v1.28 - From Behind the Iron Curtain to Real Estate Freedom (ft. Vessi Kapoulian)

Dustin and Adam chat with Vessi Kapoulian, an experienced real estate investor with a unique background in commercial lending. Vessi shares her journey from growing up behind the Iron Curtain in Bulgaria to corporate America, where witnessing multiple restructures and income limitations sparked her transition to real estate investing.Drawing on her CRE lending experience reviewing hundreds of deals and investor financial statements, Vessi reveals what successful real estate investors do differently. She shares her critical due diligence framework for evaluating multifamily deals, including her 100-point checklist for vetting sponsors and properties.Vessi shares why she prioritizes cash flow over equity appreciation, her preferred loan-to-value ratios for risk management, and the red flags that make her immediately pass on deals. She also discusses critical factors like operating reserves, positive leverage, and breakeven occupancy rates that passive investors should evaluate, but often overlook.Whether you're new to passive investing or looking to refine your due diligence process, this episode provides actionable frameworks for evaluating multifamily investment opportunities from someone who's seen both sides of the lending table.Episode Release Notes & Resources:Mastering Multifamily Underwriting: https://masteringmultifamilyunderwriting.com DBA Capital Group – passive investing insights & investment opportunities: https://dbacapitalgroup.com Connect with Vessi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vessi-kapoulian Watch episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG9V2SO0CzESee all Wealth Independence episodes at https://www.wealthindependencepod.comConnect with Dustin:Big Spring CapitalLinkedIn (/in/TheDustinBailey)Twitter/X (@TheDustinBailey)Connect with Adam:Bidwell CapitalLinkedIn (/in/AdamJPenn)This show is for informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, legal, or tax advice, and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. All investments carry risk, and investors should always conduct thorough due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before investing.