Great learning opportunity - what should I be asking?

[David Kanter]

I am just starting out, and looking to invest in small MFH. I am also fortunate enough to have some connections to a fairly large RE group that owns about $2B and 20K units in large multi-family apartments.

I can arrange to spend a few days (maybe up to a week) talking to their team, to learn from them. They are OK with this since I don't compete with them at all (operate in different states and types of buildings). The company is roughly organized into (1) acquisitions, (2) asset management/operations, (3) risk management (also construction), (4) finance/tax, and (5) legal.

This is an awesome learning opportunity, and I want to take full advantage of it. I might even write about some of what I learn. Here is what I am planning to ask/do:

1. Compare my acquisition model that I built (shows cashflow, P&L, etc.) to theirs, and walk through them together. Understand their criteria and how they chose the requirements.

2. Learn about their due diligence checklists

3. Spend a day with one of their asset managers inspecting properties. Understand how their systems work, the cost per unit, etc. I am not so sure what to ask here.

4. Find out how they keep contractors on time and on-budget for upgrades.

5. I don't think the finance is applicable to me yet, since I can get standard residential mortgages.

What would you ask? What would you want to know or learn? I have this great opportunity and I don't want to squander it.

Thanks for your suggestions!

David