478. From The Iron Curtain to Financial Freedom with Vessi Kapoulian

 

How can investing in multifamily real estate help you take control of your financial destiny and create a path to true freedom?

 

In this episode, Suja sits down with Vessi Kapoulian, the founder of Dream Believe Achieve Capital Group, to discuss her inspiring journey from growing up behind the Iron Curtain in Bulgaria to becoming a successful multifamily real estate investor in the United States. Vessi shares her experience of climbing the corporate ladder in commercial lending, only to realize that she was trading more time for money and not truly in control of her own destiny. This realization led her to explore real estate investing as a means to create passive income streams and achieve financial independence. Throughout the conversation, Vessi provides valuable insights into the benefits of multifamily investing, the importance of vetting sponsors, and the current opportunities in the market.

 

Vessi Kapoulian, Founder of Dream Believe Achieve Capital Group, grew up in Bulgaria and dreamed of coming to the US. With a scholarship, she made her dream a reality. After climbing the corporate ladder, Vessi discovered real estate investing. Now, she helps busy professionals create passive income streams through real estate. Vessi controls a portfolio of 319 doors, worth $36MM, in Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.

 

[00:00:00 - 00:04:00] From Bulgaria to the U.S.: Vessi's Journey to Real Estate Investing

 

- Vessi grew up behind the Iron Curtain in Bulgaria, where hard assets like real estate were the primary means of investment

- She took the traditional path of climbing the corporate ladder in commercial lending, but realized she was trading time for money

- Vessi's experience with corporate restructures and the 2008-2009 financial crisis led her to explore real estate investing as a way to control her own destiny

 

[00:04:00 - 00:09:00] Transitioning from Single-Family to Multifamily Investing

 

- Vessi started with a single-family home investment and eventually scaled up to a duplex

- Her background in commercial lending, particularly in the multifamily sector, influenced her decision to focus on multifamily investments

- Multifamily investing was a natural progression for Vessi, as it allowed her to apply her existing knowledge and skills

 

[00:09:00 - 00:13:00] Navigating the Challenges of Rising Interest Rates

 

- Vessi emphasizes the importance of using fixed-rate debt or interest rate caps to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates

- She acknowledges the difficulty of foreseeing the rapid rise in interest rates during 2020-2021

- Conservative lending practices, such as maintaining lower leverage and raising more for reserves, can help investors weather market fluctuations

 

[00:13:00 - 00:18:00] The Benefits of Passive Real Estate Investing

 

- Vessi helps clients diversify their portfolios beyond stocks and bonds by investing in real estate syndications

- Passive real estate investing can create additional income streams, providing optionality and financial freedom

- Real estate offers tax efficiencies, such as bonus depreciation, which can offset capital gains and reduce effective tax rates

 

[00:18:00 - 00:25:00] Vetting Sponsors and the Future of Multifamily Investing

 

- Vessi emphasizes the importance of thoroughly vetting sponsors, focusing on aligned values, track records, communication processes, and operational expertise

- She remains optimistic about the long-term prospects of multifamily investing, citing demographic trends, limited supply of single-family homes, and the gap between owning and renting

- Vessi believes that 2024 and 2025 may present opportunities to acquire assets at more reasonable prices, setting the stage for future growth

 

Quotes:

 

Sure, here are a couple of more powerful and insightful quotes from the transcript:

 

"I couldn't be trading more time for money, getting all these corporate titles that at the end of the day mean nothing because when I look back one day, people are not gonna, at least for me, I don't think I would be thinking, 'Wow, I was the MVP at such and such bank,' but it's more about what is the impact do you have?" -Vessi Kapoulian

 

"I'm still very optimistic about multifamily in the long run. Yes, 2024 and frankly even 2025 will be challenging years because I for a number of reasons. But I also think that would be a great time to acquire assets on a more reasonable basis." - Vessi Kapoulian

 

Connect with Vessi:

 

Website: https://dbacapitalgroup.com/

Digital Book : 21042267.hs-sites.com/multifamily-digital-book

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vessi-kapoulian/

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Gvm6hGGKGHSerXCTj8H4w

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