Real Estate Crowdfunding Opportunities

After 20+ years in commercial real estate, if I had to start from 0 as an investor, here's exactly what I'd focus on first: Most people think real estate investing is about finding the perfect location or having the right connections. After spending decades underwriting and analyzing properties, I'd skip all that and start with focusing on 1 thing: 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀. Here's why - and the exact steps I'd take: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 You have to learn the language first. Understanding formulas, return metrics, and being able to break down a deal in numbers, not just by location. Without this skill, you’re really just guessing. And guessing is how people lose money. I suggest picking up a book on underwriting. The Definitive Guide to Underwriting Multifamily Acquisitions by Robert Beardsley is an excellent book. __ 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 I'd listen to real estate investing podcasts - Bigger Pockets or Best Ever CRE are solid starting points. It's more accessible than reading books, and you're more likely to stick with it. That's exactly how my friend Steve DePalo got started as an investor, now he’s one of my partners. __ 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 Start passively - sign up for investor lists from different operators. Read the offering memorandums, attend webinars, and learn from newsletters that explain concepts like exit cap rates and value-add strategies, core investments, etc. At this point you'll start to develop your own investment criteria. __ 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Before investing, get on the phone with sponsors. Here are a few key questions to ask: - What are some of the risks in this property or market? - What type of loan are you expecting to put on this property? - What are the key metrics? IRR, cash-on-cash, equity multiple? - How long is the investment horizon? - What is the sponsor’s track record? And if they can’t answer clearly? That’s a red flag. __ 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟱: 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 Only invest money you won't need for 5-7 years. If you need it in 1-2 years, you're not ready yet. Then: review documents, wire money, and stay engaged with monthly or quarterly updates. __ Most people jump straight into finding investments. I'd spend a few months just learning to evaluate them properly first.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣.𝗥.𝗢.𝗩.𝗘. 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱:  (how investors can vet sponsors & projects) When it comes to passive investing, due diligence is everything. You’re trusting someone else with your hard-earned money. Here’s how to PROVE they’re worth it: • P – Past performance How are their current/past projects performing? Were the outcomes as promised? • R – References from investors Do they have positive investor reviews? Do they have repeat investors? • O – Observe the market Is the market growing? Is the location strong? • V – Verify the assumptions How realistic are their numbers? What is the untrended yield on cost? • E – Evaluate risk management How do they mitigate delays or cost overruns? How much contingency is budgeted? Why does this matter? Because real estate is a long-term game. The sponsor team can make or break your investment. The best developers will: • Show you their numbers (the good and the bad) • Welcome tough questions about their plans • Be upfront about risks The wrong developers? They’ll gloss over details. Or overpromise and underdeliver. This is how you can protect your $$! Would you use the P.R.O.V.E. Method?

A friend called me recently looking for a way to align her investments with her values. She has had success in real estate—starting with single-family and multifamily properties before moving into syndicated real estate funds as an LP. But over time, she shared that she’s grown disenchanted with the industry’s status quo. She wanted to know: How can I invest in projects that actually regenerate land and community? This is exactly the kind of work we do—mixed-use developments integrated into working farms. And structuring investment in these projects requires a different approach. Here’s a high-level breakdown of how capital flows through different stages of development: 🔹 Pre-Entitlement (Early Stage)– Early-stage capital supports land acquisition, master planning, site design, and entitlements. Investors at this stage often see higher risk-adjusted returns and may even participate in GP returns. 🔹 Horizontal Construction (Land Development & Infrastructure) – Once entitlements are secured, capital is raised for grading, utilities, and roads. Investments at this stage typically come in as LP capital. 🔹 Vertical Construction (Buildings & Real Estate Development) – The most capital-intensive phase, funding goes toward homes, multifamily units, co-housing, co-living, and commercial spaces. Capital here can come from partnerships, funds, or debt financing. 🔹 Operating Businesses (The Heart of the Community) – Beyond real estate, many regenerative projects require funding for operating businesses like farms, schools, and hospitality ventures. Investment vehicles range from LP structures to crowdfunding and even philanthropy. Each of these phases requires blending capital sources strategically—especially when ensuring affordability remains part of the equation. In a future post, I’ll break down the capital stack and the creative methods we use to finance these projects. #RegenerativeRealEstate #ImpactInvesting #Agrihoods #SustainableDevelopment #RealEstateInvesting #ConsciousCapital #regenerativedevelopment

