EP 495 - Discover how Benjamin Cohen raised over $12M and acquired $40M in multifamily apartments as a 20+ years old

 “I get told no… probably 100 times a day—and I just go again.” In this episode, Benjamin Cohen shares how he raised over $12M and acquired $40M+ in multifamily assets—all before turning 30. Benjamin breaks down how he built his foundation by working inside a syndication firm, leveraging relationships, and learning through repetition rather than formal mentorship. He reveals the stark differences between raising retail capital versus institutional equity, why smaller syndicated deals can become operationally overwhelming, and how focusing on larger JV partnerships and ultra-high-net-worth investors changed his strategy. The conversation dives into building credibility at a young age, why “knowing your deal better than anyone” eliminates objections, and how discipline in acquisitions—not chasing deals—determines success in today’s market. For investors and entrepreneurs, this episode delivers a raw, real-world look at what it actually takes to raise capital, structure deals, and scale in commercial real estate. 5 Key Takeaways from this episodeRepetition—not mentorship—built foundational skills Benjamin learned the business by executing deals, networking, and gaining real-world experience early on. Retail capital is time-intensive and operationally heavy Managing many smaller investors requires significant education, communication, and administrative effort. Institutional capital offers scale—but tougher economics Larger checks come with stricter terms, lower GP upside, and longer relationship-building timelines. Credibility comes from mastery, not age Deep knowledge of the deal and market can overcome skepticism and build investor trust quickly. The deal determines how easy capital raising will be Strong fundamentals—low basis, high yield, and good location—attract capital faster than aggressive underwriting.About Tim MaiTim Mai is a real estate investor, fund manager, mentor, and founder of HERO Mastermind for REI coaches.He has helped many real estate investors and coaches become millionaires. Tim continues to help busy professionals earn income and build wealth through passive investing.He is also a creative marketer and promoter with incredible knowledge and experience, which he freely shares. He has lifted himself from the aftermath of war, achieving technical expertise in computers, followed by investment success in real estate, management skills, and a lofty position among real estate educators and internet marketers.Tim is an industry leader who has acquired and exited well over $50 million worth of real estate and is currently an investor in over 2700 units of multifamily apartments.Connect with TimWebsite: Capital Raising PartyFacebook: Tim Mai | Capital Raising Nation Instagram: @timmaicomTwitter: @timmaiLinkedIn: Tim MaiYouTube: Tim Mai