Apogee Wealth Podcast: Wealth, Business & Life By Design

Jonathan Nichols
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Apogee Wealth Podcast: Wealth, Business & Life By Design is a show for professionals and investors who want a clearer, more intentional approach to building wealth through multifamily real estate syndication. The podcast focuses on how multifamily investing actually works, from understanding deal structures and underwriting to capital raising, asset management, and long term strategy. Conversations are grounded in real world experience and designed to help listeners better evaluate multifamily opportunities, understand risk, and think like experienced operators rather than chasing surface level returns. Whether you are actively investing in multifamily real estate, exploring syndications, or looking to deepen your understanding of how successful multifamily investors build and manage portfolios, the Apogee Wealth Podcast delivers practical insights, thoughtful discussions, and education you can apply with confidence. This is wealth, business, and life by design.

  1. 12h ago

    How to Do Your First Multifamily Deal as a General Partner

    What does it actually take to do your first deal as a general partner in multifamily?In this episode, I answer the question I get asked more than any other on social media and at meetups, how do you get started as a GP in multifamily syndication. I share the real story of how Paula and I transitioned from single-family into large-scale multifamily, the mistakes we made along the way, and what finally got us traction after months of trying to figure it out on our own.I break down the three businesses that make up multifamily investing, acquisitions, capital raising, and asset management, and why most new investors only focus on one instead of understanding all three. I also walk through the different paths people take to get started, what financial cushion actually looks like going into your first deal, and the three biggest pitfalls I see new investors make over and over again.If you have ever wondered what it really takes to become a general partner in multifamily, this episode gives you the honest picture. Timestamp 00:00 Intro 02:08 Why we chose the multifamily syndication model over single family 04:37 How Paula and I got started in multifamily and what finally worked 07:07 The three businesses inside multifamily investing 09:36 Why coaching and mentorship accelerate progress but do not replace action 12:06 What financial cushion actually looks like going into your first deal 14:35 Becoming a co-GP and what that path really teaches you 16:39 The perpetual student mistake and why learning alone is not enough 19:09 The isolation mistake and why partnerships are essential in multifamily 21:39 Upcoming events for anyone serious about becoming a GP What We Cover Why we chose commercial multifamily over single family investing The three businesses inside every multifamily syndication What it really takes financially and personally to do your first deal The different paths into multifamily including solo deals and co-GP partnerships The three biggest pitfalls new investors make when getting started Why mentorship accelerates growth but does not replace taking action Key Takeaways Coaching and mentorship can accelerate your progress and help you avoid million-dollar mistakes Going in without enough financial cushion puts you and any partners you bring in at real risk Becoming a co-GP does not teach you every part of the business The perpetual student mistake keeps people stuck learning instead of getting started Partnerships are essential in multifamily; very few deals are ever done by one person alone Trying to do everything alone in multifamily almost always leads to isolation and missed opportunities Being honest about the work and risk involved leads to better outcomes than glossing over the hard parts Hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode! Connect With Me🌍 Website: https://www.apogeemfc.com/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/multifamilyengineer💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-nichols45/✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.apogeemfc.com/contact

    How to Do Your First Multifamily Deal as a General Partner

  2. Aug 5

    How to Become a Millionaire in 5 Years

    Is it actually possible to build a million-dollar net worth in five years?In this episode, I break down why building wealth today looks completely different than it did for our parents and grandparents, and what you can actually do about it. Pensions are mostly gone, education costs keep climbing while starting salaries stay flat, and housing has never been more expensive relative to income. But none of that means the path to financial freedom is closed; it just means the strategy has to change.I walk through the four things I believe every young professional needs to focus on: financial education, building the right habits, boosting your income, and investing wisely in real estate and the stock market. I also get into the difference between a 401k and a Roth IRA, why living below your means matters more than how much you make, and how compounding can double your money in as little as five years if you get the right return.   Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:44 Why building wealth today looks different than it did for our parents 05:07 The concept of escape velocity and why five years of focus matters 06:26 Why financial education is the foundation for building wealth 08:53 How to build good financial habits regardless of your income 11:36 The ten ways to boost your income and why it matters early on 14:14 How to think about investing in real estate and the stock market 16:37 Understanding the rule of 72 and how fast your money can grow 18:11 The difference between a 401k and a Roth IRA 19:40 Advanced investing strategies once you have a foundation in place 21:28 Why becoming a millionaire in five years is more achievable than you think   What We Cover Why building wealth today requires a different strategy than previous generations used The four pillars of building wealth, including education, habits income, and investing How to build financial habits that work regardless of how much you earn Ten ways to boost your income and accelerate your wealth-building timeline The basics of investing in real estate and the stock market The difference between pre-tax and Roth retirement accounts How compounding and the rule of 72 can dramatically speed up your net worth growth   Key Takeaways Pensions are largely gone, which means most people today are fully responsible for their own retirement planning Living below your means matters more than how much you earn when it comes to building wealth Financial education has never been more accessible thanks to tools like podcasts and AI Boosting your income in your first five years can dramatically accelerate your wealth-building timeline Always contribute enough to your 401k to get the full employer match since it is free money A focused five-year effort can put a million-dollar net worth within reach for most people willing to apply these principles Hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode! Connect With Me🌍 Website: https://www.apogeemfc.com/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/multifamilyengineer💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-nichols45/✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.apogeemfc.com/contact

