Creating Wealth in Real Estate: Insights from Chris Linger’s $270M Portfolio

Raising private money without the need to ask for it directly is a skill that not many possess. However, Chris Linger, a seasoned real estate investor and accredited investor, has mastered this art. As a general partner in nine apartment syndications, encompassing over 1,750 apartments valued at $270M, Chris has a wealth of knowledge to share. In a recent enlightening conversation with Jay Conner on the Raising Private Money" podcast, Chris detailed his journey and provided invaluable insights into real estate investing, raising private funds, and scaling one's business.

From Humble Beginnings to Investing Powerhouse

Like many successful investors, Chris Linger began his venture into real estate with modest beginnings. While serving in the military, he faced a dilemma that many in the armed forces encounter—frequent relocations. Chris’s journey began in Pensacola, Florida, where he was unable to sell his home during a move in 2007. This necessitated renting out the property, unknowingly planting the seeds of his future real estate empire.

The Power of Partnership

Chris attributes much of his accelerated growth in real estate to his partnership with his wife Maricela. When they met in 2017, they discovered a mutual interest and synergy in real estate investing. By pooling their resources, Chris and Maricela began purchasing properties, starting with small quadplexes and gradually scaling up. This partnership was not just limited to pooling financial resources but extended to strategic decision-making and support, allowing them to take more calculated risks and bigger steps toward their goals.

The Shift to Raising Private Money

Their foray into raising private money began out of necessity when a lucrative opportunity arose unexpectedly. With funds tied up in another project, Chris and Maricela turned to individuals who had shown interest in investing with them. Instead of approaching institutional lenders—which could be time-consuming—they offered their potential investors short-term loans to fund their project. This approach not only sped up the process but also laid the foundation for future private money-raising endeavors.

The Benefits of Private Money

One of the significant advantages of private money, as highlighted by Chris, is speed. Real estate transactions, especially those involving wholesalers, often require swift action. Private money allows for rapid closings, enabling investors to seize time-sensitive opportunities. Chris also pointed out the value of teaching potential investors about private money, including the use of self-directed IRAs for tax-advantaged returns—an approach that aligns well with Jay Conner’s philosophy of educating rather than pitching.

Scaling Up: Beyond One-on-One Conversations

To scale beyond one-on-one interactions and raise over $20 million in less than four years, Chris leveraged various platforms. Networking at events, attending webinars, participating in podcasts, and maintaining a strong social media presence played significant roles. By consistently sharing their successes and educational content, Chris and Maricela built credibility and attracted a larger pool of investors.

Lessons Learned and Avoiding Pitfalls

Through their journey, Chris and Maricela have learned valuable lessons, some from costly mistakes. One major lesson was the importance of maintaining control of investment opportunities. While initially partnering with others for asset management, they realized the importance of direct oversight to ensure optimal property management and investment performance. Additionally, as lenders themselves, they learned to structure longer-term notes with interest rate increases to mitigate the opportunity costs of tying up capital for extended periods.

Diversifying Through Business Coaching

Beyond real estate, Chris and Maricela are elite business coac