Podcast
Multifamily Real Estate Investing
Hosted by Presented by Mara Poling · EN
Join new hosts The Laurens each week and learn the ins and outs of multifamily real estate investing. Episodes include everything from expert guest interviews to deep dives on trends shaping the multifamily real estate industry. Don’t forget to catch up on past seasons featuring Pat Poling of Mara Poling and be sure to check out The Learning Center on our website!
Questions? Have a hot topic you'd like us to discuss? Are you a multifamily real estate SME or investor and want to be guest on the pod?
Email us at podcast@marapoling.com
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Retirement Account Investing Series: Part 1 - Investing with Your Retirement Account
4d ago00:16:05Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWelcome to our new 8-part series focused on building long-term wealth through smarter retirement investing strategies. Throughout this series, we’ll explore how investors can use retirement accounts to invest beyond traditional stocks and bonds and take advantage of opportunities in multifamily real estate investing.The Laurens will be joined by Pat Poling from Mara Poling and we’ll break down the concepts, strategies, and potential benefits of retirement account investing in a practical, easy-to-understand way.Over the course of this series, we’ll cover:Investing with Your Retirement AccountDiversificationHow to Invest Using a Retirement AccountCompounded Returns Investing in Multifamily Real EstateInvesting in Multifamily Real Estate with Your ROTHCutting Your Taxes 50% to 70% or MoreThose “Other” TaxesLong-term Multifamily Real Estate InvestingWhether you’re just getting started or looking to better understand how retirement accounts can be used to create passive income and long-term financial growth, this series is designed to help you think differently about investing for the future.Be sure to subscribe and join us each week as we continue the conversation and dive deeper into each of these topics.To learn more, visit Mara Poling or email Pat directly at pat@marapoling.com.
Transcribe →Escrows, Protests & Surprises: Managing Property Taxes in Multifamily
3w ago00:39:40Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailProperty taxes aren’t passive—they’re a lever in active asset management.In this episode of Multi-Family Real Estate Investing by Mara Poling, we break down how lender escrows actually function, how we track projected vs. actual tax obligations in real time, and how we strategically partner with consultants on property tax protests .We also pull back the curtain on our internal process—how we stay ahead of reassessments, reduce volatility, and protect portfolio performance from unexpected tax swings.If you’re treating property taxes as a once-a-year task, you’re already behind.
Transcribe →All the Small Things… That Turn Into Lawsuits
4w ago00:35:14Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of Multi-Family Real Estate Investing presented by Mara Poling, The Laurens are back—and this time, we’re talking about the risks you don’t always see coming.In multifamily, it’s often the small things that can snowball into costly problems—but the focus should be on how you protect yourself.In this episode, we break down practical ways to reduce risk:• Review your property management agreement (especially indemnification clauses)• Stay on top of work orders and deferred maintenance• Ensure vendors are properly insured• Maintain strong documentation and consistent processes• Have the right insurance coverage (and understand your limits)• Keep legal counsel in place before you need itYou can’t eliminate risk—but you can manage it.
Transcribe →Inside AppFolio: Building the Systems Behind Our Investor Experience
Apr 700:40:20Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, we go behind the scenes of what it actually takes to deliver a seamless investor experience—and why we made the transition to AppFolio Investment Manager. Co-hosts Lauren Torres and Lauren Messina of Multi-Family Real Estate Investing presented by Mara Poling break down how growing a platform means rethinking the systems that support it.As we’ve scaled, so has the complexity of managing investor relationships, financial reporting, and data across multiple funds and investments. What worked early on—spreadsheets, manual processes, and email—simply doesn’t scale without introducing risk and inefficiencies.In this episode, we walk through what building that infrastructure really involves: • Cleaning and migrating historical data • Structuring funds, entities, and investor relationships • Accurately tracking capital accounts, distributions, and preferred returns • Creating a reporting engine that delivers clarity and consistencyWe also cover what this means for our investors—from a more transparent dashboard and centralized documents to a consolidated view across investments.This conversation is designed for both sides of the table: • Investors looking for greater visibility and confidence • Operators building systems that can support long-term growthBecause ultimately, the investor experience is a direct reflection of the systems behind it.
Transcribe →We Get By with a Little Help from Our Lenders
Apr 100:41:07Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat happens after the loan closes is just as important as getting the deal done. In this episode, The Laurens take a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing relationship with lenders—and why it plays a critical role in the success of a multifamily investment.We walk through the key requirements lenders expect post-closing, including regular financial reporting, monitoring DSCR, managing tax and insurance escrows, and navigating annual inspections. More importantly, we explain how these processes create structure, accountability, and an added layer of oversight that ultimately benefits investors.We also discuss what happens when performance doesn’t go according to plan, and why proactive communication with lenders can make all the difference. Strong lender relationships aren’t just about compliance—they’re about partnership, discipline, and protecting long-term value.
Transcribe →Who’s Buying Multifamily Right Now with Matt Wideman
Mar 1000:35:05Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThe multifamily market has shifted significantly over the past two years — but deals are still getting done. The question is: who is actually buying, and how are they getting deals across the finish line?In this episode, Matt Wideman, Managing Director at Berkadia, shares what he’s seeing from the front lines of multifamily transactions. We discuss who is actively acquiring assets today, how pricing and cap rate expectations have reset, and what separates buyers who are winning deals from those who aren’t.Matt also pulls back the curtain on what’s happening behind the scenes from listing to closing, how financing and capital stacks have evolved, and what investors should be paying attention to as the market continues to adjust.
Transcribe →Breaking Down an Asset’s Cash Flow
Feb 1700:38:40Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this solo episode of Multi-Family Real Estate Investing by Mara Poling, Lauren Torres takes us beyond the pro-forma headline and breaks down what actually drives an asset’s cash flow. From revenue assumptions and vacancy to operating expenses, debt service, capital expenditures, and reserves, we walk through what must be forecasted — and what too many asset managers overlook. In a 2026 market where discipline matters, understanding cash flow at the asset level isn’t optional, it's necessary.
Transcribe →2026 Outlook with Pat Poling
Feb 1000:33:16Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, co-hosts The Laurens sit down with founder Pat Poling for a candid outlook on the year ahead. Drawing on decades of experience across multiple market cycles, Pat shares how he’s thinking about today’s multifamily landscape, what feels different about this moment, and how investors can navigate the current environment with clarity.The conversation explores market sentiment versus fundamentals, lessons from past cycles, evolving return expectations, and Mara Poling’s priorities for 2026 as the firm balances capital preservation with preparedness for future opportunities.
Transcribe →The People Behind the Property
Feb 300:54:03Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode, The Laurens take listeners behind the scenes of a multifamily property to break down the people who physically operate it every day. From property management firm accounting teams to maintenance technicians, leasing consultants and regional managers, they discuss the role each group plays and how these teams work together to support property performance.The conversation highlights how ownership interacts with on-site and regional teams, why alignment and communication matter at every level, and how strong execution on the ground ultimately drives results in multifamily real estate.
Transcribe →Apartments Are a People Business (Even in an AI World)
Jan 2000:36:25Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAI and technology are everywhere—but apartment communities are still run by people.In this episode, The Laurens talk about what technology is actually changing in multifamily, what it isn’t, and why roles like maintenance technicians and on-site managers can’t be replaced by software. They discuss where AI genuinely helps operators do their jobs better, where it’s overhyped, and what it really takes to run well-performing properties in a physical, real-world business.This is a practical, grounded conversation about the human side of multifamily in an increasingly digital world.
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