255: Rebuilding Communities and Redeveloping Housing with Peter Neill

In today’s episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan welcomes Peter Neill, co-founder and partner at GSP REI, for a conversation that blends capital raising, real estate development, and a commitment to rebuilding underserved communities. Peter shares how he moved from a sales and marketing role at a distressed mortgage firm to managing funds focused on affordable and workforce housing throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Along the way, he discovered that long-term success in real estate hinges on experience, consistency, and assembling the right team.

Peter reflects on early lessons—managing his first duplex, working alongside seasoned mentors, and learning to value communication as much as capital. His partnership with Ron, a builder with decades of experience, provided Peter with a clear understanding of the construction side of real estate, which is crucial when repositioning distressed single-family homes for long-term rental. Together, their team redevelops blighted homes in cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and parts of South Jersey, focusing on high-quality work and sustainable investment returns.

Throughout the episode, Jonathan and Peter discuss the challenges of raising private capital in today’s market, why marketing alone is insufficient without execution, and how Peter’s team utilizes vertical integration to manage construction and property oversight internally. The conversation underscores the importance of knowing your market, especially when working in workforce housing, where local demand and regulation can make or break a deal.

They also talk about investor education, red flags in the capital-raising world, and why transparency and authenticity build more trust than flashy pitch decks. Peter emphasizes staying close to the work, whether that means walking properties, managing renovations, or talking to tenants. As someone who raises funds and executes deals, he believes you can’t fake experience, and that humility and honest communication go further than hype.

This episode is packed with practical knowledge for anyone managing real estate projects, raising capital, or trying to build a sustainable, ethical investment business in today’s complex market.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Peter Neill’s early transition from distressed mortgages to long-term real estate investing

• How construction knowledge strengthens investment decisions

• Aligning marketing efforts with operational execution

• Key factors that make workforce housing more resilient

• Structuring investor conversations around trust and clarity

• Why GSP REI focuses on single-family portfolios and long-term holds

• Managing property oversight through a vertically integrated model

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Supporting Resources:

GSP REI website - gsprei.com

Accredited Investors Only on YouTube - www.youtube.com/@AccreditedInvestorsOnly/videos

Peter Neill’s Facebook page - www.facebook.com/peter.neill.5203

Real Estate Investing on Point on Instagram - www.instagram.com/real_estate_investing_on_point

Connect with Peter on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/peter-neill-gsprei

Website - www.streamlined.properties

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/JonathanGreeneRE/videos

Instagram - www.instagram.com/trustgreene

Instagram - www.instagram.com/streamlinedproperties

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@trustgreene

Zillow - www.zillow.com/profile/StreamlinedReal

Bigger Pockets - www.biggerpockets.com/users/TrustGreene

Facebook - www.facebook.com/streamlinedproperties

Email - [email protected]

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.