135. A Journey in Multifamily Investing: An Interview with Andrew Cushman

In this episode, Andrew Cushman, founder and principal of Vantage Point Acquisitions shares his journey from engineering to house flipping to becoming a successful multifamily syndicator. Learn about lessons from his best and worst deals, strategies for navigating changing economic conditions like rising interest rates, and tips for evaluating investment opportunities. Listen in and gain insights on building a long-term real estate career from someone who has seen market cycles come and go!

About Andrew Cushman

Andrew Cushman is the founder and principal of Vantage Point Acquisitions, a real estate private equity firm specializing in multifamily apartments, particularly in the southeast region. After leaving his corporate position in 2007, Andrew ventured into real estate investment, initially focusing on flipping single-family properties in Southern California. Over time, he transitioned to multifamily acquisitions and has since syndicated and repositioned over 2,600 multifamily units. A former chemical engineer, Andrew brings a unique perspective to the real estate industry. 

Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:

[03:11] Andrew’s real estate investing journey

[08:06] Practicing R&D in the real estate world

[11:39] How he made the transition from engineering to flipping houses

[13:39] The worst syndication he has done

[20:56] Most common mistakes LP investors make

[24:38] IRR vs. AAR

[38:36] Fixed rate debt on the portfolio

Episode Highlights:

[08:06] Practicing R&D in the Real Estate World

In the world of real estate, there's a beautiful concept called "rip off and duplicate," as Cameron Harold aptly puts it. In the corporate world, that's research and development; in real estate, it's rip-off and duplicate. Find somebody who's already successful at what you want to do, learn and copy what they do, and go execute.  This approach not only provides a blueprint for action but also instills the confidence to persist, knowing that proven methods are at hand. 

[13:39] Lessons Learned From Buying C-Class Properties

C-class properties may appear promising on paper, but their true nature often falls short in the real world. Recognizing this, Andrew coined the phrase "the grass is always greener over the septic tank" to highlight the deceptive allure of these properties and the lack of competition surrounding them. During a recession, rough C-class properties suffer the most, experiencing severe delinquency and plummeting value. For Adam, this was the worst deal he and his wife had ever done. Although the returns were not impressive, his experience taught him invaluable lessons, now more knowledgeable about what to do and what not to do.

[20:56] Common Mistakes LP Investors Make

Shopping deals solely based on projected IRR without considering the different levels of risk involved to achieve those returns. Higher returns do not always mean a better investment if they come with greater risk.Not understanding the relationship between risk and returnFailing to evaluate deals based on multiple metrics like IRR, annual cash-on-cash return, equity multiple, and annual average return rather than just one metric. No single number tells the whole story.Viewing the relationship with the sponsor/general partner as adversarial rather than as a partnership. Investors need to ensure their interests are aligned with the experienced sponsors they are entrusting their capital for the holding period.

This show is for entertainment purposes only. Nothing said on the show should be considered financial advice. Before making any decisions, consult a professional. This show is copyrighted by Passive Investing from Left Field and Left Field Investors. Written permissions must be granted before syndication or rebroadcasting.

Resources Mentioned:

Vantage Point Acquisitions

Podcast Recommendations:

Macro Voices 

Advertising Partners:

Tribevest

Aspen Funds

Viking Capital

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