Ep. 204: How to Evaluate Multifamily Sponsors with Spencer Hilligoss 

Spencer Hilligoss worked a full-time job in technology so he opted to invest passively in real estate. Starting with a duplex in the Bay Area, then turnkey rentals in the Midwest, before focusing on passive apartment syndications. Spencer managed to work his full-time job and invest passively until he was earning enough from his passive investments to become a full-time real estate investor. Spencer and his wife Jennifer are partners in over 5,000 units, valued at over $600 million. Now, he has launched Madison Investing to help others invest in multifamily. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Exposed to real estate at a young age as his parents were in real estate. Worked open houses as a kid, made him run to the technology field
• Quit his technology leadership career right before Covid19 hit and is a passive and active full-time real estate investor 
• Worked at LendingTree and learned how much investors make on deals piqued his interest in REI
• How he found his first rental property in 2016 and pulled a ‘newbie” move that didn’t give him the cashflow he wanted 
• The importance of underwriting skills

You can build the perfect plan, but success comes down to the operator

• Understanding the 3 pillar framework of analyzing a market: Team, market and deal
• Why deal analysis should include more analysis about the “who” in the deal 
• Why Spencer invests in multifamily properties vs. turnkey properties
• The best question to ask a sponsor operator to gain valuable insight into their work ethic and business values
• Evaluating risk factors in a deal
• Spencer answers today’s biggest question: Why should I invest in real estate during COVID19?
• The challenges of investing and running 5000+ units

Bullseye Tips

Apparent Failure:

The way we conduct ourselves in business when times are bad, is when your true qualities shine through.

Digital/Mobile Resource:

Syndicated Deal Analyzer 

Most Recommended Book:

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Daily Habit:

Calendar blocking

Wish I Knew When I Was Starting Out:

Understanding goal setting on cash flow 

Current Curiosity:

Education within the real estate sphere

Best Place to Grab a Bite in Alameda, CA

The Tavern

Contact Spencer:

Madison Investing

LinkedIn