In this solo episode, Axel reflects on the 10-year anniversary of his very first real estate deal, a 3-unit property he found on Craigslist back in March 2016 and extracts four powerful lessons from that experience. While the deal didn't go as planned, the education it delivered shaped every successful investment that followed.

Axel also walks through the specific challenges that deal presented: private utilities, financing complications, the realities of self-managing as a first-time investor, and the emotional difficulty of embracing uncertainty. He frames each setback as a teachable moment that applies whether you're buying your first duplex or scaling to 100+ units.

This episode is designed to help both new and experienced investors think more strategically about exit liquidity, debt structure, professional leverage, and the mindset required to grow through uncertainty.

Join us as we dive into:

Why Axel's first deal — a 3-unit FSBO found on Craigslist — didn't go as planned
The hidden liquidity trap of private utilities (dug wells, undersized septics) and how they shrink your buyer pool
Why you must understand your takeout financing before you close — especially with private or bridge debt
The real cost of self-managing too early and why hiring a property manager on deal one can actually accelerate your learning
How to embrace learning on the fly without letting perfectionism delay your first (or next big) move
Why even a "bad" first deal can be the foundation for everything that follows

Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.

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