    How to Become a Millionaire in 5 Years

  3. Jul 29

    What Every Multifamily Investor Needs to Know About Multifamily Insurance with J.T. Lynch

    Do you actually know what your multifamily insurance covers and what it doesn't?In this episode, I sit down with J.T. Lynch, Commercial Insurance Broker at Ramey King Insurance, specializing in multifamily and commercial real estate risk management. J.T. works with owners, operators, and investors nationwide to structure property, liability, and umbrella insurance programs that meet lender requirements while controlling costs. As both an insurance professional and a passive real estate investor himself, J.T. brings a practical ownership perspective that most insurance brokers simply don't have.We break down the three core components of multifamily insurance, what lenders actually require, and the physical property red flags that can blow up your premiums or kill a deal entirely. J.T. also shares how loss history sticks to a property, not the owner, why crime scores matter more than most investors realize, and how to use insurance estimates during underwriting before you ever submit an offer. Timestamp 00:00 Intro 04:32 The three core components of multifamily insurance 05:17 How geographic risk affects your insurance coverage and premiums 06:32 What lenders require from your insurance policy and why 09:29 Physical property red flags that impact your insurance 10:00 Roof age and why it is one of the most important factors in underwriting 11:09 Aluminum wiring and the fire risk hiding in older multifamily properties 12:02 Federal Pacific and Zinsco breaker boxes and why they matter 13:29 How loss history sticks to a property and affects your premiums 15:03 How to evaluate loss runs when buying a multifamily property 16:07 Why crime scores and high crime areas create insurance exclusions 18:38 What property improvements can lower insurance premiums 20:46 What to do when a tenant files a slip and fall claim 23:17 How to get an insurance estimate during multifamily underwriting What We Cover The three main components of multifamily insurance every investor needs to understand How geographic risk and lender requirements shape your insurance program What physical property conditions to look for that could affect your coverage and premiums How loss history works and what it means when evaluating a deal Why crime scores matter and how they can affect your ability to close How to use insurance estimates during underwriting before submitting an offer What to do when a claim happens and how to be proactive about slip and fall prevention Key Takeaways Property insurance, general liability and umbrella coverage are the three core components of any multifamily insurance program Loss history sticks to the property for five years not the owner so always request loss runs before making an offer Roofs older than fifteen years are valued at actual cash value not replacement cost which can cost you significantly after a claim Aluminum wiring in properties built between 1960 and 1982 can lead to fires and must be mitigated before most carriers will insure the property High crime scores can trigger exclusions for firearms and abuse that your lender will not accept Insurance is currently in a soft market meaning premiums and deductibles are lower right now so take advantage of it Getting an insurance estimate before submitting your LOI is one of the most overlooked steps in multifamily underwriting Connect with J.T. Lynch Website: https://rameyking.com LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/jtlynchrameyking/ Hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode! Connect With Me🌍 Website: https://www.apogeemfc.com/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/multifamilyengineer💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-nichols45/✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.apogeemfc.com/contact

    What Every Multifamily Investor Needs to Know About Multifamily Insurance with J.T. Lynch

