#609: How I'm Allocating Capital in 2026: Debt, Diversification and Due Diligence

This solo episode is a full breakdown of Chris Lopez’s 2026 real estate investment deals. He covers every position closed in Q1 and the active pipeline he’s evaluating right now. That includes a hotel conversion buying at roughly $30,000 a door and a Denver office deal at a 12 cap with 6.5% debt in place. The shift from common equity to debt isn’t accidental. Chris walks through three Q1 investments: a Canadian debt fund, a preferred equity position in Western Ohio multifamily, and a fund acquiring non-performing loans. All three reflect a strategy focused on income and downside protection. The episode also tackles a harder question. Should you stay focused on known asset classes or follow the numbers into new territory? The 2026 real estate investment deals on his radar include a bank-owned distressed multifamily portfolio in Denver and Colorado Springs, a niche Denver industrial deal with owner carry, and a 300-unit hotel-to-multifamily conversion. He’s also tracking an indoor kids entertainment private equity fund paying mid-to-high teens cash on cash. The final segment covers debt fund due diligence. Chris explains why he now does on-site audits before writing a check. That means reviewing loan files, checking appraisals, verifying LTV compliance, and tracing bank account activity to reduce fraud risk. Chris is bringing all three topics to the Passive Pocket Summit in Denver, April 30–May 2. Grab a ticket at passivepockets.com/summit and use code LOPEZVIP to save $100. Watch the Youtube Video https://youtu.be/4AMPLsnwp8M Timestamps 00:00 — Episode intro — solo format, what prompted this episode  00:25 — Passive Pocket Summit context — three speaking topics  01:11 — Capital allocation overview — the shift to debt over equity  01:57— Q1 2026 investments — Canadian debt fund, preferred equity (Western Ohio multifamily), non-performing loans fund  03:29 — Passive Pocket Summit promo — passivepockets.com/summit, LOPEZVIP code  03:58 — Emerging asset classes — the focus vs. diversify debate  04:35 Distressed multifamily in Denver and Colorado Springs — bank-owned portfolio  05:19 — Denver office at a 12 cap — 6.5% debt, 92% occupied, Park Meadows/DTC location  06:10 — Denver industrial deal — owner carry, niche supply/demand dynamics 07:10— Hotel to multifamily conversion — 300 units at ~$30K/door, $60–70K all-in basis  07:49— Indoor kids entertainment PE deal — mid-to-high teens cash on cash 09:19 — Debt fund due diligence — why Chris does on-site audits  11:24— Wrap-up and event reminder Links in Podcast Passive Pocket Summit Use code LOPEZVIP at checkout — saves $100 on registration Event dates: April 30–May 2, Denver CO