Episode 146: Timothy Lyons

Are you looking for ways to generate passive income in real estate? One avenue for generating passive income is through commercial real estate. Investing in commercial properties allows your money to work for you without doing the hard work. Unlike other asset classes, commercial properties often entail longer lease terms, and tenants are responsible for many operating expenses. This translates to a steady stream of passive income while still having the potential for property appreciation. However, the commercial real estate market is not without its challenges. Market returns can be influenced by economic fluctuations, vacancy rates, and regional trends, making it essential for you, an investor, to conduct thorough research and due diligence. 

 

In the conversation, Tim explains that the reason many investors want to be passive is because they don’t want another job. Creating a passive income stream is about knowing the right questions to ask an operator and being in the right deals and market. To achieve this goal, Tim leverages commercial real estate. He invests in three asset classes: multifamily, self-storage, and industrial triple net lease assets, all of which are scalable. According to him, if you are a passive investor, you must do your due diligence, vet sponsors, vet track records, and work with experienced folks to ensure the deals you are involved in are well-capitalized.   

 

Tim started his investment journey with self-education after realizing that trading time for money in two jobs was not conducive to creating the lifestyle he wanted. His drive to get into real estate was inspired by equity and cash flow. Tim's first investment was a 3-family rental property. He wanted to be a landlord but soon realized he got a third job and wanted a passive income. Tim continued with self-education and pivoted to investing in commercial real estate, where he was able to not only invest in bigger and better properties but also didn’t have to do the “hard work” he did as a landlord. 

 

That is part of what Tim shares with Fuquan today. Passive income is the key to financial freedom, and commercial real estate can be a powerful vehicle to achieve that goal. Tim's journey exemplifies the transition many investors make from being actively involved in real estate to becoming truly passive investors.

 

Tune in for an in-depth exploration of Tim's strategies and insights in capital raising, brokerage deals, and generating passive income through commercial real estate.

Highlights from the Interview

• Tim’s career backstory and how he got started in real estate
• Why Tim is passionate about real estate investing
• Tim’s brokerage deal and capital raising services and how they work 
• Tim’s vetting process for the sponsors and how they manage the deals 
• The asset classes that Tim plays a role in funding 
• Tim’s single-asset deals and funds investing model 
• Market returns and challenges in the syndication world