It’s early in the morning and I’m heading to the airport for a quick two-day market visit to Columbus, Ohio.
One of my students, Scotty, has been working this market really consistently. He and his partner, Pavi, actually met through my program. They both live in Massachusetts, but they’ve chosen to build their real estate business out of state — and Columbus is where they’re focused.
Over the next couple of days, we’ll be touring properties, meeting brokers, talking with a property manager and a tax consultant, and really getting boots on the ground.
This is the kind of behind-the-scenes work that makes great deals possible. It’s not flashy — but it’s how you build real momentum.
Just landed in Columbus, Ohio. I’m here with Scotty — he’s one of my students who’s been consistently putting in the work. He and his partner Pavi live in Massachusetts, but they’ve chosen to focus their investing strategy here.
Over the next two days, we’ll be touring properties, meeting brokers, and connecting with team members. This is how smart investors build outside their backyard.
PROPERTY TOUR (On-site with broker)
We’re at our first property tour here in Columbus. When you’re walking a property, whether it’s your first tour or your fiftieth, there are a few key things to pay close attention to:
Number one — the physical condition. What are the obvious CapEx items? Roofs, parking lots, HVAC — those can make or break your underwriting.
Number two — the neighborhood. What’s the story outside the property? You want to understand demand, growth, and amenities.
Number three — the story behind the numbers. What’s occupancy? Where are the rents relative to the market?
And number four — the broker relationship. These conversations are where the real opportunities start. That’s exactly what Scotty and I are here to do: build relationships, get a feel for the market, and sharpen our eyes on the ground.
Why Relationships Matter
Real estate is a relationship business. You can run all the spreadsheets in the world, but the best opportunities come through conversations like these — over lunch, coffee, walking properties.
That’s why showing up matters. Scotty has been doing the work, and now he’s meeting the people who can help him bring a deal to life
DINNER WITH ANOTHER STUDENT
One of the things I love most about what I do is the community. Tonight, we’re having dinner with another one of my students who’s also investing in this market.
It’s powerful when students connect, collaborate, and build together. This is how networks turn into partnerships and partnerships turn into deals.
BUILDING YOUR TEAM
If you’re investing out of state, your property manager can make or break your deal. This is why these early conversations are so important.
Before you write offers, before you close on a deal — you build your team. Your PM is the one who will help you underwrite accurately, estimate realistic expenses, and make sure your business plan actually works on the ground.
This is exactly what smart operators do. They build the team first — then the deal.
TAX & STRATEGY
Another piece of the puzzle: tax strategy. As you grow your portfolio, optimizing your structure can save you serious money.
Meeting with local professionals early in the process sets you up for success later. Scotty’s doing exactly what smart investors should do — building the right team before the deal lands.
WRAP-UP
We’re wrapping up two really productive days here in Columbus. Scotty has been working hard in this market for a while now — and seeing him take these steps in person is powerful.
We toured multiple properties, met brokers, a property manager, and a tax consultant. We walked neighborhoods, asked questions, and built relationships.
And that’s the point I want to make — this is the real work of building a syndication business. It’s not about finding a ‘perfect deal’ from behind a laptop. It’s about showing up, learning the market, and building the team. Deals come to those who put in the reps.