  4. Jul 22

    7 Things Keeping You From Getting Started in Real Estate Investing

    Why do most people who want to invest in real estate never actually get started? Today, I break down the seven reasons most people never succeed as real estate investors. After almost a decade in this business and coaching several students along the way, I have seen the same patterns come up over and over again. And the truth is, it almost always comes down to one of two things: not knowing what to do, or not believing that you can do it. I walk through each of the seven reasons in detail, from analysis paralysis and confusing education with action, to waiting for the perfect deal and thinking you need a lot of money to get started. If you have been sitting on the sidelines wanting to invest but can not seem to get traction, this episode was made for you.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 01:30 Analysis paralysis and why it stops most new investors 08:27 How to use books, podcasts, and mentors to build your foundation 13:15 How the house hack strategy lets you get started with less money 15:44 How the BRRRR method works for low money down investing 17:13 How partnering and using other people's money opens doors 20:23 How to build the right team for your real estate investing strategy 23:33 How to identify what is holding you back as a real estate investor   What I Cover The two root causes behind every reason people fail to get started in real estate Why analysis paralysis is the number one thing holding new investors back How to know when you have enough education to take action Why there is no such thing as a perfect deal and what to look for instead How to get started in real estate investing with little to no money Why trying to do everything alone is one of the biggest mistakes new investors make How ego quietly kills deals and investor careers before they ever get off the ground   Key Takeaways Most people never get started in real estate because they either do not know what to do or do not believe they can do it Education gives diminishing returns over time, at some point you have to stop learning and start doing There is no perfect deal, the skill is knowing the difference between a deal killer and an obstacle you can work through A house hack lets you get into your first property with as little as 5% down at a personal residence interest rate Partnering with someone who has capital is a legitimate path to your first deal even if you have little money of your own Building the right team is what separates investors who scale from those who burn out trying to do everything themselves Hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode! Connect With Me🌍 Website: https://www.apogeemfc.com/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/multifamilyengineer💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-nichols45/✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.apogeemfc.com/contact

    7 Things Keeping You From Getting Started in Real Estate Investing

  5. Jul 17

    Lending, Deals, and What It Really Takes to Close a Deal with Carl Pankratz

    What does it actually take to close a multifamily deal forty five minutes before wire cutoff on New Year's Eve and save your investors millions in taxes? In this episode, I sit down with Carl Pankratz, President and Managing Director of Blackacre Commercial and HUD Multifamily Financing Expert who has been involved in over a billion dollars in real estate transactions. Carl is also a Professor at Texas Tech University's Rawls College of Business, a former city councilman, and was recently appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to study the use of land banks throughout Texas. We get into lessons from the 2008 financial crisis, where the lending market is headed, and why competent operators matter more than ever right now. Carl also shares how he approached one of our recent deals together and what it took to get it closed on December 31st. If you are newer to real estate and trying to figure out who to trust and how to build the right team, this episode is for you.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 01:26 Who is Carl Pankratz and how he got into commercial real estate 06:09 Why liquidity and operator quality matter more than ever right now 10:01 How global events and oil prices affect commercial real estate financing 11:49 Why the 10-year Treasury is the number to watch for deal flow 13:32 What the current lending environment looks like for multifamily buyers 15:12 Why 1980s assets are some of the best basis plays in today's market 21:13 How we closed a multifamily deal 45 minutes before wire cutoff on December 31st 26:27 What it means to have the right team in your corner on every deal 28:04 Advice for new real estate investors getting started today 29:34 Why matching your debt term to your hold strategy is so important 31:26 Why competence matters more than projected returns in today's environment   What We Cover What the 2008 financial crisis looked like from inside the title industry and what it still teaches us today Where interest rates and the lending market are headed for the rest of the year Why 1980s multifamily assets are some of the best basis plays available right now How to properly prepare for an appraisal and set the narrative before the site visit What it took to close a deal on December 31st and save investors millions in taxes Why matching your debt term to your hold strategy is one of the most overlooked decisions in real estate What new investors should look for before choosing an operator or doing their first deal   Key Takeaways When credit stops, it stops fast; liquidity is the thing that keeps operators alive when markets turn Having an engineering report ready before the appraisal sets the narrative and protects your deal Match your prepayment penalty to your hold strategy, or it will cost you more than you expect HUD financing offers 35-year terms and 80 percent LTV in any market, making it one of the best long-term debt options available If someone is projecting 25 percent IRRs in today's environment, they probably do not know what they are doing   Connect with Carl Pankratz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-pankratz-a9547055/ Hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode! Connect With Me🌍 Website: https://www.apogeemfc.com/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/multifamilyengineer💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-nichols45/✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.apogeemfc.com/contact

