Most passive investors spend all their time evaluating the upside of a deal. John Casmon thinks that's the wrong place to start.

In this episode, I sit down with John Casmon, a seasoned multifamily investor and syndicator, to talk about what a good multifamily deal actually looks like, how to protect your downside before you ever write a check, and why asset management is the part of this business most people underestimate.

What we cover:

• What separates a good multifamily deal from one that just looks good on paper
• How passive investors can evaluate deals before committing capital
• Downside protection strategies and why they matter more than projected returns
• Why asset management is the most critical and most overlooked part of the business

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In this episode of Breaking Ground With Justin Goodin, Chad Schieler breaks down the truth about real estate syndications, passive real estate investing, and why multifamily continues to be one of the most attractive asset classes today.

If you’ve ever wondered whether real estate is truly passive… this conversation will change how you think. We dive into the biggest misconceptions around passive investing, why most people don’t actually want to be landlords, and how multifamily investing allows busy professionals to build wealth without creating a second job. You’ll also hear how Chad approaches risk, why some investors are shifting away from heavy value-add deals, and what makes core plus multifamily investments so appealing in today’s market. Chad shares how he used his own capital for his first deals before ever raising money, what that taught him about investing, and why trust and track record matter more than any spreadsheet.

We also cover:

• The real difference between active vs passive real estate investing

• Why real estate syndications are growing in popularity

• How to properly vet a multifamily sponsor

• What passive investors should look for before investing

• Why overanalyzing deals keeps most people stuck

• The mindset shift that separates experienced investors from beginners

• How tax advantages like depreciation can benefit investors If you’re a busy professional looking to get into passive real estate investing or scale your portfolio through multifamily syndication, this episode will give you a clear framework to think bigger and invest smarter.

Brian Briscoe retired from the Marines as a Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of active duty, then built a portfolio of 1,000+ apartment units through his company Streamline Capital Group. In this episode, we break down his investing philosophy, a deal that lost everything, and exactly what he looks for before pulling the trigger on a new acquisition.
In this episode:
• How 20 years of Marine Corps leadership directly translates to operating apartment communities
• Why Brian's best deals came from a combination of market timing and operational discipline, and how to separate the two
• The rate cap mistake that wiped out an entire investment, and the one question he now asks on every deal with a variable rate loan
• Why he refuses to go above 70% leverage in today's market and what that means for investor returns
• His full breakdown of a 27-unit Salt Lake City value-add acquisition, including $35,000 per unit in renovations and a near-complete tenant retention rate
• How to evaluate a sponsor's track record without confusing luck with skill
• What passive investors should expect after wiring their funds
Whether you're a passive investor trying to vet sponsors more effectively, or an active operator looking to sharpen your acquisition criteria, this conversation is loaded with practical insight from someone who has been through both the upside and the downside of this business.