHow today’s market rewards operators who execute cleanlyAn overview of NH Multifamily Fund IIIWhat types of deals the fund is targetingWhy this is the final close for the current fundAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities. NH Multifamily Fund III Details: Register for the NH Multifamily Fund III webinar tonight (2/10) Access the NH Multifamily Fund III deal room Connect with Axel: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Subscribe to our YouTube channel Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

    18 min
  7. #315: Answering Listener Questions! Detailing Our Asset Management Process, How We Find Deals, and How To Estimate Construction Costs

    JAN 27

    #315: Answering Listener Questions! Detailing Our Asset Management Process, How We Find Deals, and How To Estimate Construction Costs

    In this solo Q&A episode, Axel answers listener-submitted questions covering three core pillars of successful multifamily investing: asset management execution, deal sourcing, and construction cost estimation. Axel breaks down how his team actually operates day-to-day: what gets reviewed on asset management calls, how CapEx decisions are prioritized post-close, and how renovation budgets are underwritten quickly and consistently across deals. This episode is designed for investors who want repeatable processes, not theory. Whether you’re self-managing a small portfolio or overseeing third-party managers on larger assets, the frameworks shared here are immediately applicable. Join us as we dive into: How Axel structures weekly and bi-weekly asset management callsWhy the first 30–90 days after closing matter more than most investors realizeHow front-loading CapEx impacts tenant retention and long-term NOIWhen it makes sense not to renovate common areasHow often financials should be reviewed and what to look forA simple framework for estimating renovation costs by square footTypical light, medium, and heavy value-add renovation rangesHow property managers help validate construction budgetsThe acquisition channels Axel is actively using todayWhy being “easy to work with” still matters when sourcing dealsAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities. Connect with Axel: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Subscribe to our YouTube channel Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

    20 min
  8. #314: The 5-Point Framework For Evaluating Passive Investments, Building Investor Relationships, and 2026 Opportunities with Spencer Hilligoss

    JAN 20

    #314: The 5-Point Framework For Evaluating Passive Investments, Building Investor Relationships, and 2026 Opportunities with Spencer Hilligoss

    In this episode of the Multifamily Wealth Podcast, we sit down with Spencer Hilligoss of Madison Investing, for a tactical and transparent conversation on how passive investors should evaluate deals, vet sponsors, and position their portfolios for 2026. Spencer brings a rare dual perspective, having personally invested across dozens of passive deals and raised capital from multiple LPs. Together, Axel and Spencer break down what has changed in the last few years, where many investors went wrong, and what actually matters when building long-term wealth through multifamily and alternative assets. The conversation focuses on frameworks, capital stack awareness, downside protection, and relationship-driven capital formation—all especially critical in today’s post-2022 market environment. If you’re a passive investor trying to invest smarter or a sponsor looking to raise capital the right way, this episode offers practical, hard-earned insight from both sides of the table. Join us as we dive into: Spencer’s journey from tech leadership into passive real estate investingWhy owning rentals with property management is still not truly passiveThe 5-point framework Spencer uses to evaluate sponsors and dealsWhy strong track records from 2020–2022 can be misleadingThe importance of understanding debt, capital stacks, and preferred equityWhy many investors misunderstand whether they’re investing for cash flow or growthHow Spencer organically built an LP base through trust and relationshipsWhat types of deals and structures are most attractive heading into 2026Why conservative projections often outperform aggressive underwriting Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities. NH Multifamily Fund III Details: Download The OM For The NH Multifamily Fund III Access The Deal Room For The NH Multifamily Fund III Connect with Axel: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Subscribe to our YouTube channel Learn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners Connect with Spencer: Follow him on Instagram Connect with him on Linkedin Learn more about Madison Investing

    50 min
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5
out of 5
307 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Axel Ragnarsson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    319
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Multifamily Wealth Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Multifamily Wealth Podcast

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