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The TCO Method

The TCO Method

By: Andy McQuade
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Who doesn’t want to make more money in real estate?

This isn’t another real estate podcast talking about how to start investing in real estate, or how to do deals or find money from investors... there’s already plenty of those.

This is a show about managing your business and how to Massively Increase Your Net Operating Income ™.

Andy McQuade brings firsthand information from his own 29-year career working with real estate owners, operators and developers, and features guests who are experts in their field in extended episodes - all to help you make more money in your real estate ventures.

Tune in and learn how you can Massively Increase Your Net Operating Income ™ with The TCO Method ®.

© 2023-2026 tcomethod.com. All rights reserved. Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Property Management vs Asset Management: Why They Aren't Financially Aligned | Ep.35

    Property Management vs Asset Management: Why They Aren't Financially Aligned | Ep.35
    30 Apr 2026
    Andy McQuade exposes one of the most common (and costly) mistakes in multifamily and commercial real estate: treating asset management and property management as the same thing, then blaming the property manager when an asset underperforms or fails. Andy breaks down the fundamental misalignment in how each role is compensated, why property managers are structurally incentivized to maintain value rather than create it, and why the asset manager (or owner acting in that role) carries 100% of the fiduciary responsibility for cash flow, reserves, debt service, and long-term asset value. You’ll hear why unrealistic op-ex budgets, paper-thin reserves, deferred maintenance, and “move it to CapEx” games are destroying investor capital - and why vertical integration, skin-in-the-game joint ventures, and true operational control (starting with product selection) are the only sustainable paths forward. This episode is a masterclass in fiduciary duty, realistic budgeting, and the exact philosophy behind The TCO Method® - choosing products and processes that minimize total cost of ownership over time instead of chasing the cheapest upfront price. If you own, operate, or invest in multifamily or commercial real estate, this one will challenge your current setup and give you the framework to stop pointing fingers and start protecting (and growing) your NOI. What You’ll Learn • The fundamental differences between asset management and property management and why their incentives are completely misaligned • Why “the property manager drove my asset into the ground” is never a valid excuse • How unrealistic op-ex budgets and paper-thin reserves destroy investor capital • Why cheap products create expensive labor, churn, and lost NOI (and how The TCO Method® fixes it) • The power of skin-in-the-game structures like vertical integration or JV partnerships • Why operational excellence (not tricks or market timing) is the only sustainable differentiator in today’s market • The one timeless rule of real estate that every successful asset manager lives by Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & disclaimer 01:36 – Welcome to The TCO Method® 02:14 – Andy’s biggest frustration in the business 03:17 – Asset manager vs. property manager: roles & incentives 05:18 – How each role actually gets paid 08:38 – Why unrealistic budgets and reserve numbers are “smoking crack” 11:01 – The myth that raising rents = creating value 15:59 – Why vertical integration or JV partnerships create true alignment 23:05 – The TCO Method® explained: durable products beat cheap ones every time 27:07 – How TCO directly impacts churn, vacancy, rehab costs & NOI 29:51 – Real estate math hasn’t changed in centuries: bring in more than you spend 32:08 – Asset management = control (products, people, process) 32:41 – Closing & final thoughts. Subscribe for weekly commercial real estate tips that actually move the needle on your NOI. Please take the time to support the show - we’d appreciate you subscribing and leaving us a review! YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify Learn more about Andy McQuade Visit his website Check out Andy's Consulting Firm Follow Andy on social media LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook | Reddit Want to know more about The TCO Method ®? Check out our website Sign up for our Newsletter Find us on Social Media LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook | FB Group | Subreddit Question? Feedback? Comment? e-mail us This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. You should always consult with insured, licensed, and qualified professionals about your specific, individual situation. Read the full disclaimer.
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    33 min
  • How To Fix Your Multifamily Maintenance Shop | Ep.34