    Lending, Deals, and What It Really Takes to Close a Deal with Carl Pankratz

  6. Jul 8

    How to Legally Reduce Your Tax Bill Through Real Estate Investing with Yonah Weiss

    What if the biggest tax advantage in real estate is one most investors have never heard of? In this episode, I sit down with Yonah Weiss, Business Director at Madison SPECS, the largest national cost segregation company in the country. Yonah has helped property owners save over a billion dollars in taxes, spent fifteen years as a teacher before getting into real estate, and hosts the top-rated Weiss Advice podcast. We break down exactly what cost segregation is, how it works, and why it can mean the difference between a massive tax bill and paying nothing at all. Yonah also explains how bonus depreciation works, who can actually use these deductions, and what the short-term rental loophole means for W-2 earners who want to pay less to the IRS.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 02:58 Why most real estate investors have never heard of cost segregation 04:31 How closing a deal saved me nearly $100,000 in taxes 05:59 What is depreciation and how does it work in real estate investing 07:23 What is cost segregation and how does the engineering study work 10:04 The five year and fifteen year depreciation buckets explained 11:40 What is bonus depreciation and how does it supercharge your tax savings 18:29 How limited partners in syndications benefit from cost segregation 20:21 What depreciation recapture actually means when you sell a property 24:41 What property size makes cost segregation worth doing 26:21 The short-term rental loophole for W-2 earners explained 29:53 Can the short-term rental strategy actually replace your W-2 income 31:26 Active vs passive real estate investing and how cost seg applies to both 32:24 How to build a powerful network in commercial real estate through LinkedIn   What We Cover What cost segregation is and how it accelerates your real estate tax deductions How bonus depreciation works and what changed with the One Big Beautiful Bill Who can actually use cost seg write-offs and the real estate professional status rule How limited partners in syndications benefit from cost segregation What depreciation recapture means and how to reduce or eliminate it The short-term rental loophole and how W-2 earners can use it How Yonah built a nationally recognized brand through LinkedIn without a single sales pitch   Key Takeaways Cost segregation lets you pull forward years of depreciation deductions into year one Bonus depreciation is back at 100% permanently after the One Big Beautiful Bill passed in 2025 Unless you or your spouse qualify as a real estate professional, depreciation offsets passive income only, not your W-2 The short-term rental loophole lets self-managing owners use losses to offset W-2 income with just 100 hours a year Any property over $200,000 in purchase price is worth getting a cost seg estimate on Depreciation recapture does not mean paying back your deductions; it means paying a lower tax rate on a portion of your gain Passive losses you never used do not disappear; they can offset gains when the property sells   Connect With Yonah Weiss https://www.yonahweiss.com/ https://www.instagram.com/yonahweiss/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cost-segregation-yonah-weiss/ https://twitter.com/YonahWeiss Hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode! Connect With Me🌍 Website: https://www.apogeemfc.com/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/multifamilyengineer💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-nichols45/✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.apogeemfc.com/contact

    How to Legally Reduce Your Tax Bill Through Real Estate Investing with Yonah Weiss

  7. Jul 1

    How to Get Started in Real Estate Investing in 2026

    What is actually stopping you from buying your first piece of real estate?In this solo episode, I break down the most common ways to get started in real estate investing and the real pros and cons of each one. After almost a decade in this business, I have watched a lot of people get started, and I have watched even more talk themselves out of ever starting. So today I want to walk you through your options and help you pick one.I cover the house hack, single family rentals, fix and flips, and alternative strategies like short term rentals, along with the real numbers behind each one so you know what you are actually getting into. I also explain the difference between residential and commercial real estate, why that distinction matters so much for how a property is valued, and how to think about getting started in multifamily as either a passive or active investor.   Timestamp 00:00 Intro 01:48 The number one reason people never start investing in real estate 04:42 How to house hack your first property 09:22 Buying your first single-family rental property 14:08 How the fix and flip strategy works 16:34 The BRRRR method buy, renovate rent, refinance, repeat 18:48 Residential vs commercial real estate explained 20:51 Alternative rental strategies like short-term rentals and ADUs 23:36 Why commercial multifamily real estate scales better than residential 26:59 Passive investing as a limited partner in multifamily 28:24 Becoming a general partner in multifamily real estate 30:51 How to pick a real estate investing strategy and get started   What We Cover The biggest reason most people never make their first real estate investment How to house hack your first property with minimal money down The pros and cons of single-family rentals and what most people get wrong about cash flow How the fix and flip and BRRRR strategies actually work The difference between residential and commercial real estate and why it matters How to decide between passive investing and being an active general partner in multifamily   Key Takeaways Most people never invest in real estate simply because they never take action A house hack lets you get into your first property with as little as 3.5% down Single-family rentals are valued on comps, not income, which means large repairs can wipe out years of cash flow The BRRRR method lets you recycle your capital by refinancing after a renovation instead of selling Commercial real estate is valued on income, which means improving the property directly increases its value Losing one tenant in a 100-unit property only costs you 1% of income, not 100% like a single-family rental Pick one strategy, commit to it, and put a plan in place to make your first investment happen this year Hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode! Connect With Me🌍 Website: https://www.apogeemfc.com/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/multifamilyengineer💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-nichols45/✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.apogeemfc.com/contact

