Read the Building, Not the Spreadsheet with Jon Weiskopf

One of Jon Weiskopf’s biggest lessons from passive investing came when he received an email saying an investment was lost, without getting an earlier email warning him that it was at risk. That experience helped shape how Jon runs his own investments today. Jon spent 20 years as a mechanical engineer, including 10 years at Apple, where he worked in the retail store real estate development group. Today, through Blue Eyed Capital, he works in real estate syndication and private debt. Jon explains why communication matters most when a deal gets difficult. He talks about stopping distributions at his 114 bed assisted living property in Florida, keeping investors updated on what worked and what did not, and why he does not take asset management fees when investors are not receiving their preferred return. The conversation also covers Jon’s private debt business. He lends for earnest money deposits and provides last mile gap funding for development projects. He says his average dollar gets used about four times a year. Key topics and takeaways: Why poor communication in past investments changed Jon’s approach How he communicates when an investment is struggling Why Jon invests his own money in every deal he does How his earnest money lending business works Why he uses debt for income and real estate for long term growth Why he is looking at modular construction and build to rent development What Jon means when he says, “Read the building, not the spreadsheet” Guest information: Jon Weiskopf is the founder of Blue Eyed Capital. His work includes real estate syndication, private debt, and education based on his engineering and construction experience. Jon says the best place to connect with him is LinkedIn. Search for Jon Weiskopf, spelled J O N W E I S K O P F. He posts Sunday through Friday and shares lessons about buildings, including issues that may cost investors money but may not appear on a spreadsheet. Call to action: Search Jon Weiskopf on LinkedIn to follow his posts about buildings, construction, and real estate investing.