Welcome back to another episode of the IRA Cafe podcast! Host Jasmine Trocchia sits down with Karl Krauskopf, founder of Gold Multifamily, for a candid discussion about real estate investing, portfolio diversification, and the power of business fundamentals in the multifamily space.

Karl shares his journey from a background in international business and corporate health care strategy to building a successful real estate investment company in the Pacific Northwest. Listeners will gain insight into the reasons behind his transition from residential redevelopment to value-add and turnkey multifamily properties, including the stability and scalability that come with long-term business planning.

Jasmine and Karl also explore practical advice for financial education—both for children and adults, the importance of self-education and entrepreneurial thinking, and the founding values that drive Gold Multifamily’s unique company culture. The duo discusses opportunities for self-directed IRA holders to invest passively in real estate, regardless of their geographic location, and what the current and future market trends might hold for multifamily investors.

Karl walks through what prospective investors should ask before getting involved, the role of due diligence, and why he believes the Seattle area offers unique advantages thanks to its strong tech-driven employment base. This episode is full of actionable wisdom for anyone interested in real estate, self-directed retirement accounts, or building a business with integrity and longevity.

Key takeaways:

1. Building Gold Multifamily: From Residential to Value-Add Multifamily: Karl shared his journey from working in health tech and running a residential remodel/development company to founding Gold Multifamily over six years ago. His company focuses on purchasing and operating multifamily properties, especially value-add projects where they improve Class B and C buildings, and recently ventured into Class A properties for further diversification.
2. Business Mindset and Education are Key: Both Karl's academic background (degrees in international business and an MBA) and his emphasis on continuous self-education played a big role in his success. He highlighted that self-education and entrepreneurial thinking at an earlier age could have accelerated his journey and he actively seeks to instill financial literacy and entrepreneurial concepts in his own daughter.
3. Investing Through IRAs: Flexibility and Structure: The conversation explored how Gold Multifamily’s projects can be an option for IRA investors, specifically self-directed IRA holders. Karl explained that investors select individual syndication deals (not funds), allowing them to choose their desired level of risk and diversification. Once invested, IRA participants are hands-off, ensuring compliance and true passive investment.
4. Market Trends: Northwest Focus and Nationwide Relevance: Karl discussed how the Pacific Northwest, particularly Seattle, is poised for opportunity due to slowdowns in new apartment construction and the tech-driven job market. While current market conditions are challenging for sellers, they present opportunities for buyers, with value growth expected in coming years. He emphasizes that, while some trends are local, similar cycles are emerging nationally as supply and demand rebalance.
5. Company Values: Relationships Matter: Karl highlighted the core values of Gold Multifamily, with “GOLD MF” serving as an acronym for the company’s principles (Growth, Obsession, Love-driven, impacting a Million Families, and Flourishing). He stressed that genuine care for employees, tenants, investors, and partners is crucial for long-term success, and that business connections should be rooted in respect and empathy—not just transactions.

Tune in

1. Building Community Impact: Amir Khan explains how Dream Prime Homes acquires and rehabilitates distressed properties in underappreciated Midwest markets, offering new pathways to homeownership and revitalizing neighborhoods at risk of decline.
2. Private Money Lending and Self-Directed IRAs: The episode highlights how investors can passively participate via private money lending, especially through self-directed IRAs, making real estate investing accessible with low minimums and without hands-on involvement.
3. Hands-On Experience and Education: Amir shares how his background in both business and music education informs his approach, and introduces his new eight-week certification course to empower aspiring private money lenders—free for American IRA clients.
4. Market Trends and Housing Solutions: Jasmine and Amir discuss the shortage of affordable housing, the importance of leveraging existing housing stock over new construction, and the positive long-term trends for investors who support underserved communities.
5. Personal Growth and Mission: Amir emphasizes the importance of aligning business with personal values, helping hardworking families realize their dreams of homeownership, and building partnerships with investors focused on both financial returns and social good.

1. Early Action in Real Estate: Rob and Clay both stress the value of getting involved in real estate early, encouraging new professionals and investors to take their time but remain proactive in seeking educational opportunities and deals.
2. Multi-Generational Family Business: Shining Rock Equity stands as a true family enterprise, involving multiple family members and leveraging shared trust and values to enhance business operations and client relationships.
3. Private Credit Fund Strategy: The Aspen Private Credit Fund, Shining Rock’s current active offering, is designed to appeal to investors seeking lower-risk, more stable returns. The fund works by lending investor capital to commercial real estate borrowers, with returns generated through interest and fees.
4. Emphasis on Due Diligence: The Stanleys highlight the importance of rigorous due diligence not only on deals, but also on operators, and encourage investors to build relationships with firms to ensure alignment of values and trust.
5. Market Outlook: Clay provides a macro-level view of multifamily trends, noting a short-term oversupply in certain Sunbelt markets, but anticipating strong rent growth in the coming years due to a pipeline drop-off in new development starts.
6. Advice for New Investors: Both Rob and Clay underscore the importance of understanding investment risks and advocate for investors to ask questions, understand sponsor track records, and prioritize personal comfort and trust before committing funds.
7. Client-Centric Approach: Shining Rock Equity works with a broad range of investors and is committed to providing education and guidance, especially for those using self-directed IRAs for real estate investments.