    How to Get Started in Real Estate Investing in 2026

  8. Jun 24

    The Multifamily Lending Blueprint Every New Investor Needs to Know with Julie Anne Peterson

    What does your lender actually need to see before they say yes to your first multifamily loan?In this episode, I sit down with Julie Anne Peterson, affectionately known as the First Lady of Lending and Senior Director at Old Capital Lending, one of the largest mortgage brokers in Texas. Julie is not just a lender. She owns and operates multifamily assets, capital raises, and hosts Zoom at 8 every Tuesday night to educate and connect investors across the country.We walk through the blueprint for getting your first multifamily loan, from understanding your personal financial statement to assembling the right team before you ever put a deal under contract. Julie breaks down the difference between agency and bank loans, how to match your debt to your business plan, and why the prepayment penalty conversation is one most operators are not having early enough.We also talk about what limited partners should be looking for when they review a deal, the red flags to watch for in underwriting, and the questions every passive investor should be asking before they write a check.If you are new to multifamily and feel like the lending side is the most confusing piece of the puzzle, this episode will change that. Timestamp 00:00 Intro 02:33 Why invest in real estate 03:27 Real estate is not a get-rich-quick strategy 04:13 Real estate as a hard asset 05:40 How real estate generates cash flow 06:34 How leverage increases returns 08:50 Tax advantages of real estate 11:37 The 4 ways real estate makes money 16:07 Different real estate investing strategies 18:02 Multifamily vs single-family investing 24:53 Risks of real estate investing 27:14 Long-term strategy for building wealth What We Cover The three things lenders look at before approving your first multifamily loan The difference between Fannie, Freddie, and bank financing, and when to use each How to match your loan term and prepayment structure to your business plan How to build your team before you find your first deal What limited partners should be asking operators about their debt How to evaluate rent growth and expense assumptions in today's market Resources and communities to help you learn and connect faster Key Takeaways Your lender is your biggest partner on any deal, not just a source of money Net worth, liquidity and experience are the three boxes you have to check for agency lending A 30-year amortization on agency debt lowers your monthly payment compared to most bank loans Matching your loan term to your business plan is just as important as getting the lowest rate Yield maintenance can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars if rates drop and you exit early As a passive investor, dig into how an operator has improved NOI, not just whether they have gone full cycle The first year in many markets today should be modeled flat; distributions are more realistic in year three Connect with Julie Anne Peterson 🔗 Links and resources: https://linktr.ee/juliepetersonoldcapital 💻 Zoom at 8, a free weekly network and education call for multifamily investors every Tuesday night: www.zoomat8.com Hit follow or subscribe wherever you’re listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode! Connect With Me🌍 Website: https://www.apogeemfc.com/📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/multifamilyengineer💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-nichols45/✉️ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.apogeemfc.com/contact

    The Multifamily Lending Blueprint Every New Investor Needs to Know with Julie Anne Peterson
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Apogee Wealth Podcast: Wealth, Business & Life By Design is a show for professionals and investors who want a clearer, more intentional approach to building wealth through multifamily real estate syndication. The podcast focuses on how multifamily investing actually works, from understanding deal structures and underwriting to capital raising, asset management, and long term strategy. Conversations are grounded in real world experience and designed to help listeners better evaluate multifamily opportunities, understand risk, and think like experienced operators rather than chasing surface level returns. Whether you are actively investing in multifamily real estate, exploring syndications, or looking to deepen your understanding of how successful multifamily investors build and manage portfolios, the Apogee Wealth Podcast delivers practical insights, thoughtful discussions, and education you can apply with confidence. This is wealth, business, and life by design.

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