In this episode, host Derek Dombeck interviews Lane Kawaoka, a former engineer turned real estate syndicator and the creator of the Wealth Elevator framework. Lane shares his journey from purchasing his first rental property while working a demanding job, to building a massive portfolio of over 10,000 multifamily units. He dives into how he transitioned from single-family investing to large-scale syndications, what to look for in deals, and why understanding your stage in the "wealth elevator" is crucial for long-term financial success.
Start small, but think long-term: Lane began with a single rental and scaled up over time using savings and intentional investing.
Scalability matters: Owning multiple single-family rentals can become a headache. Larger syndications can offer more passive income and less chaos.
Vet syndicators rigorously: Learn the underwriting basics and ask the right questions before investing.
Know your floor in the Wealth Elevator: Your financial stage determines what strategy you should follow.
Real estate isn't always sunshine: Lane and Derek discuss real-world losses and how learning through failure is part of the journey.
Now is the time to look for value: Post-correction markets often bring the best opportunities if you're prepared.
Whether you're new to real estate or an experienced investor, this episode offers rare insights into:
The mindset shift needed to scale wealth
Vetting deals and sponsors like a pro
Strategies to protect and grow your assets as you ascend in net worth
Real talk on market cycles and learning from downturns
You'll also hear practical breakdowns of what it's like to move from a W-2 job into full-time real estate investing and how to avoid common traps along the way.
Lane's early investing journey (SFH to duplexes)
Long-distance turnkey rentals
Transitioning into syndications
Risks of managing multiple small rentals
Underwriting tips for passive investors
The Wealth Elevator framework (Basement to Penthouse)
Dealing with market corrections
Diversifying beyond real estate (private equity, life insurance)
The realities of "passive" investing
| Timestamp | Segment |
|---|---|
| 0:00 – 3:30 | Introduction & Lane's background |
| 3:30 – 10:00 | First rental experiences & savings strategy |
| 10:00 – 17:00 | Scaling beyond SFH into out-of-state rentals |
| 17:00 – 23:00 | Transition into syndications & early mistakes |
| 23:00 – 28:00 | Vetting deals & assumptions in underwriting |
| 28:00 – 34:00 | Market corrections and building resilience |
| 34:00 – 38:00 | The Wealth Elevator explained (Basement to Penthouse) |
| 38:00 – 41:00 | Diversification & changing strategy at higher levels |
| 41:00 – 44:00 | Final thoughts, book info, and wrap-up |
"The Wealth Elevator" by Lane Kawaoka
[Available on Amazon. PDF/MP3 versions by email: team@thewealthelevator.com]
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