Dustin and Adam challenge the conventional wisdom that real estate investors should “start small.” Drawing from their recent experience with a large Las Vegas deal, they explain why larger real estate investments often provide better execution, stronger teams, and more motivated service providers.

They explore how bigger deals attract more qualified professionals (from lenders and insurance brokers to property managers) who are willing to dedicate more time and resources when the potential returns justify their involvement. This creates a stronger “team” around a bigger deal, often increasing the deal’s chances of success.

Key topics include the hidden complexities of single-family rentals, the economies of scale in multifamily properties, and how passive investors can benefit from professional teams without the hands-on management responsibilities. The discussion also includes practical pathways for passive investors to access larger deals through syndications, tenant-in-common structures, and strategic partnerships.

See all Wealth Independence episodes at https://wealthindependencepod.com

Connect with Dustin:

• Big Spring Capital
• LinkedIn (/in/TheDustinBailey)
• Twitter/X (@TheDustinBailey)

Connect with Adam:

• Bidwell Capital
• LinkedIn (/in/AdamJPenn)

This show is for informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice, and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. All investments carry risk, and investors should always conduct thorough due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before investing.

Dustin and Adam dive into one of the most fundamental principles of successful investing: “you make your money when you buy.” Using real examples from recent apartment building acquisitions and fix-and-flip projects, they discuss why the purchase price is often the biggest lever in determining investment success.

They break down how overpaying upfront makes it nearly impossible to “earn your way out” of a deal (even with significant value-add improvements), and share insights on evaluating acquisition prices in today’s market, including why sponsors claiming a “20% discount to 2022 prices” might not actually be getting a good deal.

For passive investors, this episode provides crucial guidance on evaluating sponsor deal packages, understanding true market value versus pro forma projections, and recognizing when brokers price properties based on incomplete value-add work. Understanding acquisition pricing relative to exit strategy is essential for building wealth through passive income investments.

See all Wealth Independence episodes at https://wealthindependencepod.com

Connect with Dustin:

• Big Spring Capital
• LinkedIn (/in/TheDustinBailey)
• Twitter/X (@TheDustinBailey)

Connect with Adam:

• Bidwell Capital
• LinkedIn (/in/AdamJPenn)

This show is for informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice, and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. All investments carry risk, and investors should always conduct thorough due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before investing.

Dustin and Adam chat with Vessi Kapoulian, an experienced real estate investor with a unique background in commercial lending. Vessi shares her journey from growing up behind the Iron Curtain in Bulgaria to corporate America, where witnessing multiple restructures and income limitations sparked her transition to real estate investing.

Drawing on her CRE lending experience reviewing hundreds of deals and investor financial statements, Vessi reveals what successful real estate investors do differently. She shares her critical due diligence framework for evaluating multifamily deals, including her 100-point checklist for vetting sponsors and properties.

Vessi shares why she prioritizes cash flow over equity appreciation, her preferred loan-to-value ratios for risk management, and the red flags that make her immediately pass on deals. She also discusses critical factors like operating reserves, positive leverage, and breakeven occupancy rates that passive investors should evaluate, but often overlook.

Whether you're new to passive investing or looking to refine your due diligence process, this episode provides actionable frameworks for evaluating multifamily investment opportunities from someone who's seen both sides of the lending table.

Episode Release Notes & Resources:

• Mastering Multifamily Underwriting: https://masteringmultifamilyunderwriting.com
• DBA Capital Group – passive investing insights & investment opportunities: https://dbacapitalgroup.com
• Connect with Vessi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vessi-kapoulian

See all Wealth Independence episodes at https://wealthindependencepod.com

Connect with Dustin:

• Big Spring Capital
• LinkedIn (/in/TheDustinBailey)
• Twitter/X (@TheDustinBailey)

Connect with Adam:

• Bidwell Capital
• LinkedIn (/in/AdamJPenn)

This show is for informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice, and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. All investments carry risk, and investors should always conduct thorough due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before investing.