#320: Lessons From Bringing Management In-House, Tips For New Investors, and The State Of The FL Market with Gabe Bowling

In this episode, Axel sits down with Gabe Bowling — founder of The Deal Room, active multifamily investor, and operator for a return appearance on the podcast. Gabe shares how he went from raising capital for Grant Cardone's funds to building his own 405-unit, $65M portfolio across Florida and Missouri, and what he's learned in the process of transitioning from third-party property management to running operations fully in-house.The conversation gets highly tactical, covering the real pain points of bringing management in-house, how it's changing the way Gabe underwrites and evaluates deals, and what the Florida multifamily market actually looks like right now — market by market. Axel and Gabe also spend significant time on practical advice for new investors looking to do their first deal or level up to their next one.This episode is a must-listen for operators looking to improve their operational infrastructure, understand the current Florida market, and get clear on the most efficient path to that first or next deal.Join us as we dive into:How Gabe went from Grant Cardone's investor relations team to operating a $65M multifamily portfolioThe co-sponsorship pathway: how partnering with experienced operators enabled Gabe to build his track recordWhy third-party property management underperformed and what pushed Gabe to bring management fully in-houseThe hard lessons from taking over a 68-unit deal and evicting 10% of residents in the first monthWhy tenant creditworthiness and existing application quality are now a top due diligence priorityHow bringing management in-house is opening up smaller deals (16–32 units) that previously didn't pencil with third-party feesA market-by-market breakdown of Florida: Tampa, Ocala, Daytona, St. Pete, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and OrlandoWhy Gabe is bullish on late 2025 through 2026 as a strong entry window for multifamily acquisitionsPractical advice for new investors: start in your backyard, focus on 5–30 units, and build 1–2 capital relationships before you need themGabe's previous episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2233723/episodes/14897814Connect with Gabe:Follow him on Instagram (@multifamily) Watch on YouTube (search "Gabe Bowling" or "The Deal Room") Visit The Deal Room at thedealroom.ioAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners