The Invest Clearly Podcast

Invest Clearly
  • 5.0 (17)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Invest Clearly Podcast brings together passive investors (LPs) and real estate sponsors (GPs) for transparent, strategy-focused conversations about what truly builds trust in private real estate syndications. Each week, we alternate between LP interviews, revealing how experienced investors evaluate sponsors and make allocation decisions, and GP interviews that explore how operators earn investor confidence through communication, performance, and transparency. No hype, no pitches—just real insights from both sides of the capital stack.

  1. Treating Investor Relations like Guest Services with Josh McCallen

    13H AGO

    Treating Investor Relations like Guest Services with Josh McCallen

    In this episode, Josh McCallen shares the mission-driven approach behind Accountable Equity, blending hospitality principles with real estate investing to create a community of engaged, authentic investors. Discover how transparent communication, relationship focus, and purpose-driven projects set his firm apart in the world of passive income. 00:00 Introduction 01:16 From Family Office to Syndication 03:50 Hospitality Edge in Communication 06:08 Keeping Investors Engaged 09:07 Why Alternative Vehicles Exist 12:56 Leasing Fund Tax Benefits 14:41 Debt Fund and IRA Rollover 16:22 Mission Behind the Business 17:48 Viva May and Reviving Souls 19:06 Stewarding and Dignity 19:53 Three Virtues of Hospitality 21:51 Trust and Hard Pivots 23:15 Financing and COVID Headwinds 24:49 Spa Launch Mistakes 29:38 Investor Distributions Reset 33:34 Investor Relations as a Business 35:47 Passive Investing Myths 37:56 Where to Find Them Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshmccallen/Find top-reviewed sponsors on ⁠investclearly.com⁠ If you’ve invested in a private real estate deal, help others by sharing your experience and leaving a reviewAre you a sponsor and want to appear in a future episode? Claim your profile today at investclearly.com. Show Sponsor: ScaleIRReady to scale your investor relations and capital raising effectiveness? Visit ⁠ScaleIR.com⁠ to learn more and book your strategy call today.

    38 min
  2. The Best Real Estate Operators Keep It Simple with Ben Schuster

    MAR 2

    The Best Real Estate Operators Keep It Simple with Ben Schuster

    In this conversation, Ben Schuster, a partner at Comfort Capital, shares his unique journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful investor in mobile home parks.  He discusses the transition from institutional investing at BlackRock to working with individual investors, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and trust.  Ben highlights the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the significance of clear communication with investors. He advocates for simplicity in investment structures and shares insights on the importance of financial literacy and education for investors. 00:00 intro 02:05 Ben’s Origin Story 02:56 BlackRock To Mobile Homes 06:07 Raising From Individuals 10:01 Transferring Investor Trust 13:19 Track Record In This Cycle 16:25 When A Deal Goes Sideways 21:07 Communication And Ownership 25:45 Investor Experience And Events 27:47 What Needs To Die 29:33 Where To Find Ben 29:58 Closing Thanks Follow Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-schuster24/ Find top-reviewed sponsors on investclearly.com If you’ve invested in a private real estate deal, help others by sharing your experience and leaving a review Are you a sponsor and want to appear in a future episode? Claim your profile today at investclearly.com.  Show Sponsor: ScaleIR Ready to scale your investor relations and capital raising effectiveness? Visit ScaleIR.com to learn more and book your strategy call today.

