10/02/2025
Building Strategic Partnerships in Commercial Real Estate Investments with John Azar
Episode 282 of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing is out everywhere you listen to podcasts!
Listen → https://zenandtheartofrealestateinvesting.com/podcast/282/
In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan Greene speaks with John Azar of Peak 15 Capital about the power of strategic partnerships in commercial real estate. John shares his experience in structuring co-GP deals, managing multifamily funds, and creating opportunities that enable investors to scale their portfolios while minimizing operational involvement. He emphasizes the importance of selecting the right partner, practicing conservative underwriting, and leveraging expertise to optimize long-term returns.
John and Jonathan explore the benefits of fund investments versus individual syndications. John explains how a diversified “bin” of assets, such as multifamily properties, industrial properties, and car washes, provides stability, access to multiple cash flow streams, and peace of mind for investors seeking smart, passive income. They also discuss how fund structures offer investors tangible exposure to real estate assets while minimizing the need for active property management.
The conversation highlights the tangible nature of real estate compared to stocks or bonds. Investors can visit properties, evaluate assets in person, and see the land and buildings they’re backing. This hands-on approach enables investors to make informed decisions, understand the true value of the assets, and trust their operators to execute effectively.
Both Jonathan and John stress how real estate provides optionality and flexibility, making it a unique asset class for long-term wealth building.
When evaluating deals, John emphasizes the importance of both people and numbers. Peak 15 Capital adopts a conservative underwriting approach, carefully analyzing rent growth, cap rates, and funding plans to avoid overly optimistic assumptions. John also notes the role of intuition and in-person meetings when selecting partners, advising investors to pass on deals that don’t feel right, even if the projected returns appear attractive.
Finally, John introduces Peak 15 Capital’s multifamily accelerator course, which guides investors through every stage of multifamily investing, from identification and acquisition to management and disposition. The course blends Mom-and-Pop fundraising strategies with institutional-level insights, preparing investors to grow in the multifamily sector and scale their portfolios strategically.
