In this episode of Rich Roots, Vessi Kapoulian shares her journey from being a commercial lender in Bulgaria to becoming a successful real estate syndicator. She discusses the evolution of her understanding of wealth and financial freedom, the mission behind her company DBA Capital, and the importance of education in investing. Vessi emphasizes the significance of conservative underwriting, understanding CAP rates, and the impact of market dynamics on investment decisions. She also shares insights on the challenges faced during her transition to active investing, the importance of building trust with general partners, and the role of AI in underwriting. Vessi concludes with her perspective on the current market cycle and the opportunities it presents for investors.

00:43 Guest Introduction

02:05 Defining Wealth and Financial Freedom

05:10 The Mission Behind DBA Capital

10:07 Transitioning from Banking to Real Estate

13:21 Understanding Conservative Underwriting

17:12 Cap Rates and Their Importance

20:11 Market Analysis and Its Impact

25:23 Challenges in Transitioning to Active Investing

28:24 Navigating Relationships in Investment Partnerships

34:14 Identifying Green Flags in General Partners

37:30 The Importance of Trust and Diversification

42:31 Learning from Past Mistakes in Syndication

51:16 Understanding Joint Ventures vs. Syndications

58:04 Market Insights and Future Predictions

Syndications vs. Stocks: Which Path to Financial Freedom?

Join Vibha and Radhika as they dive into one of the most common questions they get when speaking to new real estate investors. They share their personal journeys with initial investments, underscore the importance of strategic financial planning, and illuminate the power of self-directed IRAs.

They also explore the potential for higher returns in syndications, especially in today's inflationary landscape, and discuss why a balanced investment portfolio is key.

Chapters

00:00 - Investing in Syndications vs. Stock Market

10:58 - Understanding Self-Directed IRAs

15:00 - Comparing Returns: Syndications vs. Stock Market

Bonus: Find out how Vibha and Radhika calculated their financial freedom numbers – and you can too! ⁠Plug your own figures into this ⁠Freedom Blueprint Calculator⁠⁠ and share your insights with us in the DMs and comments.

Not all real estate investments are created equal. In this episode, Vibha and Radhika explore different asset classes—multifamily, industrial, self-storage, senior living, and data centers—breaking down what makes each one unique. They dive into market trends, demand drivers, and key risks to help passive investors navigate their options.

You'll learn:
– Why multifamily remains a strong investment choice– How industrial real estate benefits from e-commerce growth– The surprising demand for self-storage during economic shifts– Why senior living is a booming market– How data centers are powering the digital economy

If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio or better understand real estate investing, this episode is packed with insights to help you make informed decisions.