    30 min
  3. Investing vs. Speculating with Paul Moore

    FEB 23

    Investing vs. Speculating with Paul Moore

    In this conversation, Paul Moore shares his journey from engineering to real estate investing, detailing his transition from residential to commercial real estate and the founding of Welling's Capital.  He discusses the importance of protecting investors' money, the lessons learned from early investments, and the significance of communication and transparency with limited partners (LPs).  Paul emphasizes the need for due diligence and diversification in investing, while also addressing the challenges faced in the real estate market and the pitfalls of speculation. 00:00 Investor vs. Speculator 00:50 From Engineering & MBA to Real Estate 02:59  Oil Boom Housing to Multifamily Syndication 03:45 Why Multifamily Stopped Working (and the 2018 Pivot) 07:39 The Responsibility Jump in 2017 09:39  Scams, Complexity, and Extreme Due Diligence 11:23 How Track Record, NDA Vault, and 27-Point DD 13:47 NOI Audits & Walking Away at the Closing Table 16:02 60-Year-Old Apartments, Water Leaks, and Returning 82% 20:01 Calls, Zooms, and the Over/Under-Communication Line 23:58 Fraud Risk & Why Diversification Is Non-Negotiable 25:16 Overpaying, Floating-Rate Debt & Speculation 27:42 Where to Find Paul  Follow Paul:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-moore-3255924/Find top-reviewed sponsors on investclearly.com If you’ve invested in a private real estate deal, help others by sharing your experience and leaving a review Are you a sponsor and want to appear in a future episode? Claim your profile today at investclearly.com.  Show Sponsor: ScaleIRReady to scale your investor relations and capital raising effectiveness? Visit ScaleIR.com to learn more and book your strategy call today.

    29 min
  4. What Investor Relations Looks Like at $3 Billion AUM with Isabela Carrasco

    FEB 16

    What Investor Relations Looks Like at $3 Billion AUM with Isabela Carrasco

    In this conversation, Pat Zingarella and Bela discuss the evolution of real estate investing, the importance of education and trust in investor relations, and the strategies employed by Origin to maintain investor confidence. Bela shares insights on the current performance of their portfolio, the significance of diversification, and the role of relationships in building a successful investment business. They also touch on the impact of AI in investment strategies and address common misconceptions about private investments. 0:00 Introduction  01:57 Journey into Real Estate 02:55 Role at Origin Investments 03:25 Educational Initiatives and Investor Relations 04:09 Differentiating Origin Investments 10:01 Investment Strategies and Performance 15:28 Client Relationships and Trust Building 21:50 AI and Technological Integration 26:08 Final Thoughts and Offerings 28:42 Conclusion Connect with Bela: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabela-carrasco/ Find top-reviewed sponsors on investclearly.com If you’ve invested in a private real estate deal, help others by sharing your experience and leaving a review Are you a sponsor and want to appear in a future episode? Claim your profile today at investclearly.com.  Show Sponsor: ScaleIRReady to scale your investor relations and capital raising effectiveness? Visit ScaleIR.com to learn more and book your strategy call today.

    29 min
  5. What LPs Miss About Operations with Andy McQuade

    FEB 9

    What LPs Miss About Operations with Andy McQuade

    In this conversation, Andy McQuade discusses the relationship between Net Operating Income (NOI) and asset value in real estate. He highlights how some General Partners (GPs) manipulate expense classifications to inflate property values, which can lead to financial discrepancies when securing loans. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding true operating expenses and the implications of misclassifying predictable expenses as capital expenditures. 00:00 Introduction 01:57 Asset Management in Multifamily Properties 04:49 Common Mistakes in Property Management 08:43 Financial Missteps and Capital Expenditures 16:24 Impact of Tariffs and Supply Chain Issues 19:30 Final Thoughts and Advice for LPs 28:07 Closing Remarks and Contact Information Follow Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymcquade/ Find top-reviewed sponsors on investclearly.com If you’ve invested in a private real estate deal, help others by sharing your experience and leaving a review Are you a sponsor and want to appear in a future episode? Claim your profile today at investclearly.com.  Show Sponsor: ScaleIRReady to scale your investor relations and capital raising effectiveness? Visit ScaleIR.com to learn more and book your strategy call today.

    30 min
  6. What Being an LP Taught Me About Raising Capital with Brian Ferguson

    FEB 2

    What Being an LP Taught Me About Raising Capital with Brian Ferguson

    In this conversation, Brian Ferguson shares his extensive journey in the real estate industry, detailing his transition from single-family investments to multifamily syndication. He discusses the importance of communication and trust with investors, the challenges faced in the current market, and the lessons learned from both successful and difficult deals. Brian emphasizes the need for a personalized approach in investor relations and critiques common practices in asset management fees and preferred returns. Chapters:00:00 Introduction  01:41 Transition to Multifamily and Shopping Centers 02:09 First Syndication Deal 04:37 Balancing Communication with LPs 06:12 Trust and Communication Strategies 07:56 Understanding Investor Needs 10:46 Building Trust with Investors 14:10 The Importance of Trust in Passive Investing 17:08 Understanding Investor Relations 18:20 Navigating Market Challenges 19:01 Lessons from Past Deals 21:14 Dealing with Fraudulent Sellers 23:43 Communication and Transparency 25:48 Prioritizing Investor Interests 27:58 Debating Asset Management Fees and Pref 32:47 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-ferguson-05b4328a/Find top-reviewed sponsors on investclearly.com If you’ve invested in a private real estate deal, help others by sharing your experience and leaving a review Are you a sponsor and want to appear in a future episode? Claim your profile today at investclearly.com.  Show Sponsor: ScaleIRReady to scale your investor relations and capital raising effectiveness? Visit ScaleIR.com to learn more and book your strategy call today.