    How To Fix Your Multifamily Maintenance Shop | Ep.34
    8 Apr 2026
    Is your multifamily maintenance shop quietly destroying your NOI? Discover why most apartment maintenance warehouses are cash-burning disasters and exactly how to fix them fast. In this solo episode of The TCO Method, Andy McQuade breaks down the expensive maintenance shop problem that’s costing multifamily owners and operators thousands every year in wasted inventory, poor standards, and broken processes. From dusty 20-year-old parts collecting mouse poop to misaligned vendor incentives, Andy shares hard-earned lessons from over a decade fixing these issues for large commercial operators. You’ll learn: Why alignment of interests between suppliers and property owners almost always failsHow standardizing to just 2-5 wall plates, faucets, and fixtures can slash shop overhead by $18,000+ annually on a single propertyThe massive hidden costs of “convenience” ordering from Home Depot, Lowe’s, or automated systems (one client lost thousands on 9 separate deliveries for a $2,300 order)Smart ways to purge old inventory: sell on Facebook Marketplace, donate to Habitat for Humanity for a tax write-off, or recycleHow to set proper order cycles, minimum/maximum stock levels, and inventory tracking so your shop becomes a true profit center instead of a cash trapWhy buying in bulk with fewer deliveries almost always beats frequent small orders—even if the unit price looks higher Andy also shares the 7-year milestone for ARM Procurement Advisors: $8.8M in capex savings and $7.2M in recurring annual NOI created for clients (translating to over $120M in added asset value). Whether you run a 100-unit garden style or a 500-unit high-rise, these practical TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) strategies will help you cut maintenance expenses, speed up turns, reduce risk, and protect your bottom line. Timestamps: 0:00 – Intro & 2026 kickoff 1:46 – Welcome to The TCO Method 3:47 – 7-year ARM Procurement Advisors milestone: $8.8M capex saved + $7.2M recurring NOI created 8:00 – The real problem with multifamily maintenance shops 11:30 – Misalignment of interests with vendors 13:51 – Why standards matter (real example: cutting wall plates from 14 to 5) 18:32 – Why automated ordering systems usually cost you more 22:09 – The Home Depot delivery disaster story ($2,300 order = 9 trucks) 26:19 – Making your maintenance shop a profit center 27:55 – Step-by-step: Purge old inventory & set standards 33:05 – Order cycles, lead times & right-sizing inventory 37:52 – Final tips: Organize, track, and hire A-players Subscribe for weekly commercial real estate tips that actually move the needle on your NOI. Please take the time to support the show - we’d appreciate you subscribing and leaving us a review! YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify Learn more about Andy McQuade Visit his website Check out Andy's Consulting Firm Follow Andy on social media LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook | Reddit Want to know more about The TCO Method ®? Check out our website Sign up for our Newsletter Find us on Social Media LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook | FB Group | Subreddit Question? Feedback? Comment? e-mail us This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. You should always consult with insured, licensed, and qualified professionals about your specific, individual situation. Read the full disclaimer.
    Show more Show less
    42 min
  • Aleksey Chernobelskiy LIVE at The Best Ever Conference | Sp.06

    Aleksey Chernobelskiy LIVE at The Best Ever Conference | Sp.06
    11 Mar 2025
    Special Episode Recorded LIVE From The Best Ever Conference Podcast Stage! Andy welcomes back Aleksey Chernobelskiy, and together we explore the often-hidden complexities and controversies in the real estate investment world. Aleksey shares insights from his new GP-LP Match system, which has sparked quite a stir among industry professionals due to its disruptive nature. Listen in as we unpack the challenges faced by general partners (GPs) and limited partners (LPs), focusing on the risks and misunderstandings that can arise, particularly for those not fully prepared for the illiquid nature of their investments. Our discussion then turns to the critical issues of capital calls and cross-collateralization risks in real estate investments. We examine how some GPs use debt to fund distributions, potentially misleading LPs about a property's financial health. With a focus on ethical considerations, transparency, and the importance of open communication, we highlight real-world examples of the pitfalls of deceptive practices. We challenge the notion that capital calls should never happen, urging investors to seek GPs who prioritize honesty and clarity over unrealistic promises. Finally, we delve into the alignment of interests between GPs and LPs, emphasizing the need for transparency and clear communication. The conversation touches on the evolving expectations of LPs, the importance of traditional deal structures, and the recalibration of return expectations in today's market. As we wrap up, we underscore the value of due diligence and consulting with a professional advisor. (0:00:00) - Industry Controversy and Bridge-Building (0:12:50) - Capital Calls and Cross-Collateralization Risks (0:20:54) - Investor Alignment and Partnership Transparency (0:27:41) - Investment Advice and Expertise Sharing About Aleksey Chernobelskiy: Aleksey advises Limited Partners ("LP's) and General Partners ("GP's" or "Sponsors" ) on existing and future investments. He writes weekly to over 7,000 investors on his Substack where he shares how to property vet and think about LP investments in the grand scheme of their portfolios. His latest venture, GP-LP Match , gives a users the ability to both post their deals they are looking for LP investors in, as well as to find deals as an LP that match their "buy box". Aleksey also helps General Partners on matters relating to LPs, like capital calls and distribution pauses and provides feedback on investment decks. Prior to this advisory work, Aleksey ran STORE Capital's $10 Billion commercial real estate portfolio and oversaw the firm's underwriting team. Aleksey graduated from the University of Arizona with a quadruple major - Finance, Mathematics, Economics, & Accounting. Connect with Aleksey Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Substack Please take the time to support the show - we’d appreciate you subscribing and leaving us a review! YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify Learn more about Andy McQuade Visit his website Check out Andy’s Consulting Firm Follow Andy on social media LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook | Reddit Want to know more about The TCO Method ®? Check out our website Sign up for our Newsletter Find us on social media LinkedIn | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook Group | Subreddit Question? Feedback? Comment? e-mail us This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. You should always consult with licensed and qualified professionals about your specific, individual situation. Read the Full Disclaimer
    Show more Show less
    29 min
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