Double Header: Benefitting from Headache-Free Real Estate w/Ryan Twomey and Lucas Ravanis
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Episode Description
Welcome to the Freedom Point Real Estate podcast! In today's episode, Jeremy Dyer asks Ryan Twomey and Lucas Ravanis about replacing their dependence on W-2 income, focussing on value-add multi-family investing, benefitting from syndications, finding a good operator, and more.
Ryan Twomey and Lucas Ravanis are the founders of TR Capital Partners, a company dedicated to helping investors build passive income through real estate syndications. After starting with small rentals and experiencing the challenges of being a landlord, Ryan transitioned to syndications, allowing him to scale his investments and achieve financial freedom. Lucas, driven by a passion for real estate and relationship-building, focuses on maximizing investment potential through careful analysis and trust-based partnerships. Together, they’ve acquired nearly 574 units, providing opportunities for others to grow their wealth through strategic real estate investments.
CONNECT WITH RYAN TWOMEY & LUCAS RAVANIS!
Website: https://trcapitalpartner.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TRCapitalPartnersLLC
Ryan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantwomey1/
Ryan's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.twomey.9/
Lucas's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-ravanis/?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name
Lucas's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucas.ravanis/
CONNECT WITH JEREMY DYER!
Website: https://startingpointcapital.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingpointcapital/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremydyer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingpointcapital
Book a Call! https://calendly.com/startingpointcapital/discuss-investing-with-jeremy-dyer?month=2023-12
Summary
Tip #1: Understand How Multifamily Real Estate Appreciates
"Apartment communities are businesses… they trade at a multiple based on net operating income."
Multifamily properties gain value differently from single-family homes. Operators can force appreciation by increasing Net Operating Income (NOI) through rent growth, expense reduction, and renovations. Understanding this core difference helps investors see real estate as a scalable, controllable business rather than a passive asset.
Tip #2: Focus on Economies of Scale
"If you have a five-unit building and two don’t pay rent, that’s 40% of income lost. With a 100-unit building, even if 20 people don’t pay, you’re still covering the mortgage."
Larger multifamily properties offer risk diversification that smaller ones can't. Spreading risk across more units protects income streams, making it easier to handle vacancies or non-paying tenants without threatening profitability. This highlights the advantage of scaling up sooner rather than managing small properties.
Tip #3: Vet the Operator’s Track Record
"Anyone can put pretty pictures on an investor deck… Make sure they’ve executed this business plan before."
The success of syndications heavily depends on the experience of the operator. Investors should verify an operator’s history with similar properties and business plans. A flashy presentation isn’t enough—consistent past performance is crucial for safeguarding capital.
Tip #4: Prioritize Risk Mitigation Over Aggressive Growth
"We want to protect the capital first… focus on debt, rate caps, and ensuring operational levers are controlled."
Ryan and Lucas stress that great operators focus on limiting risk rather than chasing maximum growth. Strategies like locking in low debt rates and comprehensive insurance ensure that external market shifts don’t derail the investment. Investors should favor operators who prioritize stability over speculation.
Tip #5: Align with Operators Who Value Transparency
"Ask them about their rent projections… they should provide market research to back it up."
Transparency builds trust. Good operators openly share their research, market comps, and rationale for projected returns. If an operator hesitates to disclose this information, it may signal a lack of due diligence. Always request evidence for key business plan assumptions.
Tip #6: Real Estate Isn’t a ‘Get Rich Quick’ Game
"Many people start with the hardest approach—equity-based investments where you can’t touch your money for years."
Analysis: For beginners, Pascal recommends starting with lower-risk investments, such as debt or private credit funds. These offer predictable cash flow and faster feedback on investment performance, making them ideal for building confidence. Gradually progressing to higher-risk opportunities can lead to better outcomes.
Tip #7: Establish Clear Financial Goals
"Figure out if what you’re doing now, like 401ks or stocks, is even getting you closer to your goal."
Before investing, investors must define their financial objectives. Ryan highlights the importance of aligning investments with long-term income or tax-saving goals. Passive real estate investments may not suit those focused solely on short-term wealth accumulation.
Tip #8: Educate Yourself Continuously
"We joined mentorships, signed up for newsletters, and implemented everything we learned."
Success in syndications often follows continuous learning. Ryan and Lucas accelerated their growth by absorbing knowledge from experienced operators. Whether through books, podcasts, or formal coaching, ongoing education reduces costly mistakes.
Tip #9: Network and Build Relationships
"It’s a relationship game… You’re married to your operator for 5-7 years."
Syndications are as much about relationships as financials. Finding trustworthy operators and fostering strong investor connections ensures smoother operations over the life of the investment. Networking also opens opportunities for future deals and partnerships.
Tip #10: Take Small, Consistent Steps Toward Financial Freedom
"We didn’t quit our jobs immediately… We house-hacked and reinvested the savings."
Ryan and Lucas didn’t jump straight into large multifamily deals. They started small, using strategies like house hacking to minimize expenses and gradually build capital. Investors should approach real estate incrementally, compounding small wins into larger successes.
