In a recent episode of the Moment Multifamily podcast, hosted by Dustin Miles, EM Capital’s founder, Chris Lento, shared insights on multifamily investing, scaling into the Southeast, and navigating today’s shifting market dynamics.
Key Highlights:
- Strategic Market Focus:
- Concentrates on high-growth metros such as Atlanta, Raleigh, and Charlotte, with selective investments in South Carolina.
- Targets assets in the $10M–$50M range, primarily Class A & B multifamily communities.
- Scaling Beyond Boston:
- Grew from small three- and five-family properties in Boston to larger out-of-state acquisitions through 1031 exchanges and disciplined market analysis.
- Built confidence by testing out-of-state systems early—weekly calls, professional property managers, and structured oversight.
- Smart Property Management:
- Works with multiple PM firms and integrates best practices across them—adopting smart locks, thermostats, and software platforms that improve efficiencies.
- Leverages independent third-party “boots on the ground” to verify conditions and maintain accountability.
- Capital Raising & Partnerships:
- Transitioned from self-funded investments to building partnerships with a trusted investor base and networks like RaiseMasters.
- Open to fund-of-funds collaborations, expanding capital sources while maintaining compliance and control.
- Market Outlook:
- 2023 saw zero transactions as the buyer-seller valuation gap remained wide.
- Today, spreads are narrowing, and quality stabilized deals with proven business plans are beginning to reappear, signaling better buying conditions.
Chris Lento’s insights highlight his disciplined acquisitions approach, innovative property management strategies, and ability to build enduring investor relationships.
For more insights, visit our website.
Connect with Chris Lento: LinkedIn.
Listen to the Full Episode: Available on YouTube.
Join our investor community by signing up here.