Before you passively invest in real estate... 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝟭. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀. Yes, you’re a passive investor. But unless you have 100% trust in your sponsor, you’ll feel better if you do some research yourself. Make sure to study: - Market trends. - Area demographics. - Economic forecasts. Just because the housing market in Michigan is struggling doesn’t mean the storage space in North Dakota is experiencing the same problems. 𝟮. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀. What do you want from your investment? - Income? - Diversification? - Long-term growth? 𝟯. 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀. Not all assets, sponsors, or deals will align with your goals. You might be looking for immediate cash flow, but the deal you’re considering requires renovations that will drain initial capital. If you’re not sure what the goal of the deal is, just ask the sponsor. (If they don’t know, run.) 𝟰. 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀. - Assess your budget. - Plan for contingencies. - Consider financing options. You wouldn’t go on a cross-country trip without packing. Don’t invest without organizing. 𝟱. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿. Passive real estate investing is a numbers and money-driven game. But if you don’t have the right partner, you’re going to want to stop playing. Personal fit is just as important as financial fit. - - What would you add to this list?

Real estate GPs talk about the benefits of investing. But *how* does it actually work? Here’s how: 𝟭. 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂. At Breneman Capital, we provide an investment memo via email and through our investor portal that highlights: • The strategy for that particular asset, including investment type and hold period. • Renovation scope (if applicable). • Competitive analysis. • Expected returns. • Market analysis. From there, we welcome any questions. 𝟮𝗔: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 “𝗡𝗼.” 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝟮𝗕: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 “𝗜’𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁.” If you don’t already have access to our investor portal, you’ll be given access. Then, you’ll commit your investment amount (minimum $50K). 𝟯. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝟯𝗿𝗱-𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀. Most people just have their attorney or CPA sign a letter. (We have a template form we can provide to help this process.) If you don’t have a CPA or an attorney, we use a service called Parallel Markets that makes it easy to verify your status. 𝟰. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗟𝗖 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗟𝗟𝗖. 𝟱. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: • Subscription Agreement • Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) • Operating Agreement 𝟲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗟𝗖 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗟𝗖. 𝟳. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲, 𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆. If you're someone who likes to: • Get all the information. • Study all the information. • Understand all the information Then you'll love my free 5-day, 5-email Passive Real Estate Investing Mini-Course. Get access to no-frills real estate guidance for passive investors here: https://lnkd.in/dFuyGq2T

🌞🔋 Why GPs/Sponsors are Embracing Solar with Storage in Real Estate 🌞🔋 ------------------------------------------------ In recent years, GPs have shown a growing interest in solar with storage development projects within the real estate sector. This trend is driven by several compelling factors: #Sustainability and #Resilience: Solar with storage projects provide a reliable and sustainable energy source, reducing dependency on the grid and enhancing resilience against power outages. For instance, the Gemini Solar + Storage project in Nevada can power approximately 10% of Nevada’s peak power demand. #Economic_Benefits: These projects can significantly lower operating costs by reducing energy expenses and generating additional revenue through excess energy production. The Gemini project, for example, created around 1,300 jobs and contributed approximately $463 million to Nevada’s economy. #Regulatory_Incentives: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 has introduced attractive tax credits for solar and storage projects. These tax credits can be transferred or sold, providing a new avenue for financing and making these projects more financially viable. The tax credit transfer market is expected to attract an additional $10 billion in 2024. #Market_Demand: There is an increasing demand from tenants and buyers for properties with sustainable energy solutions, making solar with storage a valuable asset in the real estate market. Solar and batteries are expected to make up 81% of new US electric generating capacity in 2024. #Environmental_Impact: By investing in solar with storage, GPs and sponsors contribute to reducing carbon footprints and promoting environmental stewardship, aligning with global sustainability goals. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- #Tax_Credit_Equity: The introduction of tax credit equity has added significant value to these projects. By leveraging tax credits, developers can reduce the overall cost of the project, making it more attractive to investors. The ability to transfer these credits also opens up new financing opportunities, further enhancing the project’s financial feasibility. For example, tax equity can cover up to 35% of the cost of a typical solar project. Investing in solar with storage is not just a smart financial move; it’s a step towards a sustainable future. 🌍💡 #RealEstate #Sustainability #SolarEnergy #EnergyStorage #TaxCredits #GreenEnergy #Investment #storage #investment

