Charlie Kao is the Principal and Asset Manager at Twin Oaks Capital, a boutique commercial real estate firm specializing in consulting, feasibility studies, brokerage, and construction management. With a deep-rooted background in real estate shaped by his family’s entrepreneurial journey, Charlie brings a wealth of experience in diverse asset classes, including self-storage and industrial properties. He combines his expertise in operations, development, and innovative financing strategies to deliver exceptional value to his clients and investors. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Charlie is passionate about creating efficient investment models and leveraging his real estate knowledge to help others build wealth through strategic investments.

Chapters

00:00 Market Overview and Passive Investing Opportunities

11:34 Transitioning from W-2 to Entrepreneurship

18:13 Current Focus: Industrial Real Estate Trends

25:11 Investor Returns and Guarantees

32:59 Managing Personal Guarantees

38:16 Current Reading and Listening Habits

44:30 Investment Strategies Beyond Personal Deals

Summary

In this episode of the Gentle Art of Crushing It podcast, host Randy Smith interviews Charlie Kao, an asset manager and principal at Twin Oaks Capital. They discuss the current state of the commercial real estate market, focusing on passive investing opportunities and the shift towards safer investments. Charlie shares his personal journey in the real estate industry, detailing his early experiences working alongside his father, who built a successful real estate portfolio. The conversation also explores Charlie's transition from a W-2 job back to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance and the desire to be present for his family. Finally, they delve into the current trends in industrial real estate, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, and how these trends are shaping investment strategies. In this conversation, Charlie Kao discusses his transition to a debt model in real estate investing, allowing him to retain full ownership of projects while providing attractive returns to investors. He explains the structure of his investment deals, including guarantees and flexibility for investors, as well as the legal documentation involved. The discussion also covers the importance of education for passive investors, current reading habits, and due diligence practices. Additionally, Charlie shares personal experiences related to family adventures and his investment strategies.

RANDY SMITH

Connect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestor

Keywords

commercial real estate, passive investing, market trends, entrepreneurship, self storage, industrial real estate, investment strategies, family business, market analysis, economic indicators, debt model, passive investing, investor returns, construction loans, legal documentation, personal guarantees, educational resources, due diligence, investment strategies, bucket list adventures

Adam La Barr is a combat veteran, Amazon #1 best-selling author, and accomplished business consultant with a knack for turning challenges into opportunities. With 18 years of military experience and a proven track record in the corporate world, he has honed the art of building high-performing teams and scaling businesses sustainably. Adam has successfully navigated complex situations as a COO, steered startups to seven-figure sales, and implemented systems that allow businesses to thrive.

In real estate, Adam’s portfolio includes over 350 multifamily doors, investments in self-storage, and ownership of a memory care facility. Despite early hurdles, including a near-miss on his first deal, Adam’s resilience turned lessons into lasting success. Now, he leverages his unique blend of military discipline and entrepreneurial expertise to guide businesses with revenues of $250K to $1M, helping them scale without losing their identity—or their sense of humor.

When he’s not helping others achieve their goals, Adam spends time with his wife, Raquel, and their three children, proving that teamwork truly makes the dream work.

Chapters

00:00 Market Insights for Passive Investors

03:06 Adam's Journey into Real Estate

05:59 The Challenges of a First Investment

09:00 Lessons Learned from Early Mistakes

12:07 Partner Selection and Due Diligence

14:55 Navigating Difficult Conversations

17:53 Creating Strong Operating Agreements

21:33 Navigating Challenges in Business Relationships

22:02 Exploring Residential Assisted Living

24:26 The Realities of Assisted Living Investments

28:00 Understanding the Financial Dynamics of Assisted Living

30:39 Active Duty Passive Income: Empowering Military Investors

33:42 Balancing Family Life and Entrepreneurship

36:53 Due Diligence in Passive Investing

39:31 Bucket List Adventures and Investment Strategies

RANDY SMITH

Connect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestor

Christian Cardamone: Real Estate Veteran & Visionary Entrepreneur

With over 20 years of experience, Christian Cardamone has forged a remarkable career in real estate, entrepreneurship, and property development. Starting as REMAX's "Rookie of the Year" in 2005, he quickly rose to prominence, only to face a significant setback during the 2008 financial crash. Demonstrating resilience and determination, Christian rebuilt his net worth to $10 million, creating a diverse portfolio of over 65 properties spanning multifamily, industrial, office, and vacation assets. As the founder of Aloha Wilmington Real Estate and GreenBuilt Homes, he specializes in boutique property management, sustainable development, and innovative property transformations, including historic renovations like the iconic 1738 Orange Street project.

Christian’s journey is a testament to perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit, blending his expertise in real estate with his passion for sustainability and community building. Based in Wilmington, NC, he balances his professional life with personal pursuits like surfing, sailing, and music. Whether navigating market trends, crafting investment strategies, or sharing lessons from his inspiring comeback, Christian offers audiences invaluable insights and actionable takeaways.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Current Real Estate Market

03:10 Christian's Journey into Real Estate

07:40 Diverse Asset Classes: A Strategic Approach

10:51 Building Partnerships in Real Estate

14:59 The Importance of Partner Selection

16:41 Focusing on Flex and Multifamily Assets

20:41 Understanding Flex Space

25:17 Future Projects and Syndication Plans

31:07 Optimism for the Future of Real Estate

32:56 Educational Resources for New Investors

RANDY SMITH

Connect with our host, Randy Smith, for more educational content or to discuss investment opportunities in the real estate syndication space at www.impactequity.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallsmith or on Instagram at @randysmithinvestor

Summary

In this episode of the Gentle Art of Crossin' podcast, host Randy Smith interviews Christian Cardamone, a commercial broker and founder of Aloha Wilmington Real Estate. They discuss the current real estate market, Christian's journey into real estate, and the importance of diversifying asset classes. Christian shares insights on building partnerships, the significance of selecting the right partners, and his focus on flex and multifamily assets. The conversation also covers the future of real estate, educational resources for new investors, and the optimistic outlook for the market.