Transitioning

[Roger Lin]

I've been a real estate investor for 9 years, I started out on the legal and lending sides of things, did one flip and several spec homes, finally settling in the fix and rent sort of buy & hold strategy about 5 years ago. About a year later, I recognized the limitations in SFH in terms of financing options and viable strategies in high price markets like the D.C. Maryland, Virginia markets that I operate in, I started on this path to commercial real estate investing.

This is really the year that I've finally made the move to get out of my comfort zone of SFHs and direct ownership of properties. I am starting to liquidate my SFH portfolio and investing as an equity partner with others. We've already closed two deals this year. The first one is a $18 million build-to-suit office building. The second is a $6 million apartment complex (98 units).

I am very excited about this development because I am no longer doing everything on my own. Instead, I am able to team up with folks who have more experience, skills and manpower. I know there is no one strategy that works for everyone but I am a true believer that real estate is a team sport, we all need to work with each other.   

[Roger Lin]

@John Casmon Thanks! I can attribute the opportunity to building relationships, helping people out on things and showing up. Basically, I decided to go into commercial real estate about 5 years ago and I've literally spent the last 4 years meeting people who are in commercial real estate and building meaningful relationships with them. I am genuinely interested in learning and I humbly seek knowledge and experience in higher levels of the real estate world. I try to help people out with my resources and experiences whenever I can. I would say after you do this for a while, people start to see you as someone they want to work with. My role in the deal is one of three equity investors. I love being in this position. If you are working with people you can trust, this strategy allows you to get into deals much larger than you can normally handle on your own. It's been excellent so far.