    34 min
  7. Saying “Yes” to a Capital Call with LP David Ensley

    JAN 26

    Saying “Yes” to a Capital Call with LP David Ensley

    In this conversation, David Ensley shares his journey from being an orthodontist to becoming a passive investor in real estate and small businesses. He discusses his early experiences with investing, the lessons learned from his first syndication deal, and the importance of communication and risk tolerance in investment decisions. David also emphasizes the need for due diligence when dealing with influencers in the investment space and shares insights on balancing passive investments with personal expertise. 00:00 Introduction 01:19 Orthodontist Career and Business Ventures 02:22 Journey into Passive Investing 03:59 First Syndication Deal Experience 08:38 Lessons Learned from Real Estate Investments 11:30 Capital Calls and Risk Management 16:40 High Risk Tolerance and Emotional Detachment 17:50 Investment in an RV Park 19:16 The Importance of Trusting Sponsors 19:50 Caution with Influencers and Social Media 22:23 Balancing Communication and Performance 24:43 Venturing into Small Business Investments 29:57 Advice for Investors Connect with David:https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ensley-21a5a31b6/ Find top-reviewed sponsors on investclearly.com If you’ve invested in a private real estate deal, help others by sharing your experience and leaving a review Are you a sponsor and want to appear in a future episode? Claim your profile today at investclearly.com.  Show Sponsor: ScaleIRReady to scale your investor relations and capital raising effectiveness? Visit ScaleIR.com to learn more and book your strategy call today.

    33 min
  8. Investing in Net Lease at Double-Digit Cap Rates with Dennis Cisterna

    JAN 19

    Investing in Net Lease at Double-Digit Cap Rates with Dennis Cisterna

    In this conversation, Dennis Cisterna shares his journey from a corporate career to entrepreneurship in the real estate sector. He discusses his investment strategies, focusing on commercial real estate and the importance of risk management and transparency in investor relations. Dennis emphasizes the need for thorough due diligence and the challenges of tenant management, while also addressing the evolving landscape of passive investing and the importance of aligning interests between operators and investors. Chapters: 00:00 Intro01:05 From C-Suite to Starting His Own Shop  02:20 Scaling with Carlyle and Knowing When to Exit  03:35 Why Sentinel Focuses on Net Lease Now  04:57 Buying at 25% of Replacement Cost  06:03 How to Explain Long-Term Deals to Retail Investors  15:21 1000 Deals Reviewed. 1 Deal Bought.  24:28 When a Google Maps Roof Inspection Goes Wrong  29:48 "Influencer BS Needs to Die" Connect with Dennis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denniscisterna/  Find top-reviewed sponsors on investclearly.com If you’ve invested in a private real estate deal, help others by sharing your experience and leaving a review Are you a sponsor and want to appear in a future episode? Claim your profile today at investclearly.com.  Show Sponsor: ScaleIRReady to scale your investor relations and capital raising effectiveness? Visit ScaleIR.com to learn more and book your strategy call today.

    33 min
See All (39)

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

The Invest Clearly Podcast brings together passive investors (LPs) and real estate sponsors (GPs) for transparent, strategy-focused conversations about what truly builds trust in private real estate syndications. Each week, we alternate between LP interviews, revealing how experienced investors evaluate sponsors and make allocation decisions, and GP interviews that explore how operators earn investor confidence through communication, performance, and transparency. No hype, no pitches—just real insights from both sides of the capital stack.

Information

  • Creator
    Invest Clearly
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Invest Clearly
  • Show Website
    The Invest Clearly Podcast

You Might Also Like