Episodes

  • AI & Facial Recognition in Property Management | Dara Riordan on Security in Los Angeles Real Estate
    Aug 27 2025

    AI is revolutionizing property management across Los Angeles and beyond. In this episode of Property Pro Tips, Trevor Henson speaks with Dara Riordan—former President & COO of FaceFirst and Forbes Technology Council member—about how facial recognition, video analytics, and automation are reshaping real estate security and operations.

    You’ll hear insights on:
    • Which AI and surveillance tools cut costs while boosting tenant safety
    • Guard services vs. AI automation—finding the right balance
    • Transparency, ethics, and leadership in adopting facial recognition
    • How property owners can factor AI into their 2–5 year CAPEX plans

    If you manage or invest in multifamily or commercial properties in Southern California, this conversation will help you stay ahead with smarter, safer, and more ethical solutions.

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    9 mins
  • How They Built Multifamily Real Estate Empires | Expert Strategies for Scaling
    Jun 24 2025

    In this episode, top multifamily real estate experts reveal how they scaled from single properties to owning and managing massive apartment portfolios. You’ll hear powerful stories from Los Angeles and beyond—covering everything from capital raising and property management to navigating California’s housing market.

    🎯 Topics Covered:

    • Strategies for scaling multifamily investments

    • Lessons from managing 100+ unit portfolios

    • Building passive income with apartment rentals

    • Real estate development in Los Angeles & SoCal

    • Affordable housing and long-term cash flow

    Whether you're a new investor or seasoned operator, these insights are invaluable for growing your real estate business in 2025 and beyond.

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    11 mins
  • From Slum to Success: How This Landlord Transformed Atlanta Housing & Saved a Failing School
    Jun 10 2025

    Welcome to another episode of Property Pro Tips with the Pros!In this episode, Trevor Henson interviews Margaret Stagmeier, author of Blighted, founder of TI Asset Management, and the visionary behind Star-C and EduHousing. With over 3,800 affordable units under management, she shares how her mission-driven real estate model revitalized high-crime properties, boosted school performance, and prevented thousands of evictions across metro Atlanta.🧠 What you’ll learn:The connection between housing stability and school performanceHow afterschool programs turned kids into top performersWhy evictions don’t have to be inevitableHow property owners can become community change-makers📚 Margaret’s book Blighted follows real tenants, drug dealers, and school staff through the transformation of one of Atlanta’s most dangerous properties.💡 “If you want to change the world, start with the building next to the school.”🎯 This episode is a must-watch for landlords, developers, affordable housing leaders, and anyone interested in purpose-driven real estate.👉 Learn more or get involved: www.star-c.org👉 Follow Margaret on LinkedIn: [Search Margaret Stagmeier]🎧 Listen to more episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.#AffordableHousing #RealEstateImpact #AtlantaRealEstate #SchoolPerformance #MultifamilyInvesting #EvictionRelief #StarC #PropertyManagement #MissionDrivenBusiness #BlightedBook #GeorgiaRealEstate #SocialImpactInvesting #Podcast

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    30 mins
  • Cold Calling to $500M: Taylor Avakin’s Blueprint for Real Estate Domination
    May 6 2025

    From making 600 cold calls a week to closing over $200M in deals before 30 — Taylor Avakin is redefining what’s possible in commercial real estate. In this episode, the LA-based broker behind The Group CRE breaks down the exact strategies he used to scale his real estate business and how he's helping investors win big in a tough 2024 market. Whether you're new to multifamily or scaling a portfolio, this is your blueprint.

    🔑 What You’ll Learn:
    • Taylor’s journey: From rookie broker to $500M empire
    • The cold-calling strategy that built his career
    • LA multifamily trends and owner challenges in 2024
    • How tech and relationships are shaping the next decade
    • Actionable tips for new and seasoned real estate investors

    🕒 Timestamps:
    00:00 – Meet Taylor Avakin, Founder of The Group CRE
    01:04 – Scaling to $200M by Age 30
    04:03 – The 600-Call Weeks That Built His Pipeline
    06:30 – Why The Group CRE Was Born
    10:45 – Market Challenges for LA Apartment Owners
    13:38 – How Technology is Changing the Game
    17:51 – Must-Know Advice for New Investors
    26:05 – Rapid Fire: Best Advice, Daily Habits & More

    🔗 Resources:
    🌐 thegroupcre.com
    🎙️ Taylor’s Podcast: No Vacancy

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    34 mins
  • From W2 to 230+ Units: How Andrew Freed Reached Financial Freedom Through House Hacking and Syndication
    Apr 22 2025

    Andrew Freed went from a six-figure W2 job to owning over 130 units — all within just a few years. In this episode, he breaks down his journey from reading Rich Dad Poor Dad to becoming a real estate powerhouse through house hacking, creative financing, and syndication.

