How to Become a Hands-Off Investor with Brian Burke

A career in real estate may start small, but over the years, with thoughtful actions, it can lead to bigger opportunities. Scaling to the next level isn’t always easy, but it is definitely rewarding. 

On this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate, Jonathan’s guest is Brian Burke, president and CEO of Praxis Capital, a vertically integrated real estate private equity investment firm. Brian is also the author of The Hands-Off Investor: An Insider’s Guide to Investing in Passive Real Estate Syndications. During his 30-year career, he’s acquired over $800 million in real estate. In this episode, Brian shares his insights into the journey of scaling up in real estate, the strategies he's employed to achieve significant growth, and the lessons he's learned along the way, offering his wisdom to aspiring real estate investors looking to take their careers to the next level.

Jonathan and Brian explore Brian’s extensive career in real estate, tracing his journey from purchasing foreclosures to pioneering software solutions for his real estate business. They explore his strategic pivot towards multifamily properties beginning in 2002, revealing why you should diversify asset classes for long-term success. Brian also explains the pivotal role of his investors and shares the challenging moments when he contemplated giving up on his real estate career during the 2008 crash. He addresses the present disparity between buyers and sellers in the property market, offering thoughts that reflect his expertise in real estate syndications.

 

Jonathan and Brian cover several topics surrounding syndications, including:

  • Brian’s pivot to multifamily real estate when he realized that the foreclosure market could eventually dry up. Ultimately, he initially invested in a multifamily property before beginning to build his business.

  • Diversifying your asset classes to avoid a single point of failure. Your risk should be spread out if one of the other investments fails.

  • How debt funds offer an opportunity that private equity funds don’t. There is an opportunity for an immediate return on your money because you’re buying the lien against the property. Cash flow begins as soon as the interest payments start.

 

Syndications can be a great way for someone interested in passive real estate investing to create returns, and Brian Burke is an expert in making it work for his investors.

If you want to learn more about Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing Podcast, check out http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/069.