How do the best real estate partnerships start, and what makes them last? In this episode, Tate Siemer joins Angel Williams to discuss how genuine relationships—not transactions—drive real estate success. Tate opens up about the mindset shifts that helped him transition from grassroots capital raising to working with family offices and deploying multi-million-dollar equity. The conversation covers how partnerships are formed, what it means to scale with intention, and why authenticity matters just as much as deal structure.

[00:01 - 04:00] Relationship First, Business Second

• Why building rapport around who someone is—not what they do—sets a stronger foundation
• How asking “What do you do for fun?” opens real conversations
• The importance of showing interest beyond professional outcomes

[04:01 - 08:00] Choosing the Right People

• Why testing partnerships on smaller projects first can prevent long-term issues
• What makes transparency during struggles a necessary trait in collaborators
• The significance of knowing when to keep things within an LLC structure

[08:01 - 12:00] Trust, Roles, and Business Fit

• What makes clearly defined roles in a team valuable for scaling
• Why the right mix of personalities can strengthen business operations
• The importance of shared responsibility and trust in team dynamics

[12:01 - 15:00] Shifting Mindset to Bigger Deals

• How raising $8 million can sometimes be easier than raising $2 million
• Why larger investors prefer fewer, bigger checks
• The need to match your capital-raising strategy with your growth goals

[15:01 - 18:44] Finding Your Fit in the Capital Stack

• What family offices look for in an investment opportunity
• How bringing the right deal creates leverage in negotiations
• Why understanding investor needs can position you better, even without scale yet

Connect with Tate:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tate-siemer-367939160

Key Quotes:

"None of us wants to be sold or patronized. I just try to be authentic and connect with people like a grown-up." – Tate Siemer

'Raising $8.5 million is easier than raising $2.8 million because of who you're talking to." – Tate Siemer

Visit sponsorcloud.io/contact today and unlock $2,000 of free services exclusively for REI Rocks community members! Get automated syndication and investor relationship management tools to save time and money. Mention your part of the REI Rocks community for exclusive offers. Help make affordable, low-cost education summits possible. Check out Sponsor Cloud today!

How does someone go from flipping a few houses a year to owning over 500 multifamily units in just 12 months?

In this episode, multifamily investor Tate Siemer, shares how he transitioned from flipping single-family homes to acquiring over 500 doors across multiple markets. He discusses the mindset shift required to scale quickly, lessons from his first multifamily deals, and how mentorship, strategic networking, and seizing the right opportunities transformed his career. This is a conversation packed with real-world takeaways for anyone looking to make a leap in their real estate journey.

[00:01 - 04:28] From Photography to Flipping

• Why flipping houses with personal funds limited growth
• The importance of learning through experience and iteration
• What caused him to realize single-family homes weren’t scalable

[04:29 - 08:38] The First Multifamily Deal

• How a 12-unit flip opened the door to new strategy
• Why Tate regrets selling the property instead of holding it
• The significance of recurring income vs. one-time flips

[08:39 - 12:42] Scaling Up with Intentional Strategy

• How hiring a mentor (Corey Peterson) accelerated his growth
• The importance of building credibility with brokers and investors
• What the “Law of the First Deal” means for momentum

[12:43 - 15:57] 572 Units in One Year

• How they acquired 552 units across three states
• Why diversifying markets was part of the growth plan
• The need for fast decision-making and team alignment

[15:58 - 18:50] Mindset and Winning Deals Without the Biggest Check

• Why connecting authentically made the difference in landing a big deal
• The importance of confidence over credentials
• What makes the six inches between your ears your most valuable asset

Connect with Tate:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tate-siemer-367939160

Key Quotes:

"The most important real estate to develop is the six inches between your ears." - Tate Siemer

"If I can do it, you can do it. I’m not overly talented, I just stayed coachable and showed up." - Tate Siemer

Visit sponsorcloud.io/contact today and unlock $2,000 of free services exclusively for REI Rocks community members! Get automated syndication and investor relationship management tools to save time and money. Mention your part of the REI Rocks community for exclusive offers. Help make affordable, low-cost education summits possible. Check out Sponsor Cloud today!

Curious how tax incentives and self-storage development intersect to shape thriving communities?

In this episode of The Academy Presents Podcast, Angel speaks with Bill Kanatas and Benjamin Salzberg about the strategy behind self-storage development, community revitalization, and the financial tools investors can leverage to maximize returns. From exploring Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Opportunity Zones to cost segregation and bonus depreciation, the conversation breaks down real-world applications that impact both investors and local economies. With their backgrounds as educators turned developers, Bill and Ben bring a relatable and tactical perspective to complex investment structures, while emphasizing community building at every turn.

[00:01 - 03:30] TIFs and Tax Tools Explained

• How Tax Increment Financing (TIF) works to spur development in underperforming areas
• The importance of understanding the difference between TIF and other tax incentives
• Why negotiating with municipalities is key to making TIF work for developers

[03:31 - 06:53] Tax Strategies for Investors

• How 179D and bonus depreciation can significantly reduce investor tax burdens
• What cost segregation studies reveal about real estate tax advantages
• The significance of combining multiple tax tools in a single development project

[06:54 - 09:41] Rethinking Self-Storage

• How to design storage facilities that integrate into communities
• Why self-storage is a flexible solution for various life transitions
• The need to overcome public misconceptions around storage facilities

[09:42 - 13:17] The Human Side of Storage Use

• What motivates people to turn to storage (downsizing, job changes, life events)
• How storage meets long-term needs for families and individuals
• The importance of recognizing storage as both practical and emotional

[13:18 - 17:40] Community Impact and Giving Back

• Why investing isn't just about returns but about local impact
• How ordinary professionals transitioned into developers making a difference
• The importance of transparency and community-focused growth

Connect with Benjamin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bensalzberg/

Connect with Bill:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-kanatas-micp-999255141/

Key Quotes:

“We’re not just here to take—we’re here to give. We want to solve a problem that the community has.” - Bill Kanatas

“It’s a commodity that’s a necessity. The four Ds—death, divorce, dislocation, downsizing—all point to the need for storage.” - Benjamin Salzberg

Visit sponsorcloud.io/contact today and unlock $2,000 of free services exclusively for REI Rocks community members! Get automated syndication and investor relationship management tools to save time and money. Mention your part of the REI Rocks community for exclusive offers. Help make affordable, low-cost education summits possible. Check out Sponsor Cloud today!