    🎯 You’ll Learn:

    • How he leveraged a HELOC on a Boston condo to buy his first multifamily

    • How he scaled from 1 to 130+ units using creative debt strategies

    • The power of partnerships, mentorship, and market selection

    • Insider tips on syndicating deals, using 1031 exchanges, and raising capital

    • Why being “resourceful beats being rich” when getting started in real estate

    🔥 Whether you're a new investor or seasoned pro, this episode is packed with real-world strategies, mindset shifts, and action steps to grow your real estate portfolio.

    📲 Follow Andrew:
    Instagram: @investorfree
    LinkedIn: Andrew Freed

    🎙 Hosted by Trevor Henson | Property Pro Tips from the Pros
    👉 Subscribe for more episodes on real estate investing, syndications, and financial freedom.

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    46 mins
  • ADU Secrets Unlocked: Expert Insights from a Chief Operating Officer
    Mar 4 2025

    In this episode of Property Pro Tips, Trevor sits down with Clint Copulos, COO of Mike Holland Construction (MHC), to explore the evolving landscape of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in California. With over 20 years of construction experience, MHC has successfully built 43 ADUs, with more underway. Clint shares valuable insights on the financial benefits of ADUs, the latest regulatory changes, and how multifamily investors can maximize their properties.From navigating city-specific challenges to optimizing return on investment, this episode is a must-listen for real estate investors looking to capitalize on California’s expanding ADU laws. Tune in as Clint discusses feasibility studies, design, permitting, and the future of ADU development in a rapidly changing market.🔗 Listen now: Spotify Podcast Link🌎 Learn more: bfpminc.com📢 Connect with us: LinkedIn

    Connect with Clint: clint@mhc.build00:00–00:15 Introduction to Clint Copulos00:16–02:00 What Are ADUs & Why Investors Should Care02:01–04:30 Clint’s Journey from Asset Management to ADU Development04:31–08:00 California’s ADU Laws & 2024 Regulatory Updates08:01–11:00 The Cost & Timeline of ADU Development11:01–15:30 Overcoming City-Specific Challenges15:31–19:30 The Best Investment Strategies for ADUs19:31–23:00 How ADUs Solve LA’s Housing Crisis23:01–27:30 The Financial Analysis Behind ADU Projects27:31–32:00 Key Considerations for First-Time ADU Investors32:01–36:30 How MHC’s White-Glove Service Simplifies ADU Construction36:31–40:00 The Future of ADU Development in California40:01 Final Thoughts & Clint’s Advice for Investors#RealEstatePodcast #ADUDevelopment #HousingMarket #LosAngelesRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyManagement #EconomicTrends #UrbanDevelopment #MarketTrends #RealEstateStrategy #InvestmentInsights #MultifamilyDevelopment #AffordableHousing

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    1 hr
  • How THIS Man Built a $240M Real Estate Portfolio (Multifamily Investing)
    Feb 11 2025

