🎙️ Introduction
In this episode of the Everything Home Podcast with host Michele Swinick, guest Neal Bawa (CEO & Founder of Grocapitus Investments and Founder of MultifamilyU) delivers a data-driven look at the housing crisis, multifamily investing, and the future of affordability in America. Neal explains why supply shortages, rising construction costs, and demographic pressures are creating a “perfect storm” for housing. He forecasts the growth of homelessness, the risks of overbuilding Class A apartments, and the huge opportunities in Class B and C multifamily. With his trademark transparency, Neal also discusses investor trust, the importance of partnerships, and how future technologies like self-driving cars could reshape real estate.
📌 Key Takeaways
✅ Perfect Storm Ahead: Limited construction, rising costs, and high liquidity keep housing prices rising despite market fears.
✅ Homelessness Forecast: Neal predicts a “mass homelessness epidemic” within five years due to affordability gaps.
✅ Class B & C Focus: With 93% of new multifamily supply in Class A, the real opportunity lies in workforce housing.
✅ Transparency Builds Trust: Neal shares both wins and mistakes with investors—honesty strengthens long-term partnerships.
✅ Self-Driving & Housing Expansion: Within 10–15 years, autonomous vehicles could unlock massive new housing supply in affordable areas further from city centers.
✅ Investor Mindset: Recessions are survivable if you own cash-flowing assets in growing cities and avoid over-leverage.
✅ Action Steps: Educate yourself through Neal’s free Real Estate Trends Webinar and consider MultifamilyU’s Bootcamp for hands-on multifamily training.
⏱️ Chapters
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00:00 – Introduction – Michele welcomes Neal Bawa, highlighting his dual role with Grocapitus and MultifamilyU.
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03:15 – The Perfect Storm – Why housing supply shortages and high costs won’t ease anytime soon.
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10:00 – The Coming Homelessness Crisis – Neal predicts exponential growth of homelessness across the U.S.
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16:45 – Class A vs. B & C Properties – Why luxury apartments are risky, but workforce housing has long-term upside.
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22:30 – Risks of Overbuilding – Developers pulling back as the cycle matures, leading to even tighter supply.
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28:10 – Lessons from 2008 – Why this cycle won’t mirror the crash, and why cash-flowing rentals are resilient.
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34:00 – Real Assets vs. Paper Assets – Why real estate remains one of the safest long-term plays.
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40:20 – Investor Strategy – Don’t over-leverage, lock in fixed-rate loans, and focus on high-job-growth markets.
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46:00 – Transparency with Investors – How sharing the good and the bad builds lasting trust.
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51:20 – The Power of Partnerships – Why new investors should “hunt the first elephant” in groups.
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58:00 – The Self-Driving Revolution – How autonomous vehicles could solve housing affordability within 10–15 years.
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01:04:00 – Education First – Neal introduces his Real Estate Trends Webinar and Bootcamp at MultifamilyU.com.
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01:08:00 – Closing Thoughts – Michele reflects on Neal’s strategy of “good people doing good business.”
