In a recent episode of The Elite Real Estate Podcast, hosted by Jimmy Nelson, Chris Lento, founder of EM Capital, shared how he transitioned from engineering nuclear missile guidance systems to building a real estate investment firm focused on large multifamily assets across the Southeast.
Key Highlights:
- Aerospace to Apartments:
- Chris spent 17 years as an aerospace engineer before turning to real estate full-time.
- Bought his first property in 2002, started EM Capital in 2017.
- Scaling the Business:
- Now owns 850+ units across 9 properties.
- Focuses on 100+ unit deals between $15M–$60M in GA and the Carolinas.
- Targets markets with population growth and strong fundamentals.
- Investment Strategy:
- Prioritizes cash flow, long-term fixed-rate debt, and operational efficiency.
- Uses 1031 exchanges to scale tax efficiently.
- Sells passive equity stakes to accredited investors via syndications.
- Systems & Partnerships:
- Manages from Boston with weekly video calls to on-site teams.
- Leverages strategic partnerships with groups in Baltimore and Boston to raise capital and source deals.
- Systems & Partnerships:
- Closed a $50M deal recently; aiming to add another $75M in acquisitions this year.
- Exploring value-add, sustainability upgrades, and new amenities like EV chargers.
Chris’ story is a blueprint for professionals looking to shift from career to capital and build freedom through real estate.
For more insights, visit our website.
Connect with Chris Lento: LinkedIn.
Listen to the Full Episode: Available on Apple and Spotify.
Join our investor community by signing up here.