🌿🏨 Regenerative Real Estate: Profitable, Earth-Friendly Investments for Impact Investors 🌍 🎧 Tune in to The Blue Dot Project Podcast: Join us on The Blue Dot Project Podcast, where we share ideas for building regenerative cultures and communities that enable life to thrive on earth for thousands of years. In our latest episode, we dive into the incredible Marrowstone Inn and Salish Sea Farm projects, with our guest Neal Collins, showcasing how regenerative real estate can reshape communities and help regenerate ecosystems. Don't miss this inspiring story and learn how these efforts are making a real impact. 🐚 The Marrowstone Inn project transformed 11 acres of historic lodge property into a vibrant community hub with nine beachfront cabins and a Scandinavian-style lodge. By restoring the marine habitat and revitalizing the local ecosystem, this project supports shellfish habitats, crucial for the Puget Sound's health. 🌊 The Salish Sea Farm project starts with abandoned farmland that was thought to have little potential for commercial development. Regenerative thinking turned undervalued land into a project with a strong pro forma financial plan. The plan includes a regenerative farm, more than 200 residences, a hotel with three farm-to-table restaurants, and a commercial center. This project aims to support local marine life while creating a sustainable funding mechanism through tourism and hospitality, contributing to a healthier environment and economy. 💡 Explore how innovative financing strategies are being used to engage the local community and maximize local investment. The Marrowstone Inn project is a prime example of how impact investing can lead to substantial returns while fostering community involvement and environmental stewardship. 🎙️ Neal Collins, CEO and co-founder of Latitude Regenerative Real Estate, shares his extensive knowledge and experience in creating sustainable communities. Their projects seek to marry together profitable business models that create funding for conservation, restoration, and regeneration to happen. As the host of The Regenerative Real Estate Podcast, Neal has interviewed numerous experts in this evolving field, positioning Latitude at the forefront of regenerative real estate development in North America. 🏝️ Get inspired by The Marrowstone Inn's story, and discover all about regenerative real estate—find the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and our website bluedotproject.com. #ImpactInvesting #RegenerativeRealEstate #NealCollins #Latitude

Just got off a call with an equity investor that purchased 7 deals last year. Here's their focus: • Value-add multifamily • Vertically integrated sponsors that self-manage their properties. • $5M-$15M equity checks for new relationships, but could go as high as $30M. • Agnostic on vintage • Need at least a 5% cash-on-cash day 1 that stabilizes to an 8-9%. • Targeting a 2.0x equity multiple over a 5-7 year hold. • They'll go anywhere in the country with good demographics where they can find these metrics, but have been most active in markets like Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, etc.

I’ve helped my students raise over $130,000,000 of equity and have raised over $30,000,000 myself for my own deals… Here are 5 things I’ve done in my business to make capital raising a breeze: 1. Build the Model First - Prove, THEN Promote Money flows to proven systems. Before asking investors for a dollar, lock in a repeatable process: • Solid underwriting framework. • Clear risk management (stress testing deals). • A proven property-management & operations team. Don’t pitch “a deal.” Pitch the machine that consistently produces good deals. 2. Allocation > Accumulation Wealth compounds based on where money is placed, not how much you start with. For raising capital, you must educate investors on why real estate allocation outperforms: • Stable, asset-backed returns. • Tax benefits (depreciation, 1031s, cost segregation). • Scalable growth through leverage + forced appreciation. Show investors that it’s not about the amount they invest—it’s about investing in the right vehicle. 3. Use the Compounding Flywheel Money → growth → reinvest → exponential wealth. Apply this to your capital raise: • Share how you recycle capital (refinance → return → redeploy). • Highlight portfolio growth, not just single returns. • Paint the “10-year compounding story,” not the “3-year exit.” Investors stay with you longer when there’s a wealth engine, not a one-time flip. 4. Package the Deal Like an Offer Make an irresistible offer, don’t just sell a product or service. For raising capital, think: • Preferred returns + equity splits = structured “bonus.” • Investor perks (priority access, early exit options, reporting transparency). • A strong brand presence that communicates authority and exclusivity. Don’t just present a PPM through a webinar. Make investors feel like they’re joining an exclusive club. 5. Dig the Well Before You’re Thirsty Build trust and an audience before you need anything from them. For real estate: • Share your journey, wins, and lessons on social media. • Educate investors about the process before you need money. • Create content that builds credibility and authority. When you finally ask for capital, it feels like a gift to investors, not a pitch.