The Allocator: A New Way to Finance Real Estate

By: Dr. Adam Gower
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  • Summary

  • Discover the world of the real estate capital allocator, a new way to finance real estate that has emerged only in the last few years. A "capital allocator" typically negotiates preferential terms with professional real estate sponsors on a deal-by-deal basis and then solicits individual investors. They either share the delta between the sponsor's original terms and the improved terms with investors or retain the delta as their compensation. In this YouTube/Podcast series, I interview allocators, investors, sponsors, and service providers to offer you an in-depth look at this growing industry. PLUS, subscribe to my free newsletter for real estate investors and gain access to: * Introductions to sponsors, allocators, and investment opportunities. * Insights drawn from my 30+ years of experience in real estate investing. * Hacks and tactics for raising capital to help you scale your real estate portfolio. Visit GowerCrowd.com/subscribe Email: adam@gowercrowd.com Call: 213-761-1000
    Unless otherwise indicated, all images, content, designs, and recordings © 2025 GowerCrowd. All rights reserved.
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Economics Personal Finance
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Episodes
  • A Day in the Life of a Capital Allocator

    A Day in the Life of a Capital Allocator
    Feb 11 2025
    Meet real estate capital allocator Nick Stromwall, founder of Oak and Vine Capital, in this week’s edition of my podcast/YouTube show, The Allocator: A New Way to Finance. The Role of a Capital Allocator As an allocator, and unlike sponsors who source deals, sign on debt, and execute business plans, Nick works with sponsors to raise capital for their deals. He pools funds from his own investor network to secure larger-than-minimum investment thresholds, in return for which he negotiates preferential terms. Insights and Lessons from the Field Nick shares the details of his process, providing insights you won’t hear elsewhere: • He discusses his typical average raise and the terms he negotiates with sponsors. • He explains how he gets compensated, how he shares preferential terms with his investors, and the additional fees he collects from them. • Nick outlines his due diligence process, evaluating sponsor track records, ethics, and community impact. Part of Nick’s unique value proposition in an increasingly crowded field of capital allocators is his focus on more than just financial returns (though those are, of course, important). He emphasizes creating lasting community impact. Challenges & Myths Nick also talks about how he uses AI and automation to remain compliant with securities laws. He candidly shares the challenges he has faced in recent years as the market has shifted and discusses the lessons you can also learn from. Additionally, Nick addresses common myths associated with the capital allocator business - insights that every aspiring allocator should hear. *** Whether you're an investor, sponsor, or simply curious about the growing capital allocator industry, this episode unpacks the details and nuances behind the model. *** Explore the world of real estate capital allocators—a fresh approach to financing that’s reshaping the industry. In this series, I talk with allocators, investors, sponsors, and service providers to give you an inside look at this fast-growing space. PLUS, subscribe to my free newsletter for real estate investors and gain access to: * Introductions to sponsors, allocators, and investment opportunities. * Insights drawn from my 30+ years of experience in real estate investing. * Hacks and tactics for raising capital to help you scale your real estate portfolio. Visit GowerCrowd.com/subscribe
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    37 mins
  • $11 Million of Equity Raised in Year One!