    Welcome back to Property Pro Tips, where we bring you expert insights into property management, real estate investing, and industry trends. In this episode, we sit down with Matt Williams, Principal of Williams Real Estate Advisors and 2025 Board President of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA), to discuss property management strategies, the future of real estate, and legislative challenges in California.💡 Key Topics:Matt’s journey from finance to property managementThe biggest challenges facing landlords and property managers todayHow real estate legislation impacts property ownersTips for property investors to maximize their portfoliosThe future of property management in Los AngelesDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert real estate insights! 🏡🔑🔔 Timestamps & Chapters:0:00 - Intro to Property Pro Tips0:07 - Meet Matt Williams: Principal of Williams Real Estate Advisors0:26 - Matt’s Experience in Property Management & Leadership1:10 - From Finance to Real Estate: Matt’s Career Path2:50 - Challenges & Rewards of Property Management4:09 - What Makes a Great Property Manager?6:00 - Insights on Multifamily Real Estate Loans & Underwriting8:09 - Transitioning from Mortgage Banking to Real Estate Brokerage11:04 - Building a Property Management Business from the Ground Up15:04 - The Importance of Advocacy in Real Estate22:05 - Understanding AAGLA & Real Estate Associations32:00 - Legislative Issues Impacting Property Owners in California38:00 - The Fight Against Rent Control & Landlord Restrictions45:10 - Future Trends in Multifamily Real Estate52:00 - AI & Technology in Property Management56:00 - Final Advice for Landlords & Real Estate Investors1:02:03 - Rapid Fire Round: Business & Leadership Insights1:07:47 - How to Connect with Matt Williams & AAGLA📢 Comment below: What’s the biggest challenge you face as a landlord or property manager? Let's discuss! 👇🏾#RealEstate#PropertyManagement#Landlords#MultifamilyInvesting#LosAngelesRealEstate#HousingMarket#PropertyInvestment#MattWilliams#RealEstatePodcast#AAGLA#InvestingTips#CashFlow#RentControl#CaliforniaHousing

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • USC to Real Estate Success: Student Housing, Multifamily Investing, and Expert Tips with Dan Lewin
    Jan 28 2025
    Join us on this episode of the podcast as host Trevor sits down with Dan Lewin, Co-Founder of YoungLewin Advisors and a trailblazer in the real estate industry. With over $1 billion in transaction experience, Dan is a leader in the student housing and multifamily sectors, particularly in Southern California. In this engaging conversation, Dan shares how his real estate journey began at USC and dives into the challenges and triumphs he faced breaking into the competitive Los Angeles market. He discusses the trends shaping the future of student housing, his passion for pro-housing policies and the YIMBY movement and offers invaluable advice for aspiring investors looking to get started in multifamily or student housing markets. Trevor also puts Dan in the hot seat for a rapid-fire round, asking about the best real estate advice he’s ever received, his biggest inspirations, must-read books, and much more! Whether you're a seasoned real estate professional or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and actionable advice from one of the industry's top experts. 📌 Topics Covered: -Dan's real estate journey and early inspirations -Challenges and successes in the LA market -Trends in student housing and multifamily real estate -Pro-housing policies and California's housing future -Advice for aspiring real estate investors -Rapid-fire questions about habits, books, and dream markets -Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcome & IntroductionTrevor introduces today’s guest, Dan Lewin, and discusses current events in Los Angeles, including the impact of recent fires. 2:04 – Meet Dan LewinDan’s background, co-founding Young Lewin Advisors, career highlights, and passion for pro-housing policies. 3:29 – Starting in Real Estate at USCDan shares his journey into real estate investment, beginning with summer construction jobs and mentorship during his time at USC. 7:13 – Mentorship and Breaking into Real EstateThe importance of mentorship and finding a niche in a competitive market like Los Angeles. 10:06 – Finding a Niche at USCDan discusses how understanding zoning, development potential, and leveraging local expertise helped him gain traction in real estate. 16:00 – Advantages of Student HousingWhy student housing is a strong investment and how it differs from traditional multifamily properties. 20:19 – Pro-Housing Advocacy and YIMBY MovementExploring Dan’s support for the “Yes in My Backyard” (YIMBY) movement and its impact on California housing. 25:27 – Trends in Student HousingFlight to quality: Why modern student housing demands amenities, better design, and proximity to campus. 32:04 – Advice for Aspiring Real Estate InvestorsKey takeaways for young brokers, investors, and syndicators. 36:09 – Legislative Challenges in CaliforniaDan highlights the need for streamlined permitting processes and enforcement of existing housing laws. 41:23 – Why Dan Stays Invested in CaliforniaThe opportunities, challenges, and potential of the California real estate market. 47:23 – Rapid Fire RoundDan answers quickfire questions on real estate advice, inspirations, and the best personal habits that contribute to his success. 56:11 – Wrap-Up and ThanksTrevor wraps up the conversation and thanks Dan for sharing his insights and expertise. #LosAngelesRealEstate #MultifamilyBroker #LandlordTips #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyManagement #TenantScreening #RentalMarket #LosAngelesApartments #RealEstateStrategy #TaylorAvakian #ApartmentOwner #usc
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    57 mins