Retiring Early From IT To Carving Out A Niche In Capital Raising with Michael Kharlab

In this episode, Michael Kharlab walks us through how he balanced a full‑time IT career while launching his real estate business—structuring each deal as its own entity, raising $2 million in days, and even pivoting midstream from Denver multifamily to Florida self‑storage. 🤓🏢

Things Discussed:
Balancing W2 Income & Real Estate Hustle 🖥️🏠
• Steady Paycheck: Michael used his IT salary to qualify for bank financing and build credibility.
• After‑Hours Workflow: He carved out evenings and weekends for investor outreach and deal analysis.
• Batch Updates: Scheduled photo roundups and 15‑minute weekly calls kept investors in the loop without derailing his day job.

Project‑by‑Project Capital Raising 💼💸
• Dedicated LLCs: Each deal lives in its own entity so partners know exactly where their equity sits.
• Warm Investor List: A curated list of a few hundred contacts received concise memos—thesis, returns, equity need.
• Rapid Close: That system hit a $2 million raise in days, bypassing lengthy fund‑style approvals.

Deal Pivot & Key Transactions 🔄🏭
• Denver → Florida: When a Class A multifamily deal lost financing, Michael shifted into a self‑storage facility in Florida, broke ground in May, and underwrote 24 percent projected returns.
• Hotel Junior Debt: He financed a boutique hotel in Lake Placid, NY, helping the sponsor close, improve operations, and deliver solid profits.

Oversight & Time Management ⏱️🏗️
• Weekend Site Visits: Quick inspections over brunch kept his oversight hands‑on.
• Photo‑Based Updates: Investors received clear progress snapshots without micromanaging.
• Concise Calls: Short, structured check‑ins flagged issues before they became problems.

Key Takeaways & Advice ⭐💡
Vet Sponsors Thoroughly: Read all agreements and involve a lawyer to protect your capital.

Master One Strength: Focus on your core skill—capital raising—and say “no” to distractions.

Start as a Connector: Partner with seasoned sponsors, refer investors, and earn referral fees to build credibility.

Form Separate Entities: Maintain transparency and clean accounting with project‑specific LLCs.

Diversify with Real Estate: Leverage tax benefits and stability that smooth out traditional portfolios.

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