    $11 Million of Equity Raised in Year One!
    Feb 4 2025
    In today’s show, I welcome Bobby Sharma, co-founder of Connected Capital Fund, an exclusive membership organization of capital allocators - people who pool investor capital to negotiate preferential terms with sponsors. Bobby is also the manager of Better Capital Fund, his private money lending fund. Although Connected Capital Fund is just a year old, the organization has already allocated capital to vetted sponsors across markets including Dallas, San Francisco, and Lincoln, Nebraska, raising and investing $11 million in its first year of operation. Case Study Bobby explains that the Connected Capital Fund team has reviewed fifty deals but invested in only six so far, illustrating their highly selective due diligence process, mitigating risks that individual investors might overlook while providing them with enhanced returns. As an example, Bobby shares a case study involving a deal with a self-storage operator. The sponsor initially offered investors a 70/30 split with a 6% preferred return. However, Connected Capital secured a 90/10 split and increased the preferred return to 8%. These favorable terms were then passed on to Connected Capital Fund members, who promoted them to their networks of investors. Depending on the deal, allocators may either retain the entire delta between the original and negotiated terms or share the benefits with their investors. Allocator Co-Investment Bobby also discusses the practice of backfilling deals. In this process, after a minimum investment is agreed upon with a sponsor, Bobby acts as the first investor, providing the full amount required to meet the threshold. He then raises additional capital from other investors, 'backfilling' his initial capital contribution. In 95% of cases, he leaves a portion of his own capital in the deal to maintain alignment with investors though, on rare occasions, if demand is particularly strong, he may relinquish his position entirely, leaving no co-investment in the deal. Bobby was the first fund manager client of Avestor, a platform designed for capital allocators (whose co-founder, Badri Malynur - who was the first guest in this podcast series). He is highly knowledgeable about the capital allocator industry being an allocator himself as well as leading Connected Capital Fund, an organization of allocators. Tune in to learn more about this emerging industry of capital raisers in today’s episode - you’ll be glad you did. ***** Explore the world of real estate capital allocators—a fresh approach to financing that’s reshaping the industry. In this series, I talk with allocators, investors, sponsors, and service providers to give you an inside look at this fast-growing space. PLUS, subscribe to my free newsletter for real estate investors and gain access to: * Introductions to sponsors, allocators, and investment opportunities. * Insights drawn from my 30+ years of experience in real estate investing. * Hacks and tactics for raising capital to help you scale your real estate portfolio. Visit GowerCrowd.com/subscribe
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    57 mins
  • Demystifying the Capital Allocator Model

    Demystifying the Capital Allocator Model
    Jan 28 2025
    My guest today, Jeff Greenberg, founder of Synergetic Investment Group, is a capital allocator whose business model focuses on identifying, vetting, and providing capital to sponsors by aggregating funds from his network of investors. Aggregating Investor Funds By pooling investor capital, typically $1MM or more, Jeff negotiates preferential terms with sponsors, such as higher preferred returns and better promote splits than individual investors could secure on their own. Through his fund, Jeff offers his investors the opportunity to allocate capital according to their preferences among the offerings he promotes. Negotiated Benefits for Investors Jeff explains that the delta he negotiates with sponsors is partially passed on to his investors through returns that are at least equal to or better than what they would achieve by investing directly with the sponsor. He retains some or all of the delta as compensation for his role in aggregating capital, negotiating terms, and conducting due diligence. Rigorous Due Diligence Together with a group of other capital allocators via the Connected Capital Fund group, Jeff utilizes a 250-point due diligence checklist to select and screen sponsors. This process includes analyzing business structures, assessing team competencies, and evaluating operational controls. Challenges in the Market Throughout his capital allocation activities, Jeff has raised a total of $6–7 million. However, in 2024, he raised only $100,000, reflecting the challenges of the market. When possible, Jeff invests alongside his fund investors to align his interests with theirs. Concerns About the Allocator Model Jeff expressed concern about other capital allocators who lack operational experience and fail to conduct thorough due diligence. This can undermine the quality of deals in the industry and damage the reputation of the allocator model when poorly vetted projects fail. Dispelling Misconceptions He also addressed the misconception that the allocator model is a quick and easy path to wealth. Many new entrants, lured by promises of simplicity, fail to appreciate the effort required to build trust with investors, properly vet sponsors, and manage deals effectively. Listen to this episode, meet Jeff, and learn more about the capital allocator model. ***** Explore the world of real estate capital allocators—a fresh approach to financing that’s reshaping the industry. In this series, I talk with allocators, investors, sponsors, and service providers to give you an inside look at this fast-growing space. PLUS, subscribe to my free newsletter for real estate investors and gain access to: * Introductions to sponsors, allocators, and investment opportunities. * Insights drawn from my 30+ years of experience in real estate investing. * Hacks and tactics for raising capital to help you scale your real estate portfolio. Visit GowerCrowd.com/subscribe
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    53 mins

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Profile Image for Willert Morris

Comprehensive

Good insights to terms for investors. Found out about south and tax free states. I’ll listen again!
Cheers

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